Thats it for me!!!!

[GhostofTheFellow]

My last post guys,no more moaning about unlucky bets..

Im going to try my best to pack in the punting,up until 2006 i was making a small profit in this game not anymore

Ive lost a small fortune this season and cant afford to keep on going

what done it??? Well a £48 placepot all up at Kempton except for HELLS ANGEL (Mbanker on the bet) shocking run.

Hope you all make a fortune at Cheltenham

All the best

Tony

[Ian]

Its always sad to read something like this. You sure you’re not over-reacting out of frustration at your placepot being sunk?

I know how you feel I have days where I think there is a racing god somewhere conspiring against me. Since the snow came I’ve struggled to tip a winner whereas before it came I could barely lose, it happens. Things are starting to look up a little bit again now, Sometimes you just have to ride it out mate.

If you really have got to the point where you’re packing in I wish you all the best mate in whatever you find to replace this particular passion.

[Glenn]

Nevisoned by a late Lavelle plunge on a horse with, literally, zero form. That’s gotta hurt. I feel for you man.

[The Ante-Post King]

GHOST,
We are all in the same boat here, anybody that contributes to this forum will have experienced times when gambling, that you think you are the only one who seems to be losing, you can accept defeat in certain circumstances but occasionally your horses just dont seem to be running
for you ie "Alderburn" today at Doncaster, this horse ran a stinker when
everything seemed in his favour, he beat "Alexanderthegreat" last year at Newbury giving him a ton of weight! it only takes 3 or 4 runs like that and you question yourself and your all important confidence takes a knock.
Confidence is your number 1 weapon, in our never ending quest for success, but the boat we sail, all too occassionally springs a leak, with experience we learn to repair these leaks by sailing the same route we have chartered year after year, the only trouble is we dont know when the
next storm will appear! I can assure you since the turn of the year results
are defineately against us but that could be due to the inclement weather
we have endured causing a stop/start scenario! I hope everything starts
to sort itself out before Cheltenham and the horses i expect to run well
do just that! We dont want our boat to sink and we dont want anybody
jumping overboard! Unfortunately due to the nature of our "hobby" we
differ in our opinions with one another and because we stake our hard earned cash we suffer from "tunneled vision" when others dissagree, but thats because we need to be focused on our decisions and anyone who
cant agree with ourself is obviously wrong in their opinion and is seen as a
distraction and a distraction is a negative! Thats why i consistently rally
for "Albertas run" in the Gold cup! I live by 5 Tenets Courtesy, Integrity,
Perseverance, Self control and most importantly Indomitable spirit!
Never surrender Ghost!

[Gingertipster]

Ghost,

My advice would be take a break and see how you feel in a months time. If you still feel the same, why not give up the betting and just follow the racing.

Can still come on here giving your opinion about racing without the need to bet.

Mark

Value Is Everything

[GhostofTheFellow]

Thanks for the feedback guys….

Think i will take a break(couple of months) really has been worsed jump season i have ever had in 20 years.

Placepots are my bread and butter even they have been very poor

Thanks once again.

[no idea]

Do not blame you.

I just watch now, still enjoy it and enter free comps etc.

Some of the results today made me smile and made me pleased I no longer bet.

You cannot win, full stop.

[bbobbell]

Do not blame you.

I just watch now, still enjoy it and enter free comps etc.

Some of the results today made me smile and made me pleased I no longer bet.

You cannot win, full stop.

Packed it in years ago, but still watch the sport, had a lovely day out today at Godstone point to point. Maybe you should give that game a try just for the fun and atmosphere.

[Anonymous]

lost count of how many times hot pot odds on horses have let me down for doubles trebles etc.

that horse that let you down also let me down for a 4 timer acc for £1400 its tough at the top m8 but you just have to not think about what could of been. not trying to rub the salt in the wound but i have had a very good days racing thats the joys you win you lose thats the way it goes.

[Getzippy]

I do think it’s true that most of us know what it’s like to win and lose ….and suffer the odds on blow out which would have made a nice sum.

It really is part of the game. I think if gambling makes someone unhappy then they have to evaluate their position.

I’ve had to claw myself from hardcore sessions on the FOBT’s – and it’s still a struggle. If I do my bollocks on those machines then it takes away the opportunity to enjoy betting on racing and sport. Plus it causes probs on the home front when I’m constantly being shafted by a machine.

I think if gambling is your hobby then it is a shame to lose it. However, there is always a balance – which is often difficult to find. Who hasn’t chased losses on here?

You have good days and bad days. I’m sure your bad run would probably look quite decent to some punters.

It would be a shame to lose your input on here GOTF – and opinions backed by hard cash usually carry more thought IMHO.

Whatever you decide – keep opining!

Zip

[gamble]

If you pay 2.00 in digital odds (You accept odds with a 50% implied probability) the selection will, over time, come in around 50% of the time. The total average variance against all odds versus implied probability was small. A variation of 0.271%. This means that

on average

the difference between the odds you are seeing on the screen and the actually chance of the event happening is tiny. Much less than the commision you are likely to pay. On Betfair the lowest commision you can pay is 2%. Because it is paid on winnings only, this means the lowest effective rate is 1% (As you will win 50% of the time on average assuming the odds are evenly distributed). This leaves you, even if you qualified for the lowest rate of commision, with a net deficit of -0.729% on average, overall, over time.

It is a tough market place
out there.
You have to be better than average.
The great majority are average – over 80%
and consequently making regular losses.
The exact percentage of regular profit takers
excluding traders and the arbitragers
is much smaller than 20%
Your profit and loss account over time will guide you
as to your profit or loss

If you are making regular losses
but the losses are outweighed
by your enjoyment of the processes
and the sport
and your lifestyle is not overly affected
then you have choices.

if over time
losses are burdensome
and your lifestyle is affected
you have less choices.

Long losing runs can be ameliorated
by staking plans
however they act as a sign

Ghost
we all have similar head scratching days
and each must in the end go their own way.
Continuous assessment is part of being a gambler

Belief
Edge
discipline
assessment

[Anonymous]

Ghost

If I’m interpreting your post correctly, 9 out of your 10 selections were placed today?
If that is so, there’s potential for a decent profit there, even if it’s only backing to small stakes on the place market. Maybe that’s the way to go, emptying the satchels bit by bit, rather than all in one go – at least until your confidence is restored?
At worst, you won’t be beating yourself up over what are essentially very good results – viewed from a different mindset to the one that prompted your opening post.

[Aristo]

Ghost The words "I can’t afford it" says it all.

Someone telling you to keep posting and watch is like telling you to buy ciggies but don’t smoke them.Talking about horses daily like people on a forum do makes it more difficult to stop.

You take your break and make it total. No TV races, racing papers, no websites or forums and certainly no "I’ll just pop into the bookies for a look"
You won’t die if you have no idea what won the 2009 Gold Cup.

If you genuinely want to have a break or stop gambling then racing no longer exists for you.

You obviously like betting but it won’t go away but what will dissapear is your family and friends if you continue betting beyond your means.

Make preparations to come back if you really feel the need to.

1. Save X amount that you can afford to lose.

2. When you feel you have enough cash then you must consider it as money you have won from not betting.

3. Use it as if it is all the betting money you have in the world as there is no more coming from anywhere else except from winnings.

4. Never ever add to it from your own pocket. Regard it as your last try and if you can’t make it pay and lose the lot then it’s time to call it a day.

If it works it’s the greatest feeling in the world is betting with what in a sense is the bookmakers money. You will be more selective and and confident knowing no matter what happens your personal life wont be affected.

If you can’t make it pay from that point then quit completelly and take up golf as there’s more important things in than horses and betting.

In this game you either have a complete break or not at all. Just because some rare specimen said "I did it and don’t gamble" doesn’t mean you can.

[Cav]

If you cant handle yourself emotionally you haven’t a chance at this game. Losing regularly on this so near yet so far type of betting (jackpots ,placepots etc…) must be psychologically very demoralising over an extended period of time. As Reet suggests I’d keep the selection method which seems fine and change the type of bet, also accept the fact that Emma ¨bing bong¨ Lavelle is almost completely unfathomable as a trainer.

If its any consolation yesterday was my worst day for almost a year

[Kevin]

Ghost,

I would agree with Gingertipster. Why don’t you have a break from the gambling and just enjoy the horseracing for a while without betting. You might find that the break will make you more objective.

If you have to have a bet to enjoy racing make it a small stakes yankee or something nominal.

This is supposed to be a hobby you enjoy. If it is upsetting you so much then whats the point?

[Gerald]

I disagree with Aristo.

I find it very easy to just watch racing, without betting, and I have spent several years in the past just having 4 or 5 bets a year.

What I do regret however, are the periods when I didn’t watch racing because of other things going on in my life.

In different periods I missed out on watching both Soba and Dayjur, and I feel there is a hole where they should be in my memories.

Gerald

[GhostofTheFellow]

Thanks for all the great advice

I say ”i cant afford it” that was probably a bit of a bitchy strop!!!!

I dont drink or smoke i make a decent wage and i pay myself £50 a week family dont suffer finacially everything is cool

One good thing yesterday I thought ide put a £25 win on Frith at Kelso yesterday but didnt ”confirm the bet” didnt realise it until the jumped the last and genuinly thought he had got up on the line!!!

But anyways in going to take a month to 6 weeks off just chill out the flat is round the corner and i have had some massive payouts on the placepots over the years under that code.

[Author]

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