How Gambling Makes Me Feel

by Ed Meyer

posted on January 29, 2022 in Blogroll, General Discussion, Handicapping, Horse Racing, WinningPonies.com | Comments Off on How Gambling Makes Me Feel

“If you wish to be the king of the jungle, it’s not enough to act like the king. You must be the king. There can be no doubt. Because doubt causes chaos and one’s own demise.” – Mickey Pearson – The Gentlemen

We try and find the best in ourselves every time we make a bet. – Some pick numbers while others just hustle through the process like a middle school math test. – All methods have rhyme and reason, but only the ones where time and focus are involved keep you at the table long after the others have gone home for the ride of the disgruntled.

I’m a gambler. I always liked the sound. I’m not a gent ready for a night of gaming as you’ll see on billboards. I have no preconceived notion of wearing a suit punching my hand into the air while my buddies are high-fiving. That’s a dream. – They seldomnly come true.

Since I was a young man I wanted to go to work, and hit the races. I dreamt of having a Daily Racing Form walking into the track instead of jogging in to catch the double by blurting out a few random numbers for action. – Some just don’t want to put the time in. – “What’s the best way to get to Carnegie Hall? – You practice.”

You have to see yourself winning long before you get there. Visualize a big day and see yourself walking out ready for the next day. – Back to that young boy who tagged along with his dad to the track. Many looked upon this dank, dirty, antiquated building with disgust; for me it was center of the coliseum where only warriors did battle. – “Losing is easy. Winning takes work.” – I was ready to put in the effort long before graduating high school.

I fell in love with the action many moons ago. Treat her well and she’ll return the favor. – I was asked by a young marketing guru while I was teaching to read the form; “When will I know everything about handicapping?” – Good question. – “Everyday I hold the sacred pages in my hand I see something new. When I stop, that’s when I’ll quit.” 

The younger generation likes action like a mainline explosion winning a life changing score in the next spin. – Handicapping the races is more art than science. It takes focus, memory, planning, and the magician’s wand to wield money management. – “There comes a time when the young succeeds the old; but just not today.”

Racing is on the vine more ripe than growing. We need to invest more time into the cultivation of new players than just allowing it to slip into history.  Baseball, horse racing, and boxing were the big three long ago. – Why? – They all had fortunes won and lost with the next swing of a bat; a right hand upper cut, or gliding through along the rail. The excitement never stopped and hope springs eternal. That’s how racing is felt by this gambler. Yes, gambler. I liked the sound and always will. – I can’t wait to watch the next race with sun on my face as my horse crosses the wire. – “It’s all up to you; a shot at the title or a seat by the band.”