In Chris's newly released book, he spends some time talking to players about the sometimes/often boring task of record keeping. I think most of us know it's important, but it can take a back seat to the work of handicapping, or more often in modern betting, database tweaking.
To me, one of the best things about record keeping, though, is what it can tell us as in bird's eye view.
I recently went through my quarterly stats, and was pleased to note that what I was intrinsically feeling about my play was confirmed.
First, I looked at my pick 5 volume as a percentage of total play.
At Woodbine, my pick 5 play totaled about 12% of my total play (this may sound high, but in harness with mucho-chalk, it's a lower takeout staple).
At the Meadowlands, it was less than 1% of my total play (0.7%).
Leaving aside the fact that Mohawk races more often and they have two pick 5's a night, this volume difference is stark.
However, those of you who play the Big M know full well that the first pick 5 involves amateur drivers and the cheapest horses on the grounds, often both.
I'm not consciously trying to play less, but my decision making is forcing me to play less.
In effect, it confirms my decision making is good. If I was playing a harness racing staple like a pick 5 to push volume, my Big M volume would be greater. I'd be "playing just to play".
A lot of the benefits of record keeping do not have to be stats-laden, mathy, wild exercises. It can be used to confirm if we're seeing the ball well, or not seeing it well; if we're pushing in areas we should not be, or underbetting in areas we need not to be.
I was chatting with a professional player yesterday and he typed, "really, gambling is just a massive test of curiosity, grit, discipline, and work ethic."
I think that's right - and monitoring our play, even as simply as above, can help us all become better.
Have a nice Monday everyone. If you want to order Chris's excellent book, it's at the link above.
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