The author encounters Larry King at a racetrack and they discuss betting on a race, with the author choosing a longshot while King opts for the favorite. The author’s longshot wins the race, proving his betting strategy successful. The encounter leads the author to reflect on the psychological challenges of being a professional horseplayer and how Alan Watts’ teachings helped him cope with the stress.
Alan Watts’ philosophical teachings, particularly in “The Wisdom of Insecurity,” helped the author deal with the emotional challenges of being a professional horseplayer. Watts’ emphasis on leaving behind fixed beliefs and taking risks in a practical manner resonated with the author’s experiences in the world of pari-mutuel wagering. The author found that applying Zen discipline to his betting practices helped alleviate the stress associated with the profession.
The author highlights how many bettors are influenced by fixed beliefs and preconceived notions when handicapping races, leading to losses. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on picking winners based on the mathematics of the moment rather than personal preferences. The author’s encounter with Larry King serves as an example of how fixed beliefs can impact betting decisions, and he plans to explore this further in a future column by quoting handicappers who support the need to be exposed to Alan Watts’ teachings.
