In an attempt to increase revenue at US racetracks, many local jurisdictions have turned towards slot machines and table games in order to boost their business.  While some states like Florida and Arkansas have approved Vegas-style slot machines and live poker tables, others have struggled against political opposition to other forms of gambling besides the [...]

If you ask professional or serious horseplayers their opinions on show betting, most will tell you to not waste too much time with this type of bet.  As the easiest bet to hit on the wagering menu, payouts are low.  Even if you are an excellent handicapper, it is hard to make money betting on [...]

I was reading about the legendary Pittsburgh Phil in an article in the DRF this week. It took me back, and made me think of how far we have come in racing. He lived and gambled in the times where real information was scarce. His name was George E. Smith.  He loved the ponies, and passed [...]

In every walk of life there are folks who can make our skin crawl, or intrigue the hell out of us. I have known both kinds, and the race track offers some of the most colorful characters in gambling. David – He dressed to the nines and lived in a pay-by-the week hotel. His brother [...]

Don’t you just love when your favorite track, or most of the country is snow-bound? It kinda leaves you in the dark, and sometimes looking for your daily dose of action. But, here was an idea that I kept on the back burner just for this time. I made a VHS tape of twenty races. [...]

On 1/7/11 the heavens opened up and gave the McCullough family a bundle of joy. God smiled sweetly, and young Barrett McCullough was born to Mary and Kevin with a lifetime of happiness ahead of them. I wanted to write about young Barrett’s arrival, and even his birthday has a gambler’s note. He was born on [...]

I can feel the winds of winter rolling around the mountain. The days of big races have fallen by the wayside. We ran the races, and tallied the score. It is about this time of the year, that I begin playing two circuits. I start looking forward to Florida and the promise of the dream [...]

It was adult beverage time on a Friday. But, more importantly, three men were going to meet just like they do every year, and get ready to bankroll for the Breeders’ Cup. The gents have been handicapping for years. They all are in the banking industry, and make their way in for a beer or [...]

I love the idea about rebates for players. I have worked in the industry for some that embrace the idea, and those that fear the thought. But, if you come right down to it, where else would you rather have your money? In some advertising, that may or may not have an effect, or would [...]

Just like on Halloween, they creep around corners, and jump out on you just when you’re not looking. They have them at the track, and every person that has been to the races at least a dozen times has one. You know, the clerk that gave you the wrong ticket, that drunk at the bar [...]