Betting Horse Racing for Dummies Paperback – March 18, 2005

This may very well be the best introductory book on horse racing ever written. It truly touches on just about every aspect of handicapping, betting and watching the races. It's clear that the author has a lot of passion for the game. Many people talk about Tom Ainslie's book, but I think that this is the one that can get any person started. If you pair this with Steve Davidowitz's "Thoroughbred Handicapping", and watch Jerry Bailey's "Inside Track", and then read Steven Crist's book on exotic wagering, you will truly be on your way to being a very good handicapper and bettor. Will that make you a winner? Perhaps. Luck is always a factor, and the house always has an advantage. In parimutuel wagering, the house would be the track, the owners, the jockeys, the trainers, the grooms and anyone else with direct, continuous contact with the horses. Any of them can take a piece of the action at any time, and it can be very difficult to defend yourself as a horseplayer, particularly if you are doing it on a part-time basis. If you can understand the game, and develop some good pet angles that occasionally work, then you can be competitive and have a ton of fun. But beware-the game is an intoxicating mix which can easily become addictive to anyone over time. Best of luck.

This is a wonderful book for newcomers to horse racing. The author explains things in an easy to understand manner and has many enjoyable anectodoes that are used to illustrate a concept. However, the racing charts in the Kindle Edition simply cannot be read regardless of the magnification setting.The book is so good that it was felt that a lower rating because of the inability to read the charts was not warranted. Having a copy of The Racing Form next to you when reading the Kindle Version is helpful, I was able to muddle through without being able to see the racing charts being used to illistrate a point. The excellent writing skills of this author painted a picture of the chart so one could visualize the subject being discussed without actually seeing the chart in question.

I grew up in horse racing but gave to friend who was just getting into recreational handicapping (yeah right, just win a good sum once and it becomes serious!) and always had questions. Like other commentors before, the only dim spot was the examples of forms etc that are so small it's almost useless. Overall it covered the most important details without getting too serious and "graph-y" .

betting on horses for dummies is one of the best books i have gotten.. i am new to horse betting so i want to learn everything i can about it.. and this book does just that..it explains in detail the different bets you can make, how to read the odds, different horse tracks, what you should look for in the races leading up to the triple crown, race lingo, a tear out cheat sheet to take to races with you and many other things that you will want to know..this book will help you when you looking up things online and on youtube.i am so glad i decided to get this book. it really has helped me learn a few things i want to know before i get my bets ready for the triple crown and many other races..i had no idea how exciting horse betting was until i got a job in a casino that has a horse track.. i started just betting the kentucky derby 3 years ago.. of couse i had help from a friend who bets the races all the time.. now 3 years later i really wan to get into it.. AP winning the triple crown last year really did it for me..now am looking at other casinos near me that has a horse track, i started reading up on the horses the owners the trainers the jockeys and even the bloodlines of the horses.. so this book really is going to help with everything. it really is a must have for people new to horse racing..

This book is the best for new racing fans, and even those who are long time "rail birds.'Betting on horses is intellectual--how do you take the information you are given and make an opinion? This book tells you how.Handicapping is a process learned over time, but this book will give you the fundamentals. Read it and you have a better chance of cashing a ticket. You won't have to go to the track not knowing what you are doing. Read this book, capture a couple of ideas, and you will have a great time!In addition, the author is an experienced handicapper and an active racehorse columnist-- the book is professional, useful and very reader friendly.

I found this book to be very useful in terms of helping me build handicapping skills. Eng explains things in a pretty simple manner and provides examples in graphics to make his ideas clearer. I got this in Kindle edition and I plan to return to it often to review various pieces of advice. It's definitely not going to be a one and done kind of read because there are many variables discussed here, and reviewing them often will be the key to taking advantage of Eng's valuable advice. I would say to anyone getting into handicapping should start with this in order to familiarize yourself with a wide variety of aspects in horse racing.

I get it. Horse track betting isn't easily understood. But, the book has so far not answered the questions I had. I have gleaned a LOT of information. Don't get me wrong. It seems there may not be a better way to learn this except by a seasoned, live person.

Good information

Good quality delivered fast and easy had some whit markings/dust but presumed it was off the box because it easily wiped off, going to make a good gift would recommend. :)

Excellent

Rather Americanised, though this was expected.Some great pointers to help introduce you to betting on Horse Racing, also some good reminders if you already know how to bet on Racing.I use it as a quick reference and to help me explain things to others as part of my job.

Very helpful, well-written. Some illustrations were too small to read though. Money well spent. Betting on Horse Racing For DummiesBetting on Horse Racing For Dummies