anyone ..tourney play..

[Bravado2112]

Here are a couple of good resources for tournament info:
http://www.horseplayerdaily.com/cat/...Home+Page.html
http://www.powerpicks.com/webcontest.asp

Expect there to be a big learning curve. Strategy and understanding *how* to play is every bit as important as handicapping. Most contests have slightly different formats so one of the key factors is figuring out what it's going to take to win or hit the board. You can look at past results or apply standard guidelines. Tournaments are far more about finding playable mid-priced horses and longshots than about picking winners. You may have to pass on a 6-1 shot you like or even a 4-1 absolute cinch because you need 10-1 winners to compete. You also need to be able to adjust your strategy based upon where you are in standings as it gets late. The biggest issue is to make the transition from looking for winners and profit (betting approach) to a tournament approach where it's more of an all or nothing. ie - You don't get rewarded for coming in 23rd out of 200 and showing a flat bet profit. You're simply not going to win tournaments with a number of solid 3-1 or even 6-1 winners - no matter how confident you are of their chances. Goes against what you're used to. At the same time, stabbing entirely at longshots won't get the job done either. You have to find the right medium - but it really is a totally different mentality than what works for betting and it takes time getting used to.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

thank you..thats great info...

Somethings to consider.
1 - decide what format of contest is for you. there are 2 types, A. - real money contests where you pay an entry fee and then another couple hundred for a live bankroll. You have to play like a minimum of 10 $20 bets. This of course means that it comes down to the players who are good , and have the biggest cahones. Check out Delaware Park contests on their website. In the last contest it came down to 2 fellows who bet ona $37. maiden, one bet $600 to win and the other $400. You are also playing vs, owners, trainers, agents etc. and you go home with whatever bankroll you accumulate and part of the purse too. - B - the other type is entry fee only and you make $2 win,place bets on a set number bets on say 3 tracks, with odds capped at 25/1. With no real money bet, you win a portion of the total purse.
2. only play in tourneys that payout all the entry fees taken in from entrants.
3. only play circuits you feel comfortable playing, I've played in NY, VA, Del. Wa. Did lousy in VA and WA . as I wasn't as familiar as local regulars.
4. play in a couple of each and see what you feel comfortable with. Choose smaller tourneys to practice in first, before taking on the top tourney pros in Vegas et al. There is a large learning curve to this type thing and to me its foolish to toss money away just so I could say I was in this or that big tourney.
5 - Good Luck !

[pweizer]

Tournaments are the best value in racing because there are so many of them where there is no take out and some where there is a positive return. There is no better way to have fun and beat the take out than tournament play. I participate in about 20 a year and have twice qualified for the national handicapping championships.

If you want to talk about any specific tournaments, PM me and I will be glad to provide you info.

Paul