General Chat

[Many Clouds]

The diaries these days in the members section are generally a fucking disgrace.

I'll not call out individual members but the aftertiming has become common place (I get that it's not always possible for those that have a life)
But it renders them untrustworthy IMO, so the adding up after the event and backslapping (which happens annually now) becomes tedious. IMO.

Diaries are being edited with bets added and taken away, and no comments/records made.
No running total of losses are being kept for many.
Some even show last years results on a race by race basis with no mention/record of losses occurred in the run up.
Some don't even include stakes so what's the fucking point in that ?

I kind of mentioned this last year, and it's got worse.
I'm not calling individual people out as I think that would be unfair and there are so many.
But some very notable individuals are 'guilty'.

I kind of don't care on a personal level other than it's irritating and the competitive element is long gone, if ti ever was there, as everyone's methods are different - and I've stopped looking at them most of the time,

But (and this is the important bit) there are people who are heavily influenced in the gambling world (vulnerable gamblers I'd call them) and it irritates me when things are misrepresented, deliberately or through lack of care.

I know for a fact that there are many "vulnerable's" who are members on here and those that aren't, who visit the site.

So misleading information can do damage whether it's by design or not.

This is just my opinion only, and you can obviously do what you want.
Thought it worth mentioning.

I get what you're saying, for me I put that many little bets on, on a daily basis that it would get daft posting every one as an update. So I just update it as I go along but I have updated my lost bets other day and there is a hell of a lot mind but all there. If people don't add their losses they are only cheating themselves, it's my first year doing proper antepost betting so I genuinely want to see how profitable it is on the whole from being ultra active on the forum reading posts multiple times per day as never done it before.

[ToniC]

Quevega do you think having a template pinned at the top of the page as a suggestion how to present it would help?

I try to represent everything I do in mine as clearly as possible but if there was a ‘forum standard’ as it were I’d be happy to go with that as it would probably help people interpret others easier too.

I’d say the biggest ’rule’ should be that it would be good form for bets contingent on a result happening eg roll-ups or win today and… bets or even just backing one before it runs to be posted before they event they’re dependant on takes place else they’re pretty meaningless.

[Lbur4288]

I used to get really fucked off with my football team (Barrow for anyone who cares ) and it was getting to the point that it was ruining my weekend, a mate said to me 'don't get wound up by things you can't affect and concentrate on what you can', I took that little bit of advice in and anyone who knows me will tell you I'm one of the most laid back people they know.

I think that the same can apply to this forum, for me personally I use the place to try and get an edge on the bookies. I don't agree with everyone or everything and I'd be extremely shocked if many agreed with me but I find it a great place to gather insight and if there's anything I may have missed which I like. I read the diaries but to be quite honest it's more to see if there's any good cases made rather than what stakes etc people have on.

[RufusFlynn]

Given how quick bookies seem to be with removing cash out etc it is notable how many still leave horses officially announced as out for the season in their betting.

Just noticed Balko des Flos is still available at 12’s for the XC with Sky. Disappointing really.

Also, not for the festival - but Sky have Kildisart as 33/1 for the Grand National. Is the horse in training? I may be wrong but had it in my head the horses had died?

[Quevega]

Each to their own fella's, and the variety of methods wouldn't allow a set format to work really.
I wouldn't want to impose anything really, even if I could (and I can't)
People can really do what they like, as it's a free world.

It was more a kick up the backside for those that have been sloppy, especially those that fancy themselves as some sort of 'sage', or those that are too stupid to realise, or don't care that they are influencing others.


The rules I try and follow.

Record all bets in real time.
If not then don't mention them on here.
Record a running total of losses/profits.
Include stakes on a points basis.
Try and give reasons/comments if time permits, or not obvious.

I do this most of the time (obviously not perfect) as it is my only record.
I don't miss many, that I haven't recorded, so it's very accurate.
And totally get that not everyone can do this.

Everyone is welcome to make a diary and run it how they want.

[Quevega]

I used to get really fucked off with my football team (Barrow for anyone who cares ) and it was getting to the point that it was ruining my weekend, a mate said to me 'don't get wound up by things you can't affect and concentrate on what you can', I took that little bit of advice in and anyone who knows me will tell you I'm one of the most laid back people they know.

I think that the same can apply to this forum, for me personally I use the place to try and get an edge on the bookies. I don't agree with everyone or everything and I'd be extremely shocked if many agreed with me but I find it a great place to gather insight and if there's anything I may have missed which I like. I read the diaries but to be quite honest it's more to see if there's any good cases made rather than what stakes etc people have on.

It is good advice.
Especially when it's something you can't affect or change.
I'm as laid back as the next person.
I just like to call people out when I think it's likely to affect or impact others.

[Exar Essay]

I’m guilty of updating just once weekly. Reason being, I’m rarely on the computer to do it and can’t sort formatting etc when on my phone. I mainly use this forum on my phone watching TV or whatever.

To be honest, I didn’t realise there was a competitive element to it. Just thought it was a good place to 1) keep a record; and 2) add to the cave of material on here. I find it interesting to read others’ diaries even if they are not as real time as others.

[Lbur4288]

It is good advice.
Especially when it's something you can't affect or change.
I'm as laid back as the next person.
I just like to call people out when I think it's likely to affect or impact others.

Exactly that mate and I'd say that by calling some people's behaviour/betting out is definitely something that could have an impact, I just think that if people are letting their betting dictate their personal life (be it socially or financially) that they're probably not going to listen to others unfortunately. I used to work for a bookies and some of the stuff I've seen punters do over the years has left me gobsmacked.

[Stormez]

Each to their own fella's, and the variety of methods wouldn't allow a set format to work really.
I wouldn't want to impose anything really, even if I could (and I can't)
People can really do what they like, as it's a free world.

It was more a kick up the backside for those that have been sloppy, especially those that fancy themselves as some sort of 'sage', or those that are too stupid to realise, or don't care that they are influencing others.


The rules I try and follow.

Record all bets in real time.
If not then don't mention them on here.
Record a running total of losses/profits.
Include stakes on a points basis.
Try and give reasons/comments if time permits, or not obvious.

I do this most of the time (obviously not perfect) as it is my only record.
I don't miss many, that I haven't recorded, so it's very accurate.
And totally get that not everyone can do this.

Everyone is welcome to make a diary and run it how they want.

I quite often don’t post about news bets I’ve made, usually just update post 1.

Suppose that could lead to accusations of aftertiming or editing, especially if a big one comes in. I’ve just always been conscious of spamming the diaries section with every bet I place!

I probably should though for posterity, so will do so from now on. Apologies in advance for the spam!

[Quevega]

I quite often don’t post about news bets I’ve made, usually just update post 1.

Suppose that could lead to accusations of aftertiming or editing, especially if a big one comes in. I’ve just always been conscious of spamming the diaries section with every bet I place!

I probably should though for posterity, so will do so from now on. Apologies in advance for the spam!

I often edit my last post with updates that are not time critical. totally conscious myself of spamming "post it notes" in effect.


Anyway.
I don't think there is a need for anyone else to acknowledge or explain themselves.
I didn't mention it for that reason.
People will read it and take it for what it is.
They may do things differently or they may not.
Free world.

[Eggs]

….in their Specials section, Hills have Top Jockey & Top Trainer markets if anybody is interested.

[Rooster Booster]

I often edit my last post with updates that are not time critical. totally conscious myself of spamming "post it notes" in effect.


Anyway.
I don't think there is a need for anyone else to acknowledge or explain themselves.
I didn't mention it for that reason.
People will read it and take it for what it is.
They may do things differently or they may not.
Free world.

Firstly I feel like a fraud as I do not provide a diary so accept I’m not really qualified to comment but one thought did strike me as I was reading through your original post. Perhaps it is the vulnerable themselves that are most likely to want their book to appear more positive than it really is, to fool others and/or fool themselves and as such perhaps a gentle private message from somebody might be in order just to check all is ok?

[ComplyOrDie]

No running total of losses are being kept for many.

This is my biggest issue.

I see 100's of roll up attempts that seem to make no difference to a P/L when, IMO, they are directly linked to getting a horse onside for the festival and should be taken into account with regards to any individuals P/L for the festival.

Unfortunately I don't update any of my P/L until Monday mornings due to family life at the weekend, although sometimes I will remove a horse from a race IF I get time (Shallwehaveonemore this weekend, but haven't been able to update my spreadsheet for P/L yet). What I do notice is I always seem to be sitting with some of the biggest pre festival losses on my diary, compared with many, this includes last year as well, and I can't believe I'm the only one who has these sorts of losses, despite my scattergun approach and faffing around

I know one thing I don't do, and that's list individual stakes as I back a horse, but I did do a breakdown of race by race before the festival last season to show where I'm at, which I will most probably do again this coming festival.

It's each to their own of course, and unfortunately people are only cheating themselves and to potentially make themselves look better than they actually are. But then I think you most likely have some sort of issue if you feel the need to do this in the first place.

[Benjy23]

The diaries these days in the members section are generally a fucking disgrace.

I'll not call out individual members but the aftertiming has become common place (I get that it's not always possible for those that have a life)
But it renders them untrustworthy IMO, so the adding up after the event and backslapping (which happens annually now) becomes tedious. IMO.

Diaries are being edited with bets added and taken away, and no comments/records made.
No running total of losses are being kept for many.
Some even show last years results on a race by race basis with no mention/record of losses occurred in the run up.
Some don't even include stakes so what's the fucking point in that ?

I kind of mentioned this last year, and it's got worse.
I'm not calling individual people out as I think that would be unfair and there are so many.
But some very notable individuals are 'guilty'.

I kind of don't care on a personal level other than it's irritating and the competitive element is long gone, if ti ever was there, as everyone's methods are different - and I've stopped looking at them most of the time,

But (and this is the important bit) there are people who are heavily influenced in the gambling world (vulnerable gamblers I'd call them) and it irritates me when things are misrepresented, deliberately or through lack of care.

I know for a fact that there are many "vulnerable's" who are members on here and those that aren't, who visit the site.

So misleading information can do damage whether it's by design or not.

This is just my opinion only, and you can obviously do what you want.
Thought it worth mentioning.

Much easier for you to say with 11k posts than me but it's something I did pick up on. Tend to ignore the points and prices parts in the diaries and just read people's write ups, if there is one. To avoid the desire to call any out! There's some really good content in a lot of them but I can't be taking the numbers too seriously.
Also agree with the above. I'm not convinced on the use of roll-ups in general though to be honest. Was going to post about this in the discussion on points systems and betting banks the other day but bottled it.

[Odin]

Much easier for you to say with 11k posts than me but it's something I did pick up on. Tend to ignore the points and prices parts in the diaries and just read people's write ups, if there is one. To avoid the desire to call any out! There's some really good content in a lot of them but I can't be taking the numbers too seriously.
Also agree with the above. I'm not convinced on the use of roll-ups in general though to be honest. Was going to post about this in the discussion on points systems and betting banks the other day but bottled it.

On the roll up side, I'm really looking forward to seeing my results and discussing them with everyone. It's my first year doing them and it's currently taken approximately 1/5 of my betting bank to put myself in a position where if flooring porter, American Mike or journey with me win, I can't lose at the festival. I also would have had run wild Fred but I cashed him out pre-troytown and SWIW if she hadn't got injured (managed to cash her out though). I've got all the stats on mine so far but think it's best to discuss them post-cheltenham when all results are known for every horse.