Crist Book - pick6/pick4

[pmacdaddy]

Read Steven Crist's book "Exotic Betting" over the weekend.

I found it very interesting that the A,B,C,X style play seems much more complex in pick4 play as opposed to pick6 play.

In pick6 the goal is to complete one ticket. As long as you don't screw up and cover something twice, your risk is generally limited to your ability to grade and structure.

The element of weighting ticket $ values in the pick4 play adds a challenging level of complexity IMO. If you complete a sequence but have improperly weighted the $ value of the winning tickets, it seems like you can really screw yourself. I guess that is just a big part of playing that method.

I was also a little surprised that it seems he puts almost no emphasis on an AB ticket in the pick4. Instead, relying on needing at least two A's to cash a winning ticket. Personally, I almost always use A,B on same pick4 tickets and it makes me wonder if I am squandering a lot of $$ there.

I guess makes sense that if two or more of your "A" opinions are wrong in a 4 race sequence, you don't "deserve" to cash. However I can really see myself getting angry missing on an A and 3 B's.

It can also be a matter of how you grade an "A" or "B" as well. If you are stingy with A's and B's, a AB approach is probably OK for a buck. Guess it all depends on the sequence.

Anyway, definitely enjoyed the book.