I need help

[TheSpyder]

OK, I am fed up with my handicapping. I've been doing this for 35+ years and can honestly say I'm a loser. I do it because I love racing and handicapping but something has to change.

I have like a $100 a month bankroll to blow and do a great job doing it. I mostly play exactas, some doubles, and win and place. I use brisnet pp's which I like, but I'm the problem. Besides the occasional big hit, there are just too many gaps between wins.

I'm thinking of just betting to win and cutting down on the races I bet. I don't know why I must bet every race but usually do.

Any suggestions?

Spyder

[kenny p]

$1 pick 3s

[Rudeboyelvis]

Scott - Been there bro....I personally can't stand Brisnet PP's. They make my eyes bleed and my brain swell. Way too much superfluous data that throws me off my game. I'd suggest cutting back on the bankroll for a little while, get back to basics with the DRF PP's. You'll get back in sync and turn it around.

Just think of your handicapping as the opening leg of the Tour de France...

[letswastemoney]

I like BRIS. It's cheaper and the difference in information isn't that much. I like how certain races are free.

Maybe just distract yourself with new hobbies until you forget about horse racing.

[RollerDoc]

You can't go wrong betting Big Brown to win every time out beginning in FL Derby. 4 out of 5 will never put you in the red.

You have two more chances to bet him.

[eajinabi]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

OK, I am fed up with my handicapping. I've been doing this for 35+ years and can honestly say I'm a loser. I do it because I love racing and handicapping but something has to change.

I have like a $100 a month bankroll to blow and do a great job doing it. I mostly play exactas, some doubles, and win and place. I use brisnet pp's which I like, but I'm the problem. Besides the occasional big hit, there are just too many gaps between wins.

I'm thinking of just betting to win and cutting down on the races I bet. I don't know why I must bet every race but usually do.

Any suggestions?

Spyder

What was your biggest hit in your 35 years of capping?

[TheSpyder]

Playing Sarotoga three years ago $2200 pick three

Originally Posted by eajinabi

What was your biggest hit in your 35 years of capping?

[TheSpyder]

Appreciate the views. I think part of my frustration is I love Saratoga so much I end up playing it everyday. Because I work out of my house it's easy to watch Capital OTB in the morning, Siros's show, the races, and listen to Steve on Siriusin the afternoon. Only to print out the form and cap at night. I'm doing this as well as a job. After 5 weeks I'm a little burned out.

As to the responses, I bet what I can afford and look at it as entertainment, not for profit, and that's OK with me. Horse racing is my passion and don't look at it as something I want to quit.

As for what I'm going to do, I'm going to cut down on the races I play. Also, my fall tennis season is coming so that will keep me busy.

As for capping style, brisnet if free with twin spires which saves me $30 a month. I think I'm going to start a two stage capping method. Stage one look at the race and decide if it's playable. Does it have value, are there clear choices (sometimes I'll make a pick out of 3-5 horses I like which is a waste), is there an angle that shows a positive sign???

Then stage two once I have my pick, just play to win/place or just win. With brisnet keeping track of all bets you can query the history and W/P is my best betting success. I'll give myself maybe one or two exacta's a day when it looks appropriate.

Oh, and Bigs...thanks for finding that post...very funny. You know what they say about consultants...if you can't do it, be a consultant and get paid to to tell people how to do it.

Thanks again and best of luck,

Spyder
Consultant

[eajinabi]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

Playing Sarotoga three years ago $2200 pick three

I am strictly a horizontal player but on rare occasions if I realy really love a horse i will put a significant Win or Place or Show or WPS on him. I avoid Tris, Super, Super High 5 (the latter being the worst bet of all time) because I dont give a **** if or how a horse comes third or fourth.

I know you have 35 years plus of Handicapping experience BUT I would reccomend you buy some books on the subject. I would get Handicapping 101for your first book. Dont let the title fool you cause it opened my eyes on somethings i overlook.

[TheSpyder]

I hear you. Bought Handicapping for Dummies at Saratoga and look forward to reading it.

Thanks,

Scott

Originally Posted by eajinabi

I am strictly a horizontal player but on rare occasions if I realy really love a horse i will put a significant Win or Place or Show or WPS on him. I avoid Tris, Super, Super High 5 (the latter being the worst bet of all time) because I dont give a **** if or how a horse comes third or fourth.

I know you have 35 years plus of Handicapping experience BUT I would reccomend you buy some books on the subject. I would get Handicapping 101for your first book. Dont let the title fool you cause it opened my eyes on somethings i overlook.

[onebadbeast]

mix in some football betting and you will win more money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bigsmc]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

Gotta take the pressure off. The more you think about it, like yips, the more you're gonna choke.

Sometime's I feel the pressure in capping. Starting with race one (lousyrace0 Race 2, etc. So instead, I'll right to the best races of the day, maybe feature, maybe grass route (my favs), and work my way back into earlier races.

Are you picking bad horses or making bad wajors. Big difference. If it's the latter do as the last poster says and make wagors that pay off more often. Win versus pick three, etc.

That will be $50 sir.

Dr. Spyder

[RollerDoc]

Actually one other thing that has worked for me. If you really like a horse, bet him across the board.

Desert Key place and show money last week at Saratoga was a decent pay out.

Even though Big Brown lost Belmont, I also had Denis of Cork across the Board and he took a little of the sting out of the Big Brown money I lost (the one and only time).

[skippy3481]

Keep a log of what you are wagering on and after a month go back and look at what you did wrong and what you did right. For me dirt stayer distances are my bread or butter but turf sprints just kill me. I can't tell you why, but i know to stay away from turf sprints or get other opinions in the pick 4. Once you figure out what you are good at, you can play more of those races. Find your niche and stick with it. I don't know anybody that plays every race every day and wins money.

[magic_idol]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

OK, I am fed up with my handicapping. I've been doing this for 35+ years and can honestly say I'm a loser. I do it because I love racing and handicapping but something has to change.

I have like a $100 a month bankroll to blow and do a great job doing it. I mostly play exactas, some doubles, and win and place. I use brisnet pp's which I like, but I'm the problem. Besides the occasional big hit, there are just too many gaps between wins.

I'm thinking of just betting to win and cutting down on the races I bet. I don't know why I must bet every race but usually do.

Any suggestions?

Spyder

betting is a straight list of averages12/1 ,capping will reduce the odds from 12/1 to around 6/1, if you are betting alot of races the odds against you will blow out 3 races @ 12/1 ... 36/3 ..you will definatelety lose even if one of your horses comes in because you have so many bets you will lose.

I find the best way is to reduce your bets pick a track you like & bet on 1 race in that field ie your back to 6/1 odds i also buy a tin & when i go to bet i put half of what i was going to bet into the tin & if i have a win half goes into the tin that way even if you have a **** day aleast you still have money for when you go on holiday

Punting should be fun if it's not then the old rule kicks in stop doing it & find something that is

[3kings]

Don't bet money if you don't have it to lose. If it is a hobby than the $100. you lose is just recreational spending. If losing the $100 a month effects your lifestyle then don't play. I'm not an expert handicapper, I look at it as a hobby and believe the enjoyment I get out of it is worth the loss or gain.

[GPK]

Originally Posted by TheSpyder

OK, I am fed up with my handicapping. I've been doing this for 35+ years and can honestly say I'm a loser. I do it because I love racing and handicapping but something has to change.

I have like a $100 a month bankroll to blow and do a great job doing it. I mostly play exactas, some doubles, and win and place. I use brisnet pp's which I like, but I'm the problem. Besides the occasional big hit, there are just too many gaps between wins.

I'm thinking of just betting to win and cutting down on the races I bet. I don't know why I must bet every race but usually do.

Any suggestions?

Spyder

Spyder...in all fairness, this game is incredibly difficult with a more extended budget, but with a $100 a month budget you are severly limiting yourself. IMO, just have fun with the money you are betting and don't worry about it. The chances of making a big (or even a semi-big)hit with that starting $$ amount is very slim.

[The Bid]

If you havent learned how to win in 35 years it may be time to shut it down. Take your 100 monthly bankroll, buy the wizards scratch sheet, play dollar exactas, and you should be okay. If at this point in the game you are still losing consistantly just turn your handicapping over to a professional. Watch the races, enjoy them, get a little action, and if you lose its his fault.

[hi_im_god]

i gave up any serious idea i could win long term betting horses after i started tracking my bets in 99. i had a good year in 2001 but by 2003 i could see the writing on the wall. i lost every year and it was a single bet that kept me from a negative roi in 2001.

i didn't quit but i understood that the idea i could beat the rake required more dedication than i was willing to devote.

so i cut back. i still play on big days. i still have a negative roi overall. but i still enjoy the wins. it still feels like i solved a difficult puzzle.

90% of the guys that tell you what to do have no idea if they're profitable or not. if you enjoy it, i don't think $100/month is bad rent.

put it in the right perspective, you have a life. this stuff should be 0.1% of it for guys like you and i.