Where do you bet on horses, and why?

[horses4courses]

90% of my betting is done at home via computer and ADW.

I spend short periods (lunch times on work days, usually, catching up with race player friends) in local racebooks in Lake Tahoe, NV, but I handicap at home, and enjoy the freedom of making my plays on the computer and getting on with life at home, without cutting into my day by spending long periods at the racebook.

The nearest track to me is Sacramento, or GGF, and they are long drives away. It's a rare occasion that I go there. I don't enjoy them.
Del Mar is a treat to visit, and I try to get down there every few years.

So, for me, playing at home is the answer. I can do some chores, or go for a jog or a round of golf locally, between races that I'm interested in.
That's what works for me on a typical racing day. Everyone is different.
What are some other people's M.O.s out there?

I've attached a poll to this, but I realize that as everyone here uses a computer, the results are skewed.
Lots of players at the track never touch a computer.

[Robert Goren]

At home on my computer, because I am not in the best of health and most days I am not up to going out to the track.

[riskman]

Mostly at home via several ADW"s. Once a week usually Friday, go to local Pub/OTB have a few beers and a burger and have some fun with the local players. Even at the OTB I phone or text my bets into the ADW. In the summer I will attend Belmont, Monmouth and Saratoga for perhaps a total of 10 days between all tracks.

[tbwinner]

About a 50% mix between my ADWs (TS/Xpressbet/Youbet) and Arlington. Only reason I go to Arlington is because I live 20 minutes away (and my office is even closer) even though I don't play more than 3-4 races a day there and I just handicap and play the races with some other partners in their box.

If I lived any further or if damn Chicago traffic gets worse, I would not be in attendance there any more.

[serp]

I hit up Keeneland when I can and adw when I can't.

[prospector]

about 20% at home, rest in the racebook at the riverside casino..
get points for free food, movies, car wash and cash back with casino card..:jump::jump:

[mannyberrios]

adw the only way to go : :

[Space Monkey]

About 95% ADW. Tampa is open 5 months a year and I go about 2 or 3 times a month. I'll make occasional road trips for big events, like the BC.

[Phantombridgejumpe]

know some people do it - guess very few who are comfortable with the internet?

[salty]

Most of the time I go to simulcast. Sometimes I go up to Suffolk on Saturdays because it is only an hour away. I take a trip with my cousin for Belmont day. We also head up to Saratoga for a couple weekends.

[phatbastard]

thurs..fri..sat..sun @ tampa......nothing much other days with twin spires

[BlueShoe]

Mostly OTB facilities, with a few trips each year to live racing. So far, have not used ADW, although that may change. Being retired, the social aspects of OTB overide the disadvantages. At the track and simo sites I rub elbows with guys that I have known for, in some cases, decades. You do not get that staring into a computer monitor. Also make several trips each year to Nevada, mostly Laughlin, occasionally Lake Tahoe. No longer care for Las Vegas. In Laughlin, patronize the same racebook as Prospector, and there is a very good chance that we were both in the same room at the same time on more than one occasion.:)

[wisconsin]

Generally, at home via TwinSpires, but I still like to get over to an OTB now an then. A few times a year, I'll go to the actual track, but recently, I have been doing that mostly while on vacation at various locations, and the list is growing nicely.

[Fingal]

There's nothing like an on track experience. Santa Anita is only a short walk away, & Hollywood is a doable trip. The money may be the same, but to me betting on an image on a TV or computer screen lacks something.

Twinspires is only a option for those days I can't be there.

[Black Ruby]

Too hot to be out at CD now. If Keeneland were running, it'd be different, wouldn't have to cross acres of asphalt to get into the track from the free parking.

If CD were more user-friendly, I'd be more inclined to be there. I only go now when I think there'll be a good population of shapely adorables there.

[thespaah]

I am forced to wager from home because the nearest PM facility( OTB in Virginia) is 130 miles away. The nearest track is Colonial Downs. 300 miles distant.
Given the choice, I would much rather be at the track.

[point given]

Depends on time of year and weather. Summer is track time otherwise its computer time. Like someone pointed out, there's nothing like seeing what your betting on up close, a part of my game

[HUSKER55]

From home on youbet. I would rather be at the track but health issues prevent me from doing that.

[comet52]

Computer. Nearest tracks (Arlington, Hawthorne) are 2-3 hours drive one way.

[FrankieFigs]

Mainly through TwinSpires for me. I'm 30 minutes from Kentucky Downs, and go there about once every 2 months for a change of scenery. I also go every day of their short live meeting.

I do go to Keeneland, Churchill and Ellis Park 2-3 days each meeting, but most of my money goes over the internet.

[Hoofless_Wonder]

I live halfway between Arlington and Fairmount, about 2.5 hrs to each, so almost 100% of my play is ADW, with a stop in an OTB 1-2 times per year. I find when I do go to a track and play live racing (about every other year now), I generally do better since I'm concentrating on just the live races and getting a MUCH better look at the horses in the paddock and post parade.

15 years ago I lived in Lexington and did well at the Keeneland live meets, but suffered during the simulcasting. In the mid and late 1980s I was a regular at Fairmount and did well on the local racing as well as the Chicago-only daytime simulcasting. When multiple tracks were introduced, it became a little too hectic.

So, ideally it would be nice to attend some of the better live meets during the year on-track.

[NJ Stinks]

I live within 60 miles of Philly Park, Freehold, Monmouth, Delaware Park, and Chester. There are also about 8 OTB's within the same radius. So far I've been to Monmouth, Freehold, Philly Park, and three OTB's in 2010. Once each. I'll go back to Monmouth at least 6 more times because I appreciate what they are doing this year.

And, for the record, I've also been to Churchill Downs and Keeneland this year.

Otherwise, I play at home. I like to smoke when I'm gambling. Sue me.

All I can say is if a guy like me can't enjoy going to a racetrack or OTB, something is wrong somewhere.

[BlueShoe]

Otherwise, I play at home.All I can say is if a guy like me can't enjoy going to a racetrack or OTB, something is wrong somewhere.
Been back to Lake Tahoe since last June?

[Pell Mell]

I live within 60 miles of Philly Park, Freehold, Monmouth, Delaware Park, and Chester. There are also about 8 OTB's within the same radius. So far I've been to Monmouth, Freehold, Philly Park, and three OTB's in 2010. Once each. I'll go back to Monmouth at least 6 more times because I appreciate what they are doing this year.

And, for the record, I've also been to Churchill Downs and Keeneland this year.

Otherwise, I play at home. I like to smoke when I'm gambling. Sue me.

All I can say is if a guy like me can't enjoy going to a racetrack or OTB, something is wrong somewhere.

Wow! We agree on something. Went to Monmouth a few weeks ago. First time there in about 15 yrs. Was in the new restaurant in the club house and only had to go down a few steps to a smoking area,at least I think it was because there were ash trays and a lot of smokers there, so it turned out to be a pleasant day.

[surfdog89]

I too use YouBet and watch from my home..... I worked many years with Magna via Portland Meadows as a manager of OTB's. I enjoy the solitude.!


http://handicapperscorner.blogspot.com/

[ArlJim78]

I live 1 mile from Arlington yet I wager 99% of the time from home.

[hoovesupsideyourhe]

I live 1 mile from Arlington yet I wager 99% of the time from home.

do they have live racing..:lol:

[Hedevar]

do they have live racing..:lol:

On some days that is questionable. At least good live racing.

[ArlJim78]

do they have live racing..:lol:
it's debatable.

[Zman179]

I'm 10 minutes from Belmont and Aqueduct. Problem is that I hate NYRA racing and I rarely do well there, even though I like to go to Belmont just to pass the time. Ideally, Yonkers is 35 minutes away, but having to wake up very early for work prevents me from betting more often there.

Ah forget it, I'm screwed. :lol:

[Sunday Silence]

I'll say 75% at the Derby Club in Ventura (very good facility), 15% on TVG, 10% at SA or Del Mar.

I do better at OTB's. No distractions, can get bets in easily, and I'm more aggressive than when betting ADW's

[duncan04]

I used to go to the track all the time. Now that I signed up with an ADW, won't go so often. Going to save money in the long run. Not having to buy food and racing forms, and also saving gas. Now most of the time I will wager at home but will hit the track now and then to see some friends and live horses.

[Red God]

The Meadowlands - it's only a mile away from my office
3rd Ave 52nd St OTB - when home (I need the track prices)
I am contemplating on opening a phone or an online account. But I don't play that often to really need one.

[thespaah]

The Meadowlands - it's only a mile away from my office
3rd Ave 52nd St OTB - when home (I need the track prices)
I am contemplating on opening a phone or an online account. But I don't play that often to really need one.
So you work in Jersey and live in the City... That's a switch..

[Red God]

So you work in Jersey and live in the City... That's a switch..

It used to be live in the city/work in the city, but I was forced to take the position in Jersey or go job hunting.

[thespaah]

It used to be live in the city/work in the city, but I was forced to take the position in Jersey or go job hunting.
Oh that $ per square foot thingy...Yeah, I left NJ (1989) just at the start of first exodus of NYC companies headed across the river to newer and less expensive office space.