Customer Reviews

Betting on Horse Racing For Dummies

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I went to the track for the first time with some friends recently. Afterwards, I figured there had to be more to handicapping than picking the prettiest horse, or the one with a catchy name. So, I ordered "Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies", and read it over a weekend. It demystifies the racetrack experience, explains all the jargon, the various types of bets, etc. It also teaches you how to read the Daily Racing Form like a pro. Perhaps best of all, it explains how to interpret odds to maximize your return.

The next time we went to the track, I really impressed my friends with my knowledge. I could read the Racing Form like a newspaper column, and explained things like "overlays" and "trifectas" with confidence. Best of all, I picked the winner in the first three races! Yes, I had a "Pick Three" bet down, and won a nice pot. What a great start to a fun day at the track. "Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies" helped make it happen!

This book is a great pleasure to read. I was amazed as I went from page to page with just how much information was packed into each page and how clearly the information was laid out, and how quickly you could pick up a lot of facts. I would ignore the single negative review that was written earlier. The breadth and depth of knowledge displayed about thoroughbred horses and pointers on handicapping is very good and shines throughout. This is clearly a writer who knows his stuff and the pages just draw you in. Don't just take my word for it, look for a copy at your local bookstore and just peruse the pages and see for yourself if that isn't true. What I also really liked about the book was the feel about the way it was written in that that the writer shows a clear respect for his readers and doesn't try to water down or dumb down a complex topic, but tackles it clearly and firmly with
good explanations and little wasted effort. I'm a much smarter, more intelligent bettor for having spent time with this book, and the bottom line is - isn't that what this book is supposed to be all about?

I browsed through some of these reviews before I purchased this book, and let me just say that the $12.99 price on Amazon is a bargain if you wish to learn more about horse-racing betting. I'm a young fan and I knew little before picking up this book. After visiting the racetrack a couple of times, I already picked some winners, including a trifecta I hit, thanks to the tips and extensive research throughout this book. I couldn't be more happier to have chosen this book. If you serious about learning more about this wonderful sport and the many betting options, then do yourself a favor and buy this book immediately. You will not be dissapointed!

This book is a good introduction to horse racing in general, with helpful tips for beginning handicapping. The only problem was that I wanted a good explanation of the charts in the Daily Racing Form and, as one other reviewer wrote, the charts presented here are so tiny as to be unreadable! I had to take them to a copier and blow them up almost 200% so I could understand what the author was talking about. The editor should have caught this!

If you've recently fallen in love with the "sport of kings" or simply wish to revisit the fundamentals that enthralled you in the first place, this is the book for you.

In Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies, Richard Eng somehow delivers the "rosetta stone" equivalent for horse racing -- breaking down the complex sport and art of handicapping into 26 trim chapters.

I wish this book was on the market when I fell in love with racing nine years ago.

As a novice, having been to Saratoga a handful of times, I never had a method or system to handicapping. I recently had the pleasure of applying some of the suggestions of this book at Hollywood Park during a family outing. For example, this book helped me ferret out the losers in a large field of maidens. We also put together a group parlay, I looked for overlays and more. I had limited success that day, but success doesn't come overnight. I felt overall I had made smart bets and felt good about my wagers.

I found the book thoughtful, useful and easy to read. I used to think horseracing was sheer luck, but there is a way to better your chances. This book is my springboard for better handicapping at trackside.

I wholeheartedly second the comments of reader/reviewer Quon, above. The presentation is extremely clear and enjoyable to read. Mr. Eng is like the great teacher we've all had at one time or another...someone who is gifted at explaining complicated information, "peeling the onion" in a way that one can absorb it easily and wind up loving the subject matter. I haven't been to a track in 30 years (a true "Dummy"), but I sure want to do that now. Great book!

With the Kentucky Derby about one week away, it will be like NCAA March Madness where even the casual of sports fans is going to have an opinion on the outcome.

But maybe you will want to take that opinion one step further and place a bet at the local race track or OTB that's simulcasting the race. This book will help you learn the nomenclature associated with wagering on the races and the nuances to betting.

Author Richard Eng guides the reader through the basic bets like win, place and show, but really earns high marks by delving into the exotic bets - like exactas, trifectas and superfectas - where betting the same money as you would on the traditional trio may yield much higher payouts.

The book is not how to handicap races, which is the art or reading a racing form or researching with other material to select runners for your various bets. It purely focuses on understanding what bets are possibly available for the races at your local tracks or on the simulcasts.

And with confidence, you'll be able to march up to the teller and state - for the record - "In race five I'd like an exacta box with with 2 and the 6," just like a pro. And through the help of Eng you will certainly understand it just as well or better than that "expert" who's next in line.

I found this book to be just excellent. After being invited to the Kentucky Derby by some folks who own a Kentucky horse farm started in 1867, I wanted to learn more about racing and betting before I went. I was a complete novice, having been to Saratoga several times betting on horses with cool sounding names and always losing. The book goes through everything you need to know about racing and betting. Not only did I win several races before the Derby, but I actually won the Derby with a bet on Barbaro! I made quite a reputation for myself as a handicapper!

This was my second dummies book. Texas holdem was the first (I no longer play that game).
I purchased this book along with How to Win the Pick 6 and Exotic Betting. See my reviews on those books.
The book is well laid out and covers horse racing and betting basics pretty well. However there wasn't anything exciting and were some sections worthy of a yawn or two.
I have found myself picking it up for a quick reminder of what's what about subjects like track take out percentages and wagering tips.
What I have learned is that if I surf the web for information on something like "trifecta" I can get more professional results and often find other unexpected and good things to read.
It's fine for exactly what it is, an entry level book full of simple explanations. I don't regret buying it, but I don't believe I absolutely needed to buy it.
A spilt between 3 and 4 stars.