Betting The Races From Home vs. At The Track
Written by trackmasterplus on March 15, 2010 – 9:00 am -Attendance at racetracks across the country is on the decline these days. There has been much talk in the industry with various theories about where the horse players have gone and also about how to bring them back out to the track.
My contention is that a lot of serious horse players have traded in their trips to the track for the comfort of their couches at home, betting the races via their computers and watching online or on television channels like TVG & HRTV.
Maybe the attempts to bring the gamblers back out to the track is a futile one. At one point in time I went out to the track every weekend to play the races. These days, I rarely visit the track in person and wager almost exclusively from home. Here’s just a few reasons for my preference…
I can achieve a better level of concentration and can stay focused on the task of picking winners while on the computer sitting at my desk. If I want something to eat or drink, it’s a simple stroll into the kitchen. If I have to go to the bathroom, there’s no line at my house. I don’t have to worry about saving my seat or getting stuck sitting next to the loud mouth that keeps cheering for #5 in every race at every track.
The amount of information I have quick, easy access to gives me a clear advantage when making a wager. With a few clicks on my computer I can pull up various handicapping reports, past performance lines and race replay videos all for multiple tracks. I can also get my hands on up to date pool information for win, place and show as well as probable payouts for exactas and daily doubles. These technological advantages are extremely important when deciding whether a bet has enough value to make it a good one.
Bringing a laptop computer out to the races is almost pointless. It can be quite a pain finding a place to plug it in and many tracks still do not have wireless internet access. Plus, when it’s time to get up and go make a bet you have to be careful the computer is still there when you get back to your seat. I was even harassed once by a track supervisor not to use my computer for fear I was printing up my own tickets. How ridiculous is that?
When I’m out at the track these days, it’s mainly to have a good time and enjoy the sport up close with family or friends. My gambling results are usually not that great and I’m ok with that, because when I play seriously it’s from home. Most of the time I’m out with people who are relatively unfamiliar with the sport and wagering in general so most of my time is spent educating them on the finer points and how to place bets. I love introducing new people to the sport and if my handicapping suffers from it, so be it.
Simply put, playing from home has proven far more profitable for me and in the end that is what this game is all about. I still love seeing the horses up close, hearing the pounding of the hooves as they streak down the stretch and feeling the aura of the racetrack. It’s really a great experience to watch races live, but it’s one I only need to have a few times a year.
So which is better, playing the races out at the track or simulcast center, or playing from home on the computer? I know for me the choice is clear, but let’s hear from you!
We want to hear from you! Leave a comment by clicking the “Comment” link directly below!
TrackMaster, an Equibase company, is your complete source for Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Harness Racing information. Products ranging from Thoroughbred Past Performances, Harness Racing Programs, and Thoroughbred Handicapping software to Horse Racing Picks from our experts, are provided for all levels of handicapping sophistication.
Wagering On The Races From Home vs. Out At The Track
Everyone will agree that attendance at racetracks across the country is on the decline these days. There has been much talk in the industry with various theories about where the horse players have gone and also about how to bring them back out to the track.
My contention is that a lot of serious horse players have traded in their trips to the track for the comfort of their couches at home, betting the races via their computers and watching races online or on television channels like TVG & HRTV.
Maybe the attempts to bring the gamblers back out to the track is a futile one. At one point in time I went out to the track every weekend to play the races. These days, I rarely visit the track in person and wager almost exclusively from home. Here’s just a few reasons for my preference…
I can achieve a better level of concentration and can stay focused on the task of picking winners sitting at the computer on my desk. If I want something to eat or drink, it’s a simple stroll into the kitchen. If I have to go to the bathroom, there’s no line at the urinals. I don’t have to worry about saving my seat or getting stuck sitting next to the loud mouth that keeps cheering for #5 in every race at every track.
The amount of information I have quick, easy access to gives me a clear advantage when making a wager. With a few clicks on my computer I can pull up various handicapping reports, past performance lines and race replay videos all for multiple tracks. I can also get my hands on up to date pool information for win, place and show as well as probable payouts for exactas and daily doubles. These technological advantages are extremely important when deciding whether a bet has enough value to make it a good one.
Bringing a laptop computer out to the races is almost pointless. It can be quite a pain finding a place to plug it in and most tracks still do not have wireless internet access. Plus, when it’s time to get up and go make a bet you have to be careful the computer is still there when you get back to your seat. I was even harassed once by a track supervisor not to use my computer for fear I was printing up my own tickets. How ridiculous is that?
When I’m out at the track these days, it’s mainly to have a good time and enjoy the sport up close with family of friends. My gambling results are usually not that great and I’m ok with that, because when I play seriously it’s from home. Most of the time I’m out with people who are relatively unfamiliar with the sport and wagering in general so most of my time is spent educating them on the finer points and how to place bets. I love introducing new people to the sport and if my handicapping suffers from it, so be it.
Simply put, playing from home has proven far more profitable for me and in the end that is what this game is all about. I still love seeing the horses up close, hearing the pounding of the hooves as they streak down the stretch and feeling the aura of the racetrack. It’s really a great experience to watch races live, but it’s one I only need to have a few times a year.
So which is better, playing the races out at the track or simulcast center, or playing from home on the computer? I know for me the choice is clear, but let’s hear from you!
Weekend Graded Stakes Roundup – Rachel, Zenyatta Star In Preps
Written by trackmasterplus on March 10, 2010 – 1:29 pm -This Saturday all eyes in the racing world will be on Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta as both are entered in races that will serve as preps for their much anticipated showdown in the $5 million Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park on April 9. Assuming both distaffers make it out these races in fine fettle, of course.
Rachel Alexandra, the reigning 3-year-old filly champion and Horse of the Year, is entered against four seemingly overmatched opponents in the Ladies Handicap at the Fair Grounds. No need to recite Rachel’s accomplishments from 2009 so let’s check out her competition. The late blooming Clear Sailing presents an interesting proposition but this is a pretty big question to ask of a filly who’s had only four starts and none against graded company. The connections of Zenyatta have sent Zardana, maybe to scout out the competition for that April 9 meeting. This filly has been running against the best females in Southern California not named Zenyatta. She faced St. Trinans, who went up against the boys in the Santa Anita Handicap last weekend where she ran respectably but without success, and Life Is Sweet, also stablemate who is headed to the world’s richest race, the Dubai World Cup later this month. It’s an interesting gamble, for what if Zardana happens to run the race of her life and beat Rachel here? Would that derail the plans for the two amazons meeting in the Apple Blossom? Or, will trainer John Sherrifs instruct jockey David Flores to try and test Rachel and try to find a weakness? Stay tuned.
Later on Saturday, Zenyatta will take on 8 challengers in the $250,000 Grade 1 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap and none appear much of a threat. Pretty Unusual, competitive in Grade 2 company would appear to be the most obvious threat. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer has entered a pair in Dance to My Tune and Pretty Katherine but he’s probably realistcally looking to pick up a minor check and some black type for his gals.
Posted in Thoroughbred Races, Thoroughbred Racing | 1 Comment »The Comment Button Is Now Yours
Written by trackmasterplus on March 8, 2010 – 9:28 am -Blogging about our new and improved Blog. Yeah, that idea didn’t go over so well in our marketing meetings. “You want to Blog about our new Blog?” I was asked. Well, yes in fact I did, and also our updated Twitter and Facebook pages. Essentially a re-vamp of our Social Media campaign.
OK, so why are we doing all this? I’ll explain to you in the same way I explained to my marketing group. You don’t need to understand the current buzzwords of ‘Social Media” or “Web 2.0”. Quite simply, what we’re trying to do is connect members of our industry.
If you think about it, for all the good that computers and the Internet have provided us, you could argue it’s made us a little more isolated. Online shopping, any type of research, dinner reservations… the list goes on and all from the privacy of your home. Specific to our industry, you can make a wager, watch the races and get handicapping information sent directly to your computer in your living room, wherever in the world that may be. No need to leave the house, take a drive or even pick up the phone.
Convenient, yes, but now how do we connect with others? How do we share our love for the game? How do we boast about our wins and commiserate our losses? How do we discuss what’s right in this industry, and changes we’d like to see. Well, that’s where all this “Social Media” comes in which, by its definition, is essentially a conversation, albeit one done via your mouse and keyboard. You have the ability to interact, ask questions, see what others have said and weigh in on those comments as well. Sure, its not like hanging out with your buddies at the track, but it’s a step in the right direction.
So what are we at TrackMaster doing about it? Well, it all starts here. If you’ve been here before, you’ll notice that we’ve totally revamped the look and feel of our Blog. A fresh design, less clutter on the page and easier navigation. Not only do we think it looks a whole lot better, we feel the design is much more user friendly and we’ve also been able to tie in other factors like our Twitter feeds in the right hand column. We’re also pretty proud of the topics we cover, some of my recent favorites are:
Minimum Wager Amounts and Fractional Betting
Positive changes we’ve seen in the industry
Claiming Races – Some Twists and Turns
Women – An Untapped Segment For Horseracing?
Speaking of Twitter, I’m sure many of you never knew we had a page. Well, we do, but to date haven’t done much with it. That’s all changed the last month or so. Races we’re betting on, industry news, promotions, essentially anything that can be said in the proverbial 140 words or less. By the number of followers I’m guessing many of you have never seen it, so check us out and follow our “tweets”.
As far as Facebook, we do have a page and are making more of an effort to post notes, interesting content and statistics, and provide special offers to our Facebook “Fans”.
But in the end, this is all a continual work in progress. What other things should we do? What topics would you like to hear about or discuss? If you think you have a good idea about a handicapping product or ways to improve the health of the industry, trust me we’re all ears. When I say “we”, its not just those housed in TrackMaster headquarters. It’s all of us, having the ability to have our voice heard through Social Media. And that, my friends, is why I decided to Blog about our Blog. We hope you come back. We hope you interact. We hope we provide a platform for you to hear and be heard.
The comment button is now yours.
Jim Vanderbosch, Vice President Sales & Marketing
We want to hear from you! Leave a comment by clicking the “Comment” link directly below!
TrackMaster, an Equibase company, is your complete source for Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Harness Racing information. Products ranging from Thoroughbred Past Performances, Harness Racing Programs, and Thoroughbred Handicapping software to Horse Racing Picks from our experts, are provided for all levels of handicapping sophistication.
