[pmayjr]

When I was in my early teens, my parents and I would go to the greyhound track across the border in Hudson, WI, and to Canterbury when it re-opened in the Mid-90s. Gambling with my parents' $$$ seemed fun, and I evenn made them some $$$ from time to time.

I didn't play much on my own when I turned 18, because I went to school in South Dakota. They had an OTB in the college town I lived in, but I didn't find that out until the last few months I went to school out there lol.... ignorance was probably bliss on that one. The funny thing was, I remember hitting an exacta on a race at Hialeahwhen I was at that OTB (it was '01 or '02 at the latest), and I wonder if the track was open much longer after that?

When I came back to Minneapolis and started working a steady job, I started simulcasting at Canterbury more. Over time I've become pretty decent at it, and even do some contests now (when I can afford it). I usually go every weekend, and love playing the crappy night tracks the most.

I guess the thing as far as betting goes that hooks me to the game the most, is the minimum investment you can put into winning a lot of $$$$. I really don't have the most money to spend, but I can use my skill to win some big bets anyway.