Greyhound Handicapping For the Future
One thing that some people forget about greyhounds, is that they run about once a week. So, if you go to the dog track often, you're going to see the same dogs, over and over again. This can really help your handicapping if you take advantage of it.
After a race is over, I write down the result on my program, and also make quick notes about what happened in that race. If I bet on a dog in a race, I write that down too, and also write down whether it won, placed or showed. Later, I'll look at my program and then look at the replay of the races with my program in hand.
This might seem like a lot of trouble to go to, but I don't mind the effort. I figure that you have to put in some time and effort if you want to make money at the track. Most of the people at the track don't pay any attention to a race once the dogs cross the finish line.
Many of them couldn't even tell you the name of the dogs they played in the last race. This is not a recipe for success. Chances are, they're going to see those same dogs in the program on another trip to the track. It would really help them to know that one of them breaks well from the inside, or that one of them doesn't like the 8 box.
One thing that I always make a note of is when a dog comes in second, after holding the lead for two or more calls. Unless there's a really good reason not to - horrible post position or dogs that are way better for class or speed - I'll play that dog next time. Most bettors won't.
Most of the time, they'll look at the dog's line where it "faded" to second and say it's a quitter. I, on the other hand, will have a note from that program that tells me that the dog tried very hard to hang on and almost did. It didn't fade, it was passed by a faster dog.
I also make a note when a dog blows the first turn, because I hate to bet on dogs that do that consistently. I can overlook it in a puppy, as long as it improves. But when dogs in the higher grades do it, it tells me that it's a habit and a costly one. I'd rather look for dogs that can corner without trouble.
The note that I make most often is "Play in better post position." I make this note when it's obvious that a dog would have done much better if it had a better post. Maybe it's a dog that runs the inside and is in the 7 box, with several breakers that run the inside between it and the rail. If it's inside in its next race, it may get the rail and the win. It won't look as good to the other bettors, because of the race from the 7 box, but I'll know that it's better than it looks.
Everyone is multi-tasking and distracted nowadays. Maybe that's why they don't remember what they need to remember to win at the dog track. If you take notes and keep track of what's happened in the races you watch, you'll be in a much better position to predict what will happen in future races.
After a race is over, I write down the result on my program, and also make quick notes about what happened in that race. If I bet on a dog in a race, I write that down too, and also write down whether it won, placed or showed. Later, I'll look at my program and then look at the replay of the races with my program in hand.
This might seem like a lot of trouble to go to, but I don't mind the effort. I figure that you have to put in some time and effort if you want to make money at the track. Most of the people at the track don't pay any attention to a race once the dogs cross the finish line.
Many of them couldn't even tell you the name of the dogs they played in the last race. This is not a recipe for success. Chances are, they're going to see those same dogs in the program on another trip to the track. It would really help them to know that one of them breaks well from the inside, or that one of them doesn't like the 8 box.
One thing that I always make a note of is when a dog comes in second, after holding the lead for two or more calls. Unless there's a really good reason not to - horrible post position or dogs that are way better for class or speed - I'll play that dog next time. Most bettors won't.
Most of the time, they'll look at the dog's line where it "faded" to second and say it's a quitter. I, on the other hand, will have a note from that program that tells me that the dog tried very hard to hang on and almost did. It didn't fade, it was passed by a faster dog.
I also make a note when a dog blows the first turn, because I hate to bet on dogs that do that consistently. I can overlook it in a puppy, as long as it improves. But when dogs in the higher grades do it, it tells me that it's a habit and a costly one. I'd rather look for dogs that can corner without trouble.
The note that I make most often is "Play in better post position." I make this note when it's obvious that a dog would have done much better if it had a better post. Maybe it's a dog that runs the inside and is in the 7 box, with several breakers that run the inside between it and the rail. If it's inside in its next race, it may get the rail and the win. It won't look as good to the other bettors, because of the race from the 7 box, but I'll know that it's better than it looks.
Everyone is multi-tasking and distracted nowadays. Maybe that's why they don't remember what they need to remember to win at the dog track. If you take notes and keep track of what's happened in the races you watch, you'll be in a much better position to predict what will happen in future races.