Shows reader how to disect the elements of harness racing and sets up a plausible system, while being light and humorous reading. The system offered is simple and fast, but I haven't been able to show a profit with it. The system may now be outdated or localized to his home track. But whatever the case, the aspiring player needs only to be able to combine these elements in the right way for their track to win.

A book printed in the late 70's still usefull today.Angles are still effective in todays market,also contains a simple point system,that is still highly effective today

I admit that some of the characters of this book are very different from me. However, I was intrigued with the story because I wanted to find out how they would grow, how they would handle changes to their world. It is the story of a journey. We all face questions about life, its meaning, what is real and what is important. Having grown up in the midwest in a rather sheltered world, the awaking of the characters is especially real to me.

Everyone ends up with a different perspective in life. Those perspectives are shaped by our families, friends, cultures and religions, but any intellectually honest person will admit to doubts and questions about what they believe and why. This book is about how the characters deal with the questions and doubts. The author shows us one of life's most important journeys.

I started this book because I am from North Dakota and I have met the author. While that got me started, I expected it would take me awhile to get through it. Not so. It reads quickly because it is a good story well told with writing that is clean and clear and compelling.

The descriptions of a tropical storm in Belize and a snow storm on the plains equally ring true. The "coming of age" trials of the protagonist, while set in small town North Dakota, have universal qualities that most everyone can identify with.

All the characters are believable and appealing. The protagonist's naivete is sometimes a bit incredible but, looking back, perhaps most of us have "been there, done that".

Finally, the book is worth reading if just for the gossip sessions in the town cafe and the aphorisms printed in the "Hayfield Gazette".
"Youth and innocence are barriers to wisdom" or "The only people who don't change are those who have not included themselves in their thinking."
I liked this book.

You will no longer fall under the "idiot" category once you read this book. It is for those who do not know much about betting on horses or horse racing. It is handy, simple, and informative, as well as fun to read.

I always wondered if these idiot books are really intended for idiots or for someone else. Now I know that, if the series can be judged from this one small part, the title is meant ironically and facetiously. But an even better title would be Information Junkie's Introduction to Horseracing, which, incidentally, describes this little tome exactly. Packed with facts and authoritative guidance to betting on the nags, this work summarizes in a compressed modern pellet that large gaseous cloud of legend and fokelore that surrounds the sport of kings. So if you don't know the difference between a thoroughbred and a quarter horse, if you can't tell exactly how an exacta differs from a quinella, if you think eight furlongs is longer than a mile, then this is the book for you. Betting systems are adequately described and the novice should come away with an idea or two on how to work their own box or wheel, or progress the bets, or even go dutch. The only section I had trouble with was about reading the racing form. Whole books could be done on that subject, but even the small amount presented here was unclear and occasionally misleading. Some benign editor who didn't know much probably corrected some of the author's post positions to past positions especially when we are told past position is important and usually coming out close to the rail is an advantage. Also not quite up to the high quality of the rest of the book is the section on drugs. The author might profit by reading about the pharmacology of Lasix. And cocaine is not found in horse urine. If it is found in a post race urine, it simply means that the groom or the stableboy assigned to get the sample became impatient and peed in the cup himself. Such samples usually also have lots of nicotine and caffeine and always have a sky high chloride content that identifies with silver nitrate testing that the urine in question is of human and not horse origin. In the world of horses the big worry about what's stuffed up the nose is not cocaine: It's a sponge to block the favorite's breathing.

Dave Litfin, one of the country's most respected handicappers, has finally written a book that should appeal to the hardcore horseplayer or the casual racing fan. This book is interesting because it's not just about dry handicapping facts. Litfin writes about personal stories and experiences that makes racing one of the greatest games ever invented. I thought one of the most interesting parts of the book was his chapter on a horse's current form. After reading that chapter have an easier time figuring out when a horse is about to peak in his cycle or when he is about to degress. I feel more confident when I place a wager now. After reading this book I was ready to go to the track and test my newly acquired knowledge.

Branching out from the specifics of the New York circuit, Real-Life Handicapping is the fascinating chronicle of a year in the life of a successful horseplayer. From autumn at Belmont Park, through winter at Aqueduct, to summer at fabled Saratoga, Dave Litfin not only gives handicappers a seasonal edge when playing these tracks, but emphasizes those universal, profit-producing techniques that get results at racetracks from coast to coast. In addition, Litfin's is a delight to read.

"There's plenty here that would benefit any horseplayer, from beginner to advanced." Barry Meadows

I give the book 4 stars because even though it was good reading it did'nt exactly reveal any real exciting secrets.Overall it could be used by the novice gambler to learn roulette and the best & safest ways to bet. It also gives some history on the roulette wheel and the different types used in the U.S. & abroad.

The book covers the game from all aspects and is easy to follow. It covers the game basics, and basic betting systems, and from there goes into some spin offs and playabe variations of those betting systems. It also covers other topics like biased wheels, numerical concepts that are important to playing the game, and technichal information about wheel construction and cheating (It does not teach you how to cheat). I consider the book an excellent referance for all Roulette players, and and a great addition to any library.

This book doesn't even rate 1 star. The author obviously knows nothing about golf or the types of games that can be played. I'm really surprised that any publisher would even publish this trivial attempt. I felt that the purchase of this book was a complete waste of money

Great book. I don't know what James M. Herschel's problem is, because this book has given me a bunch of new ways to take money from my golfing buddies! Highly recommended -- the best betting games collection available.

This book outlines numerous games which puts a little twist on your golf outings with buddies. Not only do you get your 4-some games, but other formats as well. Best guide to golf games of any other book I've read, plus a touch of humor.

The software is easy to use and the book does not teach any new principles of pace handicapping. The two simple pace rating is as good as any pace rating which one can create. The problem with the software is that it picks the last paceline of the horse for dirt races, and on turf races, it selects all the turf pacelines for the horse. This leaves the user with the task of proper contender and paceline selection. The author provides guidelines to contender and paceline selection; however the user will still need to make analysis of the race in order to succeed, if one follows blinded to the computer output, one will be greatly disappointed. It's not a black box, judgment and thinking is required to interpret the numbers. The section on money management is a little vague, the author shows in his book that he makes most of his money in exactas and trifectas betting rather than straight win bets. Unless, one has a big bankroll for exotic betting, be ready to go through a roller coaster ride in exotic betting.

I was informed of this book in a on-line newsletter about horse racing, and the authors were describing the successes they were having with some of Michael's methods. I am a seasoned handicapper, and the last thing I thought I needed was another handicapping book, but I was intrigued. After reading the book, I found the rating techniques described simple to anyone who has handicapping experience and is serious about the game (for the novice, it is very helpful to be good with numbers and calculations).

The techniques also seem to be quite effective. I usually handicap multiple tracks at an simulcast facility, looking for good bets (i.e. longer-priced horses that have a chance to win). The first 2 days I tried Michael's methods, I was pointed to a total of 4 longshot winners that I would have otherwise passed over using my current handicapping methods. Not bad....

Michael details his background in the book to some extent, and the reader will realize that he did not come up with these techniques overnight - years of experience and refinement have brought him to the methods he describes. Any serious bettor and student of the game can appreciate the effort. If anything, the techniques described in the book will help you find overlooked horses, as the methods seem to be very good at quickly ferreting out 'hidden ability' - ability not apparent from looking at the past performances in the public's generalized way. If the methods and rankings point to the logical favorites, pass the race. Otherwise, be prepared to play!

This book is an excellent supplement to anyone's current method of handicapping, and gave me more tools to add to my 'handicapping toolbox.' Like any handicapping method, it is desirable to show proven success over the long haul, but Michael states his case well and I am off to a flying start with the techniques - the book has already paid for itself several times over. Any book that can help someone make profits and provide enjoyment is worth its cost and deserves 5 stars.

One of the half dozen best (meaning most valuable in terms of actually winning money at the track) handicapping books I've read in over 30 years in the game. The best, and simplest, method for rating pace I've seen. The method of play suggested by Mr. Pizzolla is bent toward the production of longshot winners. I began playing the method within a few days of reading the book. I cashed tickets on longshots (like Statesville, at better than 19.00 to one, in the 9th at Woodbine on September 14, 2001) I'd not have given a second thought to before. You will have to accept some contrary ideas and absorb some detailed practice. It is worth the time and effort.

I checked out the 1967 version of this book in the library when I first became interested in horse race handicapping. It was so full of information that I ended up buying it. A few years back, I loaned it to my brother and later asked for it back so I could review some stuff. But, his dominating wife had thrown it away. Well, enough of this boring stuff. This book does a good job of introducing a new, novice, or disorganized horseplayer to the fundamentals of handicapping--a fancy way to say picking winners at the track. Ainslie covers distance, speed, class, form, track conditions, breeding, and jockeys and trainers very thoroughly. The reader should avoid the laundry lists of specific qualifications for horses that appear periodically in the book. This book was published before the advent of Beyer speed figures and other new concepts in handicapping. Also, as in most how to pick winners books, Ainslie has sections of the Daily Racing Form from races where he made a big score. Racing authors seem to never have DRF examples of races where they lost their shirts. But, it is a useful treatise to learn the fundamentals of handicapping though even the lastest edition (1988) is a bit dated. I would advise the reader to learn the general concepts in the book and to avoid the specific criteria for picking horses. It is an excellent place for a new horseplayer to start. Now, if someone could write a book for my brother telling him how to stand up to his wife.

The best handicapping book I've read. The beauty is the organization, how Ainsle teaches you a systematic, organized method. There's a lot of leeway for putting your own system together, but it's the mindset, the step by step way he approaches things that's so valuable. I haven't seen that anywhere. Most books teach you things of value, but not how to step by step go through the past performances, decide if the distance is right for this horse, figure out if the horse is in condition, in the right class etc. After reading this book I can actually sit down with a program, figure out which races are playable and which aren't, and hit about 40% winners. I would highly recommend it.

This was the first book on this subject that I have read and I bought it again for someone else. If you are just getting started this is an excellent place to begin.

He kept all of his secrets. If you know the basics of racing you will learn nothing. Definate thumbs down!!

You don't need to purchase The Sheets to benefit from Len Ragozin's insight. You may, as some have, find a way to incorporate his theories into your personal methodology. Understanding thoroughbred form cycles is critical to successful wagering and this book shows the way. But you will have to work a little to master the concepts he presents. Until Ragozin wrote this book I was mystified by the unpredictable declines and sudden rises in the performances of young horses. Now some of my best bets come in three year old races. And I don't subscribe to the expensive figures.
What I have learned is worth many times the purchase price.

While Len Ragozin may, in part, be promoting his Sheet service, he does begin to impart very important information about the sport, handicapping, and some of the aspects of the game that necessitated the development of his number system. He actually does disclose how to develop the numbers, the problem is, partly, in getting the raw data that goes into them. Ultimately, it is the analysis of the numbers and the patterns combined with sound money management that offers the promise of success at the windows. Read the book. Adapt the handicapping principles to the information available from the Daily Racing Form, if you wish. One thing I think you will find is that Len Ragozin wants to share his knowledge and wisdom. The data, however, is for sale.

I read the book in two sittings and enjoyed it throughly. The characters were fleshed out nicely and you could actually feel yourself rooting for them in some instances knowing all the while that a "normal" person would never have the guts to lay down the bets that they have made. Contempt and jealously were common emotions I felt as I read them, and as I am planning a trip to Las Vegas in the next few weeks I will be toting the book looking for autographs.

This is truly a very good read and if you have interest in sports betting and Las Vegas I can't see how you could go wrong in purchasing this.

THE ODDS... is a non-fiction account of sports betting in Las Vegas during the football and college basketball seasons in 1999/2000. It gives insight into betting from three perspectives: small-time, big-time, and the bookmaker. The book provides some information for the curious that is interesting and helpful in understanding how betting lines are made, the effect and purpose of moving the line, the impact of internet betting, and Congress' interest in abolishing betting on college sports.

The book also chronicles the agony, torment, and excitement of sports betting. Unfortunately, for those who are already living the gambler's lifestyle there's little in this book they don't already know. For those considering using sports betting as their sole source of income, they might think twice after reading this book. However, acknowledging that gambling is such a powerful drive, I'm afraid they'll want to find out for themselves. Good Luck!

I thought this was a very good book that not only gives you a feeling of being in Las Vegas sweating out the games or more precisely the bets, but it also educates the reader to the many changes in sports wagering with a little history lesson. I read it in only two readings because I could not put it down.

My biggest letdown from the book is when it ended. I wanted to read more! I wanted more true stories to feel the exitement of winning as well as the sickening feeling of losing a bet in the last few seconds of a game to a freak play.

The book leaves the reader thnking maybe I do not know as much as I think I do about betting sports. The games fall squarely on the lines so often it is scary. If the wise guys can not beat the lines studying information and trends as a full time job, how can I possibly do it over the long run committed to a family and working a full time job.

I only found a few editing mistakes where the team did not cover the spread but our guy was stated to have a winning ticket. Not enough to take away from the realism or to be too distracting. No gambler really tells the truth all the times. It would have been a little better if we knew how much the bettors really lost or won, the book was a little vague in that area. It only stated the our guys had had a very bad two months.

But to finish positively, It was a great read and one I will pass on to my best of friends.