If you are like most people who are seriously trying to make money betting on horse races, then you know how difficult this game really is. Just one or two bets that go sour on you can mean the difference between profit and loss. The problem with horse racing handicapping for a living or as a source of income is that the profit margin is so small.

Therefore, you need to use all the tools you can find to get the odds in your favor so you make more winning bets and fewer bad bets. While the computer has revolutionized horse racing handicapping like no other single technological breakthrough, there are still some very simple and low tech tools that many people have forgotten.

My number one favorite handicapping tool is a pen or pencil. It is still the most powerful tool, far surpassing the computer or any other device. I know what you number crunchers are thinking. You are thinking that the old dinosaur writing this handicapping article is out of his mind and living in the past. But the truth of the matter is that the pen or pencil is still a very portable and affordable method of writing notes when they need to be written.

Notes and note taking are the key to making it as a handicapper. The trip handicapping gurus proved that long ago and before them, there were still people taking notes on everything from the horses appearance in the paddock, to trainer and owner moves, etc. While you may have a good memory, there is just too much information to keep in mind when making timely decisions at the track.

Reviewing notes on a horse or trainer the night before the races and putting a note to yourself in the margin of your program or even on your palm pilot or hand held computer, can give you that edge over the other people who don't know enough to do it or are too lazy.