Can A "Gambler" Be A "Fan" ?

[SniperSB23]

Of course. But you'll lose a lot of money if you don't realize you are both.

[AeWingnut]

if I don't bet the race I don't really care who wins

[magic_idol]

Originally Posted by AeWingnut

if I don't bet the race I don't really care who wins

That is the part i can never understand as i spend alot of times in pubs & train horses i could never understand the person goes from race to race never happy if they win or lose cause if the win they should have had more money on it etc for me each race is a story full of curves & turns right from the time the barriers open ,Yes i love a bet but funnily enough i never bet on my own horses as i feel gambling distorts a persons point of view but to watch a horse in full flight from Apache Cat to Smarty Jones i dont think there is anything finer in life

[timmgirvan]

Originally Posted by magic_idol

That is the part i can never understand as i spend alot of times in pubs & train horses i could never understand the person goes from race to race never happy if they win or lose cause if the win they should have had more money on it etc for me each race is a story full of curves & turns right from the time the barriers open ,Yes i love a bet but funnily enough i never bet on my own horses as i feel gambling distorts a persons point of view but to watch a horse in full flight from Apache Cat to Smarty Jones i dont think there is anything finer in life

Good points!....I enjoy a race much better if I have no stake. The races are
a thing of beauty.
It's fun to gamble too, but not so much if your heart is involved in the outcome.

[Travis Stone]

Without fans there would be no gamblers. To be a gambler in horse racing you have to have some "fan" in you. Otherwise, you'd play a shot machine which produces the results of your gamble much quicker than waiting for a horse race.

And without gamblers there would be no horse racing. It might exist, but not nearly on the scale it is today.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

Without fans there would be no gamblers. To be a gambler in horse racing you have to have some "fan" in you. Otherwise, you'd play a shot machine which produces the results of your gamble much quicker than waiting for a horse race.

And without gamblers there would be no horse racing. It might exist, but not nearly on the scale it is today.

Huh? Have you ever been to Saratoga or the Derby? There are plenty of people pumping money into the sport that aren't "fans". The gamblers certainly exist.

[Danzig]

i'm both; due to circumstances i'm not able to gamble much...

[Travis Stone]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

Huh? Have you ever been to Saratoga or the Derby? There are plenty of people pumping money into the sport that aren't "fans". The gamblers certainly exist.

I grew up north of Saratoga, been more times than I have pieces of hair on my head.

And I disagree. Why would a "gambler" spend time going to a racetrack when they can satisfy their need to gamble via easier means? The simple fact they get in their car and drive to the track, walk in and become a part of the atmosphere means they have some fan in them, even though it might be a fraction of a percent.

Horse racing requires a lot in terms of the gambler...

Our races are not structured so they go off every few minutes. There are often dead times between races.

Not every race is a playable race.

Gambles can payoff, only to be yanked away by a DQ.

etc. etc. etc.

Whereas a slot machine, a lottery scratch-off or even blackjack and other casino games, the results are quicker, definitive and there is often no barrier to entry in terms of knowledge or skill (sans the table games).

[Thunder Gulch]

Originally Posted by AeWingnut

if I don't bet the race I don't really care who wins

I'm with you. Other than the races at the highest levels, I couldn't care less who wins run of the mill races if I'm not betting. That's not to say I don't enjoy watching on some level, but it's definately more intense when you have a rooting interest.