There's been a lot of significant changes at Capital Off Track Betting since last Fall and my last column. The greatest change came at their biggest venue; the Tele-Theatre on Central Ave. just outside of downtown Albany . The original wagering facility that opened nearly 30 years ago in a old department store building was the flagship parlor for OTB in fine dining and racetrack atmosphere. But like everything through the years, time had caught up with the aging building and it was time for a new, modern day layout which meant a new "race book" type of feel.
So, construction began last Fall for the new facility and it was modeled after a very popular and successful "race book" in New Jersey; the Woodridge OTB parlor. It combined, the tele-theatre of the past with a new modern and more efficient type design. On, January 10th was the official grand opening of the Clubhouse Race Book with a ribbon cutting that I attended with local dignitaries. It ushered in a new era at Capital OTB. What I saw was quite impressive; 240 flat screen TVs , two giant projector screens; 7' by 12' for sports events for our casual sports fans. A new sports bar named 711 Sports Grill, 50-Foot bar with flat screen TVs which will provide patrons with comfortable and exciting environment. 140 individual carrels, similar to a sports or race book at a Vegas Casino where you can have comfort and your own television when wagering on horseracing. The "carrels" face a wall of more than 20 large flat screen TVs that will be displaying tracks from around the country. More than 35 self service and live operator betting terminals, all of them are the newest and most state-of-the-art terminals available. The Winners Circle from the old theatre remains offering "high-end" clubhouse racing experience with nice tables and leather chairs, flat screen TVs and all the enmities from the old building. The " Winners Circle " also has a large window that can be opened or closed for private events and meetings.
Since the Clubhouse Race Book has opened, many events have taken place. Super Bowl Sunday was the first "big" weekend there as well as many handicapping contests that Capital OTB is presenting this calendar year. The new Capital OTB handicapping series is broken into four quarters every three months. The handicapping series includes four levels of contests: free weekly online contests, regular monthly live contests, quarterly semi-final live contests and an annual live championship event. The winner of each of the free weekly online contests receives as part of their prize; a free entry into the next regular monthly live contest. Live contests will be held the first Saturday of each month with the exception of the May and November contests. The last live monthly event in each quarter is considered a “quarterly semi-final,” with a higher entry fee and larger prizes than the two regular monthly contests in the quarter. The top two finishers in each of the regular monthly contests receive as part of their prize; free entries into the next quarterly semi-final contest, with the exception of the November monthly contest because it is a team event rather than an individual contest and annual Handicapping Championship, which will be a stop on the NHC Tour on the first Saturday in December.
Along with this year long contest, I participated last Sunday in a new Capital OTB on-line contest called; the Sunday Syndicate. With a entry fee of between $10 and $25, you handicapping the Aqueduct card and selected your top 3 picks. With a limit of 50 players, there was a consensus selections wagered in win, exacta and daily double plays for the nine races. Our "syndicate" had $1,440 to wager with and after the day's results, had $1,212 remaining to split among the 50 players. It was a "chalky" day with the results, but we showed a little profit and overall was a fun day of wagering as a group.
I ve always spoke highly of Capital OTB throughout the years and with the new Clubhouse Race Book and thoroughbred handicapping racing contests during the year, Capital OTB is STILL the best for your wagering dollar!
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