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5 things punters hate most on the punt
02 April 2015 17:13 PM
#5 Loading Up needs re-calibrating
It's pretty bad when you when lose because you've struggled to find a winner. But it's worse when you back a bag of winners and still lose. The problem - the "Loading Up" sights are out of whack. You put too much cash on the horses you are very confident about which lose, and not enough cash on the ones that you are less confident about, that win. The result - a descent haul of winners and a big hole in your wallet.
Remedy
Depends how often it's happening. If it's very rare, then take comfort in the fact that your instinct is working for you over the long term. If it's more common, then change to an even staking plan or change the way you assess a 'good thing'.
#4 The Genius
Every race course, pub, barbeque and social function has one. He's the one who smashes the bookmakers every time you meet up with him. He's also the one who never tells you what he backs before the race, but carries on like he just inherited Jamie Packer's estate after the race. He's also the one that asks you as soon as the horse's have passed the post if you backed the winner with a ridiculous giggle, overlooking your facial expression which reads like you are ready to rip someone's head off. He's also the one who, if not in your presence to pester you, calls you immediately after the race to let you know he was on the winner and to ask if you backed it while ignoring your vocal tones of pain and anguish.
Remedy
Call him at 3 a.m in the morning. When he picks up ask him if he was on the last winner at Chepstow (UK) followed by repeated cheers. Repeat this step until he gets the message.
#3 Seconds Day
If there is anything worse than loading up on the wrong bets, than it's getting close, but not close enough in too many races on a particular punting day. "Pipped on the post", "got through too late", "not enough ground to finish him off", "young jockey butchered his chances"- you hear yourself repeating these lines to your friends or anyone else who will endure the pain of listening to your continual rants throughout the day. It's that feeling of excitement mixed with pain. Like getting through to the grand final year after year and never holding up the trophy.
Remedy
Here's what not to do. Look for the shortest price favourite in any state and back it in the hope that you can finally say that you've got a winner. It won't feel as good if it does win, and given your pattern of luck on the day, it will probably get rolled. Just endure the experience knowing that at least your punting judgement is thereabouts and it's only a matter of time until your picks salutes.
#2 Good odds gone
You looked at the market last night and thought he was unders and told yourself to wait until tomorrow. When you woke up he had come in a point. "Even bigger unders now...", you said to yourself, "..better leave it". You then checked an hour from race time and he had come in another two points. What do you do? "Have to back it" you decide and so you take a price that is almost half of what it was the night before. As it box seats with its ears pricked and ready to pounce on the turn, you don't know if to cheer or cry.
Remedy
Put half of your stake on the night before. That way you only feel half the pain of any negative swing in the odds. Beware, you only feel half the joy of positive swings too.
#1 The cancelled bet
Yes that's right. You actually looked up the bookmaker's customer support number, called them and cancelled your bet. That was after checking its form and thinking that it probably had a chance. You also thought about the old saying 'never cancel a bet' and all the stories your old man told you about it. But you still found the energy to call and cancel the bet. Why couldn't I just back my original pick as well as the bet I placed in error? No you had to do it.
Remedy
Never cancel a bet. Never.
Will Blackett