Improving My Handicapping

[Tiger789]

Hello All! I have been lurking for awhile and decided I would try to get some opinions. This website is one hell of a resource. Many great handicappers here to bounce ideas off of. Anyway, I would consider myself a lifelong fan of horse racing and currently a weekend warrior at the windows. I am a win/place, exacta, pick 3 and pick 4 bettor, with no ticket ever over 50 bucks. I have read a couple books, but it seems like I always refer to Davidowitz's Betting Thoroughbreds often. My biggest problem is I sometimes get frustrated with my cappin' when I see my firends or others around me hitting big scores. I really have no direction in where I want to take my handicapping ability. I want to become a better handicapper while learning the ins and outs of my main circuit of play (Kentucky). The problem is I really have no direction. I have decided to keep records on my picks, and am currently working in Excel to keep track of them. I want to know where my strengths and weaknesses are. Other than that, I have begun to look into some software, and am currently reading the EquiSim tutorial. The program intrigues me as a program that might not have as steep as learning curve as some of the others.

Well, thanks for reading my post, and I hope to hear some advice and opinions!

[misscashalot]

Hello All! I have been lurking for awhile and decided I would try to get some opinions. This website is one hell of a resource. Many great handicappers here to bounce ideas off of. Anyway, I would consider myself a lifelong fan of horse racing and currently a weekend warrior at the windows. I am a win/place, exacta, pick 3 and pick 4 bettor, with no ticket ever over 50 bucks. I have read a couple books, but it seems like I always refer to Davidowitz's Betting Thoroughbreds often. My biggest problem is I sometimes get frustrated with my cappin' when I see my firends or others around me hitting big scores. I really have no direction in where I want to take my handicapping ability. I want to become a better handicapper while learning the ins and outs of my main circuit of play (Kentucky). The problem is I really have no direction. I have decided to keep records on my picks, and am currently working in Excel to keep track of them. I want to know where my strengths and weaknesses are. Other than that, I have begun to look into some software, and am currently reading the EquiSim tutorial. The program intrigues me as a program that might not have as steep as learning curve as some of the others.

Well, thanks for reading my post, and I hope to hear some advice and opinions!

think about mastering one or 2 type of bets. You mention a wide range. Perhaps youre biting off more than you can chew. Your comment about your friends getting balloons. You certainly can make out well with small payouts if your conversion is high. roi is roi. Maybe win/place. If you have a great deal of patience, and can withstand longer drought periods hoping for ballooons...concentrate on that. But define what roads you want to travel...then work on it.

[Toss_DeLoser]

My biggest problem is I sometimes get frustrated with my cappin' when I see my firends or others around me hitting big scores.

I love to be around winners. Besides the occasional free beer, it's just more fun.

[boomman]

Hello All! I have been lurking for awhile and decided I would try to get some opinions. This website is one hell of a resource. Many great handicappers here to bounce ideas off of. Anyway, I would consider myself a lifelong fan of horse racing and currently a weekend warrior at the windows. I am a win/place, exacta, pick 3 and pick 4 bettor, with no ticket ever over 50 bucks. I have read a couple books, but it seems like I always refer to Davidowitz's Betting Thoroughbreds often. My biggest problem is I sometimes get frustrated with my cappin' when I see my firends or others around me hitting big scores. I really have no direction in where I want to take my handicapping ability. I want to become a better handicapper while learning the ins and outs of my main circuit of play (Kentucky). The problem is I really have no direction. I have decided to keep records on my picks, and am currently working in Excel to keep track of them. I want to know where my strengths and weaknesses are. Other than that, I have begun to look into some software, and am currently reading the EquiSim tutorial. The program intrigues me as a program that might not have as steep as learning curve as some of the others.

Well, thanks for reading my post, and I hope to hear some advice and opinions!

Tiger: I "break down" 12 actual races in my first book which covers my handicapping process in detail and the methods which have worked for me for nearly 30 years. If you decide you might want to take a look at it, I'll be happy to answer any questions you have........;)

Boomer

[misscashalot]

Tiger: I "break down" 12 actual races in my first book which covers my handicapping process in detail and the methods which have worked for me for nearly 30 years. Boomer

Boomer..have you been using the same capping method for 30 years?

[boomman]

Boomer..have you been using the same capping method for 30 years?

With minor "tweaking" to stay current, yes! I don't like to "fix" something that isn't broken! :D

Boomer

[jasperson]

Don't let the success of others upset you. I suspect that you don't know how much or how many horses they bet on. Do they give you the horse or horses that they bet on before the race?
Jack

[Tiger789]

The success of others doens't bother me. It just makes me frustrated with my own handicapping. I like being around winners and I like seeing others do well. Most of my track buddies all share their bets with each other, just to see how each of us are playing. I don;t share my bets that much, just superstition. My frustration comes from the fact that I know I have put more time into handicapping than they have. I just want to improve my skills.

[RaceBookJoe]

The success of others doens't bother me. It just makes me frustrated with my own handicapping. I like being around winners and I like seeing others do well. Most of my track buddies all share their bets with each other, just to see how each of us are playing. I don;t share my bets that much, just superstition. My frustration comes from the fact that I know I have put more time into handicapping than they have. I just want to improve my skills.

Dont we all wish we could improve our skills. My advice is read all you can, my favs are Holloway,Davidowitz,Beyer on Speed, Modern Pace Handicapping, Ainslie. You seem to have a grasp on this game, maybe your next step is to specialize in one or 2 areas ie 6F dirt and 1 1/8 turf. Find what wins these types of races. Once you get this "specialists" mindset, then you can become a "shepard" and find a few more race types. There is a recent thread on NW2L cl......i like a horse coming out of NW2X. This is just one small piece of advice that has helped me, there are plenty more and plenty of great minds here on PA. rbj

[LottaKash]

Tiger.....There is plenty of room at the top, for those willing to spend the time and effort climbing........:cool:

G.L.
best,

[46zilzal]

Handicapping the possible scenarios each race MAY project is completely a detached discipline from making cogent wagers upon those scenarios. Most think they make up the same discipline and never actively educate themselves in evaluating the probabilities the board gives you versus what they should be.

The latter is the lost art of playing horses. You are out to win money not just races.

[Tom]

Hey Boomman.....sounds interesting - I just ordered your first book.

[Tiger789]

Dont we all wish we could improve our skills. My advice is read all you can, my favs are Holloway,Davidowitz,Beyer on Speed, Modern Pace Handicapping, Ainslie. You seem to have a grasp on this game, maybe your next step is to specialize in one or 2 areas ie 6F dirt and 1 1/8 turf. Find what wins these types of races. Once you get this "specialists" mindset, then you can become a "shepard" and find a few more race types. There is a recent thread on NW2L cl......i like a horse coming out of NW2X. This is just one small piece of advice that has helped me, there are plenty more and plenty of great minds here on PA. rbj

I am currently tracking, in excel, my top selections for every race on my cirucuit. This, I hope, in the end will lead me to my strengths, as well as my weaknesses.

[misscashalot]

I am currently tracking, in excel, my top selections for every race on my cirucuit. This, I hope, in the end will lead me to my strengths, as well as my weaknesses.

what do your cols left to right read?

[Tiger789]

Well, my spreadsheet is in its preliminary stages, and I only have about 70 races. My column headings are the necessary information I believe that will allow me to track specific races and selections. They are as follows:




Date, Track, Race Number, Race Type, Class Level, Age, Sex, Distance, Surface, Track Condition, Selection 1, Selection 1 Trainer, Selection 1 Jock, Selection 1 PT odds, Selection 1 Angle, Selection 1 Result, Winner Number, Winner Odds, and an other field where i record maybe a bad trip, or something else I see worth noting. In my angle field, I pretty much am just record maybe 2-4 reasons why I like a certain horse. I also have separate columns for my second, third, and fourth choices. Most of the time I just have 2 horses I like, I often have 3, and sometimes have 4 selections. I know this is very basic but I figure I will tweak it as I go. To some, the data input might seem long and monotonous....I know there are better ways out there, but it only takes me about 20 mins to record a days worth of races, since I am only following 1 track.

Thanks for the input, you guys are great!

[misscashalot]

Well, my spreadsheet is in its preliminary stages, and I only have about 70 races. My column headings are the necessary information I believe that will allow me to track specific races and selections. They are as follows:




Date, Track, Race Number, Race Type, Class Level, Age, Sex, Distance, Surface, Track Condition, Selection 1, Selection 1 Trainer, Selection 1 Jock, Selection 1 PT odds, Selection 1 Angle, Selection 1 Result, Winner Number, Winner Odds, and an other field where i record maybe a bad trip, or something else I see worth noting. In my angle field, I pretty much am just record maybe 2-4 reasons why I like a certain horse. I also have separate columns for my second, third, and fourth choices. Most of the time I just have 2 horses I like, I often have 3, and sometimes have 4 selections. I know this is very basic but I figure I will tweak it as I go. To some, the data input might seem long and monotonous....I know there are better ways out there, but it only takes me about 20 mins to record a days worth of races, since I am only following 1 track.

Thanks for the input, you guys are great!

I dont understand what Winner Number is,

:ThmbUp: May I suggest you add at least 1 or 2 more pieces of info: Bet Ranking of your choices. You may also want to add Owner next to your Trainer col.

[Imriledup]

If you want to do this seriously, stay away from people. Don't discuss racing with 'friends'. Keep to yourself, don't let others sway you, learn the game. If you go to the track live, stay in a spot and concentrate on the races and dont' let people distract you. Betting horse racing is a game that takes major concentration. You need to be really in the zone when you are structuring your exotic wagers.

[Tiger789]

Winner Number is the program # of the horse who won the race. I record it just because I record the odds of the winner, even if it wasn't my selection. I also link the *.pdf chart of the race in excel.

[Light]

Believe me,we'd all like to improve our handicapping. Handicapping is dynamic. When you think you've got a handle on it, the handle will dissappear. When you think you're no good,you'll hit em all. Its a strange chemistry. So what am I talking about?

We all know basic fundamentals of how to play and strategy. But why do we win when we do? Was it the racing card or was it you? If you try to duplicate a successful day with the same scenario of play you just won with, you'll probably fail. Because it is you and you change everyday as well as your perception. There is a subtle art to this game and sometimes you're in tune with it and mostly not. IMO this is the success factor. It permeates every aspect of life. I can ramble on to you about pace and speed figures,but when I look back at 25 years of horsing around,my most successful plays were not due to my knowledge of the game. Rather,my knowledge of the game,combined with the switched on factor. What and how you switch on this factor is not well understood.

[boomman]

Hey Boomman.....sounds interesting - I just ordered your first book.

Tom: Saw the order come through and didn't know that was you! It's on it's way to you, and I'll look forward to your critique!;)

Boomer

[LottaKash]

Believe me,we'd all like to improve our handicapping. Handicapping is dynamic. When you think you've got a handle on it, the handle will dissappear. When you think you're no good,you'll hit em all. Its a strange chemistry. So what am I talking about?

We all know basic fundamentals of how to play and strategy. But why do we win when we do? Was it the racing card or was it you? If you try to duplicate a successful day with the same scenario of play you just won with, you'll probably fail. Because it is you and you change everyday as well as your perception. There is a subtle art to this game and sometimes you're in tune with it and mostly not. IMO this is the success factor. It permeates every aspect of life. I can ramble on to you about pace and speed figures,but when I look back at 25 years of horsing around,my most successful plays were not due to my knowledge of the game. Rather,my knowledge of the game,combined with the switched on factor. What and how you switch on this factor is not well understood.


Well said, Light......I think you spoke for many of us......Well put......THX.......:ThmbUp:

best,

[1st time lasix]

My friend a winning/losing streak may happen in a day ...week or an entire meet. I handicap to the best of my ability and experience. I have read twenty books ...watched countless races...attended seminars....and seen most of the videos. My personal stategy of using the exotics with a "win big....lose small" wagering philosophy does make for some dry times. That is OK with me. I deal with it...stick to my overlay ticket structures and stay within my bankroll. Several days a year tend to pay for the whole thing. A pick Four here--- paying 8k....a trifecta there ---paying 2200....maybe a 20 exacta paying 65 bucks. You get the picture. Winning a lot of individual races does not necessarily keep your head above water in the long run in a paramutual game with an onerous take out if you are betting underlays. My advice is to really grasp the hurdle the takeout provides all players who go to the windows often. Play for the "upside" in your ticket combinations using your individual strengths at lower takeout venues.

[LottaKash]

My friend a winning/losing streak may happen in a day ...week or an entire meet. I handicap to the best of my ability and experience. I have read twenty books ...watched countless races...attended seminars....and seen most of the videos. My personal stategy of using the exotics with a "win big....lose small" wagering philosophy does make for some dry times. That is OK with me. I deal with it...stick to my overlay ticket structures and stay within my bankroll. Several days a year tend to pay for the whole thing. A pick Four here--- paying 8k....a trifecta there ---paying 2200....maybe a 20 exacta paying 65 bucks. You get the picture. Winning a lot of individual races does not necessarily keep your head above water in the long run in a paramutual game with an onerous take out if you are betting underlays. My advice is to really grasp the hurdle the takeout provides all players who go to the windows often. Play for the "upside" in your ticket combinations using your individual strengths at lower takeout venues.

Hey 1st time......good advice, me thinks.....but some of us are not as further along as you may be....

I think, as was my experience for many years, we still must go thru the growing and learning pains, in order to appreciate and apply, as to what we must use, when we become patient, and wait for those juicy overlays to materialize.......

As for me, I learned much more, when I won/lost with my hard earned cash.......sadly...

There are many, that I perceive to be, not as advanced as I, but, there many more who have a whole lot of knowledge to share, and I for one, am all Eyes and Ears........

So for me, at this stage in my game, Money Management and proper wagering techniques are the only things that matter, in my reality.......I am patient, but, there is still so much more to learn......That is what makes this game so much fun....Sometimes, I still like to test with Kash just not a Lotta.......

humbly,

[Tiger789]

1st Time- great advice, thank!


Light- This is what I hope to accomplish with my record keeping. I want to know why I had a good/bad day at the windows. Thanks for the reply!