USDAA Gamblers
What’s in a Game? That which we call Gamblers would be just as fun.
Games or non-standard runs can be really fun, but not if you don’t understand how they work. This unclear feeling when entering or running games can make some feel frustrated. In my effort to further my own understanding, I’ll try to help YOU understand them as well.
Even though I express frustration about ‘games’ I have to admit I do love Gamblers, mainly because I understand it. So I’m going to start there.
Here is the description from USDAA
“Gamblers is a point-basis class wherein handlers develop their own strategy for running a course in order to accumulate as many points as possible during the time allotted by the judge. Typically, in planning their run, any obstacle can be performed twice for points and the handler may choose what obstacles they wish to perform and in what order. The judge may impose restrictions on the sequences permissible (e.g., two different contact obstacles may be performed in sequence without first taking a non-contact obstacle) and may specify special challenges to earn bonus points (e.g., a short obstacle sequence where the handler is limited as to their movement or distance from the dog). Additionally, a judge may designate an additional time period during which a special challenge or “joker” (a.k.a., gamble) may be performed for bonus points. At the end of the allotted time, the competitor with the most points is the winner.”
USDAA Gamblers
First and foremost remember it’s a strategy game, it’s timed and points are earned. The beauty in it is that if you dog takes a wrong course, it’s no loss (for the portion you plan yourself). For example, If there’s a tunnel under the a-frame and your dog prefers one obstacle over another. You indicate (or not) for darling dog to take the tunnel but DD (darling dog) takes the A-frame correctly instead. You get the points for the a-frame. If you’ve set out to overachieve, like I typically do, your points should be fine.
The Opening: The first portion of the course, that you plan yourself, is timed. You will run this portion (the opening) until you hear a buzzer ring. You will then go as quickly as you can to the “gamble”
The Gamble: The second portion of the course is outlined with numbers. Interchangeably called the “Gamble” or “Joker”. For this portion, you have to stay behind a taped line placed on the ground while sending your dog through the numbered obstacles to complete the course. Be careful not to cross the line, even a little! Finish this part as fast as you can since it is timed as well.
Planning the opening: So while the same challenges of remembering your course and completing obstacles is the same as a standard course, you also have an added challenge of plotting your own path during the opening. This can be a big benefit to you since you can play to your dogs strengths. Unless an obstacle is in the closing part, you can avoid it if it causes your dog some difficulty.
The approach I like to take is to plan the course from the ‘joker’ backwards. Planning in reverse gives me an idea of the angle of approach and where I want to be on the course when the buzzer rings. Then I try to figure how many obstacles would be needed to fit within the time, and the most points I can get with the obstacles available along a fluid course. It’s important to also take into consideration my dog and the time they take to complete certain obstacles.
Strategy to fit your dog
For example, the last competition I entered Gamblers, I planned my course for Emma differently than I do for Bandit. Emma likes to stretch out and run. She’s also a bit anxious on the course, so if I become overly technical, staying in a small space, it can cause her to bog down. Bandit is slower, shorter and doesn’t like to run too far. For him I try to plan a course that redoes things and keeps to a smaller area. So, for him I plan 7-9 obstacles. For Emma, I typically plan 10-12. Be sure to count the Dog walk, A-frame, and Weave poles as two obstacles, since they take longer. For a while I avoided the weaves for both dogs because we were still working on training that and I knew it would take up all my time.
Below is a slideshow illustrating what my strategy might be for Emma and Bandit in two different Novice Gamblers runs. Thanks to Courtney Keys for allowing me to use her course maps.
USDAA Starters Gamblers
slide 1
This is a Novice Gambler course map from a recent USDAA competition.
USDAA Starters Gamblers
slide 2
Common things to look for on the map:- How much time you have in the intro before the buzzer rings.
- How much time you have for the gamble.
- The points structure.
- The points you need to Qualify.
- How contact obstacles will be allowed in sequence
There can be other restrictions, usually listed on the map, but if in doubt, ask the judge during the pre-run meeting.
USDAA Starters Gamblers
slide 3
I've marked the Gamble first. This shows me where I want to be near the end of my plan and also what angle I want to approach from. For myself, I feel I have a better chance of getting a SEND to obstacle if I have some momentum when approaching. You are able to use the obstacles within the Gamble/Joker during your opening, but I typically try to stay away from them. If you accidentally do two of the obstacles in sequence, you will be eliminated. There have been a few times where I felt I had to use one to gain points, but usually you can avoid them.
USDAA Starters Gamblers
slide 4
Here I've drawn out my plan for running Emma (16") who can be slow or fast depending on how she feels. For Gamblers, I usually have to have a couple of options depending on where we are on the course when the buzzer rings. I plan for her to get 11 or 12 obstacles, counting Dog-walk, Weaves, A-frame as TWO because of the time they take.You can see I've marked the points for each successful completion of obstacles along my plotted course. With 28, I should have a little wiggle room if I have to drop a jump or two on the fly.
USDAA Starters Gamblers
slide 5
Here is my plotted course for Bandit (8"). I can count on him to mostly do what I tell him to, but he can tire out quick, so I try to make his path as short as possible. He's consistent on the dog walk, so I redo that one. Problem with that strategy is that if something goes wrong, this is also a big time eating obstacle. I plan for him to take 8-10 obstacles counting Dog-walk, Weaves, A-frame as TWO because of the time they take.Also, for both dogs, I need to make sure I cue those jumps after the tunnel before they exit or they could try to come close to me instead of taking the jumps to finish.
USDAA Starters Gamblers
slide 6
This is a second example of my plan for the opening of a Novice Gamblers run.
USDAA Starters Gamblers
slide 7
First thing to do is check the details.This course has a different obstacle score than the last one. The Dog-walk is 7 points. The time is shorter, 25 seconds.
USDAA Starters Gamblers
slide 8
Again, I like to look at the closing or 'Joker' to start with. It gives my final destination point and possible angle of approach. I work backwards from there, trying to accumulate the most points and plan a course that works to my dog's strengths.
USDAA Starters Gamblers
slide 9
Here is the course I planned for Emma. She does pretty well on contacts, so I opted to gain most of my points there, especially since the Dog-walk was 7 points.
USDAA Starters Gamblers
slide 10
Here is the course I planned for Bandit. It's a bit shorter than Emma's since he's a little slower.
What’s in the score?
Below is a slideshow showing examples of our scores for two Gamblers runs.
USDAA Gamblers Score: Example 1
You can see in this example that the score consists of a count of obstacles that are completed correctly. Each obstacle is tallied up beneath the count value. All '7's added up, all 5's added and so on. You take the number of obstacles multiplied times the points value, then add all those up plus the gamble if completed correctly. That equals your score. If there was a tie in the score, the winner would be decided based on time. Emma and I qualified because we met all the requirements (minimum points values, time, and achieving the gamble correctly). We placed based on our score.
USDAA Gamblers Score: Example 2
Another example of counting the number of obstacles at each points level that you completed successfully and adding the gamble points if achieved correctly. This example is different from the last one because the points assignment for the obstacles was different.For further exciting reading, you can check out the USDAA rules and regulations regarding non-standard classes. https://www.usdaa.com/binary/files/Rules_ebook_2011_chp6.pdf
Also check out an informative 2015 article at USDAA: How to Plan a Successful Opening in Gamblers which includes some helpful equations on figuring the points requirements.
Next to work on: Snooker, My favorite (said with extreme sarcasm)! I hear people all the time say they love Snooker. There’s got to be something in that, I just haven’t found my groove yet. Writing out the rules for you may very well help me grasp the concept and find my Snooker joy!
Please, if you have something to question, add, or correct, don’t hesitate. I’m learning all the time. Email me
