Just starting out (again)

[Segwin]

Hello all:

My farther and I use to go to Northfield, here in Ohio, a few times a year. He had taught me a way to mathematically arrive at the top choices (which actually worked pretty good). That was many moons ago and my father passed away in 1991. I've racked my brain trying to remember how we did it but to no avail.

I'm trying to get back into the game but am a little overwhelmed with how to start again. I've purchased Handicapping 101 by Brad Free and have been making my way through that book.

I would appreciate any help on starting out. Also, if anyone may have an idea on the math involved I'd love to hear it. I would think that it must be pretty standard and once I see it I can jog the memory.

Out of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most.

Thanks in advance,

Terry

[Phantombridgejumpe]

No idea what math you and your dad used.

I know I used to assign ratings to the post, the riders, the trainers etc... And come up with my top pick.

However, picking winners is only one small part of the game. Picking your spots and getting fair (or more than fair) value for your plays is key.

For example a horse might have a 40% chance of winning a 10 horse race and is
4-5 odds. In the long run you will lose a considerable amount on these type of bets. If in that same race a horse has only a 20% chance to win, but is at odds of 6-1, that animal is a much better play.

[Longshot6977]

Originally Posted by Segwin

I'm trying to get back into the game but am a little overwhelmed with how to start again. I've purchased Handicapping 101 by Brad Free and have been making my way through that book.

I would appreciate any help on starting out.

First, welcome to the board. I see it's your first post.

There are a few basic books to get you started again. Horse Racing for Dummies (no offense) by Richard Eng is very good for the basics. Expert Handicapping by Dave Litfin is very good and has material for all levels. Steve Davidowitz has a great book named Betting Thoroughbreds for the 21st Century.

As far as the angle used by your dad, it can be one of hundreds of methods used to calculate and rank contenders. If you had some details, we may be able to assist more. Good luck.

[Capper Al]

Originally Posted by Segwin

Hello all:

My farther and I use to go to Northfield, here in Ohio, a few times a year. He had taught me a way to mathematically arrive at the top choices (which actually worked pretty good). That was many moons ago and my father passed away in 1991. I've racked my brain trying to remember how we did it but to no avail.

I'm trying to get back into the game but am a little overwhelmed with how to start again. I've purchased Handicapping 101 by Brad Free and have been making my way through that book.

I would appreciate any help on starting out. Also, if anyone may have an idea on the math involved I'd love to hear it. I would think that it must be pretty standard and once I see it I can jog the memory.

Out of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most.

Thanks in advance,

Terry

Hopefully you are not one of Mike's alias. If so, I'm wasting my time. But if you are a real person, reading Brad's book is an excellent start. What I recommend now is a book that shows handicapping systems. There are many out there, and what you should be looking for is not 'The System' but how systems work so you could build your own and start on your endless journey to create your own perfect system. That's the fun in the game, the quest. 'Winning at the Races' by Quirin is an informative book (a bit dated) but has several systems at the end of the book. Good luck.

[Segwin]

Originally Posted by Capper Al

Hopefully you are not one of Mike's alias. If so, I'm wasting my time. But if you are a real person, reading Brad's book is an excellent start. What I recommend now is a book that shows handicapping systems. There are many out there, and what you should be looking for is not 'The System' but how systems work so you could build your own and start on your endless journey to create your own perfect system. That's the fun in the game, the quest. 'Winning at the Races' by Quirin is an informative book (a bit dated) but has several systems at the end of the book. Good luck.

No, I'm not Mike (whoever that is).

Thanks for the advice. I went to Amazon and see his book, Winning at the Races, is going for 99.99. Woof... Maybe for Christmas

Thanks again,

Terry

[iwearpurple]

Originally Posted by Segwin

No, I'm not Mike (whoever that is).

Thanks for the advice. I went to Amazon and see his book, Winning at the Races, is going for 99.99. Woof... Maybe for Christmas

Thanks again,

Terry

That sounds like a very high price for a book that originally sold for $19.95. You might look around at garage sales, or places that sell used books for a copy at a more reasonable price.

For $100.00, I'd sell my copy.

[speed]

$10 used on Amazon likely.
Just checked Amazon and $8 and change all day long.

[speed]

But there is 1 for sale at Amazon for $249.03.
Used to boot.

[Helles]

River City Books has it for $8.38 plus shipping.

[Robert Goren]

I am not a big fan of most books on handicapping, but if I were to pick one for new player starting from practically scratch, it would be Winning Horseplayer: Revolutionary Approach to Thoroughbred Handicapping and Betting by Andrew Beyer. For some reason this book has almost been the forgotten book by Beyer. Some things has changed since he wrote the book, but a lot of it is still true and still overlooked by a lot of handicappers. You can get a used copy really cheap at Amazon but for some reason no kindle edition. A bit of a warning, you need to stop and think about what he is writing about from time to time and not just breeze through it in a day or two. With the aid of computers, you can improve on his methods of incorporating his ideas, but learning the thinking behind his ideas you can move well on to the path of being a better horse bettor. Good luck on your endeavors.

[Big Bill]

If I were to recommend a book for a new player starting from practically scratch, it would be Recreational Handicapping by James Quinn.

Big Bill

[speed]

If you need a book to remind you how to read PP's that's fine. However virtually anything that comes from a mainstream book i imagine would be overbet. If you endeavor to become profitable in this game you need to look away from what the masses have done for years. I do know a select few who make a living by using their own pace and speed figs and little else, but they are just flat out better at it than most. Looking at the wagering side would give you a huge advantage over most bettors.
Best of Luck

[LottaKash]

Originally Posted by Segwin

Hello all:

My farther and I use to go to Northfield, here in Ohio, a few times a year. Terry

Segwin, Northfield Park is a Harness track, or did you mean nearby Thistledown which is a T-bred track?...

There "is" a difference between the breeds, when it comes down to finding and using effective handicapping protocols...

It would be quite difficult to successfully juggle your handicapping between both breeds, imo....Some can manage both with success, but not many, I would say...

So which will it be ?...

[sydr]

You can find a copy at this link starting at about $10.00
bookfinder.com

[Capper Al]

There's also 'Ten Steps to Winnng' by Danny Holmes. This book has many systems for various race types plus a good piece on wagering.