Question for HTR experts and longtime users

[Butch]

I've used a lot of programs over the years, and I have yet to find one that works. I only play for the challenge of it. I don't expect to make money, but it would be nice to cut down the percentage of money I lose.

I don't have any experience with MS Access or any other database programs, although I guess I've used them when built into some handicapping programs (like SQL is). But what I want to know is this: I'm reasonably bright and can learn fairly quickly. And I'm willing to do whatever work is necessary. My question is this: About how long of a learning curve is there with this program, and about how much work per week in hours is needed to maintain it (not counting whatever time is spent doing queries on the database)?

Thanks

[George]

Welcome to HTR Butch.
I spend 20 minutes a day downloading using dialup and another 15 minutes exporting, loading database and running spot plays for the day. This is for about 20 tracks.

Spend many hours looking for new plays but thats what I find to be fun.

Would like to suggest you pass on getting into ACCESS for a few weeks and just work with the modeler that is built in to HTR. It is quite possible to be a winning player just using the modeler.

Download last 20 days of data, results and charts for just one or two tracks. Run the create function in modeler for the tracks. Then take a fresh day of data (tomorrow) and check the model for what wins each type of race. Should be a few surprises for you in there.

BOL!!

[hurrikane]

Welcome Butch. How much time it takes is really up to you. I spend from 10 min to 3 or 4 hours, depending on what I want to accomplish.

George is right..the best tools at first are the modeler..you need 20 or so days of data(that will take some time to download..PITA!!)
prat..excellent sheet tool.
Impact and HTR...velocity programs and a whole lot more. why don't you download a little data, and then we can talk. Everyone here is more than ready to help.

[Glen]

Welcome Butch to HTR Stables,

HK and George give excellent Advice. Like you, I knew nothing about Access until about 1.5 years ago. I wanted to be a better gambler so I took an Access training Class at New Horizons for professional development <g>. Donnie works for New Horizons and can give you more info about them. Highly recommended some type of training for database virgin. Now I can query up a storm in Access pertaining to horseracing but could not set up an Access database for a jelly bean collection. All that is fine with me though...Keep on posting and asking more questions. No question is stupid and we don't bite...It will greatly enhance the learning curve and get you to where you want to be sooner.

Glen

[tbrown]

Hello Butch,
I am a new useser, too. Been with HTR about a month now and I can tell you that
the program is pretty easy to use. I was amazed at some of the things I learned from
my models with only a few weeks worth of data in them. I still don't know what some of these
factors are, but I know they pick a lot of winners. IT is quick and easy to use and I think you
will find it an intersesting program to use.
Good luck
Tom

[MtKen]

Butch & Bulldog:

Go back & find Glen's thread on non-db HTR handicapping & print it----I did. It's on the 2nd pg. in this section.

Eventually go back & read all the stuff by George, Carl, Donnie, MikeDee & the other major posters & print the best...Read all the newsletters, etc. available from Mensa....I mean Massa.

Here's my CliffNotes version:

1: What Glen said in that non-db post.
2. Carl says look for something 'ugly'...
3. George says there are winning querie(s) that produce 30% profit & never lose over a weekly period.
4. MikeDee says look for speed & learn Access.
5. TommyC says he is not a handicapper, just an HTR player.
6. Hurrikane has 1.25-1.50 ROI over 2 months of blind betting in contest-----just figure out what he does.

BOL