Five Questions With 2014 NHC Tour Champ Eric Moomey

DerbyWars would like to congratulate Eric Moomey, a regular on DerbyWars who plays under the name "moomeyer" - he just won the 2014 NHC Tour!

This caps an incredible year for Moomey, who also won the Belmont Park Handicapping Challenge and DerbyWars' $15,000 Belmont Day game in June, the $20,000 Travers Day DerbyWars game in August, and a $20,000 Saturday game in September!

Moomey joins 2013 NHC Tour champ Brent Sumja (bsumone) on the roster of DerbyWars players who have won big on the Tour.

We asked Moomey 5 questions about his awesome year playing contests - check it out!

1) What were your biggest wins this year that helped you win the tour?  What are your biggest wins all-time?  

My six top scores actually came from six different sites.  I finished 1st at Belmont and Monmouth tournaments and finished well on 4 online sites including: DerbyWars, Horsetourneys, NHCQualify and even a Free NHC Tour contest.   Belmont was my largest tournament cash payout to date before winning the NHC tour. 

2) How difficult was it to win?  What does it mean for you to win?  

The NHC tour competition was fierce.  One of my competitors described me as “relentless”, but truthfully that word could describe several us near the top.  With still several months to go it became obvious who the front runners would be…the only question was who would win.  We each took our turn on the lead…and we battled it out till the end.  It was the best competition one could hope for.  Each of us improved our game throughout the year and became good friends as a result.  I am humbled to represent this year’s top tour players.

3) How did you get started playing contests?  On DerbyWars?

I played my first tournament online at Twinspires in September 2011 and was instantly hooked.  I played in one of the very first DerbyWars contests in Oct 2011 and have been an active player ever since.

4) Why do you think contests are great and why are they growing?  

Handicapping Contests allow like-minded people to enjoy the game together whether from the comfort of your home or at the track.  Online contest sites like DerbyWars offer you a glimpse into how successful players play the game making you a better player in the process.  I believe handicapping contests are growing because they offer good value, enjoyment and camaraderie with your fellow players.    

5) Any contest advice or advice on how people can get started?  

Find a mentor.  Start online to understand the basics of the game and look for who the best players in the game are, then go to a live contest site and sit next to one of them.  Tell them that you saw their name online and were really impressed with how they played.  Most players are happy to give a few pointers to help folks get started.  Then, once you become a top player…return the favor.