bellsbendboy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Understand JB, I was out of line and JIMBO I
> apologize.
>
> The impetus behind my angst was instigated by
> another forum poster, a number of years ago, on
> another board. This poster castigated novices
> mercifully and caused many to discontinue their
> interest
>
> The sport needs new players. Derby time attracts
> interest from newbies and they should be
> encouraged not repulsed. bbb

Triple B:

Methinks you exaggerate a bit here to make your point.

Thoroughbred racing....whether you are up at dawn seven days a week on the
backstretch trying to scratch out a living or sitting in Living Room Downs
trying to cash a wager while not ruining your liver, is the toughest game
played outdoors.

The nature of parimutuel wagering is such that you can be sitting with a friend
in the grandstand. Your friend cashes large; you tap out. Tough. The racetrack
took 17% from both you and your friend in order to undertake this distribution
of wealth. Tough.

My point is that if the newbies can not take a bit of snarling from a Jimbo
like poster (Jimbo, by the way, is far less terrifying than Frank's aging,
incontinent Jack Russell terrier), they are probably not going to play the game
on a long term basis.

Those looking for kinder/gentler, and who have no sense of humor about
themselves (seriousness, a deadly sin), should probably try the Ragozin Board,
home of the Double Crown, where the community is dedicated to convincing Ken
Sherman that he is perfectly sane.

Even more kinder and gentler, it seems like NBC's TV coverage of the Derby was
aimed at a segment of the population I never realized was heavily into
pari-mutuel wagering. The highlight of the coverage for me was a brief
interview with Jeff Bridges.

(Movie quip: Jeff Bridges' turn as the "Dude" nearly as impressive as George C.
Scott's General Patton. Sustained brilliance.)

So welcome to the pool newbies. You are swimming with whales and sharks. Good
luck. And just remember, as Furious Pete said, the whole purpose of a forum
such as this is a group effort at solving a puzzle. Right?