First Time @ the OTB - Horse Racing Forums: 2009 Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont Stakes, Breeders' Cup Picks, Tips & Betting Systems

daslyvillian · 10-04-2009, 09:37:05 AM

So yesterday was the first time I went to the NYC OTB to bet on some horses.

All the people who were betting were at least 40 and older and I am 27 so I definitely felt like a newbie.

I perfectly understand now about watching the tote board before a race.

I was betting on Belmont 6 race 10/3/09 and I thought I had an easy exacta. Horse 1 29-1 and Horse two was 5-2. By the time the race came to post the odds were #1 5-2 and #2 1-4. The exacta paid $3.70. Thats a shame. I was discouraged from that and went home.

What did I learn from my time at the OTB? Handicapping Horses takes patience!!!!

jimmy5150 · 10-04-2009, 10:27:30 AM

I learned from the great people on this board that not every race is worth betting on. I think they call it value if I am not mistaken. I still don't have enough will power to hold off and not wager on races that do not provide the most potential value.

Galen · 11-02-2009, 08:38:05 PM

being good at spotting value is definitely going to make it far easier to stay afloat in betting. And after spending many years watching woodbine/mohawk where the pools are relatively large, I still find myself shocked watching smaller track pools where odds can vary wildly from minute to minute.

I have many fond memories of childhood times in the mid to late 80s spent in the OTBs in Niagara Falls NY with my parents. Back in those days in the Toronto area, there were no OTBs and there wasn't any telephone or internet wagering. So it was a big treat for us to bet on multiple tracks and watch the races on the little tvs. I would often take $2 and turn it into $10 or so and buy junk food and toys to take home with me. Ofcourse my parents would have to lay my bets for me cause I was too young, but I was allowed to come inside. When we went to New York City in 1989 though, I wasn't allowed inside the OTB there. I had to stand outside on the street with this hulking black dude who was the bouncer for the place.

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10-04-2009, 09:37:05 AM	#1
daslyvillian New Member Maiden Claimer Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3 vCash: 500	First Time @ the OTB So yesterday was the first time I went to the NYC OTB to bet on some horses. All the people who were betting were at least 40 and older and I am 27 so I definitely felt like a newbie. I perfectly understand now about watching the tote board before a race. I was betting on Belmont 6 race 10/3/09 and I thought I had an easy exacta. Horse 1 29-1 and Horse two was 5-2. By the time the race came to post the odds were #1 5-2 and #2 1-4. The exacta paid $3.70. Thats a shame. I was discouraged from that and went home. What did I learn from my time at the OTB? Handicapping Horses takes patience!!!! Last edited by BARR0329; 10-04-2009 at 07:44:05 PM..

10-04-2009, 10:27:30 AM	#2
jimmy5150 New Member Maiden Claimer Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7 vCash: 500	I learned from the great people on this board that not every race is worth betting on. I think they call it value if I am not mistaken. I still don't have enough will power to hold off and not wager on races that do not provide the most potential value.

11-02-2009, 08:38:05 PM	#3
Galen Board Member NW4 Allowance Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mississauga Ontario Canada Posts: 1,292 vCash: 500	being good at spotting value is definitely going to make it far easier to stay afloat in betting. And after spending many years watching woodbine/mohawk where the pools are relatively large, I still find myself shocked watching smaller track pools where odds can vary wildly from minute to minute. I have many fond memories of childhood times in the mid to late 80s spent in the OTBs in Niagara Falls NY with my parents. Back in those days in the Toronto area, there were no OTBs and there wasn't any telephone or internet wagering. So it was a big treat for us to bet on multiple tracks and watch the races on the little tvs. I would often take $2 and turn it into $10 or so and buy junk food and toys to take home with me. Ofcourse my parents would have to lay my bets for me cause I was too young, but I was allowed to come inside. When we went to New York City in 1989 though, I wasn't allowed inside the OTB there. I had to stand outside on the street with this hulking black dude who was the bouncer for the place.