The psychological question, the matter of an individual player’s character and nerve, is immensely important in betting operations of any type. A handicapper who selects his own horses is bound to have his confidence shaken by a series of losers. He may realize that he is not sure of himself and his ability, or the vague and distressing con cept may be floating about only in his subconsciousness. In any event the feeling or mere uneasiness is there. The effect must be to lead him to wager on horses that the selectors like, the favorites and short-priced near-favorites that flash so impressively on the odds board and that also often finish up the course. I will not elaborate here, but ability to resist the effect of one’s own failures is the very first of a number of qualities that must be possessed by one who would be successful at the tracks. If a rather able detector and player of overlays horses going at prices longer than their real chances to win is so shaken by a string of losers that he starts to bet on favorites and chalk horses, then he has no hope of further success un til he gets back on the decently priced animals that will result in profit over a period of time and a sequence of bets. Or if a bettor is so shaken by a string of losers that he drops his play back to a much lower amount per horse, he also has no hope of success until he regains confidence in himself and steps up his wagers to the usual figure.
06-30-2008
