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Old 04-21-2018, 10:30 AM   #31
Vinnie
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I keep playing because old habits are tough to break. I have invested a great deal of time and effort in this game, to the point where it has become a major component of who I am...and to give it up would be akin to denying that a substantial part of myself still exists. For the ultra-serious player, this isn't just a "game"...it's a LIFESTYLE...and changing "lifestyles" is very hard when you've reached an "advanced" age. A sudden lifestyle-change of this magnitude, at my age, might prove to be a great shock to my system.
Mr. Thaskalos:

I always look forward to reading your posts with considerable eagerness. I have learned much from you and many others on this board over time. I continue to play this game because as many have stated that occasional feeling that I get when I am right and by all indications at the time that the betting public is not brings me a feeling of inexplicable exhilaration that perpetually keeps me continuing to "hunger for more"!!
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Old 04-21-2018, 11:06 AM   #32
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For the same reason that golfers who can't break 100 still play: because they enjoy PLAYING even though they may lose money.

Golf isn't cheap either.

Just sayin'.
To justify being a losing gambler because it is equivalent to being an avid golfer is ridiculous. Do people really enjoy losing money gambling?
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Old 04-21-2018, 11:09 AM   #33
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I actually like the sport, and even if Im losing .15cents for every dollar, its still cheap entertainment over other sports I follow.

I enjoy the handicapping and the races, and there's a reason why I dont like poker despite it being "more beatable". I dont pour money into something simply because the return is better. I find poker to be boring, as well as DFS. I have zero interest in greyhound betting as its simply dogs chasing a fake rabbit.

I dont even like betting on sports and its much more beatable.

Part of me feels bad for anyone simply view this as a game to beat, because there's other things to enjoy about it.

Dave's explanation fo golf is good as well. Golf is a frustrating game to play, but there are still fun elements at its best.

And yeah, my gold budget annually is about $1700 annually with a big chunk being a twilight membership for $1000.
Can't you just enjoy handicapping and the races without betting?
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Old 04-21-2018, 11:28 AM   #34
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Can't you just enjoy handicapping and the races without betting?
The races get a lot more interesting when you have some diņero involved.
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Old 04-21-2018, 11:41 AM   #35
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To justify being a losing gambler because it is equivalent to being an avid golfer is ridiculous. Do people really enjoy losing money gambling?
Yeah...I don't agree with the "cost of a hobby" argument either. It's one thing to spend several thousands of dollars a year indulging in your favorite hobby...but losing an equal amount while trying to WIN doesn't seem to me to be a comparable experience. A "hobby" is supposed to be an outlet through which we seek to alleviate the stress of everyday living...whereas "losing money while trying to win" usually has the OPPOSITE effect.

Horseplayers keep telling me that they play this game for "entertainment", but I've made a habit of watching them as they file out of the sportsbooks and the OTBs. And they don't look AT ALL as if they've been "entertained".
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Old 04-21-2018, 12:06 PM   #36
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The races get a lot more interesting when you have some diņero involved.
At what level of losing does betting make the races less interesting?
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Old 04-21-2018, 12:32 PM   #37
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To justify being a losing gambler because it is equivalent to being an avid golfer is ridiculous. Do people really enjoy losing money gambling?
Of course they don't enjoy losing, but they prefer it to not playing. Not everyone's goal in this game is to make money.
Some people are happy to pay for the Form and maybe have a beer or two with friends on Saturday. Some people spend a chunk on beers at a bar playing pool. Do you thing their intend is to make significant money doing this?

Lots of older players simply go to the track to get out. They "sneak" in a sandwich, buy a coffee, sit at a table and bet $2 show tickets. Maybe a group of them does this and they socialize all day.

Handicapping is a mentally challenging puzzle and it is fun to do it even if you aren't betting everyday. I think the golf analogy is spot on.

Everyone has to define his or her own goals for the game.
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Old 04-21-2018, 01:22 PM   #38
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Can't you just enjoy handicapping and the races without betting?
Actually yeah, and I do it quite often. For every 5 races I watch, I probably bet only 1 of them, and its not because I didnt see value in the race, its just something I want to watch.

I mean, when I went to ASD live, I'd spend just as much on beer/snacks as I did on bets. It's a night out the same way going to a hockey game is a night out.

I actually think ASD might have made more money off me from beer sales than bets I've made there.


For many, gambling is a problem. For others, it is budgeted entertainment.

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Old 04-21-2018, 02:21 PM   #39
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Yeah...I don't agree with the "cost of a hobby" argument either. It's one thing to spend several thousands of dollars a year indulging in your favorite hobby...but losing an equal amount while trying to WIN doesn't seem to me to be a comparable experience. A "hobby" is supposed to be an outlet through which we seek to alleviate the stress of everyday living...whereas "losing money while trying to win" usually has the OPPOSITE effect.

Horseplayers keep telling me that they play this game for "entertainment", but I've made a habit of watching them as they file out of the sportsbooks and the OTBs. And they don't look AT ALL as if they've been "entertained".
Horse racing is an outlet, I dont get frustrated, ever. When I was young yes, now, its just something to do for fun.

Now, I dont lose, so that helps (break about even). If I was losing maybe I would see it different.
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Old 04-21-2018, 03:07 PM   #40
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I have switched to watching horses "live" at the track and it has paid off.

20 years ago I used to win half the time overall. Lately it's 3/10.

Since I have been mostly focusing on body language, I have won 5/7 times at the track. Small sample but I have hit some 20-1 shots I never would have had.

Seeing horses "on the track" feet away from you offers valuable insight.
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Old 04-21-2018, 03:11 PM   #41
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Horse racing is an outlet, I dont get frustrated, ever. When I was young yes, now, its just something to do for fun.

Now, I dont lose, so that helps (break about even). If I was losing maybe I would see it different.
I think a key is to bet an amount that doesnt piss you off.
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Old 04-21-2018, 03:52 PM   #42
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To justify being a losing gambler because it is equivalent to being an avid golfer is ridiculous. Do people really enjoy losing money gambling?
I used to see the world from that point of view. Then I realized that video poker once or twice a year with $50 wasn't without a pleasure element, especially because my wife enjoys it.

Would I do it once a week instead of once a year? No.

I also buy a lottery ticket when the jackpot gets to the killer level. ONE TICKET. Hey, it takes devine intervention to win. If God wants me to win, he can do it with a single ticket.

As far as lottery tickets go, I am zero-for-life. *** sigh *** what a loser. LOL

Seriously, is there anything you do in your life that doesn't make a profit?


They don't play TO LOSE MONEY.

They play for the challenge, excitement, thrill of victory...

Whatever reason it is THEIR CHOICE.
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Old 04-21-2018, 06:57 PM   #43
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I used to see the world from that point of view. Then I realized that video poker once or twice a year with $50 wasn't without a pleasure element, especially because my wife enjoys it.

Would I do it once a week instead of once a year? No.

I also buy a lottery ticket when the jackpot gets to the killer level. ONE TICKET. Hey, it takes devine intervention to win. If God wants me to win, he can do it with a single ticket.

As far as lottery tickets go, I am zero-for-life. *** sigh *** what a loser. LOL

Seriously, is there anything you do in your life that doesn't make a profit?


They don't play TO LOSE MONEY.

They play for the challenge, excitement, thrill of victory...

Whatever reason it is THEIR CHOICE.
First off, we are not talking about once or twice a year players. We are talking about regular players.

I do/did 3 things in my life that make a profit: work, invest and gamble on horses. I have never approached betting on horses as anything other than a profit making endeavor.

Not too many people play to lose money, but for a very few that is the outcome. I fully understand the challenges of handicapping races and the puzzle that each race presents. There is excitement and thrill in watching a race unfold the way you have envisioned it with your handicapping. Do people just need to bet in order to maximize their endorphin rush when they watch a race?

I am not telling people what they should choose to do with their money and time.
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Old 04-21-2018, 07:11 PM   #44
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Of course they don't enjoy losing, but they prefer it to not playing. Not everyone's goal in this game is to make money.
Some people are happy to pay for the Form and maybe have a beer or two with friends on Saturday. Some people spend a chunk on beers at a bar playing pool. Do you thing their intend is to make significant money doing this?

Lots of older players simply go to the track to get out. They "sneak" in a sandwich, buy a coffee, sit at a table and bet $2 show tickets. Maybe a group of them does this and they socialize all day.

Handicapping is a mentally challenging puzzle and it is fun to do it even if you aren't betting everyday. I think the golf analogy is spot on.

Everyone has to define his or her own goals for the game.
Putting it in the context that you have I would agree with your viewpoint. While I might have spent a chunk on beers playing pool at bars (in my youth), I surely didn't engage the local hustler in a game for money.
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Old 04-21-2018, 07:43 PM   #45
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I have switched to watching horses "live" at the track and it has paid off.

20 years ago I used to win half the time overall. Lately it's 3/10.

Since I have been mostly focusing on body language, I have won 5/7 times at the track. Small sample but I have hit some 20-1 shots I never would have had.

Seeing horses "on the track" feet away from you offers valuable insight.
probably the very best way to play these days if you are good at looking at the horses because they can talk loud and clear.
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