PUREFORM
Australian Horse Racing
The Edge
We all want to be competitive in everything we do. And no more so that with punting on horse racing.
Success in punting on horses, in fact most things reduces down to an information war - the people with the best information make the smart moves.
Books have been and still are the best source of general information, and this applies at least as much in the art of racehorse selection and staking as in any other field.
Author Paul Segar has produced textbooks which cover all aspects of punting. The books alone stand as a complete reference but also provide 'food for thought'. You can develop / improve your own ideas as well as learn some new techniques.
Each book is written in plain English with plenty of practical examples in each chapter. Browse the contents of each book or email for further information, if required.
Improve your punting knowledge today - buy one or all of these
books.
Read the books but want more? It's time to do a course.
The Pureform Introduction Course uses a computer program to show you how and when to bet and how to do it successfully. Check out the details
The Benchmark Handicapper Course continues from the Introduction Course and gives you further weapons to apply when making quality value selections. More...
The Introduction to Dutch Betting using the Ratings Calculator Course gives you an introduction to betting using the Ratings Calculator computer software. More...
Buy all three books now:
$70 posted
One of the latest governments initiatives started in late 2023 to try to minimise problem gambling is a new online website: Betstop. The name pretty much says it all and is found at www.betstop.gov.au
How does it work?
Once registered, according to the official blurb:
Wagering providers must not:
- open a wagering account for you
- allow you to place bets, or
- send you marketing material.
Any existing accounts and any credit balance will be refunded.
In simple terms, once you register, you will no longer be able to bet online at any of the registered betting shops.
You can exclude yourself for three months or as long as you like. Three months does sound like a good starting point but if gambling is and has been a major issue then a lifetime ban may be best.
Why not try 3 months you say? The problem is after 3 months the various betting organisations will start spruiking betting deals and other teasers to entice and induce.
Walk away and find something else to do if gambling is affecting any (or all) of the following:
- Work
- Family
- Finance.
To register for Betstop you'll need your mobile phone number, email address and ID (Medicare card or driver's licence).
As with many of the recent government initiatives aimed at maintaining that 3% margin, workarounds in simple terms negate the whole process. There is nothing stopping you taking cash bets at the casino, track or TAB.Imagine a frowning bookmaker or licenced worker asking, "Do you have Betstop?"
The government has also introduced compulsory customer identification pre-verification for new gambling accounts and last month (June 2024) banned the use of credit cards for online bookmaking.
New advertising features various catchy slogans, such as:
Chances are you're about to lose
What are you really gambling with?
Imagine what you could be buying instead
What's gambling really costing you?
You win some. You lose more.
Horse racing punters are in general a resilient lot able to take many surrenders but never defeat.
Things however can get heated when having a bet. As a gambler, you must remember to 'protect the innocent'.
Do not transfer your negative emotion onto anyone not involved in betting. Manage your own emotions.
BetStop.
In simple terms, if you are scratching around unsuccessfully for money to bet, or consistently angry when losing then it is time to visit and register at the BetStop website.
For free and confidential support on any gambling issues, call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.