OOTB Annual Bowl Pick 'em Challenge!!

[TarHeelNation11]

**Since some of you lack reading comprehension, please scroll down to see the giant text that explains the "Wave" format I've used the past 3 years on this dang contest.**

**Please note, contest sign-up period has passed. The contestants have been finalized. (15) contestants.**

**We are playing for $20 per contestant. First place gets the jackpot minus $20. Second place gets his money back.**

**Additionally, here is the link to the google doc spreadsheet where @Raising Heel will keep track of standings with his fancy algorithms and what not. He works for tips.**

Okay so for those of you who remember/care, I put on a CFB bowl challenge every year on here. It's not actually a "pick 'em" because it's against the spread, it just sounds better to have pick 'em in the title.

Who all is interested? We can play for $10 or $20 a person. It's gotta be one or the other though, for everyone. Last year I think we did a mix where you could ante up either one. None of that. So we can take a vote on that. Please note a few things:

- We do NOT do confidence points like a lot of the bowl challenges you see. Each game counts the same.
- Yours truly picks the spread. Generally, I go with the Vegas consensus, but occasionally I use my keen college football intuition to alter the line as I see fit.
- the National Championship Game is NOT included in the contest, since its contestants aren't decided until after the semifinal matchups. The semifinals are technically bowls and are thus included in the contest. The score of the national championship game will only be used for tiebreaker purposes, if needed.
- Because there are so many bowl games, I poast several "waves" of games. I'll poast like the first ~10 games as "wave one" and then the next 8 as "wave two" and so on. That way, everyone can make their selections in that paricular thread (a la Billy's contest) and it doesn't get too cumbersome by picking all 38 or how ever many bowl games all at once in one thread.
- the past two years, I've been on an international cruise during part of the competition and my standings updates got a bit spotty. Won't be an issue this time as I'm poor and can't afford a cruise.
- I've vowed to not run any more contests on here for fear of upsetting poasters' feelings, but this particular contest is a board staple so I'm grandfathering it in.

**Please respond to this thread by 5 p.m. Thursday, December 15th, if you wish to participate**
--> the first bowl is on Saturday, December 17th. Who's in??

List of contestants
1. @toophly1124
2. @HookUNC75
3. @TarHeelNation11
4. @gteeitup
5. @Hark_The_Sound_2010
6. @UNC71-00
7. @tarheel0910
8. @gunslingerdick
9. @UNC '92
10. @andythebigman
11. @strummingram
12. @ohio tarheels
13. @GACMAN
14. @BillyL (possibly sponsored by @TarHeelMark)
15. @coryfly

 

[toophly1124]

IN

 

[HookUNC75]

I'm in, THN11. Also will go $20 but will go $10 if that's what the majority wants. I've never used google docs before but if it will make it easier on you I'm for it.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

IN

Welcome aboard good sir, and I appreciate the festiveness of your avatar.

I'm in, THN11. Also will go $20 but will go $10 if that's what the majority wants. I've never used google docs before but if it will make it easier on you I'm for it.

It's not so much that it would make it easier for me, as it would make it easier for all of us. A Google Doc is like a Word or Excel doc that everyone in a pre-determined group can edit at any time. In this fashion, we could all poast our picks for all the games, and then everyone could see everyone's pick in a neatly organized format.

However, I'm not sure what would stop folks from changing their picks willy nilly and/or changing other contestants' picks. What I could do is just be the only user of said Google Doc and I could poast y'alls picks in a neatly organized document we could all view. Yikes....this already sounds like a lot of work lol.

Regardless, I may employ @coolwaterunc 's Excel help on how to create an algorithm that helps me quickly tally winners and keep scores. If he agrees, their could be a Publix chicken tender sub in it for him.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

I vote $20 as well, @toophly1124 what say you on the dollar amount?

 

[toophly1124]

I vote $20 as well, @toophly1124 what say you on the dollar amount?

$20 100%

 

[gteeitup]

in for $20 you sluts

 

[chick_bleeds_carolina_blue]

I'm NOT in but Clemson is gonna take it all this year LOL

 

[TarHeelNation11]

I'm NOT in but Clemson is gonna take it all this year LOL

You can get +550 odds for that on Bovada right now. IJS.

 

[Hark_The_Sound_2010]

You can get +550 odds for that on Bovada right now. IJS.

I'm liking OSUs odds at +500. I think they'll beat Clemson, then I can even hedge off if desired since Bama should only be like -250 against them.

And ya, I'm in the contest, voting for $20 but $10 wouldn't keep me out. Don't think we really need the google doc unless it's easier on you.

 

[UNC71-00]

In for twenty

 

[tarheel0910]

I'm in.

 

[BillyL]

Yeah okay . . . I guess I'm in.

$20 is a lot of moola tho . .

 

[coolwaterunc]

Regardless, I may employ @coolwaterunc 's Excel help on how to create an algorithm that helps me quickly tally winners and keep scores. If he agrees, their could be a Publix chicken tender sub in it for him.

I haven't used Excel in ages, but I'll give it a go if you tell me what you want. I'm not doing the contest though. Bowl games are stupid.

 

[gunslingerdick]

I'm in. $10 or $20 doesn't matter. But can I suggest that second place get something? - maybe their money back.

 

[tarheel0910]

Yeah okay . . . I guess I'm in.

$20 is a lot of moola tho . .

Between @Raising Heel killing off his death pool picks and the possibility of having to pay up for fantasy football in a few weeks, $20 sounds like a lot to me too. I'll still play though.

 

[UNC '92]

In/$20

 

[Raising Heel]

This board has a gambling problem.

Regardless, I may employ @coolwaterunc 's Excel help on how to create an algorithm that helps me quickly tally winners and keep scores.

 

[tarheel0910]

This board has a gambling problem.

 

[andythebigman]

im in for 20

 

[BillyL]

LOL

 

[strummingram]

in for $20

 

[TarHeelNation11]

I'll update the list and votes when I get home from work. Anyone else second GSD's notion that first place gets the whole pot, save for second place getting their money back?

 

[gteeitup]

I'll update the list and votes when I get home from work. Anyone else second GSD's notion that first place gets the whole pot, save for second place getting their money back?

so 1st loser gets more than a participation trophy?...that's ironical

 

[UNC71-00]

I'll update the list and votes when I get home from work. Anyone else second GSD's notion that first place gets the whole pot, save for second place getting their money back?

Seconded

 

[Hark_The_Sound_2010]

I'll update the list and votes when I get home from work. Anyone else second GSD's notion that first place gets the whole pot, save for second place getting their money back?

Second place should at least get their money back.

 

[toophly1124]

I'll update the list and votes when I get home from work. Anyone else second GSD's notion that first place gets the whole pot, save for second place getting their money back?

I know I'm in the minority here, but I'll still throw my .02$ in. I vote winner take all. IF we do 2nd place getting money (which looks like that'll be the case) I vote they get at least double their bet $40 back. As absurd as it probably will sound to most of you i absolutely hate, lets say, playing in a hold em tourney for 4 hours and finishing second just to get my original bet back. Feels like a waste of time. No sour grapes here though, either way, I'm all in.

 

[tarheel0910]

I know I'm in the minority here, but I'll still throw my .02$ in. I vote winner take all. IF we do 2nd place getting money (which looks like that'll be the case) I vote they get at least double their bet $40 back. As absurd as it probably will sound to most of you i absolutely hate, lets say, playing in a hold em tourney for 4 hours and finishing second just to get my original bet back. Feels like a waste of time. No sour grapes here though, either way, I'm all in.

We could leave it up to the winner. He can decide if he wants to give 2nd place a taste or let it be winner take all.

 

[BillyL]

Whadda y'all think about allowing me to play for free . . you know, my invalid mother, 3 legged dog and blind cat that I already haveta take care of . . ?

Lemme know . .

 

[tarheel0910]

Whadda y'all think about allowing me to play for free . . you know, my invalid mother, 3 legged dog and blind cat that I already haveta take care of . . ?

Lemme know . .

I know you're joking, but I wouldn't have a problem with it since you shelled out all the prize money for the other contest.

 

[UNC71-00]

I know I'm in the minority here, but I'll still throw my .02$ in. I vote winner take all. IF we do 2nd place getting money (which looks like that'll be the case) I vote they get at least double their bet $40 back. As absurd as it probably will sound to most of you i absolutely hate, lets say, playing in a hold em tourney for 4 hours and finishing second just to get my original bet back. Feels like a waste of time. No sour grapes here though, either way, I'm all in.

The only reason I like 2nd place getting entry fee back is that keeps him/her from having to deal with paypal.

I am pretty sure last year 2nd place broke slick, but I may be mistaken.

 

[coolwaterunc]

What about this: I play but don't put any money in, but if I win, I get your money anyway. That work?

 

[BillyL]

What about this: I play but don't put any money in, but if I win, I get your money anyway. That work?

I'm hoping for that same set-up . .

 

[toophly1124]

The only reason I like 2nd place getting entry fee back is that keeps him/her from having to deal with paypal.

I am pretty sure last year 2nd place broke slick, but I may be mistaken.

That's a good point that I didn't think about.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Bump. Check the first poast in this thread. Currently up to 11 participants (lemme know if I missed your name) and the consensus right now is we play for $20 per and second place gets money back.

That would be a nice $180 payout for the winner as it stands right now.

 

[ohio tarheels]

Oh heck I'm in for $20 since I can use my teeny Christmas bonus by the time it's due!!!

 

[GACMAN]

I'll play..$20 is good

 

[TarHeelMark]

Whadda y'all think about allowing me to play for free . . you know, my invalid mother, 3 legged dog and blind cat that I already haveta take care of . . ?

Lemme know . .

Hey @BillyL, tell ya what... I'll cover your entry fee.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

im in for 20

Hope you enjoyed that parking pass for James Madison, good sir!

 

[BillyL]

Hey @BillyL, tell ya what... I'll cover your entry fee.

Thank-you, Mark . . . I got it though, no problem here, my good Brother. I do appreciate that fantastic offer.