Name:
Matt Miller
Hometown:
Suburbs of Chicago, IL
Occupation:
Attorney
Do you have any children? Pets?
I have a wife and two college-aged daughters. No pets.
What was the first contest you played in and when?
My very first contest was at Arlington Park approximately 10 years ago with a friend who actually won it. I remember it well – I actually sacrificed my contest entry trying to hedge a pick six that I went on to win, and my friend took home first and fourth place in the contest. It was an amazing day for two total amateurs. I only dabbled in contest play for a while, but I started taking things far more seriously after a nice finish in the 2017 BCBC.
What do you like most about handicapping contests?
Contests require skill across a variety of different disciplines, some of which happen to be in my sweet spot. While I consider myself only a somewhat above average handicapper (that’s realism and not false modesty), I think I do well in terms of bet construction, spot picking, taking advantage of my opinions, etc. I also enjoy the competitive aspects of contests – especially the elements that bring game theory and strategy into the mix.
What is your favorite racetrack?
I can’t help but convey some anger and disappointment with this answer. My favorite racetrack WAS Arlington Park.
How did you get interested in handicapping contests?
While I dabbled a bit in contests at Arlington for a while, the 2017 BCBC really kicked off my interest in contests. I knew from that year on that I wouldn’t miss another BCBC if a higher priority didn’t call me away. After qualifying for my first NHC, I knew the same thing was true for that tournament, as well!
When and where did you qualify for the 2023 NHC?
I am double qualified for 2023, and it feels like that has been the case for a long time. Almost immediately when qualifying tournaments started, I qualified in extremely strange ways. Bored on a Saturday, I did a live $2WP tournament on horseplayers.com without even opening the past performances. I played the board in the first couple of races, and after hitting a couple of winners I decided to finish out the tournament the same way. I zigged and zagged in the right spots by aiming for the right prices that I needed as the contest unfolded – I confess that’s a ridiculous way to qualify (and I apologize to those who actually handicapped those races). My second qualification came via a $500 tournament on Xpressbet. Strangely, an issue involving a leaderboard that didn’t update as quickly as I had hoped for and a race starting at a different racetrack forced me to sit out the last race despite being ready to make what would have been a losing all in play, and by not losing I backed into a third place finish that was good enough to win a seat because one of the top two finishers had already double qualified. As much as I would like to tell you that I crush everything I play, sometimes I get really lucky. I happen to be a deep believer about putting oneself in a position to get lucky, but I admit that I probably get more than my fair share of good luck.
What is your favorite restaurant in Las Vegas?
I love Mastro’s, but I recognize that’s a chain and therefore an unpopular pick. For anyone unhappy with that pick, try the SW Steakhouse at the Wynn. The outdoor ambiance is amazing.
What do you like best about the NHC?
Without question, it’s the atmosphere and camaraderie with friends. It’s a weekend of guaranteed fun, relatively low expectations in terms of the contest itself (which leads to zero disappointment if it doesn’t go well), an opportunity to see friends who live in other cities, a few of the best dinners I’ll have all year, and everything else that Vegas has to offer!!!
What are your ideas to improve the NHC?
I don’t think my answer will be a very popular one. I think it’s sometimes too easy to qualify and that there are too many qualifiers. Some qualifiers are darn near impossible to win (incredible accomplishments actually to beat out fields numbering in the hundreds in the span of 10-12 races), and others can be won with a single win bet on a favorite with an all-in push in the first race. I would limit the number of entries in future years. It shouldn’t be so easy for people to just go find the next qualifier (sometimes in the same weekend) and keep taking shots at it. I’m taking nothing away from the event itself – actually as the field size increases, a top placement becomes even more impressive. I’m just saying that qualification itself used to mean more and be more of a rite of passage than it is today. That said, for everyone joining me in 2023, we’re going to have a great time!!!
