I often read posts from members enquiring if a particular computer racing
program is any good or alerting punters to dubious programs.
I have been writing racing programs for several years during which time I have
spoken with many punters who have told me how they were conned into buying one
program or another which, to their disappointment and considerable loss, turned
out to be a complete dud.
To new punters in particular the computer racing program tends to be a bit of an
enigma. Can it actually pick winners and make money for the user? If so, why is
the program being offered for sale? Here is a brief description of a basic
racing program and a few pointers which hopefully will help save a first time
buyer paying out thousands of dollars for some hyped up system that is full of
promises and short on delivery.
The most common types of racing programs and the ones referred to here are those
that use real time race prices. This type of program normally consists of three
basic modules -
1. A module that collects real time race prices. Prices may be taken off the
internet, teletext, a datacast service like Ch's 7 Bettordata or simply typed in
by the user. A program that relies on teletext or datacast will require a
decoder, the price of which has to be added to the basic program cost.
2. A module to select runners and calculate bets. This is the all important
module that does the selecting of runner(s) and is often the mysterious part of
the program to some punters. A few program suppliers will not even tell you how
their program selects runners - be wary if you strike this.
3. Finally a module to transfer the bets to the betting agency. This may be via
the internet, direct on-line betting or simply left to the user to phone in the
bets.
The most common bet calculating method found in a program is dutching, whereby
multiple runners in a race are selected to carry bets. If one of the group wins,
a profit is returned to the punter. You would use this on win prices and
sometimes, if you are feeling lucky, on big paying place prices. Bets can be
calculated to return a user predetermined target profit or a total bet amount.
A program will let the user select runners and/or provide a 'system' that makes
the selections for you. Remember here that we are dealing with a type of program
that relies on real time race prices for selecting runners, so there is not too
much mystery as to what it can do. By far the most common 'system' of picking
potential winners is to select those runners that undergo large drops in price -
price shortening. Price differences may be monitored over a period of several
minutes or for a sudden negative swing. There has always been a propensity by
some punters to watch for that last moment price drop just before the close of
bets. The theory being that if there is a significant shortening in any runner
price then there must be some punter who has privileged information, so take
advantage of that persons knowledge. One technique is to monitor the prices from
different TAB's to coordinate price changes or identify any substantial amount
placed on a runner at any one TAB. A program may use a database of information
for support. Some programs concentrate on the exotics using probability formula
to calculate bet amounts for sets of trifectas, quinellas or exactas. There is
probably a whole range of 'systems' for a potential buyer to choose from but
they usually follow the same theme - they relate back to price fluctuations
and/or market favourites.
Unfortunately the price of programs is no sure indication as to whether one
program is better than any other in helping the punter to make a profit. A $5000
program may not be any more useful than a $300 program. In fact I have seen two
programs that do exactly the same thing and produce the same results with a
price tag difference of over $7000.
You cannot purchase a computer racing program that will select runners and
consistently make a profit for you. A program may pick winners but it will also
pick losers so that short term gains are forfeited to long term losses. It is up
to you, the program user, the punter, to make the profits by picking the right
selection(s).
If you intend to buy a racing program ignore those glossy brochures with their
tailored balance sheets, be circumspect about "Investment program", "high
returns" or "high strike rate" and take with a pinch of salt that testimonial
praising the program as a path to future riches.
Be objective when looking at a program, if possible test run the program
yourself, don't rely on the salesman's description of how good it is. Try it
with a few races. Do you think you can make a profit using the program? The
emphasis is on YOU. If you can make a profit with it how long will it take to
win back the price of the program? After all you do not begin making a profit
until the program has been paid for.
Be very wary about any program that locks you into their 'system' selections and
an unchangeable amount of bet, it is very easy for losses to escalate out of
control with bad selections. Make sure you can change the selections if need be
and set your own level of bet.
Treat any racing program as a punting aid or a tool and don't forget if you go
looking for a program that promises the Golden Fleece, you will be the one that
gets fleeced.
Good luck.
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