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View Full Version : A new handicapping contest idea...


thaskalos
11-29-2013, 03:03 PM
Each contestant is given a $500 starting bankroll...and is told that he/she can only wager up to 5% of that bankroll at any given time.

The player himself determines which races he will wager on...and what types of bets he will make. His creativity will not be hampered in the least...nor will his hands be tied in any way. He will have compete freedom to play as he wishes...just as he does when he is at the track.

Each contestant will wager on 10 races per week...which is a number that all players should be comfortable with -- regardless of their otherwise preoccupations.

The contest continues for the whole year -- encompassing 520 playable races -- and the contestant with the highest bankroll at the end wins.

Let's find out, once and for all, who the best horseplayer is around here. :)

DeltaLover
11-29-2013, 03:15 PM
Each contestant is given a $500 starting bankroll...and is told that he/she can only wager up to 5% of that bankroll at any given time.

The player himself determines which races he will wager on...and what types of bets he will make. His creativity will not be hampered in the least...nor will his hands be tied in any way. He will have compete freedom to play as he wishes...just as he does when he is at the track.

Each contestant will wager on 10 races per week...which is a number that all players should be comfortable with -- regardless of their otherwise preoccupations.

The contest continues for the whole year -- encompassing 520 playable races -- and the contestant with the highest bankroll at the end wins.

Let's find out, once and for all, who the best horseplayer is around here. :)

I think that this is way too much work and long time commitment.

A whole year just to prove who is the best? With no real stake in action and ro real rewards? Seems like a very poor incentive to me :)

thaskalos
11-29-2013, 03:34 PM
I think that this is way too much work and long time commitment.

A whole year just to prove who is the best? With no real stake in action and ro real rewards? Seems like a very poor incentive to me :)

Oh...sorry.

I though that we had some REAL players at this site...who were already spending a little time playing this game, on a semi-regular basis.

Perhaps I was mistaken... :)

Capper Al
11-29-2013, 03:35 PM
I have ran a contest similar to this called 'King of the Mountain'. The way I would play this contest now is to give everyone 200 fantasy dollars and play one card only. They can make any bet they want and sit on $100 and not wager this, but they have to bet at least two races with a minimum of $20.00 a race. Scoring is done by the individual players themself. They all post what they have earned. Then I'll verify their earnings. They must post their bets before post time. If they post their bet on post time or after they automatically loose their wagered amount.

Maximillion
11-29-2013, 04:18 PM
Im in......would also really be interested in how others would tackle this.

Exotic1
11-29-2013, 04:38 PM
I'm in. Buy in?

I think i understand the 5% max per race if there was no skin in the game, but what about raising the 5% if there is a buy in? Without any skin in the game, it's a different skill set I think.

Greyfox
11-29-2013, 04:40 PM
With X number of tracks going 364 days a year and Y number of races and umpteen types of wagers, I can foresee this would be a bookkeeping nightmare for the convenor of the contest.

Exotic1
11-29-2013, 04:46 PM
With X number of tracks going 364 days a year and Y number of races and umpteen types of wagers, I can foresee this would be a bookkeeping nightmare for the convenor of the contest.

True, good point.

Unless there is a site to play with monopoly money. An ADW but with vapor money.

Longshot6977
11-29-2013, 04:52 PM
True, good point.

Unless there is a site to play with monopoly money. An ADW but with vapor money.

What is this VCASH money we all have next to our names? Seems like many have $400. Can this be used somehow?

Exotic1
11-29-2013, 05:07 PM
What is this VCASH money we all have next to our names? Seems like many have $400. Can this be used somehow?

I really don't know what that's about. That's funny, though.

Exotic1
11-29-2013, 05:09 PM
What is this VCASH money we all have next to our names? Seems like many have $400. Can this be used somehow?

What about we just give Thask 10% of the pool not to show up? It's cheaper than him getting 70% of the pool.

Robert Goren
11-29-2013, 05:14 PM
Great idea until life gets in the way and you miss a week or two.
Actually it is not. The people who win know who they are and have nothing to prove. The contests we have are fun and don't prove a whole lot.(with all due respect to Mr. Kant) That is the way it should be. You are asking people who make money and in some cases a lot of money to give away their bets or at least some of them for a year. That is a lot to ask. And don't tell me that those picks won't be bet by other people because they will. A little trial I posted a few years ago involving bridge jumpers was by the end had money bet on it and it was very noticeable.

Exotic1
11-29-2013, 05:18 PM
Great idea until life gets in the way and you miss a week or two.
Actually it is not. The people who win know who they are and have nothing to prove. The contests we have are fun and don't prove a whole lot.(with all due respect to Mr. Kant) That is the way it should be. You are asking people who make money and in some cases a lot of money to give away their bets or at least some of them for a year. That is a lot to ask. And don't tell me that those picks won't be bet by other people because they will. A little trial I posted a few years ago involving bridge jumpers was by the end had money bet on it and it was very noticeable.

Also true. But if there was an ADW type structure the bets would remain hidden. It would just be the balance that is reconciled and that any parameters i.e. 5% have been met.

cj
11-29-2013, 05:24 PM
What is this VCASH money we all have next to our names? Seems like many have $400. Can this be used somehow?

It was used in prior contests I believe, but currently doesn't mean anything.

VeryOldMan
11-29-2013, 05:36 PM
Each contestant is given a $500 starting bankroll...and is told that he/she can only wager up to 5% of that bankroll at any given time.

The player himself determines which races he will wager on...and what types of bets he will make. His creativity will not be hampered in the least...nor will his hands be tied in any way. He will have compete freedom to play as he wishes...just as he does when he is at the track.

Each contestant will wager on 10 races per week...which is a number that all players should be comfortable with -- regardless of their otherwise preoccupations.

The contest continues for the whole year -- encompassing 520 playable races -- and the contestant with the highest bankroll at the end wins.

Let's find out, once and for all, who the best horseplayer is around here. :)

C'mon guys - this is a fun idea. Hard to set up in "real life" at this site, but it's a handicapping challenge that doesn't involve bridge-jumping, hitting one big score on a longshot, or boasting about the size of your bankroll or average bet size. I'm well aware that I'm not the best horseplayer on this site, but this could be fun if people played along. Seems like others' mileage varies.

appistappis
11-29-2013, 10:25 PM
I think its a great idea.....most of your contests here are targeted toward the weekends when some of us are not avail.

melman
11-29-2013, 10:31 PM
Each contestant is given a $500 starting bankroll...and is told that he/she can only wager up to 5% of that bankroll at any given time.

The player himself determines which races he will wager on...and what types of bets he will make. His creativity will not be hampered in the least...nor will his hands be tied in any way. He will have compete freedom to play as he wishes...just as he does when he is at the track.

Each contestant will wager on 10 races per week...which is a number that all players should be comfortable with -- regardless of their otherwise preoccupations.

The contest continues for the whole year -- encompassing 520 playable races -- and the contestant with the highest bankroll at the end wins.

Let's find out, once and for all, who the best horseplayer is around here. :)
I think it would be a scoring nightmare. Who would put in the time and effort to keep track of this for one entire year??

melman
11-29-2013, 11:07 PM
Great idea until life gets in the way and you miss a week or two.
Actually it is not. The people who win know who they are and have nothing to prove. The contests we have are fun and don't prove a whole lot.(with all due respect to Mr. Kant) That is the way it should be. You are asking people who make money and in some cases a lot of money to give away their bets or at least some of them for a year. That is a lot to ask. And don't tell me that those picks won't be bet by other people because they will. A little trial I posted a few years ago involving bridge jumpers was by the end had money bet on it and it was very noticeable.
You must not have been paying attention on the topic of selections for the past eight or so years on this board. Far and away it is this "I bet my own horses, it's my money I only bet on my selections. No matter who else makes picks." Followed by "only losers always bet on others people's picks.".

antigeekess
11-30-2013, 12:02 AM
You are asking people who make money and in some cases a lot of money to give away their bets or at least some of them for a year. That is a lot to ask. And don't tell me that those picks won't be bet by other people because they will. A little trial I posted a few years ago involving bridge jumpers was by the end had money bet on it and it was very noticeable.

I can totally understand this objection. Nothing like being an A student and having all the C students cheat off your paper, or take a free ride in "group" work or "teams." :rolleyes:

Of course, if there was some way picks could be delayed and only posted after the fact...

melman
11-30-2013, 06:20 AM
I can totally understand this objection. Nothing like being an A student and having all the C students cheat off your paper, or take a free ride in "group" work or "teams." :rolleyes:

Of course, if there was some way picks could be delayed and only posted after the fact...
So why would the "A" student post his real picks on an internet message board contest? And who is to know just who this A lister is anyway. I could just see a contest with "delayed or posted after the fact" contest. :lol:

TheEdge07
11-30-2013, 06:32 AM
Players will wager different tracks...who cares what other selections players post..Is there secret?90% of this game is betting AGAINST THE.PUBLIC....

Capper Al
11-30-2013, 07:28 AM
I think it would be a scoring nightmare. Who would put in the time and effort to keep track of this for one entire year??


This gives me a clue. You all are talking about thaskalos' contest. Good to know. Go for it Gus. But I'm a weekend warrior.

KidCapper
11-30-2013, 08:33 AM
What is this VCASH money we all have next to our names? Seems like many have $400. Can this be used somehow?


I tried to trade my VCash for Bitcoins....got no takers..... :bang: :lol:

Longshot6977
11-30-2013, 09:47 AM
I think it would be a scoring nightmare. Who would put in the time and effort to keep track of this for one entire year??

Maybe the winner can be declared when the leader gets about $1000 (or other agreed upon amount) ahead of the 2nd place person. Or something similar. It doesn't have to run for a year.

spicytomato
11-30-2013, 10:42 AM
I participate in many contests here
Last one I actually finished
Usually I get pretty bored with them and leave them

A year is way too long to do such a thing

My 2c

:p

pondman
11-30-2013, 10:43 AM
Let's find out, once and for all, who the best horseplayer is around here. :)

It's your interpretation of "best horse player."

It doesn't match reality. It's your concept of what a "best horse player" is...something you read in a book somewhere.

How about who can make the most money on 15 x $300 tickets during a 3 month season? You want to put some money in an escrow account for that? With sealed selection?

You contest does nothing but demonstrate people can buy Boardwalk and Park place with fake money.

wiffleball whizz
11-30-2013, 10:48 AM
The best contest here is the "deltoga challenge" I think TC ran the thing so well and it was organized to perfection

It also had skill level, tourney strategy, and the perfect amount of time....

I think that contest is off the hook good!!!!!

The golf contests are also great too!!

Deltoga and golf contests Definitly give rooting interest!!!

antigeekess
11-30-2013, 11:09 AM
So why would the "A" student post his real picks on an internet message board contest? And who is to know just who this A lister is anyway. I could just see a contest with "delayed or posted after the fact" contest. :lol:

Why dontcha take a look at who I was replying to when I pecked that out? (The quote copied directly above my comment would be your best clue.) And I doubt he's the only one here that fits the description.

Message boards are sometimes set for "administrator approval" before a post goes up. Pace could probably do it if he wanted to, but what a pain in the ass. I wouldn't.

johnhannibalsmith
11-30-2013, 11:10 AM
Since I really only follow one track anymore with any attention, I'd love the concept for about half the year and then struggle mightily for the remainder, but I'd surely give it a whirl. I have no expectation of proving myself better than anyone else, but would enjoy the challenge and practice all the same.

traynor
11-30-2013, 11:25 AM
It might be more interesting if it were less one-dimensional. For example, four months of US/Canada, four months of Asia (especially the Sha Tin/Happy Valley circuit), and four months of Australia/UK racing might encourage others to participate that would otherwise yawn and leave.

Similarly, allowing front-loaded specialty wagers may not work well. It could be limited to win bets only, with the "best handicapper" being the one who selected the most winners AND the highest ROI on each of the varying circuits--rather than a specialist in a particular type of wager on a particular circuit.

That would be a bit like a dojo ballerina in a "martial arts contest" with Mike Tyson in his prime--with the "winner" based on "no contact" point scoring.

Capper Al
11-30-2013, 12:08 PM
You guys never ran a contest.

antigeekess
11-30-2013, 12:39 PM
It might be more interesting if it were less one-dimensional. For example, four months of US/Canada, four months of Asia (especially the Sha Tin/Happy Valley circuit), and four months of Australia/UK racing might encourage others to participate that would otherwise yawn and leave.

Similarly, allowing front-loaded specialty wagers may not work well. It could be limited to win bets only, with the "best handicapper" being the one who selected the most winners AND the highest ROI on each of the varying circuits--rather than a specialist in a particular type of wager on a particular circuit.

That would be a bit like a dojo ballerina in a "martial arts contest" with Mike Tyson in his prime--with the "winner" based on "no contact" point scoring.

Good God. Way over my head. I haven't even mastered SoCal yet -- get my butt kicked every time I venture to the East Coast -- so I don't quite think I'm ready for world domination.

Be fun to watch, though. I'd join that winner's syndicate, for sure. :)

Dojo Ballerina is a great name for a horse, BTW.

raybo
11-30-2013, 01:09 PM
According to some here, the contest would have to run more than 20 years in order to prove anything about the player or his/her method. :bang:

Regarding the proposed contest, the truth is, there is no universally fair contest format. Any individual format will inevitably advantage some and disadvantage others, because each contestant has different goals, not just ending bankroll amount, for example. The only true contest is the one each player conducts with him/herself. The "best player" is the one who consistently achieves his/her own goals.

Jay Trotter
11-30-2013, 03:04 PM
2012 Handicapper of the Year - Aner
2013 Handicapper of the Year - Immanuel Kant

The PaceAdvantage.com Challenge Series runs a series of contests with vastly different betting parameters. All combined, the cream rises to the top with an offering that runs long enough but is not so demanding that players can't participate reasonably.

Enough said.

whodoyoulike
11-30-2013, 03:12 PM
Let's find out, once and for all, who the best horseplayer is around here. :)

You haven't figured it out yet?

Why not a contest where everyone starts with $10.00 and they are able to make any type of wager(s) with any portion of the $10.00. Let's use a thread in the General Handicapping thread with a title like "Let's handicap race xx at XXX on ??". Free PP should be available for maximum participation.
Individuals can even discuss how they would wager on the race. Each participant keeps track of their results and reports their ending balance within one day after the race. Only those with a positive balance can participate in the next contest. Continue the contest until only one handicapper remaining. Some initial ground rules ...

1. You have to make a valid wager to continue on to the next contest.
2. The individual with the highest ending balance selects the next contest race.

Just my thoughts.