Post by Peter Gross on Aug 27, 2009 7:39:30 GMT -5
I am a both a gambler and a braggart. When I hit a nice payoff, I want everyone to know. When I tap out after the fifth, I slink quietly out of sight, so that no one knows of my defeat. One day last month, I was discussing my winners with associate editor Eleanor LeBlanc and I mused that I’d probably show an overall profit if I only bet daily doubles.
“Then why don’t you try that for a month?” she suggested.
I let that run through my mind for a few moments and saw the merit within. The daily double is my favourite bet and I have spent many years exalting its benefits – mainly the opportunity to bet two winners, while being taxed on only one bet. Those of you competent with math will appreciate that a $2 parlay of any daily double almost always yields a payoff much less than the same $2 hooking up the winners in the double. I had a glaring example of that just last Saturday. I paired up the first two winners at Woodbine and the double paid $214. Neither winner was a huge longshot. The first one paid $15.50, the second was $13.20. If you'd let the winnings of the first ride to the second you would have recieved about $105.00 The double paid more than twice that. The daily double also rewards bettors who feel they can pick winners, as opposed to betting place and show or even exactors
My problem is that I like to bet everything; not just doubles, pick-threes, exactors and win, place, show, but pro-line, scratch tickets, 649 and super 7. I recognize the futility of the slots, yet love the video poker. And don’t get me going on that new blackjack machine they’ve just installed.
But just playing doubles? It’s a brilliant idea. If it is remotely possible to show a profit for one’s overall gambling, it could happen here. So this is my proposal to myself, though I will be sharing it with you.
Fifty days of doubles (much more challenging than just a month). That will be the only thing I bet. I’ve already started. Effective August 25, my wagers have been exclusively on doubles and don’t worry about me not having enough action. There’s Saratoga, Del Mar, Arlington, Philadelphia, Calder, Churchill, Australia, Fort Erie, …actually this will create a small problem with my Woodbine betting, because WEG offers doubles only on the first two and last two races. I have been lobbying for several years now for Canadian tracks to offer what is available on the menus at pretty well every American track – rolling doubles. My pleas have fallen on deaf ears and now WEG will pay a severe and painful penalty – less funds from my bankroll flowing through their machines. It’s almost certain that President Nick Eaves and Director of Pari-Mutuel Services Sean Pinsonneault will call an emergency board meeting to address this dramatic event.
In the mean time, daily doubles only for me. I will supply a complete report of the 50 day experiment in next month’s exciting issue of Down The Stretch, Canada’s most informative and entertaining horse racing newspaper. I iwll also endeavor to keep this blog up to date on a weekly basis for this brave and unparalleled venture (I'm not too wrapped up in my own importance, am I?).
“Then why don’t you try that for a month?” she suggested.
I let that run through my mind for a few moments and saw the merit within. The daily double is my favourite bet and I have spent many years exalting its benefits – mainly the opportunity to bet two winners, while being taxed on only one bet. Those of you competent with math will appreciate that a $2 parlay of any daily double almost always yields a payoff much less than the same $2 hooking up the winners in the double. I had a glaring example of that just last Saturday. I paired up the first two winners at Woodbine and the double paid $214. Neither winner was a huge longshot. The first one paid $15.50, the second was $13.20. If you'd let the winnings of the first ride to the second you would have recieved about $105.00 The double paid more than twice that. The daily double also rewards bettors who feel they can pick winners, as opposed to betting place and show or even exactors
My problem is that I like to bet everything; not just doubles, pick-threes, exactors and win, place, show, but pro-line, scratch tickets, 649 and super 7. I recognize the futility of the slots, yet love the video poker. And don’t get me going on that new blackjack machine they’ve just installed.
But just playing doubles? It’s a brilliant idea. If it is remotely possible to show a profit for one’s overall gambling, it could happen here. So this is my proposal to myself, though I will be sharing it with you.
Fifty days of doubles (much more challenging than just a month). That will be the only thing I bet. I’ve already started. Effective August 25, my wagers have been exclusively on doubles and don’t worry about me not having enough action. There’s Saratoga, Del Mar, Arlington, Philadelphia, Calder, Churchill, Australia, Fort Erie, …actually this will create a small problem with my Woodbine betting, because WEG offers doubles only on the first two and last two races. I have been lobbying for several years now for Canadian tracks to offer what is available on the menus at pretty well every American track – rolling doubles. My pleas have fallen on deaf ears and now WEG will pay a severe and painful penalty – less funds from my bankroll flowing through their machines. It’s almost certain that President Nick Eaves and Director of Pari-Mutuel Services Sean Pinsonneault will call an emergency board meeting to address this dramatic event.
In the mean time, daily doubles only for me. I will supply a complete report of the 50 day experiment in next month’s exciting issue of Down The Stretch, Canada’s most informative and entertaining horse racing newspaper. I iwll also endeavor to keep this blog up to date on a weekly basis for this brave and unparalleled venture (I'm not too wrapped up in my own importance, am I?).
