Do you go to the dog track just for fun? Are you not into heavy handicapping, because you don’t spend much money on it and don’t really worry if you lose a few bucks? How much have you lost at the track in the last month? Honestly?

Fun is fun, but losing money is something you should take very seriously. Even if you have money to spare, winning money is still more fun than handing it over to the tellers before the race and knowing that it’s gone. If you’d like to put more fun in your fun, get a little more serious about your handicapping.

Get yourself a system and learn to use it. It doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Just a little something to get you more organized and help you pick winners with a little savvy is what you need. Then, when you cash your tickets, you’ll be able to tell your friends how you knew enough to pick that longshot or wheel the 7 in the trifecta.

Anything worth doing – even a hobby – is worth doing well. Winning is even more fun than losing. So, why not put just a little effort into becoming a better handicapper? It doesn’t have to take a long time and it doesn’t have to be like learning algebra was back in high school.

Get a simple system – one that picks spot plays or gives you the basics – and go over it at home. When you’ve mastered it, try it on paper. When you’ve got that down pat, take it to the track and have fun with it.