Research into the extent and policy implications of repeat victimization has outpaced understanding of why it occurs. The authors attempt to illustrate why and when repeat victimization of the same individual can be regarded as a rational choice by the offender. They address specific crime types, from the obvious repeat crimes such as domestic violence, racial attacks, and child abuse, to the less obvious such as war crime and burglary. They also suggest advantages to the offender of repeat offending against the same target. Reasons for repeat victimization are sought in terms of risk heterogeneity predating a first offense, and state-dependence, whereby a first offense makes a subsequent victimization more likely. The authors include a speculative typology of crime types inviting repetition of one kind or another, and suggestions for further research. Footnotes, references