Gamblers for Dummies

Every venue seems to have a slightly different "gamblers" game.

In AKC it is called FAST~fifteen and send time. In this game the "gamble" can be done at any time. The SCT is based on jump height; my dogs jump 16" and I believe their FAST time is 35 seconds. You must complete the gamble with no faults in order to Q and accumulate the required number of points for your level; novice, open or excellent.

USDAA calls it Gamblers. You're given an allotted amount of time to accumulate as many points as you can during the opening. You are allowed to use the gamble obstacles for point accumulation during the opening but cannot do any 2 obstacle in sequence or you negate the gamble. At the end of the allotted opening time a horn/whistle will sound and you must proceed to the gamble. Any obstacles taken along the way do not accumulate points. The gamble must be completed successfully in sequence in order to Q.

CPE calls it jackpot and it follows essentially the same rules as USDAA.
 
*Caro said:
I think thats the same as our 'open' trial class - where part of any course is run behind a line - its open to any one at any level so long as you can do distance work.

So with Gamblers do you just keep accumulating gambles or is there a closing sequence like in snooker?

I have no idea what the ANKC (Austn National Kennel Club) rules are based c I am guessing AKC.
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You don't accumulate gambles. There is only one gamble and that is at the end of the "opening" period. During the opening you are accumulating points by running anything you want; there is no numbered course in the opening. Different obstacles are worth different points; jumps are 1 point, anything round is 3 points, contacts & weaves are worth 5 points; and the judge can designate a 7 point obstacle. Once the horn/whistle sounds you must proceed to the gamble, remain behind the gamble line and complete in gamble in the order it is numbered. There is also a variation on the game when obstacle are worth 1,2,3,5 instead of 1,3,5,7 but the rules remain the same.
 
I guess this entire discussion boils down to this:

Gamblers, and similar games, are all designed to test the handler and dog team's distance work and strategy to efficiently move around a course. They all have a line the handler cannot cross when directing the dog through the gamble. Gambles can only be completed once in a run.

What varies is how the course is run; sometimes its accumulate X amount of points + the gamble, sometimes its run the course in sequential order like a Standard course. Another difference between venues is WHEN the Gamble can be completed during a run. The Judge's Briefing before the Class begins and course maps will help you figure this part out.
 
Oh dear, I think it sounds too much for me to attempt at the Canberra Royal - I will wait for a ribbon trial later in the year. Its not the distance work that worries (except if its weaves), but getting lost on the course is a bit of a problem for me with my vertigo. We dont get to do games courses in class so its just a matter of jumping in at a trial when you get an idea of what to do.
 
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