Tournaments

[Fairmount1]

I\'ve never really played tournaments at all.  I\'ve always been told I should play them and never really got into it.  Playing the game straight up was always exciting enough for me whether I\'m playing large or small amounts of money.  

Last week, I participated in the Keeneland-in-person tournament and today did the online tournament that had five qualifying spots.  I also was in the Keeneland tournament in late July a year ago.  That is the extent of my tournament experience.  It seems to me it is what I call a Longshot Stab contest.  Obviously the goal is a high \"total\" and you need shots but what I gather is that people either A.) Play a longshot every single play until late in the game when they are in a position to protect with lower priced horses or B.) Play multiple entries and play 2, 3, or 4 longshots in the same races of the tournament to try to get big payoffs.  

What do others think about tournaments?  I know people on here have been very successful using TG figs at tournaments.  But I want a feel if people enjoy them?  Do you think they are just stab contests like I do?  I much prefer playing the races over simulcast with all my friends at the track or playing a live card rather than playing the tournaments.  I can\'t do both it seems on those tournament days....once I start a tournament I can\'t keep up with playing real money also as the goals seem different to me in practice (although in theory they are the same).  Others thoughts on tournaments?

[CHOWDERMAN]

i just got knocked out in the stakes race at del mar in a tournament when the hollendorfer won....i was in second to qualify for a big tourney at ellis park labor day weekend....

the best tournament is the the breederscup tournament that jerry helped create...
thats a live money tourney so people are not taking stabs at bombs with nothing at stake....look that one up....if i  had to choose only one, between the breeders cup and the national championship in vegas, i would choose the bc....look it up....any further  questions i\'d be glad to answer them....

[mbeychok]

I was in 3rd going into the last in that one CHOW and had the 6. If he wins I make it. I\'ve been on all ends of the beat stick in tournaments. Getting knocked out of first with one to go and winning a little tourny in Vegas on the last race by a nose. You have to know what you are getting into and don\'t gripe about the bad beats because if you play enough of \'em you will take plenty.

I do think playing tournaments has improved my cash game immensely but it is difficult to play \"out of your pocket\" when playing a tourny. Just messes up your brain.

I\'ll be at Saratoga chasing the dream of making the NHC again this year if anyone if up - look me up - I\'ll buy you a drink.

Michael

[TGJB]

I like your idea of a little tourney. See you Wednesday.

[Topcat]

Kicked off yesterday\'s stab-fest with Wishingonadream in the fourth . . . my kind of grass longshot.   The placing was gratifying, though (a) a straight-up win would have changed the whole complexion; only three dozen people in the contest used that piece, and (b) the stupid 20/10 cap -- along with no reward for show money -- was an added (and constant) irritant.

No, I couldn\'t sustain, though had a couple more winners.  I could have made a case for the bomber in the seventh at Monmouth, and I\'m not surprised that others did, especially those who were chasing from near-ground-Zero.

Curious to hear what others thought.

[miff]

\"(b) the stupid 20/10 cap -- along with no reward for show money -- was an added (and constant) irritant\"

Top,

There is a contest with a $20 max cap on win and $10 on place?


Mike

[cubfan0316]

you really trust online tournys? too many cheaters out there for that , too me.

[Topcat]

miff Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> \"(b) the stupid 20/10 cap -- along with no reward
> for show money -- was an added (and constant)
> irritant\"
>
> Top,
>
> There is a contest with a $20 max cap on win and
> $10 on place?
>
>
> Mike


Forgive my lack of clarity . . . 20-1 ($42) straight / 10-1 ($22) place . . .

[miff]

thanks Top, I dont play many at all because feel the cap too high, creating pure stab-fest.

[Topcat]

miff Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> thanks Top, I dont play many at all because feel
> the cap too high, creating pure stab-fest.


Different strokes . . . but have had enough (. . . never too many!) 30-/40-1 shots in which I enjoyed justified confidence that they\'d perform far beyond the public\'s expectations to feel thrilled and delighted in accepting much less . . .

[CHOWDERMAN]

i was trying to hold you off mike, but the seas parted for some other players...here\'s the thing about the saratoga tournament i don\'t understand...people like yourself come from all over, pay a lotta money on travel , lodging, etc.....to play a simulcast tourney at beautiful saratoga....they should change the rules, when you\'re up there you should recommend that the only races you can play are at saratoga....like the breeders cup....i think that should be the format.....good luck mike, jerry etc this week

[miff]

\"when you\'re up there you should recommend that the only races you can play are at saratoga\"


Chowder,

Gave that exact opinion to Kathy Locke and her NYRA boss 2 years ago,guess they got feedback from too many players who like currrent format.


Mike

[Fake Maven]

I\'ve always preferred live bankroll contests to WP stab fests, but I seem to be in the minority.

Woodbine\'s 2 day contest later this month, (a WP stab fest) is offering 1 spot to the Breeder\'s Cup Contest and three spots to the NHC......first place gets to choose the prize. I don\'t think the winner will have a tough decision to make

[Topcat]

Fake Maven Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I\'ve always preferred live bankroll contests to WP
> stab fests, but I seem to be in the minority.
>
> Woodbine\'s 2 day contest later this month, (a WP
> stab fest) is offering 1 spot to the Breeder\'s Cup
> Contest and three spots to the NHC......first
> place gets to choose the prize. I don\'t think the
> winner will have a tough decision to make


Drink to all of that . . .

[BenevolentDictator]

I\'d like to meet the TG people at the Saratoga Tournament. I\'ll be the handsome Irish guy holding a beer with the hot wife and 7 year old daughter
.  You can\'t miss me.  Best of luck to us all.
Dennis