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Jordan Peterson is a psychologist but uses his understanding, researching and data to talk from a philosophical point of view to improve your life and make it more meaningful with truth and ethics.

Be a good, kind, decent person.

I have yet to read his book: 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, published by Allen Lane (2018) but I will

Writing is formalised thinking. It helps you think in a certain way and as he says the most powerful weapon you can every have. To write about your subject always has some aspect of conflict. It helps you question and find answers to questions.

It’s motivating but often painful and chaotic.

From listening to Dr Jordan Peterson I find so many of this thoughts and findings relate to gambling.

You may say: ‘I can’t see how gambling has much to do with psychology or philosophy.’

However, from a foundational point of view it most certainly does. To be a successful gambler you need to have passion for your subject matter and endeavour to find answers to questions. It always surprises me in life why so few people actually sit down and say to themselves about any subject or niche:

‘What is the answer to that question?’

And go on from that point trying to find the best answer to that same question. It takes critical thinking, perseverance, the gathering of data whether qualitative or quantitative, perhaps both. The point about viewing your gambling journey within a philosophical perspective is that it helps forward your learning and gives meaning.

Without meaning, everything is pointless. It also sets you on a path which has no limit to your understanding. This is no bad thing as you don’t want to reach your goal. Unless you are hell bent on finding the best answer to the question you will never reach that pinnacle.

You should always aim so high so you will never exceed your wildest ambitions.

As Peterson says: ‘We have evolved to walk uphill.’

But when we climb to the highest point we should press on to another level as that is what bring insight and further learning and meaning.

We can all learn something about ourselves and the subject itself by simply following that path of adventure.

To give up or change route or consider we have reached our final destination is pointless.

Finding meaning in life is about pushing through those difficulties rather than run away.

It may be a journey of much struggle but that’s what ultimately gives meaning.

As Peterson says referring to a quote from Carl Jung: ‘What you most want to be found will be where you least want to look.’

One of my best memories was going to Great Yarmouth races with my Dad. I was a wet-behind-the-ears teenager and naive about horse racing, especially betting. I remember seeing a smartly dressed gentleman, with a weather-beaten pair of binoculars hanging around his neck, racing badges adorning the strap. He must have been a regular to every racecourse because it looked to me that he had hundreds of badges. I couldn’t help but think he had lots of stories to tell.

These days, fewer horse racing fans take binoculars to the course. I guess they can be a burden carrying them all day, even cumbersome hanging around your neck.

The old bloke had a giant pair of ‘spy glasses’ more akin to viewing tanks on a battle field than horses running around a bend.

However, he had a knowing smile.

I often visit Great Yarmouth horse racing fixtures and I see one or two racegoers with their trusty binoculars.

When I see them, I think they know something others don’t and an understanding why those binoculars are important. I can guarantee they take their gambling seriously and it pays dividends. It pays to be informed.

A decent pair of ‘field glasses’ don’t have to cost a lot of money although they can’t range from £50 – £2500. I know which end of the price range I buy. However, I would love to see the quality of a very expensive pair.

Crystal clear vision originating from blue-sky thinking.

The decline of on course binoculars has much to do with the introduction of the big screens which are commonplace across the country at sporting events. In fairness, they are brilliant for watching live racing and a luxury we all enjoy. If you have placed a bet it’s handy to watch your horse on the big screen. But here’s the thing, when your bet has been placed and the race is off (unless you bet on the exchanges where you can bet in running) your fate is seals (good or bad).

You may be saying: ‘So what’s the point of having your own binoculars?’

And this is the answer those select few can tell you and reason why they have their binoculars at the ready.

Binoculars are worth their weight in gold for watching horses going down to the start. That period from leaving the paddock to the start line. The big screen may briefly peruse a horse for a few seconds here and there but with binoculars you can scan like a man with a plan. Like a man who is looking for problems. It’s imperative you watch horses going down to the start.

I’ve always found it important to watch horses as they walk around the parade ring but watching horse and jockey galloping to the start is much more insightful. It’s just easier to see what a horse looks like, how it moves and its attitude. This is particularly important with two-year-old race horses and specifically with debutantes. It is crucial you have your selection in your sights to make your final assessment. Perhaps it is misbehaving. It may look exemplary. Also, it is worth keeping an eye on the favourite as it may well be the main danger if you are betting on another ‘beast’.

I have seen many a horse behaving negatively when making their way tot he start and very few people realise or see this happening.

Being a successful gambler is about being ahead of the game and when 99% of the population has no idea the favourite bolted to the start then you are halfway to winning. Whether backing your horse in opposition or laying the favourite to lose you need to know the facts. The point being you either know something or you don’t.

As they say: ‘You don’t know what you don’t know!’

And for the horse racing elite the humble pair of binoculars is an advantage you cannot afford to miss out. In fact, it’s the difference between being professional and not.

Observe and learn.

The next time you are at the race course and you see some old bloke with a pair of binoculars which look like they came from a U-boat from WWII don’t say: ‘Look at that old fool stuck in the past! Hasn’t he seen the BIG SCREEN?’

The chances are he is ahead of the game and actually understands the importance of knowing something you don’t.

That gambler has insight and wisdom.

He has a pair of binoculars.

I remember reading a book written by Clement Freud and published by the Racing Post.

Freud On Course, published in 2009. It was edited by Sean Magee and the forward by Brough Scott. Freud was the Fenland local Minister of Parliament and a popular face around town. In fact, he would often pop into the local bookmakers and was known for giving a tip or two. I never had a chance to talk with the man myself as I was a child. However, my father, talked fondly of him, and a cousin, , said he was convinced he wrangled it for him and his wife to get to the top of the Council House list. It could well have been a coincidence.

The random punter on course, my brother.

I can’t say I’ve ever been a person who listens to tips. I once had the good fortune of travelling to Great Yarmouth with my brother, the random punter, and of all the people we sat next to it was Phil Cunningham. The man behind Rebel Racing and the fortune behind Richard Spencer and Sefton Lodge Stables, Newmarket. I thought his face looked familiar but it must have taken me twenty minutes of the journey to recognise him. He was sitting with another gentleman and they were both very amenable and we had a very enjoyable chat. He spoke about a two-year-old filly making her debut at the course called Club Tropicana. Named after the Wham song of the 80s. He often names his horses after 80s songs. Anyway, he said about the horse having a very long stride. By all accounts this was quite unusual. I wasn’t sure if this meant it was a wonder horse and it was the next winner on the cards or whether it just had a giant stride. I didn’t like to ask although I should have done. On arriving at the train station we bid our farewells. I said to my brother: ‘I’m going to have a bet on Club Tropicana.’ We went into town and later saw Mr. Cunningham saddling up the horse ready for its debut. I had £10 each-way at 16/1. I called my cousins and asked if they wanted a few quid on. Under duress they said yes. This wasn’t going well. And when the horse finished fifth place (not beaten too far) I wasn’t particularly happy about the day. Perhaps I got the wrong end of the stick and this long stride analysis was his way of saying it’s never going to happen. Another reason I don’t take tips lightly.

Club Tropicana did manage to win once in her racing career and it was at Yarmouth.

It’s all about the right time and right place.

I’m a fan of Rebel Racing so I won’t hold it against him and love the Club Tropicana video to this day.

My brother,  is the man to follow when it comes to big priced winners. In fact, he has had some memorable days at Great Yarmouth. A horse he backed at 14/1 won in a photo finish to win over a grand. Another time we sat in the The Feathers Pub at Market Gates, off Regent Road, and he won £700 when his horse finished fourth. If it had won he’d collected £5,000. Good times had by all. He always seems to be lucky when on his holidays winning more money than when at work. I said: ‘If you can make more money than working I’d just keep going on holiday.’

My youngest brother, often follows our advice when betting on course and he’s not had the best of luck. However, one classic day sticks in the mind and I have no doubt the bookmaker who took the bet to this day is filled with horror (well, contempt if nothing else). It was the last race on the day and seconds before the off. He waltzed up to one of the bookies about five rows from the front and asked to have a bet of £10 on a 33/1 shot. The bookie stopped for a moment and thought about it and accepted just as the race started. He should have realised this was a classic encounter of tempting fate. The race finished in a photo and the 33/1 shot won. The look on the bookies face as my brother went to collect his winnings. I can imagine that took the bookie from having a decent day to perhaps breaking even. Every one of those notes left his hand very slowly and he smiled through gritted teeth. We walked away like Cheshire cats. Those days are what we all look forward to.

We often go to the course with my cousins and they have their share of winners. It’s lovely to get to the course and go to the casino later the same evening.

I guess gambling is in the blood.

That’s certainly one way of having a tipple at the races :).