Suicide Pool Final Results

Suicide pool is over!  Congrats to Mitchell Speedy for sucking less than the rest of us!

1st - Mitchell Speedy - $550
2nd - Zach Payne - $275
3rd - Sean Kellihan - $130
4th - Mike Hardin - $65

Congrats all!  Payments will be sent out soon.

Suicide Pool Update/Payouts

After the debacle that was Sunday, the Suicide Pool is decimated.  Currently, there are only five people left, but many people could still rebuy that have not chosen to yet....

And it may be a good idea to, b/c we're paying out Top 4.  Currently, the pool is at $900, and if it stays there, here's the breakdown.  We'll update this to reflect any additional rebuys.

1st: $500
2nd: $250
3rd: $100
4th: $50

What a day!

Once again, rebuy line starts to the left.  I have already bought mine!

In an unheard of turn of events, if Notre Dame wins tonight, Sean Kellihan will be the only one to have actually gone 4-for-4.  There is no prize for this specifically, but I just want to give the other 30 competitors a nice golf clap for being absolutely awful this year.  Are we all just outthinking ourselves?  Maybe.  Jeez, Dave took Gonzaga yesterday!  GONZAGA!  They're an 11 seed!  11's never make the Sweet 16!.... Wait, Gonzaga is like the only 11 who didn't make the Sweet 16.  Been that kind of tourney I guess.

In Super 7 news, big bad Tom Crone in his white ripped up tee, gray shorts, and old man reading glasses has surged to the lead w/ 10 pts.  Even better for him, he's got his 1, 2, and 3-4 seeds alive still.  Who cares about winners though, as there are some particularly atrocious teams.  Jeremy Neuner has been mathematically eliminated as his all Big East strategy has blown up in his face - I may be wrong, but I believe he is the only person whose entire seven team group is out of the tournament - That's right, he's got 5 points, and that's where he's staying.  So if you're above 5, congrats, you aren't finishing last. (Editor's Note: He's got Marquette actually.  Se he could get a few more points.  Not likely, but he could.)  I also loved Chris Watkins strategy of taking Louisville and Vandy to lock up the second point for making the Sweet 16... only to see both get bounced in the first round.  And of course, Dave is floundering, having only Ohio St left.  Did he watch any college basketball this year?

Phil

Spreadsheet Reminder...

In case you're too lazy to scroll down to the link...

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AmEbsrT5dz0XdHhTc0UwYjNTcW9DWm5iOURuRHBsS0E&hl=en&pli=1#gid=0

Day 2 Suicide Pool Picks and Super 7 Payout Breakdown

Day 2 suicide pool picks are up - I am still waiting on several picks!  tourneypools@gmail.com

Also, here is the payout breakdown for the Super 7.  Good luck all!

1st - 120
2nd - 60
3rd - 20

About the Suicide Pool...

First, rebuy line starts to the left.

Second, I've decided to be benevolent to the idiots who do not send a pick in for that day.  If I do not receive a pick before the start of the late games, you will be defaulted to the top seeded team that is available for you to pick in the late games.  Tomorrow, that team would be Syracuse, and obviously everyone has them available to them as this is the first round.

Phil

Spreadsheet

Here's a link to the google spreadsheet....

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AmEbsrT5dz0XdHhTc0UwYjNTcW9DWm5iOURuRHBsS0E&hl=en&pli=1#gid=0

It has been updated w/ every pick I have received thus far.  I am still waiting on a few picks, and people still have time to join.  I would save this link in your favorites, as it will be your bible for what the heck is going on in this tournament.  Good luck everyone!  Payouts will be posted eventually - Super 7 payouts should be up very soon, and Suicide Pool will be up whenever b/c we will be having rebuys.

Phil

Making Picks In The Tourney Pools

The easiest way to make picks is to simply send an email to TourneyPools@Gmail.com. The other email to use should be SteelCard30@gmail.com.

If you need to you can also call or text Philip or David if you are lucky enough to have their number.

All of the picks will be updated on Google Docs. That way they will be accessible for everyone to see.The GameMaster's (Philip and David) will have their picks up early in the day to ensure there is no unfair advantage on their part. All other picks should be in a half hour before tip-off of the game you are using. Since email, texts, calls, etc. all are time stamped we will know if your pick is in on time and this won't be something that is debated.

We will update Google Docs as the picks come in to us and this will be accessible at any time to check on who you should be cheering for and against. We will also post routine updates on the blog during a couple of points each day.

Any other questions?

The More Technical Albeit Less Entertaining Rules

March Madness 2011 Suicide Pool

Rules

·         Choose one team each day that you think will win for that particular day.

·         If your team wins, congrats, you are alive for another day!  If not, you are out.  In addition, if you forget to pick that day, you are out.

·         Once you have a chosen a team, you cannot choose that team again for the rest of the contest.  If you use Kansas to beat Coppin St in round one, Kansas will not be an available option if they are still alive in the Elite 8.  If you ever get to a point where you cannot pick a team b/c you have used all the teams playing that day, then you are out.

·         The winner is the last person still alive.  (We did have an outright winner last year.)  In the event of a tie, the tie will be broken in the following manner.

Tie-Breakers

1.      Highest combined total of all seeds selected 

§  Ex: You and I get knocked out on Day 6.  Because I'm awesome, I had that 12 seed that won in round one.  My combined seed picking total is 28, and yours is 26.  I win.

2.      Highest individual seed selected, and then second highest individual seed, etc.

§  Ex. You and I get knocked out Day 6, but both of our combined seed totals are 28.  I had my 12 seed, but your highest seed you picked was a 10 seed.  I win again.

3.      Highest individual seed selected by round, and then second highest individual seed by round, etc.

§  Ex. You and I get knocked out Day 6, both of our combined seed totals are 28, and we have happened to have every seed we've chosen be the exact same.  However, you picked a 10 seed to win in round 1 (which they did), but I had my 10 seed to win in round 2 (which they did).  Once again you lose.  You're really bad at this.  (If you don't understand this rule, that's fine.  Odds are it will not come in to play.)

4.      If this does not result in a tie being broken, the pot will be split evenly.

Payment

·         Entry cost: $20

·         Rebuy cost: $20.  You are only allowed one rebuy.  If you get knocked out Day 1 b/c you got cute and took that 13 seed, you can rebuy the next day.  Even if you get knocked out Day 8, you can rebuy if you haven't yet (and there are still teams you can pick).  If you are planning on rebuying, you have to rebuy the next day.  No losing on Thursday and then deciding to rebuy on Saturday.

·         Money must be in my grubby hands in some form before you make your pick.  We had way too big of a problem w/non-payers last year.  Those jerks are forcing this rule.  You have a couple of payment options.

o    PayPal - Probably the easiest to track and you don't have to track me down.  My paypal ID is pc30@evansville.edu <mailto:pc30@evansville.edu> .  In addition, when paying on PayPal, CHOOSE THAT IT IS A PERSONAL PAYMENT!  Otherwise, PayPal will take a commission.  If you do not have a PayPal account, sign up now so it can check your bank account.  Again, this is the preferred method of payment

o   Find my and physically hand me cash or a check.  I literally have to have the payment in my hand.  Do not call me and say "I'll get you Sunday."  Not happening.  Unless that Sunday is the Sunday before the tournament starts.

o   This payment policy is also in effect for rebuys.  Get me the money or your rebuy does not count.  This is why PayPal is preferred.  You probably won't see me every day, but you'll likely see your computer.

Results

All results will be available at tourneypools.blogspot.com

Payout

Payouts will be determined at the end based on number of entries.  Below are the projected payouts (assuming 100 entries).  We will not pay out beyond 5 spots.

1st: $1,200

2nd: $480

3rd: $195

4th: $75

5th: $50

 

March Madness 2011 Super Seven

Rules

Choose seven teams at the start of the tournament.  These teams will be your teams throughout the tournament.

You cannot pick just any seven teams.  Your teams must fall into these seven tiers..

·         Any 1 seed

·         Any 2 seed

·         Any 3-4 seed

·         Any 5-6 seed

·         Any 7-10 seed

·         Any 11-12 seed

·         Any 13-16 seed

You may choose a second team from a lower tier to replace a team from a higher tier.  For example, you may pick two 2 seeds, but as a result, you cannot pick a 1 seed.  To extend the example further, you may pick two 5-6 seeds, but you then have to throw out either your 1 seed, your 2 seed, or your 3-4 seed.

Points are awarded for wins:

·         First/Second Round - 1 point

·         Sweet 16/Elite 8 - 2 points

·         Final Four/Championship - 3 points

The winner is the person whose seven teams accumulate the most points.  In the event of a tie, the tie will be broken in the following manner: Top individual team total, then second highest team total, etc.

·         Ex: You and I score 35 points in the tournament.  My best team was NCAA champion Louisville, who amassed 10 points.  Your top team was NCAA championship loser Kentucky, who amassed 7 points.  You lose, I win.

·         If this does not break the tie, pot will be split evenly between participants.

Payment

• Entry cost: $10
• Money must be in my grubby hands in some form before you make your pick.  We had way too big of a problem w/non-payers last year.  Those jerks are forcing this rule.  You have a couple of payment options.

o    o   PayPal - Probably the easiest to track and you don't have to track me down.  My paypal ID is pc30@evansville.edu <mailto:pc30@evansville.edu> .  In addition, when paying on PayPal, CHOOSE THAT IT IS A PERSONAL PAYMENT!  Otherwise, PayPal will take a commission.  If you do not have a PayPal account, sign up now so it can check your bank account.  Again, this is the preferred method of payment

o   Find my and physically hand me cash or a check.  I literally have to have the payment in my hand.  Do not call me and say "I'll get you Sunday."  Not happening.  Unless that Sunday is the Sunday before the tournament starts.

Results

All results will be available at tourneypools.blogspot.com

Payout

Payouts will be determined at the end based on number of entries.  Below are the projected payouts (assuming 100 entries).  We will not pay out beyond 5 spots.

1st: $600

2nd: $240

3rd: $100

4th: $36

5th: $24

*****We may change these pay-out numbers, this was a first attempt, I'd be willing to adjust it so more people get some cash if that is how people want it. This was Phil's (The heartless rich get richer insurance financier) numbers....my numbers would have been a bit more magnanimous.

 

March Madness Pool Introduction

March Madness is a magical time. For my money it is the most compelling two days of television all year long. It is the ultimate in sports watching gluttony. If you're lucky enough to live in the Eastern time zone you can literally watch games from noonish until about midnight...and the VAST majority of the games are compelling. Every game is do or die. Plus it offers something that no other major sports tournament offers...the chance for real and meaningful upsets. Not other major sports tournament offers the chance for a team from a minor conference to jump up and crush the dreams of a traditional powerhouse. In a nation that strives for equality, a nation that tells you that if you work hard enough you can accomplish anything, March Madness is the only sporting event that truly captures these ideals.

To make matters even more exciting, March Madness is about the only sporting event where the entire nation looks at gambling as something to make the event even more awesome. Now, personally, I believe gambling makes every sporting event better...but not everyone is as cool as me, and many people believe in the boring idea of moderation. But, how do people get action on the games? Bracket Pools. Boring old bracket pools. In my many years of watching college basketball incessantly and poring over every detail of the season that dedication has never resulted in any success when it came to bracket pools. There are simply too many impossible games. Or, one thing can go wrong and lead to completely different match-ups then you had envisioned, altering everything. Bracket Pools, basically, are a crap shoot. You're better off throwing money on 00 on a roulette wheel and getting it over with quickly.

But, while many people toil away in bracket contests they do so only because they do not see any creative or fun alternatives.

That's where I come in with two new, exciting, creative, and more interesting options.

1. Suicide Pool

2. Fantasy Draft Style Pool


Here are some quick details on each of these options:

Suicide Pool

Each day of the tournament you pick one team that HAS to win. If the team you pick loses, you lose, the clock just struck midnight Cinderella and you're going home alone. You can choose any team you want with one restriction...YOU CAN ONLY USE EACH TEAM ONCE. So, if you use Kansas and Duke in the first round you can never use them again...even if you make it to the finals you can not choose a team because you have used the only two options.

So, basically what you want to do is use some strategy, or strategery, in selecting your early round teams. You don't want to make it to the Final Four and not have any teams left to use...

It's a lot harder than this brief explanation makes it sound. But, if you think it sounds easy than step to the plate and put your money where your mouth is jackass.

The winner will be the last person standing. If there is somehow a tie, the tie-breaker will go to whoever has the highest total when adding up all the seeds they selected. If it is still tied we will go by who used the highest seed, second highest, etc. until the tie is broken...if these all result in ties it will be a split pot.

Fantasy Draft Style

This is similar to a traditional bracket pool, but it offers the players a bit more control. Here's how it works you will pick ONE team from each of the following groups

1 Seed
2 Seed
3-4 Seed
5-6 Seed
7-10 Seed
11-12 Seed
13+ Seed

You're "Fantasy Team" will be comprised of these 7 teams. For every first and second round victory your teams earn 1 point. A Sweet 16 or Elite 8 victory earns you 2 points. A Final Four victory or Title Victory gets you 3 points. The tie-breaker will be determined by adding up the seeds that earned you victories.

These pools are not the crapshoot that the traditional bracket pool is. These are games of skill that reward degenerate sports fans and exclude jackasses that know nothing but get in for the heck of it. If you don't like college basketball I don't want you to play. If you're too stupid to understand how much more exciting these options are, then I don't want you in either, go get in a bracket pool or take a ride in your Hybrid. I assume you drive a Hybrid because you're a douchebag. And, as an FYI 100% of the entry donations will be returned to the donors. My understanding is that brackets are completely legal under that circumstance. We're running this because we love college basketball, we love March Madness, and we love games of skill. If you do too then I expect you to enter. I also expect you to like pizza and movies featuring the Rock since we have so many other things in common.