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  #1  
Old 02-25-2011, 04:49 AM
Split Rock Split Rock is offline
Tropical Park
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 263
Default Areas for improvement

Hello fellow horseplayers....

I wonder why some simple areas for improvement, those which help the horseplayer, are so often disregarded or overlooked.

A few examples....

Post time scratches: It would be very helpful to know what the track rule is for late scratches involving horizontal wagers. Some tracks explain this well while others do not. I can't tell you how many times I've had a horse scratched and I am not sure if I get the post time favorite or a consolation payoff. Also, if the super or tri is canceled (or even not canceled) please mention it. Many times, betting from home, I have a super in and a horse gets scratched and the super option is not canceled. Thus, I can still bet a superfecta but find out after the race that the superfecta was canceled. Not good. COST FOR THIS IMPROVEMENT: $0 (no cost for having a standard to explain what happens to all wagers when there is a late scratch).

Posting will pays and base amounts: Would love to always see pick 3, 4, etc will pays and, more importantly, the base amount for what they are showing. Often when shown, I have no idea if it is the base $1 will pay or the ridiculous $2 will pay when the track accepts $1 minimums. COST FOR THIS IMRPOVEMENT: $0

Pick 4,5,6 tickets alive after each leg: Why not show how many tickets remain after each race of a pick 4, 5 or 6. I know the technology is there since a few tracks actually do this for pick 6 tickets on big carry over days. It would be pretty cool to know, after the first leg of a pick 4, that there are only 50 tickets alive after a long shot wins. Then, after the second leg, the remaining number of tickets drops to 30, and so on. Would be fun to follow even if I was out of it. COST FOR THIS IMRPOVEMENT: $0

Off the turf: There should be an icon (say a T) in the right corner that is always there. If there is a line through it, we know it is off the turf. Some people, me included, play multiple tracks and are caught unaware of a race that moves off the turf. If I know the video feed has that icon, I can look quickly and be up to speed. COST FOR THIS IMPROVEMENT: $0

Clear explanation of inquiries: I cannot stand it when an inquiry is posted and the replays are not shown and no explanation is given for why the inquiry is being conducted. I would say most tracks are decent with this but there are some that just show the inquiry sign and no replay or explanation. (I actually think a steward should have to provide detail for a DQ or non DQ after every inquiry but that will never happen so no reason to push for it). COST FOR THIS IMPROVEMENT: $0

I love the game of horse racing (despite my often negative posts) and would like to see the game improve in areas which help and entice the horseplayer. If tracks want players to bet two fisted on their product, they have to make it much more appealing in all ways. A good start is to look at cost effective ways to help the player navigate all the data they are required to have or know.

Here's another idea.... How about reaching out to the masses and find out what the players think would be good ideas for improvement. The company I work for just asked employees for process improvement ideas and the person who comes up with the best idea wins a bonus. There were tons of good ideas and many at no cost.
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  #2  
Old 02-25-2011, 05:57 AM
golfer's Avatar
golfer golfer is offline
The Curragh
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,608
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I completely agree about the rules regarding late scratches as they pertain to pick 3 and pick 4 wagers. I play these wagers at multiple tracks around the country and basically have no idea what the rules are in each state. The fact that they differ from track to track makes it very difficult to keep track of, and sometimes even if the track announces the rule as the scratch is occuring, you don't hear it at an OTB setting.

Perhaps we can come up with a list here at DT for how each track/state handles this?
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  #3  
Old 02-25-2011, 08:07 AM
freddymo freddymo is offline
Belmont Park
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,091
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Split Rock View Post
Hello fellow horseplayers....

I wonder why some simple areas for improvement, those which help the horseplayer, are so often disregarded or overlooked.

A few examples....

Post time scratches: It would be very helpful to know what the track rule is for late scratches involving horizontal wagers. Some tracks explain this well while others do not. I can't tell you how many times I've had a horse scratched and I am not sure if I get the post time favorite or a consolation payoff. Also, if the super or tri is canceled (or even not canceled) please mention it. Many times, betting from home, I have a super in and a horse gets scratched and the super option is not canceled. Thus, I can still bet a superfecta but find out after the race that the superfecta was canceled. Not good. COST FOR THIS IMPROVEMENT: $0 (no cost for having a standard to explain what happens to all wagers when there is a late scratch).

Posting will pays and base amounts: Would love to always see pick 3, 4, etc will pays and, more importantly, the base amount for what they are showing. Often when shown, I have no idea if it is the base $1 will pay or the ridiculous $2 will pay when the track accepts $1 minimums. COST FOR THIS IMRPOVEMENT: $0

Pick 4,5,6 tickets alive after each leg: Why not show how many tickets remain after each race of a pick 4, 5 or 6. I know the technology is there since a few tracks actually do this for pick 6 tickets on big carry over days. It would be pretty cool to know, after the first leg of a pick 4, that there are only 50 tickets alive after a long shot wins. Then, after the second leg, the remaining number of tickets drops to 30, and so on. Would be fun to follow even if I was out of it. COST FOR THIS IMRPOVEMENT: $0

Off the turf: There should be an icon (say a T) in the right corner that is always there. If there is a line through it, we know it is off the turf. Some people, me included, play multiple tracks and are caught unaware of a race that moves off the turf. If I know the video feed has that icon, I can look quickly and be up to speed. COST FOR THIS IMPROVEMENT: $0

Clear explanation of inquiries: I cannot stand it when an inquiry is posted and the replays are not shown and no explanation is given for why the inquiry is being conducted. I would say most tracks are decent with this but there are some that just show the inquiry sign and no replay or explanation. (I actually think a steward should have to provide detail for a DQ or non DQ after every inquiry but that will never happen so no reason to push for it). COST FOR THIS IMPROVEMENT: $0

I love the game of horse racing (despite my often negative posts) and would like to see the game improve in areas which help and entice the horseplayer. If tracks want players to bet two fisted on their product, they have to make it much more appealing in all ways. A good start is to look at cost effective ways to help the player navigate all the data they are required to have or know.

Here's another idea.... How about reaching out to the masses and find out what the players think would be good ideas for improvement. The company I work for just asked employees for process improvement ideas and the person who comes up with the best idea wins a bonus. There were tons of good ideas and many at no cost.
Great ideas! here is a suggestion to get the ball rolling. Join HANA, once you do you can then contact each track by email or telephone explain your issue and wait to see if they address it. If not let the big wigs at HANA know what you have done and they will follow up with management to get them to respond, that's their MO. If you find the HANA higherarchy is a little slow to respond you might want to consider buying the elite handicapping software program that HANA's president sells, that will certainly get your message across!


or

CALL BYK at ATR the real voice of Da People
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  #4  
Old 02-25-2011, 10:21 AM
hoovesupsideyourhead's Avatar
hoovesupsideyourhead hoovesupsideyourhead is offline
"The Kentucky Killing Machine"
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: florida
Posts: 16,277
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Great ideas! here is a suggestion to get the ball rolling. Join HANA, once you do you can then contact each track by email or telephone explain your issue and wait to see if they address it. If not let the big wigs at HANA know what you have done and they will follow up with management to get them to respond, that's their MO. If you find the HANA higherarchy is a little slow to respond you might want to consider buying the elite handicapping software program that HANA's president sells, that will certainly get your message across!


roflmfao
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