Guide to better gambling

1) This is the first rule and the most important: Don't drink while on the punt. I know it is the easiest thing in the world these days to drop in at the local and have a few beers while punting on the Sky Channel.

If you want to bet and win, do not impair your better judgment by drinking at the same time.

One of the surest ways to get to the poor house is to bet up while full of "ink". (Experience is MY teacher!!!)

If you're going to arrive at the poor house door, don't knock while inebriated!

2) Don't pop in to the TAB or local and think you'll win an extra dollar or two by "backing the favourite in the next" as I have seen so many do.

Remember, the favourite loses about two thirds of the time.

In fact, what are you doing just "popping in" and have a bet at all if you haven't studied the form that is so freely available these days?

3) Think about all the dollars you are spending every year on form guides - they are all available free of charge on the internet.

Maybe that $300 a year would be better spent on a few well chosen boxed trifectas.

4) No one can bet 365 days a year without a break. Don't try it. Take a few weeks off every now and then to clear your head and re-assess your approach to the punt.

Apart from anything, it gets REALLY boring watching Sky Channel day in day out without a break. (Especially when you can lip-synch the Harvey Norman ads)

5) Don't let people distract you and switch you from the horses you have spent hours assessing as worthwhile betting propositions e.g. the coat tuggers, who always seem to live next door to the cousin of the trainer or the jockey of something in the next.