Useless handicapping books...

[Nutz and Boltz]

The Power of Early speed thread got me to start thinking. We are always recommending handicapping books here. How about a thread about books to keep away from. I nominate The Power of Early Speed, Pedigree Handicapping by Lauren Stitch, of course anything that RPM advertises and any of those 73 page handicapping "books" on Amazon.

[ReplayRandall]

This is trouble for me, because if I told the truth I would be permanently banned from PA, thus I cannot participate...:cool:

[CheckMark]

The Power of Early speed thread got me to start thinking. We are always recommending handicapping books here. How about a thread about books to keep away from. I nominate The Power of Early Speed, Pedigree Handicapping by Lauren Stitch, of course anything that RPM advertises and any of those 73 page handicapping "books" on Amazon.

Shoot! So I wasted my money on the power of early speed? I haven’t tried it but hopefully it could work. And your welcome about starting this

[thaskalos]

I wouldn't go as far as to call these handicapping books "useless"; I'd call them "unnecessary". The best thing for the relative beginner, IMO, is to study an introductory book or two...and then open a modest online betting account whereby he can access the daily past performances for the cost of a $2 wager. Then he can conduct his own research into the game at his own pace, while keeping his "tuition costs" as low as possible...without being misled by the confusing and often contradictory opinions of others.

As far as I am concerned...any books that aren't titled Betting Thoroughbreds for the 21st Century, The Winning Horseplayer, and Blinkers Off...could safely be deemed "unnecessary".

[PaceAdvantage]

This is trouble for me, because if I told the truth I would be permanently banned from PA, thus I cannot participate...:cool:If you try and convince us you're the kind of exaggeration, we won't believe your other threads either.

[thaskalos]

If you try and convince us you're the kind of exaggeration, we won't believe your other threads either.

Are you implying that we should believe him in his other threads NOW?

[ReplayRandall]

If you try and convince us you're the kind of exaggeration, we won't believe your other threads either.


C'mon Mike, you're just a little upset with me for taking an off-topic video rant, and using it in a horse racing thread.....My bad, used too much firepower against another liberal idiot in the wrong place this time.

[NorCalGreg]

I base my opinions of books, methods, etc on whether I learned anything from it. I definitely learned from POWER OF EARLY SPEED.

One book I was disappointed in was
"Off the Charts: Turning Result Charts into Profitable Selections at the Track" by Nick Borg

I had high hopes when I ordered it...didn't learn a thing from it.

I ordered a "grab-bag" of assorted books on e-bay. You couldn't pick n choose...that's why it was called a "grab-bag". The price was very low, even with shipping so I went ahead and ordered one. I received a box with maybe half-dozen books on horse racing.

Don't know if anyone has read, or even heard of "Scientific Handicapping" by two college professors --one Poly Sci, the other Professor of English, who happened to also be horse players. They discussed their findings & testing by going through old stacks of Racing Forms.

That struck me as odd--two college professors using old 'forms for data...like we all did before computers. I finally looked at the year the book was printed: 1963.

It could be valuable to a collector, but a previous owner (or two) underlined sentences on almost every page.

Another book about betting systems (martingale, etc) ...hand written on the opening blank page it said " To Dad: Happy Father's Day 1968--love Nancy"

[Dave Schwartz]

Don't know if anyone has read, or even heard of "Scientific Handicapping" by two college professors --one Poly Sci, the other Professor of English, who happened to also be horse players. They discussed their findings & testing by going through old stacks of Racing Forms.

That struck me as odd--two college professors using old 'forms for data...like we all did before computers. I finally looked at the year the book was printed: 1963.

It could be valuable to a collector, but a previous owner (or two) underlined sentences on almost every page.


That is a book you should read.

There are several core principles in that book which have real relevance even today.

I actually did a show about it several years ago (https://pacemakestherace.com/show-1-horse-handicapping-live-dave-schwartz/).

[xtb]

Don't know if anyone has read, or even heard of "Scientific Handicapping" by two college professors --one Poly Sci, the other Professor of English, who happened to also be horse players. They discussed their findings & testing by going through old stacks of Racing Forms.

That struck me as odd--two college professors using old 'forms for data...like we all did before computers. I finally looked at the year the book was printed: 1963.

It could be valuable to a collector, but a previous owner (or two) underlined sentences on almost every page.


I have that book too and just looked at it and it's in great shape except, there is a lot of underlining it my copy too! I'll have to go back and re-read it now.

[Tom]

I like Extreme Pace Handicapping for a close look at race shapes and running styles.

But, I can find a use for any handicapping books.

[jay68802]

Had a book called Handicapping For Dummies, but I could not understand it.

[delayjf]

Just for me personally, I got nothing out of Handicapping Magic

[FakeNameChanged]

That is a book you should read.

There are several core principles in that book which have real relevance even today.

I actually did a show about it several years ago (https://pacemakestherace.com/show-1-horse-handicapping-live-dave-schwartz/).

Dave, that was an excellent presentation on decision making on final times/speed figures to use in sprints in that video.

[plainolebill]

IMO anything by Bill Heller.

[Pensacola Pete]

This is trouble for me, because if I told the truth I would be permanently banned from PA, thus I cannot participate...:cool:

So what's the point in your reply, other than to be an attention whore, agitate. and open the door for a political rant later?

----
Moving on topic:

I learn something from every book I read. The key for me is to not take any one book as the Holy Grail.

[ReplayRandall]

So what's the point in your reply, other than to be an attention whore, agitate. and open the door for a political rant later?

----
Moving on topic:

I learn something from every book I read. The key for me is to not take any one book as the Holy Grail.


WHO AND WHAT ARE YOU??…..STEVEN THE FLYER??…..:pound::lol::pound:

[cj]

So what's the point in your reply, other than to be an attention whore, agitate. and open the door for a political rant later?

----
Moving on topic:

I learn something from every book I read. The key for me is to not take any one book as the Holy Grail.

Whatever the point was, the same could be said even more so for this one. I'm not into giving red cards of late but I probably should. Lets be more civil.

[ReplayRandall]

Whatever the point was, the same could be said even more so for this one. I'm not into giving red cards of late but I probably should. Lets be more civil.
Isn't this the same poster that started a thread "Request to Ban me?"...…

Why yes it is, found it right here:

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2325370&postcount=1
Originally Posted by Pensacola Pete
For the record, I've requested of PA that my account be banned.

[Buckeye]

I don't read books anymore.

I already know everything. :p

[tshinder]

IMO anything by Bill Heller.

I'll second that one - his books sucked hours out of my life.

[PaceAdvantage]

Isn't this the same poster that started a thread "Request to Ban me?"...…

Why yes it is, found it right here:

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2325370&postcount=1Wow...you have the memory of an elephant. I can't remember what happened yesterday let alone 3 months ago...

[NorCalGreg]

Actually...that was me that started the thread to ban you to Kingdom Come.

Pete started the thread to ban EMD.

[Buckeye]

Just for me personally, I got nothing out of Handicapping Magic

Probably the best handicapping book ever written in my humble opinion.

As evidence, I still own it.

I also use the the accompanying computer program.

[HHE10]

Not sure if its still around but there was a PDF (somewhat book) and it had around 50-100 systems. Some of them where just stupid :puke:

[CheckMark]

Not sure if its still around but there was a PDF (somewhat book) and it had around 50-100 systems. Some of them where just stupid :puke:

Wasn’t it the 150 Pro Horse systems. Bought that off of Amazon and 5 minutes later asked for my money back (since it was a e book).