Abstract
Three experimentally established biases away from optimality that result from misconceptions of chance, variations in the framing of outcomes, and the illusion of validity are of detectable dysfunctional consequence in the natural world of the gambler. A study of the public's betting in 12,316 horse races shows that the gambler's fallacy, increasing risk preference within a day, and insensitivity to actual contingencies contradicting expert opinion, principles derived from the results of laboratory experiments, can be meaningfully applied in the practical setting.

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