Contestant field builds for WCH

There’s another Grade 1 qualifier for the World Championship of Handicapping this Saturday on DRF Tournaments. Originally conceived as special events to be run in tandem with racing’s biggest days, the Grade 1 events have proved so popular that they’ve been run on an almost weekly basis. Each event sends another player or players into the $1 million, no-takeout finals of the WCH, an online handicapping tournament scheduled to take place early next year.

Different players have different reasons for being interested in the WCH. All but the staunchest advocates of live-bank play have expressed interest in the new contest. From the money, to the value, to the ability to play from home, to the unique rules, the contest is clearly resonating with players.

The WCH is a two-day event. Assuming a full field of 200, after the first day 100 will continue on to Day 2. Halfway through Day 2, the field will be cut once again, and the remaining 50 will play for the $1 million. Cut lines are a way of injecting more strategy into the contest, and they should limit the success of players merely “stabbing” – picking horses because of their price on the board, not because they actually like them.

Players have the option to buy in to the finals directly for $5,000, but most of the spots figure to be taken by people who qualify via DRF Tournaments. Saturday’s Grade 1 qualifier costs $580 to play, and one in 10 entries will advance. That ratio is important to consider. Like cut lines, low ratios also reward players who are picking horses they like. In a 10-person contest, when a senseless longshot wins, it’s likely no one will even have it. In a 100-person event, you can bet you’ll be playing catchup from that point on.

If you’re looking to get involved for a lower price point, DRFT offers Round 1 qualifiers for the Grade 1 every operating day. These cost $95, and one in seven players win the $580 to play in a Grade 1. You also can feed into the Round 1’s for small money. Most Wednesdays there are free contests to win into the feeders. Start for nothing, and get on the road to win your share of $1 million.

Also this weekend, DRF will be offering a host of other contests, with chances to win site credit via credit-builders, winner-takealls, and match-up contests. Go to tournaments.drf.com to see everything on the menu.