Hello to me and question:

[Gramps]

After lurking for a while and speaking to Ken today, I decided to try out HTR for a while. I'm convinced that it's the legitimate deal. That doesn't mean that *I* can win with it, but if I can't, I probably won't find anything else that works either. I have a bit of experience with the Sartin programs over the years, so I at least have a rough clue about that. What I don't have any clue about is Access, but if Microsoft makes it, it has to be idiot-friendly.

For those of you who bother visiting the Yahoo happy-hour board, I'm weloveclones there (Carl is person4762388). I lurk and/or post on other boards, too, but not as Gramps.

My question, which I also asked Ken in our phone conversation, is this: for those of you who use a database such as Access to generate spot plays or look for profitable situations, which tracks/circuits would you include in the master (Access) database, and which ones would you NOT include? Generally, where do you draw the line as far as what is too small and/or unpredictable a track (example: Yavapai Downs)? Do you believe in strength of numbers, downloading every track you can get your hands on? Do you stick to the big five or six guns (NYRA, Miami, So. California, etc.)? Or do you find some middle ground? And is there a major or semi-major circuit that you avoid like the plague (such as Maryland or Philadelphia)?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

[hurrikane]

Welcome aboard Gramps. I always download every track. Don' t play them all but I figure what the heck, you never know. Takes the same amount of time.

[Carl]

Welcome Gramps.

Two other Yahoo "regulars" (if you can call us that) whom I know of who are HTR users are "Canuck/NotimeforIdiots" and "Batman". (And of course, there may be more.)

I play as many tracks as I can, have been since I started HTR. Maybe I figure that I am paying for them, what the heck.

One place there may be an "edge" is in use of PRATT (one of the programs you will find here) at smaller tracks. It produces "Sheet type" numbers for small tracks that the "real" sheets do not cover. If you know how to use these numbers (I don't, it is like reading tea leaves to me) there may be an edge in being one of the few to have "sheet-like numbers" for YAP for instance.

So, play around, break a few things, see what you like/don't like and post back. Any specifics guys are happy enough to answer, makes us feel "smart" plus more than one of us has learned that we learn things when we attempt to answer questions. So we like to try hehe.

later,
Carl

[Glen]

Welcome Gramps,

I would downlaod all files for now. You may find better plays at the YAP, EVD, FE, and so on versus the SAR, DMR, and all might RET of the world...

Plus it is easier to click downlaod "all" vs trying to point and click on several tracks.

Enjoy your time w/ HTR and don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have

[Gramps]

So the consensus that I see so far is that the more tracks in the database, the more accurate the information is. Does anybody here who uses a master database limit the tracks to the larger ones or at least prune the bottom-level ones (like the hunt meets, fairs, etc.)?

Thanks again for the advice.

[MikeDee]

I'll provide another view to balance the discussion. I key my analysis on the tracks I can wager. If I can't wager on the track no use in including it in my db. For example since I live in Oh really won't be playing west coast tracks that run at night. So no use in getting the data and basing any plays on them. There are other tracks that I would bet I could but they are not available from my current wager source so in this case I collect the data but don't put it in my db. For these maybe someday things will change and I will be able to bet them so I get the data.

I guess I don't want a situation where a spot play looks real good but you remove the tracks you can't (or don't play) and the spot play is in the dumper. Or finding a real good play at a track you can't wager on, don't need the fustration.