What do you think is the most common mistake horse bettors are usually committing?
 

Title says it all..

Trying to pick winners.

Betting too many races.

Paying to much attention to the top speed figure horses. Wagering consistently on these types no longer can show a profit.

vastly over betting their bankroll when they come upon what looks like great bet. Not else close. It knocks people out off action for while and makes otherwise good bettors start from scratch.

Most of the biggies have been covered. I would add, trying to beat solid legitimate favorites too often.

They are overestimating their ability as players.

My top 5

- Abandoning formal Handicapping in favor of simple betting by Odds, with our against the public, taking either Longshots or Chalk.

- Using Free Picks or Track Pick "Plays of the Day" rather than even looking at a Program and doing some of their own Handicapping

- Feeling compelled to bet on every race

- Betting outside their comfort zone

- Betting "On a Hunch"

solid favorite
 

Then when you come across that "Solid Legitimate Favorite" hit 'em hard

You might only find that type once or twice a day....

So can ya make a profit in the "Long Run"?

Ya gotta wait, and wait, and wait , it might come slow, But if ya hit 'em hard it could work.

AGREED!

i would think that in the year 2014, mistake numero uno got to be
betting the Rainbow Pick Six pools Gulfstream offers before the last day of the meet.

Chasing losses instead of just wrapping up and going home.

Betting too much money (on too many races)

Obviously I agree with everything said so far!

I still think that the most common error I see among horseplayers, has to do
with them betting out of a very small bankroll, limiting their creativity and
effectiveness...

I wrote more about this error here:

http://www.themindofagambler.com/201...kroll-matters/

All of the previous posts in this thread are correct.
Know what your strength is as a punter.
Don't play races that you know you're not good at.
For example:
I'm terrible betting small fields.
Probably the worst on this board.
So I don't get near 6 horse fields or less(unless I really like something).
If a small field is part of a multi-win wager I won't turn in a ticket.
Don't play tracks you lose at heavily.
I don't play Churchill/FLA tracks(except big days...once maybe twice a year) because I'm horrible at them.
Play to your strengths.