Unless you're brand new to these jai-alai discussion boards, you
know how I feel about this matter. I strongly prefer assigned
post positions over random post assignments.
I've heard the arguments on the other side of this issue, and
I understand why some people like the random post positions. However,
I support assigned post positions because they make the game more
competitive, make the betting process more interesting, make for
fewer short prices, and give all of the players a more equal chance
at making money.
I've heard an opinion that it's not fair for a superior player
to be punished for his ability by being given the 6 and 7 posts
all the time. If you look at it from the other side of the fence,
though, the other players in those games are being punished by
having to play against the superior player all the time. Consider
the weakest of the late game players. They'd do great in the middle
games, but they're just good enough to be placed in the late games,
against better players. They're being punished by having to play
against better players in every game. Using random post positions
just punishes these players even more, by making them play from
a harder post against better players in easier posts.
If the talent level of the players in a given game was almost
even, then random posts would be fine, but that's not the case.
For example, right now Rekalde is by far the best front at Miami,
and Elizegi is by far the best back at Miami. In my opinion, when
those two are teamed up, it is totally unfair to the other players
in the game to give Rekalde/Elizegi an advantageous post position.
In the quinella style game of jai-alai, you can usually look at
the program and select, for a particular game, the best team (or
player for singles), and the second best, third best, and so on,
using objective criteria. In my opinion, post positions should
be assigned according to talent level. The better players should
have the ability to overcome the handicap of a tougher post position....but
the less talented players in that game can't be expected to overcome
a tough post while a powerhouse player or team wears the red or
blue.
As for how I adjust my picks....with random posts, the obvious
favorite is often very short priced in the quinella and exacta
pools, and when that happens I'll check the quinella odds and
look for an above average price on a decent number. Sometimes,
if the favorite is in the 1, the prices on quinellas with the
2 or the 3 (and without the 1) are well above average. I've hit
a few quinellas paying over $60.00, by playing 26, 36, 27, 37,
because a lot of money went on a strong favorite in another post.
