Sidebar

[thaskalos]

I would like to add a "Question & Answer" thread to this forum...in order to encourage more conversation on handicapping and betting.

It is very difficult to talk about handicapping and betting, when you don't know who (or how informed...or how INTERESTED in getting better informed) your audience is.

I am sure that there are legitimate "experts" at this site, because I have been reading their posts here for years; but I am equally certain that there are novices here as well...who are still trying to find their way in this fascinating but frustrating game.

I have repeatedly stated that a mentor is invaluable in this game of ours...because there are so many questions that need an answer...and, also, so many unscrupulous people around...who provide the WRONG answer, because it is financially beneficial to THEM. Without a "true" mentor...a player could easily flounder along for YEARS...without making any real progress in gaining a thorough understanding of this game.

THIS is what I had in mind when I started this Handicapper's Corner. I wanted to be the mentor that I myself wished I would have had...when I started playing this game, 30 years ago.

Any handicapping or betting question you need answered, you should ask right here...and I will provide as complete and accurate an answer as my 30 years in the game will allow. I will also use the more interesting questions to start new threads...so we can develop these topics further.

I think that this will be better than me just starting topics of discussion on my own...thinking that they will be of interest to you, just because they happen to be of interest to me.

Lest anyone misunderstand me, let me state at the very start that, although I consider myself a very knowledgable player, my knowledge of this game is not, by any means, "encyclopedic"...so I welcome the assistance of all of you who would also like to participate here, and present YOUR point of view on things.

My aim here is to provide a place where the interested player, REGARDLESS of his knowledge and experience in the game, can ask a question about some aspect of it...and get that question answered in a prompt and satisfactory manner.

As I said before...I will select the most engaging questions, in order to start other threads...so we can develop these topics further.

I also reserve the right to ask and answer my OWN questions, whenever I feel a topic may need further development...or when I want to steer the conversation in a certain direction.

A word of caution:

I plan on being a lot more liberal in my use of the moderator privileges that PA has bestowed upon me. This forum is for those with REAL questions...who are in need of real ANSWERS.

I will have no tolerance for those whose real purpose is to stymie this discussion...or to ask disingenuous questions, in order to further some mysterious agenda of their own.

Those questions will be unceremoniously deleted.

As I have already stated, my own schedule gets hectic at times...and, although I plan on spending time every night (especially late) participating in our discussion here...I am not starting this with the intent of it revolving around "thaskalos"...

I implore ALL the posters here to participate in our discussion ...so we can get some lively and useful conversation going. With all the expert players we have here, no reasonable question should be left unanswered.

When the industry shows disinterest in properly educating the players in the art/science of handicapping and betting...what other choice do the players have but to educate their own?

My ultimate mission is...and has been from the very beginning...to preserve Paceadvantage's top spot among horse racing forums and message boards.

With that said...let our discussion begin!