"DRF ROTD" Contests.. Experience? Thoughts?

[Kasept]

We've had a week or more of the ROTD contests, and I'm curious what people are learning about construction of their $24's worth of Tri plays...

Boxes and keys have both worked, but has anyone found a path they're seeing as fundamentally 'better' for them as an approach?

Has anyone started playing more tris that hadn't before because of the experience?

And... Contest winners should send me their addresses if they want a prize for their efforts!

[tigerfan]

I have enjoyed them very much.
I usually would not make a wager on a Tuesday, but yesterday I looked at the race (helped that post time was after 10pm so I could do so after work). Although i didn't win the contest, I did actually make a winning tri and win wager on the race last night. Probably wouldn't have happened at all if not for the ROTD contest bringing it to my attention.
It's a cheap way to practice my novice handicapping skills too.

[knickslions2]

Enjoyed them very much. Have not won any yet so my construction still needs plenty of work. Thanks for putting these together.

[-BT-]

i've had a blast with the contest, it gives me an excuse to look at some PP's at work, takes the edge off a little.

I don't think im Necessarily playing more tri's, but its def. given me a better idea of how to structure a ticket with a cap.

** one thing i'm confussed about though, is it $24 TOTAL, meaning you can play multiple tickets, or 1 ticket equaling $24 or less

thanks for the efforts steve

-bt-

[rpncaine]

Wish I could play it at work, but I'm not Admin on my PC and can't load Flash to see the Video or Formulator. Wish they would put the PDF PP's up too.

[SuffolkGirl]

I really enjoy it - I started a new job that is VERY stressful - 10 - 12 hour days and eating at my desk. This forces me to take a few minutes per day to look at something that I want to review. It certainly helps that I have done well the first 2 times I've participated. Thanks to Jonathan, (Unstable) I have my express bet phone wagering guide here so I can make the bets by phone.

What I think I like most about it, is that it forces me to look at tracks and horses that I don't really know (OK, except Suffolk Downs, my home track). I find that in the "big" races I have read so much about the horses, trainers, stories, etc. that my handicapping becomes emotional, i.e. what a great story, they really "deserve" to win or other such things that do NOT earn any money.

I am working on ticket structure and may someday move from boxing my bet. It worked for me yesterday, since I would have put the 6 in a spot and come away with nothing.

As far as formulator is concerned, I don't have much time to really use the filters, I generally just print them out and then 'cap it old school, pencil and paper.

In short, it's great. And Steve, I LOVE prizes - I'll P.M. my address. Now off to get the PPs and take a shot at today.

[cal828]

I haven't played them much in the contest, but I think clearly the 4 horse box is the best bet. If i was playing them for real, I'd use this bet. I've also been surprised at the payoffs for these short fields. I usually avoid betting on short fields and I usually avoid playing venues like Mountaineer, Suffolk, etc. Guess, I'll have to start playing some of these tracks.

[PeteMugg]

Not much luck yet, but $24 is a nice figure to work with. Makes you think of how to get the best bang for your buck. If the field is small and you think the chalk is solid, would you really play a four horse box? Does the all button come into play if the field is even after your top choice or two?

As mentioned before, it's good to learn about tracks you're less familiar with and the connections that compete there.

Keep 'em coming.

[Mike9J]

I am enjoying the contests very much. I am a pick 3 & 4 player because of you and your site and radio show.
Your logic convinced me it was the way to go most of the time. This contest has me looking at a race in a different way, which is good. Picking a winner and trying to pick top 3 is a whole different ball game. It is also giving me a chance to try out formulator, which i really enjoy.
I am a brisnet pp user, but do believe i will start using the DRF also.
I appreciate all the capping info, it has helped me greatly

Oh, and nice pick on the early pick 4 today, nice price with all the fields cut.

You da man....

[cowgirlintexas]

As you know.. I try to participate in all the contests

When wagering online, I usually bet tri's, so this is right up my alley. I usually take 2 horses in first on top of the same three in second and third spot. Seems to work well for me when constructing my small tickets.

[sdjcom]

Steve,
they are fun and makes you think about the wagering end more than the handicapping. One thing i learned instead of a 4 horse box if you have a strong opinion about 1 horse and he wins you can hit the $1 tri 4 times, i think this is a better bet than the 4-horse box unless you have 2-3 decent odds horses in the box. also since many people play the contest you have to hit the tri multiple times to win the contests,so this made me think about betting some tri's for real like this. i know the probabilties of the box is higher
but this has changed my mind a little about tri's,

[3kings]

The contests are great. It has been incentive to handicap a little everyday and let me get my feet wet with DRF formulator. The fact that they utilize tracks I don't always wager on has made it challenging and fun.