Forget About It

I spread $20 in $2 bets over the Preakness last Saturday. For the Kentucky Derby I bet on several horses that paid good odds and were recommended as having a chance to pull off a victory. I almost hit on one that would have covered my bets.

For the Preakness, with a much smaller field, I made some exacta bets, boxes (pick one and two any order) with a couple of straights (pick one and two in exact order). Then I went for a few superfectas. One of my boxes looked to pay off as #4 was pushing for second in the final turn, but the horse dropped off. If I had not limited myself to $20 I would have had an exacta box, having made a list of horses from recommendations if I played all the possibilities. That would have paid at least five times my investment.

I bet the big races when I have the chance and when I have the money because I can get good leads easily and sometimes do a bit more research. But any money I may wager, whether on horses or in poker I …forget about it.

That is, the money is gone before I even put it up. After having plenty of money for our upcoming budget, having saved a bit and finding some excess in my pocket I will sometimes bet the big races or go to a poker tournament. I have even made a couple more trips to the casino to play poker. But the money is gone before I start.

I have a set purpose for the money if I win, and that includes the initial investment. There is no expectation of even more pocket money for my own entertainment or to reinvest in another tournament. All the money will go as extra payment to some debt (regular payments already covered in the budget) or some other cause.

As soon as I sit down at a poker table, which has been averaging just over once a month this year, or place a small wager, for any practical purposes the money is already gone. I can forget about it. A win will boost our personal economy by cutting into principle and interest and go to a good cause. Presently my set plan splits any winnings between the debt on our house and our Church.

This is how we can add a bit of enjoyment, entertainment, competition and get out and about meeting other people on a small budget. With my skills and some luck I have even come out ahead over some months.