There was a little news this week about takeout, and most of it is welcomed for casual horseplayers.
Hawthorne (which has a mandatory pick 5 payout tomorrow) has lowered pick 4 juice to 15% from 25%.
This 15% has also been applied to the pick 4 for the new harness meet, which starts this spring.
Also, the Meadows has dropped trifecta takeout to 20% from 27%, making that pool a little more playable for casual players.
Both of these moves are not earth shattering by any means, but do show some good will towards customers. As well, the Pick 4 for harness at Hawthorne was needed. Players have embraced the Balmoral Park pick 4, making it a staple and seeing 400-500% handle increases, on average, since the takeout had been reduced on its pool from 25% to 15% back in late 2009. Hiking it ten points, while unsuspecting customers think they're still paying 15%, is not good business from an ethical standpoint.
Overall, these small changes in one pool do not mean much for a couple of reas…
Hawthorne (which has a mandatory pick 5 payout tomorrow) has lowered pick 4 juice to 15% from 25%.
This 15% has also been applied to the pick 4 for the new harness meet, which starts this spring.
Also, the Meadows has dropped trifecta takeout to 20% from 27%, making that pool a little more playable for casual players.
Both of these moves are not earth shattering by any means, but do show some good will towards customers. As well, the Pick 4 for harness at Hawthorne was needed. Players have embraced the Balmoral Park pick 4, making it a staple and seeing 400-500% handle increases, on average, since the takeout had been reduced on its pool from 25% to 15% back in late 2009. Hiking it ten points, while unsuspecting customers think they're still paying 15%, is not good business from an ethical standpoint.
Overall, these small changes in one pool do not mean much for a couple of reas…