There are many books on the market that claim to teach neophytes how to handicap horse races.  Some, by the big name writers, are insightful and offer some good information.  Others are worthless or even worse, dangerous because they are filled with misinformation or out dated statistics.  So how do you find the best horse racing handicapping books?

One way, of course, is to read the reviews.  The problem with that, of course, is just how reliable are those reviews?  On the biggest online sites for book sales, anyone can review a book, that includes the author’s wife, cousin, girlfriend, boyfriend, mother, you get the idea.  On the other hand, the competition can also sink your book by writing scathing reviews or hiring other people to do it as well.  Therefore, unless a review tells you something that you can verify, I advise you to pay them little mind and think for yourself.

You can open the books and look inside.  If you are using the biggest bookselling site on the internet, you can read a sample of the book even if you are looking at eBooks.  You will know very quickly by looking inside if the book has anything that interests you.  Here is what to look for…

Start with the author’s name and bio.  If you don’t see one, that’s a huge red flag.  My advice, pass that one by.  Handicapping authors are public figures and sell their books based on their experience and personality.  Let’s face it, the author is a very big part of the reason you buy a book.  If he or she can’t supply some basic information so you get to know him or her a little, then he or she obviously lacks credentials.

The next place to look is the table of contents.  No table of contents?  Pass it by.  If there is a table of contents, look at the subjects and see if any interest you.  Also think about how they are laid out before you and how orderly they might be.  When you are learning how to handicap horse races, you want your teacher to be able to express himself or herself clearly and methodically so you can follow along and learn.

After checking the table of contents, look at the first few pages and read what the author has to say.  Is his or her style readable?  Does he or she offer any actual examples to support the things he or she says?  This is the way to check out a book so you wind up with the best horse racing handicapping book and get what you pay for.

You will probably find some books that are well written, but just don’t cover the subjects you want to read about.  There’s nothing wrong with that.  Just make a mental note about the book so that if you ever want to read about those particular subjects in the future, you’ll know where to find the information.

One of the best ways to increase your knowledge and learn how to handicap horse races is using eBooks.  There are more electronic books available now than ever before and some of them can help you to cash more winning tickets.  The reason that they are so effective is that they are inexpensive and can be downloaded instantly.

Instead of waiting around for a book to arrive in the mail, you get the information on your screen right away.  While some people read the book right from their computer, digesting one bit at a time,. others print the book so they can read it just like a regular hard cover of paperback.  One of the best features about a digital book is that it is current and fresh.

Another feature that digital books offer is that many of them are compatible with ereaders such as Amazon Kindle and Sony’s ereader.  The Amazon Kindle is not only a high quality reader with a backlit screen, but it also is wifi capable so no matter where you are, if there is wifi available, you can download a handicapping book and work on improving your game.  If you don’t have a Kindle, that’s no problem.  You can download the Kindle reader software to your computer for free and get the same great features, and you’ll be able to sample Kindle books for free.

One of the biggest challenges facing modern horse racing handicappers is to continually hone their skills and stay ahead of the crowd.  Digital products are the best way to do that.  Book for horse players that have  been around for a long time are stale and anything in them that could improve your game has been picked up and used by the crowd.

As savvy horse players know, once something becomes common knowledge, its usefulness and profitability plummets.  Speed figures are a prime example of a handicapping angle that was valuable before the publication or Andrew Beyer’s books, but became much less valuable as a tool for finding value plays.

Because an eBook doesn’t have to go through the usual time consuming process that a regular book goes through, once it is written, it can be made available within a few days.  That is such an improvement over the conventional publishing process that many top flight horse racing authors are now going the eBook route.  It isn’t just horse racing writers who are flocking to digital books, either.

Barnes and Noble and Borders have seen a sharp increase in sales of eBooks while regular books have kept up a slow decline that started years ago.  The fastest growing segment of the book publishing market is digital books in almost all genres.

If you’re looking for the best horse racing writing that is fresh and relevant today, electronic books are your best bet.

If you want to make money betting on horse races, then you are going to have to learn how to handicap horse races and how to manage your money. Almost anyone would agree with that simple truth. But while handicapping and money management are essentials to making money off the horse races, many people still struggle to find a way to profit from their bets.

The problem is that there is more than one way to make a living from horse racing. Though none of them are easy, depending upon your personality and gifts, some may be downright impossible for you while others are accessible.

What you really need is a handicapping aptitude test. You need a way to find out what strengths and gifts you have and how to develop them into profitable habits and systems for betting on horses. No one is going to tell you how you can beat the races, so you must figure it out yourself. Here is a simple method to develop your own system based on what you are good at. Before we go any farther, though, let’s make sure you understand that you may not really know what you are truly good at and may over value some traits or skills that you have.

There is only one way to find out how to make money betting on horses and that is to put it to the test and to keep records of your performance.

Start by writing down any gifts or strengths that you think you have and then make another list of weaknesses. First you will have to think of what it takes to handicap a race. Here are some obvious choices…

1. good math skills
2. knowledge of horses
3. good memory
4. good trip watcher
5. enjoy knowing about bloodlines and breeding
6. like to read latest horse racing news
7. enjoy budgeting and managing money
8. operate well under pressure making quick decisions

There are many other skills you may think of and the list above is just a suggestion, but will get you thinking about the traits that a good handicapper might have.

Now start keeping score based on the list you develop. Every time you make a bet, write down which skills you used to make the decision to bet. After several weeks of this, depending upon the frequency of your bets, you should have a good selection of bets and enough information to see which traits put you in the plus column and which ones were duds. For instance, you may find that last minute decisions cost you money, or perhaps you made a profit on them. Maybe your intuition is good and you can go with a gut feeling at the last minute that usually works out well for you.

The point I am making is that you will be able to see where your strengths lie. Now, start asking yourself how you are making the decision to bet and start eliminating bets that rely upon your weaknesses and start making more bets that rely upon your strengths. You will soon find yourself with your own system of decision making custom tailored to your own gifts and talents.

‘Tis the season to get jolly and offer a few tips to people who handicap horse races and try to make some money for the holidays.  If you are one of those people trying to make money betting on horses you know just how hard it is.  If you are using a system, and still losing, you’re not alone.  Many people use a system and still lose, but trust me, they lose less than people who use no system at all.

Here are a few horse racing tips that may help you to tighten up that system and start to receive rather than give at the betting windows.

1. First and foremost of all, keep track of your bets, money, and progress at the races.  IF you really are serious about making a profit, then this is a job or business.  Would you run a business without keeping track of the cash?  Of course not, but yet many people who are normally quite responsible turn into giddy sailors on a spending spree when they get to the track.  Why do they do that?  Because some people who are feeling repressed think that the race track is a good place to just let go and have a good time.

If you are at the races strictly for fun and have budgeted some “mad” money to bet with, there is nothing wrong with gambling with that money.  On the other hand, if you are really trying to make money, then the opposite is true.  You should be keeping records so you know what works and where the money goes.

2. KISS – or keep it simple stupid.  Don’t think that the road to riches is exotic bets.  While the payoffs may be very enticing, if you can’t even win with a simple win bet, how will you ever win with an exotic bet with multiple legs or runners?  They are called gimmick bets by people who take the game of horse racing seriously.  Stick with simple bets and master them first.

3. You better shop around.  The difference between success and failure at the races may be as little as a few percentage points one way or the other.  Let’s imagine that two people are standing in front of you and you have to buy your wagering ticket from one or the other.  You have $100 to bet.  Person A tells you that she will charge you $10 for the bet so you will actually only have $90 left to bet with.

Person B tells you that she will charge you $15 to bet so you will only have $85 to bet with.  Which person would you place your bet with?  Obviously, it would be person A.  You will win more money with a $90 bet than with an $85 bet.  You do make that decision every day when you decide which tracks to play.  Some tracks, depending on the state where they are located, charge different percentages.  Shopping around can make a big difference.  Find out what the takeout is at the different tracks and take your business to the best one.

Just following these three simple guidelines will help you to lose less and win more.  If you’re using a good system, but still not quite making it, these tips may put you over the top and you may just realize your dream of making money at the races.

As the internet evolves, more tools are available to help you to learn how to handicap horse races.  Horse racing handicapping is one of the valuable skills that you can learn by watching videos.  While these files are readily available online, you can waste a lot of time watching useless videos that don’t really teach you anything.

Some of the videos are nothing more than a person sitting in front of a webcam telling you he has a great system and if you send him some money, you’ll soon be picking winners like picking apples off a tree.  While there are good horse racing systems available that will help you to be a better handicapper, let’s do a reality check.

As the old saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  When it comes to making easy money, that is doubly true.  The easiest person to cheat in this world is a greedy person, because they will risk a little if they think they can get a lot without working for it. Unscrupulous people who sit in front of a webcam and tell you nothing useful, but want to get your money, are probably not to be trusted.

Here is the truth about learning how to handicap a horse race…

1.  It takes a lot of practice and there are no guarantees that you will be successful.

2. Nothing stays the same and what worked yesterday may not work today.

3. The best way to learn how to handicap is with a good system that teaches you…

a. the fundamentals of handicapping
b. money management
c. self discipline
d the factors of horse racing

4. There is no substitute for experience and no easy winners at the race track.

I have prepared some good videos that show the steps to handicap a horse race, how to determine class, and there are others available from reputable horse players.  The reason I offer these free horse racing handicapping videos is to introduce you to my methods and encourage you to use my horse racing systems that go into depth on these subjects.

Many people who handicap horse races and bet on them don’t like to play maiden races.  They feel that the runners are unknown quantities and therefore too difficult to evaluate.  While there is some truth to the fact that young horses have yet to prove themselves on the track, it is also true that what you see is what you get with maidens.

First time starters, runners who have never competed before, are the biggest problem.  Some people try to get a handle on how good they might be by looking at the sire and dam.  Certain sires are known for producing colts and fillies that win first time out, called precocious by fans of sire stats.  Sire statistics can also produce some information about how far a horse might be able to carry its speed as well as which surface it may prefer to run on.

Predicting precociousness is helped somewhat by morning works, or workouts, that show a young runner’s ability.  A good four furlong work showed a horse that is fit and ready to race. Combined with a pedigree that suggests the ability to win at first asking, good workouts often account for low mutuels.  This is especially true if the rest of the field shows no real stand out horses who appear poised to win.

This all depends upon the trainer, of course, and whether he or she wants the horse to win on its first try.  Some conditioners like to bring their young charges along slowly, allowing them to get some experience in the non-winners ranks before graduating and taking on tougher foes.  That is where a look at trainer statistics can come in handy.  If a trainer has shown a willingness to win with a youngster on its first try, and seems to have a horse bred for such a feat, then it may well be that the horse will be asked for a win by the rider.  Of course, if that is the case, you’ll expect to see the trainer’s favorite rider in the irons.

Obviously, all this is confirmed by looking at the record and statistics.  The only problem is that we still haven’t seen the horse in a real race.  On the other hand, looking at the rest of the field again may reveal one or more runners who have been racing for a while, perhaps with two or more races behind them, who seem to be slowly improving.  The problem with maiden horses is that they are still maturing and growing.  The rate of improvement may change dramatically from month to month, sometimes helped by a change in equipment or medication by a wise trainer.

I can’t say I’ve never bet a first timer, but I have to say that over time, I’ve grown very leery of it.  I have been disappointed too many times.  We’ve all read the stories of well bred horses who were sold for exorbitant amounts and seemed to show so much promise, only to never win a race or only be able to compete at the bottom of the claiming ranks.  Many of these youngsters were bet heavily on their debuts.

On the other hand, they were often beaten by a horse who had several races and therefore, more experience and was able to capitalize on that fact.  Therefore, before betting a first time starter, give the horse dropping from maiden special weight races into maiden claiming races a second look and don’t forget the horses who have been competing for a while and getting tougher and wiser.  They are often the best bet.

‘Tis the season to get jolly and offer a few tips to people who handicap horse races and try to make some money for the holidays.  If you are one of those people trying to make money betting on horses you know just how hard it is.  If you are using a system, and still losing, you’re not alone.  Many people use a system and still lose, but trust me, they lose less than people who use no system at all.

Here are a few horse racing tips that may help you to tighten up that system and start to receive rather than give at the betting windows.

1. First and foremost of all, keep track of your bets, money, and progress at the races.  IF you really are serious about making a profit, then this is a job or business.  Would you run a business without keeping track of the cash?  Of course not, but yet many people who are normally quite responsible turn into giddy sailors on a spending spree when they get to the track.  Why do they do that?  Because some people who are feeling repressed think that the race track is a good place to just let go and have a good time.

If you are at the races strictly for fun and have budgeted some “mad” money to bet with, there is nothing wrong with gambling with that money.  On the other hand, if you are really trying to make money, then the opposite is true.  You should be keeping records so you know what works and where the money goes.

2. KISS – or keep it simple stupid.  Don’t think that the road to riches is exotic bets.  While the payoffs may be very enticing, if you can’t even win with a simple win bet, how will you ever win with an exotic bet with multiple legs or runners?  They are called gimmick bets by people who take the game of horse racing seriously.  Stick with simple bets and master them first.

3. You better shop around.  The difference between success and failure at the races may be as little as a few percentage points one way or the other.  Let’s imagine that two people are standing in front of you and you have to buy your wagering ticket from one or the other.  You have $100 to bet.  Person A tells you that she will charge you $10 for the bet so you will actually only have $90 left to bet with.

Person B tells you that she will charge you $15 to bet so you will only have $85 to bet with.  Which person would you place your bet with?  Obviously, it would be person A.  You will win more money with a $90 bet than with an $85 bet.  You do make that decision every day when you decide which tracks to play.  Some tracks, depending on the state where they are located, charge different percentages.  Shopping around can make a big difference.  Find out what the takeout is at the different tracks and take your business to the best one.

Just following these three simple guidelines will help you to lose less and win more.  If you’re using a good system, but still not quite making it, these tips may put you over the top and you may just realize your dream of making money at the races.

‘Tis the season to get jolly and offer a few tips to people who handicap horse races and try to make some money for the holidays.  If you are one of those people trying to make money betting on horses you know just how hard it is.  If you are using a system, and still losing, you’re not alone.  Many people use a system and still lose, but trust me, they lose less than people who use no system at all.

Here are a few horse racing tips that may help you to tighten up that system and start to receive rather than give at the betting windows.

1. First and foremost of all, keep track of your bets, money, and progress at the races.  IF you really are serious about making a profit, then this is a job or business.  Would you run a business without keeping track of the cash?  Of course not, but yet many people who are normally quite responsible turn into giddy sailors on a spending spree when they get to the track.  Why do they do that?  Because some people who are feeling repressed think that the race track is a good place to just let go and have a good time.

If you are at the races strictly for fun and have budgeted some “mad” money to bet with, there is nothing wrong with gambling with that money.  On the other hand, if you are really trying to make money, then the opposite is true.  You should be keeping records so you know what works and where the money goes.

2. KISS – or keep it simple stupid.  Don’t think that the road to riches is exotic bets.  While the payoffs may be very enticing, if you can’t even win with a simple win bet, how will you ever win with an exotic bet with multiple legs or runners?  They are called gimmick bets by people who take the game of horse racing seriously.  Stick with simple bets and master them first.

3. You better shop around.  The difference between success and failure at the races may be as little as a few percentage points one way or the other.  Let’s imagine that two people are standing in front of you and you have to buy your wagering ticket from one or the other.  You have $100 to bet.  Person A tells you that she will charge you $10 for the bet so you will actually only have $90 left to bet with.

Person B tells you that she will charge you $15 to bet so you will only have $85 to bet with.  Which person would you place your bet with?  Obviously, it would be person A.  You will win more money with a $90 bet than with an $85 bet.  You do make that decision every day when you decide which tracks to play.  Some tracks, depending on the state where they are located, charge different percentages.  Shopping around can make a big difference.  Find out what the takeout is at the different tracks and take your business to the best one.

Just following these three simple guidelines will help you to lose less and win more.  If you’re using a good system, but still not quite making it, these tips may put you over the top and you may just realize your dream of making money at the races.

‘Tis the season to get jolly and offer a few tips to people who handicap horse races and try to make some money for the holidays.  If you are one of those people trying to make money betting on horses you know just how hard it is.  If you are using a system, and still losing, you’re not alone.  Many people use a system and still lose, but trust me, they lose less than people who use no system at all.

Here are a few horse racing tips that may help you to tighten up that system and start to receive rather than give at the betting windows.

1. First and foremost of all, keep track of your bets, money, and progress at the races.  IF you really are serious about making a profit, then this is a job or business.  Would you run a business without keeping track of the cash?  Of course not, but yet many people who are normally quite responsible turn into giddy sailors on a spending spree when they get to the track.  Why do they do that?  Because some people who are feeling repressed think that the race track is a good place to just let go and have a good time.

If you are at the races strictly for fun and have budgeted some “mad” money to bet with, there is nothing wrong with gambling with that money.  On the other hand, if you are really trying to make money, then the opposite is true.  You should be keeping records so you know what works and where the money goes.

2. KISS – or keep it simple stupid.  Don’t think that the road to riches is exotic bets.  While the payoffs may be very enticing, if you can’t even win with a simple win bet, how will you ever win with an exotic bet with multiple legs or runners?  They are called gimmick bets by people who take the game of horse racing seriously.  Stick with simple bets and master them first.

3. You better shop around.  The difference between success and failure at the races may be as little as a few percentage points one way or the other.  Let’s imagine that two people are standing in front of you and you have to buy your wagering ticket from one or the other.  You have $100 to bet.  Person A tells you that she will charge you $10 for the bet so you will actually only have $90 left to bet with.

Person B tells you that she will charge you $15 to bet so you will only have $85 to bet with.  Which person would you place your bet with?  Obviously, it would be person A.  You will win more money with a $90 bet than with an $85 bet.  You do make that decision every day when you decide which tracks to play.  Some tracks, depending on the state where they are located, charge different percentages.  Shopping around can make a big difference.  Find out what the takeout is at the different tracks and take your business to the best one.

Just following these three simple guidelines will help you to lose less and win more.  If you’re using a good system, but still not quite making it, these tips may put you over the top and you may just realize your dream of making money at the races.