Handicapping Study Groups in NYC Area?

[DeltaLover]

Originally Posted by Robert Fischer

I don't know. I've seen steel mill retirees run a bookie game, and convicts run a motorcycle club, and housewives run a Tupperware party.

They weren't highly decorated academics but they had a plan and a vision of how it worked.

If you approach the game from the Big Data perspective you need deep knowledge of statistics and computer science to maintain some hope of success. From my experience, both from the real world and from reading this forum, the vast majority of the horse players are completely ignorant when it comes to related knowledge and talent; horse players seem to live in denial of reality, still trying to attack the game with methods that were proven fallacious over and over.

[thaskalos]

Originally Posted by DeltaLover

If you approach the game from the Big Data perspective you need deep knowledge of statistics and computer science to maintain some hope of success. From my experience, both from the real world and from reading this forum, the vast majority of the horse players are completely ignorant when it comes to related knowledge and talent; horse players seem to live in denial of reality, still trying to attack the game with methods that were proven fallacious over and over.

What's the true determining factor when it comes to profitability in this game; the quality of the TOOL...or the skill of the CRAFTSMAN?

[DeltaLover]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

What's the true determining factor when it comes to profitability in this game; the quality of the TOOL...or the skill of the CRAFTSMAN?

I would say BOTH.

The human - machine team amplifies tremendously their overall ability; to learn more about feel free to read here about Free Style Chess and how combining a very average chess player with a sophisticated computer program can form a team that can beat even world class chess masters. The same principle is applicable to any kind of human activity that requires some sort of expertise.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

What's the true determining factor when it comes to profitability in this game; the quality of the TOOL...or the skill of the CRAFTSMAN?

What is the craftsman is a tool?

By the late 90's, Tom Ainslie had connected with Doc Sartin and was using the latest programs at the time. Lots less time required than the old ways.
He was very cordial - he sat in front of me in an Albany seminar and chatted on and off about all kinds of things. Pleasant fellow.

[AndyC]

Originally Posted by thaskalos

Say what you will about him...he was my favorite handicapping author of all time. His wit can never be equaled, IMO:

"If your mail resembles mine, hardly a week goes by without you receiving a letter from some generous benefactor...who promises you untold riches for a scant $20 bill. Why burn the midnight oil, the letter says...when you can find winning longshots in a mere five minutes, by using the well-researched and unconditionally guaranteed handicapping method advertised therein?

Five minutes and you get a longshot. Five months...and you get an eviction notice."

Could you forward me that mail? I have been looking for something just like that.

[thaskalos]

Originally Posted by AndyC

Could you forward me that mail? I have been looking for something just like that.

There is no mail. Ainslie wrote that in a book many years ago.

[JerryBoyle]

Originally Posted by DeltaLover

If you approach the game from the Big Data perspective you need deep knowledge of statistics and computer science to maintain some hope of success. From my experience, both from the real world and from reading this forum, the vast majority of the horse players are completely ignorant when it comes to related knowledge and talent; horse players seem to live in denial of reality, still trying to attack the game with methods that were proven fallacious over and over.

Agreed. At this point, I'm pretty convinced that a talented programmer and a good applied statistician - not necessarily a great one - with some programming experience could make a very nice living betting North American races.