Common Questions: Regular, Pick & Pray and All-Optional Formats – What Are They?

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If you’re new to HorseTourneys, you may notice that we run a variety of different contest formats daily.  The varying formats are designed to give players options for contest play that are most suited to their preferences.

There are three primary formats utilized at HorseTourneys.  All three utilize the same $2 Win/Place scoring system.

(1) REGULAR (Live) Format:

This is the traditional format most experienced handicapping are used to encountering at both on-track and online contests.  In this format, selections may be made up to the post time for each contest race.

At HorseTourneys, selections are closed as the second half of the field is loading into the starting gate.  In most cases, we endeavor to close selections once the last two horses are loading into the gate.  However, to ensure that picks do not get shut out, a player should operate under the practice of always having a pick made before the FIRST horse enters the starting gate.

The regular format is the primary format used in HorseTourneys qualifying events, particularly those that carry entry fees of more than $100.

(2) PICK & PRAY Format:

In the Pick & Pray format, selections for ALL contest races close once the FIRST contest race goes off.  Note that sometimes the second race in the schedule may be run before the first contest race in the schedule (due to normal schedule delays).  Selections for all contest races will close once the first race in the schedule (in any chronological position) goes off.  Players may not edit selections throughout the contest as they can in the Regular (Live) format.

Pick & Pray contests are popular among players due to the reduced time investment required to participate in them.  Moreover, the Pick & Pray format mitigates the “late bomb” factor inherent in live events, since players are locked into their selections regardless of their results in previous contest races.  At HorseTourneys, selections for all races are displayed for all players on the leaderboard page for that specific contest, so players may follow along with 100 percent transparency.

The Pick & Pray format is the most popular choice for lower-priced Feeder events and lower-priced qualifiers, but it may also be used in major events like NHC Qualifiers from time to time.

(3) ALL-OPTIONAL Format

The ALL-OPTIONAL format most closely mirrors what players typically encounter at on-track, bricks and mortar contests around the country.  In the ALL-OPTIONAL format, players are presented with a large list of eligible races (typically 20), and may only make a maximum number of designated wagers of those eligible races (typically 10).

The ALL-OPTIONAL format is desirable for players that like to have a larger selection of races from which to choose their plays.  Moreover, the ALL-OPTIONAL format by its nature mitigates bomb-throwing and puts a premium on picking winners, particularly in races that may not be popular plays by the majority of contest players.

Generally, because of the time investment required to participate in them, ALL-OPTIONAL contests are limited to major qualifying events, such as those for the NHC or “The BIG One” at Ellis Park.  ALL-OPTIONAL format contests are always run under the regular (live) format.

If you have any questions on the formats utilized, get in touch with us at support@horsetourneys.com.

Tried a Head-to-Head Contest Yet? Matchups Offered Daily

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If you haven’t in a Head-to-Head matchup contest lately, be sure and give one a try.  $100 and $200 Head-to-Head matchups are offered daily, with more expensive games offered periodically.  Head-to-Head matchups are a great way to build up your bankroll for qualifying pursuits, or to stockpile site credit to purchase entries directly to eligible contests. (Didn’t know you can use credit to purchase entries to certain contests directly?  Click here to learn more).

Note that Head-to-Head games are accessible ONLY through the Head-to-Head tab found on the home page.  They do not appear in the ALL designation.  Head-to-Head contests are offered in both the REGULAR (live) and PICK & PRAY formats.

In keeping with our low takeout commitment, all Head-to-Head matchups feature gross hold of 10 percent or less, with takeout decreasing in more expensive contests.

Contact Us with questions at support@horsetourneys.com.

Did You Know? You Can Use Site Credit to Purchase Entries to Certain Contests

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Did you know that you can accumulate site credit and use that credit to purchase entries directly to certain contests, such as the Horse Player World Series, Gold Coast Summer Classic, the Wynn $200k Guaranteed Challenge and other great events?

Effective immediately, in an effort to allow players at HorseTourneys to have more options with using their HorseTourneys site credit, we are now allowing HorseTourneys players to purchase entries directly to contests using their HorseTourneys site credit.

This means that players may use Feeder and/or Head-to-Head contests as bankroll building events for the purposes of purchasing entries directly to contests such as the Gold Coast, Wynn, Orleans Fall Championship, Horse Player World Series (HPWS), etc.

Note the following stipulations:

1. The contest that a player wishes to purchase entries to with HorseTourneys credit must be a contest that HorseTourneys already offers qualifying spots to. For example, this would include contests such as the Wynn, Gold Coast, Treasure Island, Orleans Fall Championship, Horse Player World Series (HPWS) and other contests offered at HorseTourneys.

2. A $10 handling fee will be added onto the cost of the entry purchased. Example: player wishes to purchase a Gold Coast entry for $400 from site credit. A total of $410 in site credit would be required to purchase the entry and would be deducted from the player balance.

3. Only entries may be purchased through this option. Full packages, hotel portions or otherwise are not eligible for purchase.

4. Purchases must be requested at least 30 days prior to the date of the contest. This provides time for HorseTourneys to compile all entries and make the proper payment to the contest venue per our normal accounting procedures.

HOW TO REQUEST AN ENTRY PURCHASE:

1. Send us a Customer Support request through the Customer Support Form, or email us at support@horsetourneys.com. You simply need to detail:
-Your name and email address associated with the account
-Contest to which you are requesting purchase
-The number of entries you are requesting purchase of
-The player name you wish to assign the entry(s) to, if someone other than yourself (most entries are transferable)

2. HorseTourneys will deduct the amount of the entry(s) and handling fee from your account balance.

3. HorseTourneys will make the payment to the contest venue on your behalf and ensure that you are registered for the contest. You would need to do nothing more regarding payment or registration unless required by the contest venue.

Contact us at support@horsetourneys.com if you have questions on the above.

Qualifiers to Hawthorne NHC Super Qualifier Now Available

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We’re pleased to begin offering qualifying events to the Hawthorne NHC Super Qualifier, to be held November 30-December 1 at Hawthorne Race Course in Cicero, IL, just outside of Chicago.

The Hawthorne NHC Super Qualifier will be a live bankroll contest that will offer EIGHT (8) NHC seats to top finishers over the two days.

Qualifiers will be held for both entry and $500 in travel reimbursement, and for the entry fee only to the event.

Direct any questions to us at support@horsetourneys.com.