tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5768887527712554781.post2023153611044082908..comments2023-06-19T09:26:26.664-04:00Comments on NJ HORSEPLAYER: InadmissableBill Holobowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06267163445590752501noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5768887527712554781.post-15576975247473032602014-04-23T19:34:11.170-04:002014-04-23T19:34:11.170-04:00Fair points, Anonymous postersFair points, Anonymous postersBill Holobowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06267163445590752501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5768887527712554781.post-29143575079555361222014-04-23T19:31:50.862-04:002014-04-23T19:31:50.862-04:00Frankie Sal, I totally get what you're saying,...Frankie Sal, I totally get what you're saying, and it's refreshing to hear players like you going for the gusto in these tournaments. I'm hoping that, at some point either in the fall or winter, Monmouth solicits contest-player feedback on SSC. It needs to send more than 2 seats to NHC - maybe include BCBC berth or HWPS at the least for those who make the Invitational and finish outside the Top 2. Bill Holobowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06267163445590752501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5768887527712554781.post-76116206073324308422014-04-16T16:04:42.440-04:002014-04-16T16:04:42.440-04:00Agree 100 percentAgree 100 percentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5768887527712554781.post-84925374797970825212014-04-16T12:39:01.967-04:002014-04-16T12:39:01.967-04:00The inclusion of multiple entries was necessitated...The inclusion of multiple entries was necessitated to drive the prize pool. If they didn't do that, the latter half of the year would have resulted in under attended online and local tournaments. It also removes a bit of the charade about some qualifies who couldn't tell one end of a horse from the other.<br /><br />Ideally, everyone should only have one entry but if the rules are two, you almost have to get the two to maintain quality. I would rather participate against 300 people for $500K than 450 entries for $750K but until there is sponsorship or some funding for the prize pool, it is essentially self-funded by the players and the multiple entries does drive that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5768887527712554781.post-49037307868826166722014-04-12T21:36:51.435-04:002014-04-12T21:36:51.435-04:00Heavy players do have advantages, But can get that...Heavy players do have advantages, But can get that seat and still lose 10-15 grand for the season. Big bankrolls don't guarantee profits.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5768887527712554781.post-7799573090349730262014-04-11T12:08:01.115-04:002014-04-11T12:08:01.115-04:00Hey Bill, let me make an argument of why the Monmo...Hey Bill, let me make an argument of why the Monmouth SSC needs to be reworked a little. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for an inexpensive tournament so close to home. I just don't understand why we have to spend $400 ($200.00 x 2 entries) a month, 4 times (Jan, Feb, March, April), only to hope to get into the final for a chance to win two seats. We have already talked about how 3 years ago only 45 people qualified so you had a 2 in 45 chance to get a seat. Then last year it was a 2 in 60 chance, now this year it is a 2 in 80 chance; totally unfair. In my opinion, each tournament, January thru April, should each carry 2 seats, then the final should be five to ten seats for the 3rd thru 10th place finishers from the qualifiers. If you look at the NHC tour schedule, Monmouth players are the only ones who have to qualify to have a chance to win a chance at a seat. Here are a couple reasons for my ideas; 1st, in the NTRA final at Treasure Island, 10th place paid $11,600.00. That is tenth out of about the 500 best handicappers in the Country. If I have $100 or $200 going into the last race an SSC qualifier, I am going to probably bet it all. 1st place in a qualifier will get you close to $15,000.00, and you only have to beat about 250 players or so, as opposed to $11,000.00 for 10th out of 500, come on! a no brainer to me. Second, two or three years ago, there were only about 100 or so players in an SSC tourney. Now there is about 250 to 400, so the handle is more than double just from the players. These are live money tourneys so players are betting there own money, plus bringing their friends out to the track. Third, again, Monmouth players are the only players in the Country who have to do this. I have more but I am getting longwinded. I used to play just to qualify, but several veteran players (also past winners, I won't use their names) pointed out to me the above reasons on why I need to go for the win. In all four qualifiers, I had enough money to win if I only I picked the winner in the final race; I didn't. In the first three I had to bet all of my money to try to win, so I left with zero dollars and no qualification for the invitational. In the one last week, I had $1120.00, sitting about $800.00 behind the leader. I only had to bet about $300 to try to win it all, but my horse lost and I was still left with $820.00 finishing 6th and finally qualified. I don't want to seem like I am trying to bash Monmouth or the people who run the tourneys, I only want them better and to have more players from Monmouth represented in Vegas every January. I had the time of my life in all four qualifiers, I just couldn't close the door. I also won a lot of my own money betting outside the tourneys, so this year I am playing with "house money". Maybe some day I will be able to close out and win one, and I certainly will keep trying. As long as I have a job, a wonderful wife who lets me go, and I don't miss a single minute of my daughter's life especially her sporting events, I will keep trying. Bill, I hope you don't mind the response to your blog, because as you can see, I share your enthusiasm for the sport and every day life. Frankie Sal Frankie Salhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09099047323719878718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5768887527712554781.post-42223068467854408322014-04-11T09:52:14.532-04:002014-04-11T09:52:14.532-04:00Agreed, Terry. I found that out most last year, wh...Agreed, Terry. I found that out most last year, where I was on the border of Top 150 but would have had to play a bunch of tournaments to get there (or simply do well in one, is more like it). You really need to be a weekly qualifying contest player in order to have a good shot. Bill Holobowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06267163445590752501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5768887527712554781.post-82847342689658239562014-04-10T09:37:36.611-04:002014-04-10T09:37:36.611-04:00NHC Tour points kind of reminds me of an arcade ga...NHC Tour points kind of reminds me of an arcade game, where at first glance it looks easy enough to capture a stuffed animal with the claw, but in reality it's extraordinarily difficult. <br />In my opinion points are only worth pursuing for the heaviest players, because if you're not a heavy player you have essentially no chance of winning cash <br />Non-heavy players have a chance to qualify for the NHC via points, but even with the top 150 getting in, you really have to thread the needle to swing that. <br />NHC Tour points expire worthless for the vast majority of NHC tour members. Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06753265916892083288noreply@blogger.com