Have you ever found yourself looking at Gamblers or Snooker course map and you’re not sure where to start? Well here are some quick tips to help you mentally break down your options.

Bring the Rulebook
For each organization I compete in, I download a copy of the rules and regulations on my phone and iPad each year. You could also bring a physical copy to the trial. This way I have my reference ready to go and it helps to take some of the pressure off of remembering what the points and requirements are in each class/level.

Take Notes
Just like in school, it can be helpful to note critical pieces of information down on your course map. Once I pick up my course map, I will generally note how many points I need, what the obstacles are valued at and what the course/game time is.

Draw it Out
I like to sketch out some of my options before walking the course. This helps me to focus and not seem so overwhelmed with all the choices. I used to do this with a pencil but my friend Tonni-Sue gave me a great tip; use dry erase markers! But wait, it’s paper, the markers won’t work. Well they do when you bring a page protector with. I got 15 page protectors for $1 from the dollar store and a set of 6 mini dry erase markers for $3.99 from Amazon and it has been a great $5.00 investment. Using different colored dry erase markers allows you to clearly sketch out different paths. If you want to modify something, simply erase. I then note how many points each path would be worth on the side. In the example above the pink opening is worth 24 points and the purple opening is worth 33 points. We ended up doing the purple course and successfully completed the gamble for a total of 53 points.

Time It
When I am walking the course options I bring my phone with. Many smartphones have a built-in stop watch and there are some apps out there if your phone doesn’t. Once I walk the paths and decide which option(s) I like the best, I will use the phone to help me confirm if my anticipated timing is correct. If I have a little more time I can add adjust to add an obstacle or two. If I am tight on time I can see if I have enough points to perhaps leave something out.

Know Your Dog
Know your dog! What are his/her strengths and weaknesses? When you are looking at a course map keep these attributes in mind. Remember every dog is different so what my work for your friend’s dog may not necessarily be the best option for your dog. For example my sheltie Nina can sometime start line stress and it can take a few obstacles to get her up to full speed. When I am looking at a game course for her, I am generally looking for something that flows well to help keep her speed and drive up. Nina also has a fast, reliable running dog walk (it’s her favorite obstacle) and while many handlers avoid contacts due to the extra time they take, I can sometimes use this my advantage to pick up some extra points. On the other hand my sheltie Reba is more driven and fast off the start line. She also does well with more challenging handling so for her I can get to obstacles further out in the course.

That’s all for now. Hopefully these tips will help you better strategize your next game course.