Does Anyone Handicap Full Time?

[Kasept]

A great book on the topic is William Murray's "The Wrong Horse".. Hysterical tale of his attempt to play full time.

[hockey2315]

I keep trying to convince my parents to let me play full-time this summer while I'm home from school rather than get a job but they're not having it. . .

[jman5581]

It's a bad idea for this many people to be considering betting horses as their only source of income...

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I agree.

ditto.

[hockey2315]

Originally Posted by cmfhb411

what it's like to try to convince people ( including your parents ) how great this game is, and how it is possible to make a decent income playing the races. All I can say is: you'll find it to be a large waste of your time and energy. This is one of those deals you can't make any progress with, and get the approval of others at the same time. As far as how to start out, please read what I wrote to Scavs. I hope this helps.

Ya- the thing is, my dad plays the horses casually and he's the one who got me in to it by taking me to Saratoga when I was younger. . . He just doesn't really have the right type of mindset to be serious about it so I think that's why he doesn't understand where I'm coming from. . . My girlfriend and my other friends don't really get it either. . .

I would never feel comfortable playing full-time if I was self-sufficient, but to be honest, I don't really have many expenses at this point in my life. . . I would just be playing for my spending money for the school year. . .

[hockey2315]

Originally Posted by cmfhb411

Here's the thing. My concern, for you, is: if you live with your parents ( and I have no way of knowing that ), or see them more than a few times a week as you go in and out your door, you're going to hear questions, and other remarks from them you're not going to want to hear, day-in and day-out.
And that will force you into a position no one wants to be in, when it comes to how you deal with what you'll hear everyday you see them.
Unless you are living in your own space, and paying all your own bills, you are in a tougher spot than most that will try what you want to do.
I miss being in my early 20s, but I don't envy your position at all.

Good luck man,
Mike

Ya I hear what you're saying. . . I do live at home and I hear the comments at home a little bit, but it's not a big deal. . . The fact that my dad goes with me a lot of the time helps out. . . They were worried about my grades slipping but they haven't. . . I've gotten more grief from them because I said that I want to work in the industry (not as a gambler). . . I've been groomed for law school pretty much my whole life so if I don't end up there they won't be too happy. . .

[The Indomitable DrugS]

People have no idea how tedious and miserable the work can become when you're betting horses for profit. And if you don't do it---you're not going to make much money.

It can be excruciatingly tedious and time consuming....and can eliminate your social life almost altogether.

It's is much easier and makes a lot more sense to just take normal employment.

Even if you do choose to bet horses for income and succeed...you will find there will be huge unexplainable gaps in your employment history, and if you wish to ever take employment again---your application is much more likely to not be taken seriously......and if you tell them you spent that time "gambling professionally" -- I'd have to think they'd be even less likely to hire you-- as they would consider you a much greater risk of thieving from them.

It's a big mistake to try and gamble for income if you first haven't recieved a good formal education, one that will look good on paper...or you haven't proven yourself successful in another line of work. Even if you do very well betting, you'll find you trapped yourself...and sometimes even wish you'd have failed as a bettor.

You hear all those great stories in poker, about how some of the new "greats" would spend there early days sleeping in outdoor parks...and there nights playing poker for profit. And Jim Rome loves to rip on how a few of the now big-name poker players were living "in their parents basement" not to long ago.

Unlike Poker, with it's gruelingly long big paying tournaments that feature tons of hands played, the thoroughbred handicapping tournaments are all a complete joke, the emphasis is always placed on spectacular short-term success, from a very limited number of possible races played.

The only way you're making any money, is through betting income, and that is into the teeth of a big takeout.

[MaTH716]

Scavs, I am just curious what kind of strategy you would use. Do you bet to win an place or is it exotics plays, or is it pick 3's 4's 6's? How many tracks are you going to look at before you find a spot that you like? Are there only certain tracks that you will play? Do you only bring a certain dollar amount with you for the day? If not,do you have a negative number for the day when you stop? Do you have a positive number for the day that you stop at? There are so many factors involved now that this is going to be your livleyhood. It is a little easier to get over bad picks, bad beats, bad rides when it does not involve putting food on your table. I am envyous of you just for considering the move that you might make. I wish you all the luck in the world if you decide to do it.

[Cannon Shell]

I'll spot you $500 for a piece of the action


Just dont play fantasy baseball for money.......you'll starve!

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

Scavs, I am just curious what kind of strategy you would use. Do you bet to win an place or is it exotics plays, or is it pick 3's 4's 6's? How many tracks are you going to look at before you find a spot that you like? Are there only certain tracks that you will play? Do you only bring a certain dollar amount with you for the day? If not,do you have a negative number for the day when you stop? Do you have a positive number for the day that you stop at? There are so many factors involved now that this is going to be your livleyhood. It is a little easier to get over bad picks, bad beats, bad rides when it does not involve putting food on your table. I am envyous of you just for considering the move that you might make. I wish you all the luck in the world if you decide to do it.

good luck scavs..lolololololol

[the_fat_man]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

People have no idea how tedious and miserable the work can become when you're betting horses for profit. And if you don't do it---you're not going to make much money.

It can be excruciatingly tedious and time consuming....and can eliminate your social life almost altogether.

It's is much easier and makes a lot more sense to just take normal employment.

Nothing more 'tedious and miserable' than getting out of bed early in the morning to commute to a job you don't care for. And, let's face it, a job, in most cases, is just a job. And some of us could do without the office politics/game.

Setting your own hours; working out of your home (or making daily excursions to the local racetrack); and not having to answer to anyone but yourself are huge plusses.

You need to put in an effort in whatever you choose to do in life to be a success at it. Might as well be something you enjoy (or less "tedious and miserable' than a 'regular' job).

Plenty of NON TRADITIONAL JOB related social activities out there too.

[MISTERGEE]

one thing you probably must do as an edge is bet where you can get a sizeable rebate. this can turn a slight loser into a winner. also youve got to hit a big one every now and then to carry you.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by the_fat_man

Nothing more 'tedious and miserable' than getting out of bed early in the morning to commute to a job you don't care for.

I actually did have a job a couple of times when I was younger.

You're right---they kinda sucked a little---but no one made you take them too seriously.

[Riot]

I would never feel comfortable playing full-time if I was self-sufficient, but to be honest, I don't really have many expenses at this point in my life. . . I would just be playing for my spending money for the school year. .

Well, the definition of pari-mutual is playing with someone elses' money ...

If you lose all your spending money for school, where does the replacement, if any, come from?

Give yourself an imaginary bankroll. Make the bets, and be religious about counting the ups and downs and documenting everything. Don't be casual. You don't need any real money, to see if you can make a profit. If you can, go for it next year.