fkach, I'm not sure about the rules in this particular contest but I know some of them have a limit as to how much of a big payoff counts. I agree, though, that in the short run of a contest, luck does pay a larger part than in the long run.

I also tend to end up playing short to medium price horses, even if it might reduce my ROI a bit, if I can get a high win percentage. The game is just more fun for me that way and I hate long losing streaks. It's hard to quantify fun in one's ROI but it's the main reason I play. Of course I can understand someone having fun in cashing a big ticket too. Different strokes.

Bob