Know When to Choose the “ALL” Button

by Glen S.

“Buying” a race or buying a level in a vertical sequence, such as a trifecta or superfecta wager, can get costly, but if done correctl,y it can pay off huge.

There are a few situations where I believe hitting the “ALL” button is a good idea:

* A vulnerable favorite that you believe will not win but you do not know who will beat him.

* Lots of unknowns, for example several first time starters or most of the horses racing first time on turf or most stretching out for the first time in distance.

* None of the horses able to run to the par figures of the class level. When you know all the horses are slow then it allows anyone to win the race.

* You have a field of eight horses and you feel six or seven of them can win.  It is obvious you do not have a good feeling for the race. My rule is never leave out one horse.  It has happened that one horse [I left out] has beaten me and also that horse is the one that really makes the wager pay.

* Using the all in a trifecta race is good when you have a standout in your mind, especially if  between 3-1 to 5-1. Also if you like the horse and then would need a bunch underneath because the others are all similar types.

* If you have two horses that stand above the rest and the rest are running for 3rd or 4th.  This is a great type of race to use the all in the bottom of the trifectas and supers.

When NOT to hit the “All” button:

* When it is lazy handicapping.

* You’ve run out of time handicapping and simply hit the All in the last leg or a leg you did not look at closely.

* The favorite looks like he has a decent chance to win, but you are simply hoping that he doesn’t.

* If you have a 10-1 or higher horse and you’re using the All underneath for trifectas or supers.  It is much better to bet the horse to win instead of keying in the exotics.

* When each horse you use in the All is costing way to much because you haven’t keyed elsewhere.

Select your situations wisely, and good luck!

Share this with your horse racing friends
Handicapping tips from agameofskill.com

Subscribe

* indicates required





Email Format


About Editor

Rich Nilsen is an 18-time qualifier to the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC), an event he has cashed in four times. He was the first player to finish in the top 10 of the NHC twice. A former executive with Brisnet.com and a member of the NHC Players’ Committee, Rich is a graduate of the University of Louisville Equine Business Program and is founder of AGameofSkill.com, a site devoted to horse racing education and promotion.

Speak Your Mind

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

More in Handicapping 101, Learn to Handicap, Money Management
Sire Profile: Bluegrass Cat

by Bob Schless Ever since arriving in New York in 2012 Bluegrass Cat has taken over as the leader in...

Close