Anyone qualify for DRF/NTRA Handicapping Tournament 2007?

[eajinabi]

Originally Posted by Bravado2112

That's another important point. If your primary goal is to qualify for Vegas - and you have the time and funds to allow for travel - then it makes sense to pursue certain "softer" spots and to play often. Noel Michaels has a book on Handicapping Contests that is usually updated to reflect which ones have more favorable qualifying scenarios. It's not really fair, but certain contests in remote locations might offer 3 qualifying spots and have 87 people competing who mostly aren't even tournament veterans. On the flipside, certain Northeastern contests (ie - NY, CT) might offer the same 3 or even just 2 qualifying spots and have 200-300 tough veteran tournament players.

I'm from NY and I really don't travel for any contests - which makes it pretty tough. The Aqueduct and Belmont contests generally offer 3 spots for 200 people and feature tons of past champions, qualifiers, and experienced tournament players. They're now $400 to enter so you know that most people doing it aren't just throwing down 50 bucks on a lark...they're experienced and they're there to win. It's far different than competing in a contest at Stampede Park or something like that where it's a small field with few top notch players. On the positive side, when I did qualify out of the Aqueduct contest, it was as gratifying as could be.

I just purchased that book from Amazon today and it should arrive next week.
Should help me get some insight on the little tricks of the contest.

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by eajinabi

I just purchased that book from Amazon today and it should arrive next week.
Should help me get some insight on the little tricks of the contest.

OT...your dog is adorable in your avatar

[eajinabi]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

OT...your dog is adorable in your avatar

Thanks but he is no longer alive. He died of parvo few weeks after I got him. His name was SUPERSTAR

[Bravado2112]

Originally Posted by eajinabi

I just purchased that book from Amazon today and it should arrive next week.
Should help me get some insight on the little tricks of the contest.

You also might want to look at some of the material here: http://www.horseplayerdaily.com/cat/...Home+Page.html

They have a bunch of articles on strategy (by Noel Michaels) as well as interviews with some of the top tournament players on a variety of topics...