How Many Of You Wager Online?

[2MinsToPost]

I have not placed a wager online in close to a year and am two seconds away from closing my accounts for good. However, I live in an area that provides simulcast, live racing etc etc..

I just don't care for the online wagering experience and it boils down to this -

Nothing can replace the feel of cash being transferred to your hand on spot.

I have found that when wagering online it is too easy to pull the trigger by pressing keystrokes versus pulling out my wallet.

[-BT-]

I respect you opinion and know where you’re coming from, but I feel the exact opposite. While you are right, it is harder to pull the trigger on things when you passing money to a teller rather then using a mouse, and at times the atmosphere is great at the track. But I live almost an hour from a racetrack and planning out my trips there is an ordeal since I live in the Washington metro area (the traffic is awful). The comfort of playing at my house, being able to cut bake and leave at the drop of a hat if something better comes up or just the convenience of still being home and able to get sh!t done around the house.

I’m almost the opposite of you, I haven’t been to track in almost a year, and wager primarily on the weekends (if that) through my online accounts. I do still manage to get out to the track on big days, but I see no need to head out there every time I wanna make a wager. Honestly I get board at the track, people annoy me easily and I can’t stand the chatter at times so I just end up listening to my i-pod in between races to pass the time, but that’s just me.

-bt-

[mes5107]

I live about 10 min from a racebook at a local casino, but I rarely bet there. I prefer the convenience of betting at home. Don't get me wrong, nothing beats going to the track and watching live racing, but the closest T-bred track is Suffolk which is approx 1.5-2 hrs away, depending on traffic. There's a lot to be said about the OTB experience as well with the comaraderie you build with some of the strangest characters you'll meet.

However, with betting at home I can wager at 0 or 1 MTP to see my true odds. Exacta and DD probables are readily available. I can read derbytrail. Cook dinner. blah blah blah

[mclem0822]

Originally Posted by -BT-

I respect you opinion and know where you’re coming from, but I feel the exact opposite. While you are right, it is harder to pull the trigger on things when you passing money to a teller rather then using a mouse, and at times the atmosphere is great at the track. But I live almost an hour from a racetrack and planning out my trips there is an ordeal since I live in the Washington metro area (the traffic is awful). The comfort of playing at my house, being able to cut bake and leave at the drop of a hat if something better comes up or just the convenience of still being home and able to get sh!t done around the house.

I’m almost the opposite of you, I haven’t been to track in almost a year, and wager primarily on the weekends (if that) through my online accounts. I do still manage to get out to the track on big days, but I see no need to head out there every time I wanna make a wager. Honestly I get board at the track, people annoy me easily and I can’t stand the chatter at times so I just end up listening to my i-pod in between races to pass the time, but that’s just me.

-bt-

Man BT you make some good points, especially the part about people getting annoying at the track. I do enjoy going on big days more than most, tons of people gathered around watching the triple crown races is very exciting. But over the past 6 months or maybe even longer I've made very few wagers in person, but rather I've been using 2 accounts online. I guess I fall into the category of liking both, but for now it's mostly online for my wagers, and a pop in and out of the OTB for a racing form.

[ddthetide]

Originally Posted by -BT-

I respect you opinion and know where you’re coming from, but I feel the exact opposite. While you are right, it is harder to pull the trigger on things when you passing money to a teller rather then using a mouse, and at times the atmosphere is great at the track. But I live almost an hour from a racetrack and planning out my trips there is an ordeal since I live in the Washington metro area (the traffic is awful). The comfort of playing at my house, being able to cut bake and leave at the drop of a hat if something better comes up or just the convenience of still being home and able to get sh!t done around the house.

I’m almost the opposite of you, I haven’t been to track in almost a year, and wager primarily on the weekends (if that) through my online accounts. I do still manage to get out to the track on big days, but I see no need to head out there every time I wanna make a wager. Honestly I get board at the track, people annoy me easily and I can’t stand the chatter at times so I just end up listening to my i-pod in between races to pass the time, but that’s just me.

-bt-

excellent post BT. i'm in the same position with most of your post.

[docicu3]

Originally Posted by ddthetide

excellent post BT. i'm in the same position with most of your post.

I agree with both as the buzz of the track and cash in hand for work well done is the best but a Fed Ex check for an online cash is also pretty cool. I am more likely to stay away from the impulse stab when I am forking over dead presidents as opposed to playing with cash in an account.

There is also the advantage of having the wagering house keep track of winnings and loses for tax reasons that gives a small edge to the online gig.

Laurel is unfriendly but Pimlico is life threatening. Delaware Park is surreal at times as the big room is great simulcast.

The track for me is a visit to play simulcast most days which is where this business is going long term I am afraid as besides the big venues with the big races and talent the bulk of on track wagering is on simulcast events where I frequent......sad but true. Maryland racing died.....the only thing left of value are the big days of which there may be 5 a year.

[GPK]

I love the comraderie at the OTB. So many different personalities. There are a couple guys where I hang out that really "know" the sport and appreciate the work that goes into handicapping. There is just something about the atmosphere there that draws me in. I tend to get very bored, very quickly wagering from home.

[pointman]

Originally Posted by GPK

I love the comraderie at the OTB. So many different personalities. There are a couple guys where I hang out that really "know" the sport and appreciate the work that goes into handicapping. There is just something about the atmosphere there that draws me in. I tend to get very bored, very quickly wagering from home.

If they lack teeth, I wouldn't put too much stock into their selections.

[GPK]

Originally Posted by pointman

If they lack teeth, I wouldn't put too much stock into their selections.

Only one guy I even remotely listen to there at times, and his nephew is a major trainer on the SoCal circuit. I feel confident in saying there is no one there that puts anywhere near the effort into handicapping that I do. Just had a new guy start hanging out there. He just moved here from Lexington, KY. Couple years younger than me...but seems pretty sharp and loves the game.

[Solari]

Originally Posted by pointman

If they lack teeth, I wouldn't put too much stock into their selections.

Aqueduct used to be full of guys that looked like that.

[cowgirlintexas]

Originally Posted by GPK

I love the comraderie at the OTB. So many different personalities. There are a couple guys where I hang out that really "know" the sport and appreciate the work that goes into handicapping. There is just something about the atmosphere there that draws me in. I tend to get very bored, very quickly wagering from home.

I feel the same as you Kev..When I used to go to Sam Houston (when I lived there), I had a few "betting buddies" that I would sit with and talk horses with. I made a few extra bucks by listening to their views, but of course probably lost more in the end .. I also liked sitting alone sometimes as well and just focus on the horses... Now I have no choice but to wager at home, and do admit it is "convenient", but not as fun as going to the track.

[ALostTexan]

Originally Posted by 2MinsToPost

I have not placed a wager online in close to a year and am two seconds away from closing my accounts for good. However, I live in an area that provides simulcast, live racing etc etc..

Have they started the new simulcasting rules there, where it is only at the facility offering live racing, then transfers to the other when it is dark? I know that was the plan, but have they started it yet, and how is it working if they have?

I cannot wager online in Arizona, a constant thorn in my side, which is just another reason I want to be back in the Buckeye state, and will eventually. I also cannot wager on harness or quarterhorse races, which pisses me off, and no horse wagering after 7:00 p.m., plus during the day I can only bet on a select few tracks, so I have to hope they are carrying the track I want to bet.

Gotta love Arizona...

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

Originally Posted by ALostTexan

Have they started the new simulcasting rules there, where it is only at the facility offering live racing, then transfers to the other when it is dark? I know that was the plan, but have they started it yet, and how is it working if they have?

I cannot wager online in Arizona, a constant thorn in my side, which is just another reason I want to be back in the Buckeye state, and will eventually. I also cannot wager on harness or quarterhorse races, which pisses me off, and no horse wagering after 7:00 p.m., plus during the day I can only bet on a select few tracks, so I have to hope they are carrying the track I want to bet.

Gotta love Arizona...

diamond sports..google it dude

It would be nice to have an OTB in my backyard like pg1985. Lucky bastard.

[skippy3481]

coach you not only would have to have a otb in your backyard but 4.2 speed as well. Of course pg was only jogging...

[Pedigree Ann]

My local track, Keeneland, is a paradise, but until last year, I was involved in child transport from school in the middle of the afternoon. Then I had to get dinner on the table for the family. It has been much more convenient to bet online for me. And honestly, I dislike going to the track by myself; it is much more fun for me to have people to talk to and argue the merits of our picks. Unfortunately, most of my horse buddies are industry professionals who working on racedays. However, my son's new girlfriend has a Brisbet account...,I might just have to adopt her.

[2 Dollar Bill]

Living in New Jersey... What is ""Wager Online "" ???

[ibet2win]

Most of my wagers are made online using Youbet and i watch the races on TVG, mainly because i live in Tennessee and am not close to any tracks. I am close to Kentucky Downs which simulcasts but that is without a doubt the worse run place i have ever encountered and i would just as soon miss out on a win as to go there. I actually like the Youbet format a lot because you see so much information on the screen at any one time, i tried the TwinSpires one as well but i didn't care for it at all so i cancelled it very quickly.
All that being said, i bet online out of necessity and i do enjoy it but the experience of online wagering is not one tenth as satisfying to me as going to the track to watch them live. One downside of wagering online is that my average wager per race is a lot higher online than it would be at the track because you don't have the same feeling of pain as you do when you fork over the cash each time - thats good i guess if you win but like most people, i lose more often than i win so my budget takes a hit every now and then! lol

[sdjcom]

except for boutique meets racetracks are mty except for some homeless and
deadbeats who have no access to internet. within 10 yrs. because of cost of driving, ontrack costs (beer,coke, sandwich) no new fans intro into game we'll
have only a few big tracks with casinos or poker stay open. the wealthy will keep boutique trks open, most of others will fail if no casino to keep profits up. jobs and pay are on decline,and many people are walking away from this type of entertainment. hell saratoga is way down in attendance and handle.
delmar cutting purses, these are supposed to be well heel tracks.

[letswastemoney]

I'm 25 and should be technologically advanced but.....figuring out which online wagering thing to sign up for confuses the heck out of me. So I just don't do it, and if I'm too lazy to go to the OTB, then I'm too lazy to wager.