Chapter 5: Weighting ("Tuning") QuickDog Handicapping Factors

WEIGHTING FACTORS - Definition - Multipliers, typically from 0 to 100 which are used to add more or less importance to a particular Handicapping FACTOR within a Handicapping Method of QuickDog.  A couple examples of Handicapping FACTORS might be "Average Speed", or "Average Break Position". 

Note the COLUMN Headings for each of the Handicapping FACTORS which make up the QuickDog "Standard Method" shown below.  

Figure 1 - Standard Method with Handicapping FACTORS

The Handicapping FACTORS are shown in the long BUTTON (see cursor).  They are SPEED, EARLY, MAN, LATE, MONEY, GRADE, ODDS.  In the last column the AVERAGE RANK or SCORE of the Dog is shown.  In each column, beneath the heading button are the scores for each column.  These scores are then used to RANK the dog from 1 to 8 by sorting the scores for each column.  For example, the SPEED column would award  "RIVER LYDRA" a score of 1 and "SP'S CANDY MAN" a score of 8 with the others falling in between.

At this point, QuickDog multiplies each such point score by the WEIGHTING FACTOR (shown within the long Handicapping FACTORS button).  The values are all 1.0 when you download QuickDog for the first time, so the display above shows them all set to 1.0.  QuickDog also forms a sum of all these WEIGHTING FACTORS to be used later to divide with to find the "Average Rank" as shown in the last column.  Note the scores in the AVERAGE RANK column are all between 1 and 8.

Now, suppose we believe that a dog's average speed is 4 times more important than any other handicapping factor in this method, and that all other factors are equally important.  How do we know this?  We don't but we just feel it is, based on our experience. 

Later, QuickDog can test our assumption using BACKTEST, but that's another story.  Right now, for our example, we'd like to change the 1.0 in the SPEED button to 4.0.  

When we do, QuickDog will add the SPEED score to the TOTAL score 4 times and add each remaining column score only once.  Finally this sum will be divided by 9 (4 SPEEDS + 1 EARLY + 1 MAN + 1 LATE + 1 MONEY + 1 ODDS).  To make this change, we simply click on the SPEED button to change its WEIGHTING FACTOR from 1.0 to 4.0.

Figure 2 - TUNE Entry Pop-Up

This "TUNE Entry" pop up has many features, but, for now, we wish simply to enter a 4 for our value, so we click on the "TOGGLE" button until it changes to VALUE.  

Figure 3 - The TOGGLE Button (USE/DNU/VALUE)

Next, we select the weighting value we wish to set.  Click on SPEED (use the SPEED Button at the bottom of the display, NOTE the SPEED in the handicapping method at the top part of the screen).  

Figure 4 - Selecting the SPEED Weighting Factor to Change it

A numeric entry popup appears.  Key in the value of 4.  We then ENTER our request by clicking the RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON.  This will do two things at once for us, it will enter our value, and also return us to the Standard Method Display/Set All Weighting Factors pop-up of Figure 2.  

Figure 5 - Entering a New Weighting Factor

Note our results have changed based on our new WEIGHTING FACTOR (See Figure 6).  Compare Figure 1 to Figure 6 and note the value pointed to by the cursor in Figure 6.

Figure 6 - After Manually WEIGHTING the SPEED (4x)

At this point, you may select other weighting values for the remaining factors.  Once you have finished making your changes, simply click the RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON to return to the Standard Handicapping display.

What you've learned is, that, based on your experience, you can set these weightings.  The original 1.0 settings are not intended to be profitable, although, they may be.  If you think about it, you will quickly realize that QuickDog can be used with so many different settings that the chances of two people having exactly the same settings is astronomically high!  And that's why it becomes your personal tipsheet builder.

Ok, you may feel that some of the Handicapping FACTORS are useless in this method.  For those, you cound enter a ZERO (0) into the TUNING Popup.  You may also TOGGLE the value to "DNU".  Let's try that with the ODDS factor.  First, click on the TOGGLE button until "DNU" is shown.  Then click on the ODDS box until DNU is shown there.  Finally, press the Right Mouse Button to enter your new value.

Figure 7 - Ignore ODDS as a Handicapping FACTOR

Note that when we enter a DNU ("Do Not Use"), the WEIGHTING FACTOR is not displayed.  This indicates this column no longer has an affect on the AVERAGE RANK.  QuickDog will now quit using this factor for any of its calculations of the Standard Method.

Now, what about when we exit QuickDog, where do our settings go?  Do we need to re-enter them next time?  

The answer is - all your settings are automatically stored by QuickDog, and automatically recalled by QuickDog.  You don't even have to ask.  

Note, on the top Window Title Bar in Figure 7, the text "CC20001007E with CCE3125AA.DAT".  This may not be the same as on your QuickDog.  This information gives the user both the program name and the name of the file which contains your WEIGHTING FACTORS.  The CCE3125AA.DAT file is in the QuickDog program folder - \jaidogs and you can create other folders so that you can have as many different sets of these TRACK PROFILE files as you wish.

IN ADDITION - Since many of our users pointed out that these factors may be different for different tracks, distances, grades, and even performances, QuickDog allows you to store this information based on those conditions of the race.  In this case, CCE3215AA.DAT means Corpus Christi Track Evening Races, 5/16ths Mile, Grade AA.  QuickDog will automatically switch to other "Track Profiles" like GGE3215AA.DAT as you handicap different tracks, performances, distances, and grades.  Click "TRACK PROFILES" to learn more about how your settings are saved by TRACK/PERFORMANCE/GRADE/DISTANCE.


Copyright 2003 JONSOG associates, Inc. PO Box 911, Lyle, WA 98635   Last Updated on - 05/24/2003