Latekick,
I'll try to keep this short....LOL (for me that is next to impossible)
Just so there are no illusions...Back in 1985 I was profitable using the methodology (and that is exactly what it is - a method - a set of guidlines) learning from the Doc, Bradshaw, Brohamer, and the teachers from the PIRCO group at that time. However, I got away from racing. In April of this year (2013) I decided to pursue this in earnest. So, while I speak like I know what I am talking about, which I did, today as of this writing, I don't put money through the windows. Why?
You wrote "All of this is very important to me and being that I don't quite have a very high bankroll to play on, every wager is critical. I have been stryggling lately with horses that just don't rank very well beating me, and I need to stop this problem before it runs me broke."
That is exactly why. You are putting money through the window before you fix the problem.
When I first learned, I did it on paper using old Daily Racing Forms. (I had like three years worth of the paper stacked up in a corner.) I took the time to learn on paper. It wasn't enough to just show that I stats that said I was profitable....I had to feel it deep in my psyche to know for myself.
Yet, I didn't just jump into putting money through the windows. I handicapped live but on paper until again I had profitable stats and felt it deep in my psyche (notice I said profitable and not winning - I know, I know, the psychological mumbo jumbo - LOL). Then I progressed to putting money through the windows. That was then.
This is now...
While I had the previous knowledge somewhat stored somewhere in my mind, when I looked at the methodology and RDSS2 as it was being used today, I was rather confused. It looked very different from what I knew. So, I started on paper, again.
Now is the end of July. I have learned that while everything seems different, it is still very much the same at the core of the methodology. The way I approach a race is very different from the way I used to (this is a function of the advancements made from when I first learned - for example, I recognize the velocity tabs and even the energy tab, but, I never look at the velocity tab any more), yet, the fundamental principles still apply that are in For The Leads teaching thread. You can get the database just by downloading it and work through the material even though it takes away from doing live races. There is much to be learned and should be learned without putting money on the line.
And while I have changed my method of handicapping, I can say without a doubt that reading Bill's posts is like listening to the Doc as reincarnated.
He is a walking encyclopedia of the method I read every word of his. The way he handicaps is very much similiar to the way I handicapped.
While I have spent about 4 months "again" learning the methodolgy, I have progressed from on paper using old races to on paper using live races and find myself profitable. Yet, I will not put money through the windows until I feel it in my bones that I am profitable at which time I will "go live" which will not be too much longer.
So while I speak from authority, I am also a beginner. It seems a contradiction, but, my past experience allows me to have a very unique perspective on the methodology as a whole.
I quoted you. You also raised a good question for you and one that you need to learn the answer to either by yourself (the answer is found in the practical application of what is in the teaching thread and remember nothing is 100% as there will always be nuances) or with someone's help and FTL and Bill both offer premium counseling/advice. If you are losing money, then stop putting money through the window until you do learn the answer to your question(s) that may be holding you back from being profitable.
Which as my last bit of advice... didn't I say I would try to keep this short???? LOL
If you are wagering and you come across a race that you have a question in your mind that does not allow you to make a clear distinction in your mind about the race, what should you do?
PASS THE RACE!!!
That is what winners do. If they are not sure about something after drawing upon their knowledge and experience, they pass the race. It has been written about time and again, but, each individual has to come to grasp with passing races in their own way. Emotionally, I would be heart sick if I could only wager on the weekend, spending hours handicapping and able to wager on only a few races. Mentally, I am making money! Playing to many races, I am losing money. Which do I want - the action or the profits? The choices are unique to every individual.
On paper from using old races, in the "comfort" of a risk free environment, I will handicap a card and amazingly, will only pass one or two races that I look at. Meaning as an example, if there are 10 races on the card, maybe I will not look at the two maiden races with many first time starters. Out o fthe remaining 8 races, I would pass only 1 or 2.
When I moved to using live races, yet, doing them on paper, now I pass 5 or 6 of those 8. Why? Confidence.
If I did not handicap the card today and three months from now I decided to look at the card, I would probably pass only 1 or 2, yet, today, I am passing 5 or 6.
But, and here is the important point..... I am PASSING the races. If I am unsure and I am not playing, I am not losing. Period.
If you make the argument that I am not winning, that is true but only due to lack of confidence. As I see that what I am doing is working, I will have more confidence to make the wagers and see the winning results which will give me more confidence. Yet, I still have the profitable method from which to progress from. Without it....
Sorry, everyone, that I got sidetracked since this original thread was about contender selection, but, I write as I see them which is quite often off the beaten path.
Jim