Hopefully this will prove to be a 'pause' and not the 'end' for you. I also hope that you have not done the terminal type of damage which will make it impossible for you to return.
Almost without exception racing fans all ( at some point ) have a trot where they do the type of damage which puts them out- at least temporarily. I had that experience over the Easter Weekend in 1981 where- relative to my affordability - I did rockets.It took me a couple of years to dig myself out. I have never forgotten the lesson.
During an enforced sabbatical you often have the opportunity to critically review your operating methods whilst usually observing an endless stream of your fancies arriving lonely! But actually getting 'the game' out of your system is likely to prove a little more difficult than simply walking away.
I am not suggesting that you follow my lead but I regularly re-evaluate my strategies and spend at least as much time reviewing my WINNING strikes ( and what trends they throw up ) as crying over my losing bets.
This may ( or may not ) be of some help to all but here are a few pointers which have helped to keep me well clear of the poorhouse whilst usually giving me an overall profit and sometimes some pretty big wins.
1.) You need to establish where you have enjoyed the greatest success and then dramatically reduce your action in other areas.
( Sport and, in particular, rugby is my strength. So that is where I spend big money. I merely dabble in other areas 'for fun' providing there is value ).
2.) It is often a good idea to set financial objectives on an event or for a day. ( eg During the Super 14 I generally try to win R10k per weekend. If I manage that in the first game then I button ).
3.) Racing presents an altogether different set of options and challenges :
I do not play on the tote AT ALL. They specialise in very expensive exotic bets which ultimately act as vacuum cleaners on your resources. By way of an example consider this : I would be incensed if I found 5 out of 6 winners on one day (Pick 6 ) and registered a loss!
I am highly unlikely to EVER back an odds on horse. Old timers used to call this 'buying money'. They weren't wrong and you will have the opportunity to rue lumping on a 'good thing' in the red sooner or later. Most punters who stick themselves out can trace the rot back to this practise.
As weird as it may feel train yourself to absolutely SMASH any outsider you fancy. Just the fact that you may battle to like it will make you circumspect. But when they arrive you will win the kind of money that makes a difference. There is also a particular kind of satisfaction in being the only punter shouting a horse home.
4.) If you are committed to punting horses then start familiarising yourself with UK racing. Their betting percentages show up ours for the embarrassment that they are. You will certainly survive longer and will find it relatively easier to unearth solid betting opportunities at stratospheric prices. ( The best way to get good guidance is to log into Betfair radio. Some of the studio guests are outstanding and alert you to an almost unending stream of nicely priced runners. Like me they are almost all averse to short priced favourites ).
5.) If you happen to own horses try not to make a habit out of backing them. I find my judgement is completely clouded by hope where my own horse is concerned. In any event - if the horse wins you will generally nett more on the race that would have been the case on a race where you were merely punting.
This is a school where you pay for every mistake you make. And sometimes even for mistakes someone else made. It teaches you humility. It teaches you how to lose without bemoaning it for weeks afterwards - something I have found incredibly instructive in matters outside of gambling. In summary it can make you sour or it can make you fearless. It's your choice.
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