Thanks to all of you who replied with your thoughts on what changes should happen for FC2012. I tried to take them all into consideration when coming up with the proposed rule changes for this year. One thing I won't list is the new payouts, which we'll decide once we figure out how many members we'll have for this upcoming season.
Here's what has already been decided:
-Still pick 15 games (at least 5 NFL and 5 NCAA when possible) and we will pick 15 games EVERY week, even when it's NFL only. Most of the ties last year occurred in the 10 game weeks where it was NFL only, so we will move to picking basically every NFL game over the final weeks of the year (15 of 16).
- I will use actual Tuesday lines, so we will be accounting for the early line movements and you will no longer be able to get the obvious bad numbers that came with posting the opening lines for our use. This should sharpen the lines up and make the choices less obvious and likely decrease our records a bit from last year.
- Wins will be worth 2 points and ties will be worth 1 point...this eliminates the always controversial tie = loss rule that has been in play for a couple of years. This way, it will be a points based competition and make it more fair and hopefully eliminate some of the ties.
Tiebreaker
So this is the one that has had the most debate amongst the players of FC and just internally for me as well. In the weeks where we had 15 games to pick we only had 4 weeks with a tie (28%), which is up slightly from FC 2010 where we had 21% of the 15 game weeks end in a tie. I think this trend will continue to go up as we add more members, which appears very likely to happen again this year. We will counteract it in part by going to a point system and not counting a tie as a loss...this will cause a little more separation among the players. But I'm assuming we end up with about 4-5 weeks that end in a tie this year, which leads me to think we need to develop some kind of system to break these ties. Some have had the idea of splitting it if it's only 2 people and do a carry-over if it's more than 2...I kind of like this plan. Only 2 of our 7 ties last year involved more than 2 people, so a carry-over would truly be a rare thing. Another consideration I have is adding more drama to the end of the week (MNF) and making that game meaningful each and every week. With all those in mind - here is my plan for tiebreakers/carry-overs in FC 2012 (still looking for a new name BTW)
- When turning in your 15 games for the week, you will be asked to also submit a MNF pick as a tiebreaker. This will give us another layer to try and help break the tie and have a true winner every week. You can still pick this game as one of your 15 for the week, but please submit a pick in this game as a tiebreak as well (doesn't necessarily have to be the same). If we still have a tie of more than 2 people we will carry the $50 forward to the next week. If it is only between 2, we'll do a split.
So in summary here are the steps we're taking to limit ties this year:
1) Sharper lines = worse records (I think this will lead to fewer ties, but who knows)
2) Points system with wins worth 2 and ties worth 1 (not penalized for a tie as a loss any more)
3) Tiebreak pick with MNF game every week
4) Only a carry over if we have more than 2 guys in a tie...if it's just 2 we'll split it $25 each
I feel like these are some minor tweaks that won't change the overall feel but will increase our probability of having a true winner each week. I guess we'll see in about 4 months!
Enjoy the golf season - football is right around the corner, Phil Steele's bible comes out on June 7th so you really only have 1 more month of off-season before it's time to start studying!!
Friday, April 27, 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Baseball 13 Run Pool - Tuesday Update
So I was hoping for 15 and we're now at 17 after a bunch of entires came in this morning. So now we'll each be getting only 1 team, but the good news is we have room for 13 more guys!!
So any of you who haven't entered yet...you probably should. $20/guy at 17 guys...the pot is already at $340, we might as well get it up to $600. If we don't hit 30 by the end of the day, I'll throw out the invite for anyone to buy a 2nd team in the pool until we get to 30.
Shoot me a note if you want in or if you're already in try and rope a buddy or 2 or 3 to come along for the ride.
Thanks.
So any of you who haven't entered yet...you probably should. $20/guy at 17 guys...the pot is already at $340, we might as well get it up to $600. If we don't hit 30 by the end of the day, I'll throw out the invite for anyone to buy a 2nd team in the pool until we get to 30.
Shoot me a note if you want in or if you're already in try and rope a buddy or 2 or 3 to come along for the ride.
Thanks.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Baseball 13 Run Pool
Hey Guys -
I was trying to join a Basbeall 13 run pool, but got in too late...so I figured I would start my own. I don't like our chances of gathering together 30 guys for this thing, so I figured we could try and get 14 to just do the AL teams. If we end up with less than that we'll just do a random draw.
Here's how it works:
You are assigned a team, and the goal is the be the first one to score each run total from 0 to 13 before any of the other teams. I've never done one of these before, but I see how it could be a lot of fun and give you someone to follow other than the lowly Twins.
Since it's based on complete random luck for whether you win or not I'm thinking $20 is a good entry fee. If you want in, please let me know and I'll do the draw for teams on Wednesday before the 1st games begin.
Depending on the number of guys we get, we'll either pay out 1 or 2 places. If we fill up all 14 spots, I'll break it down to $200 for 1st and $80 for 2nd. If we have 10 or less it will be winner take all.
You can buy more than 1 team if you want to improve your odds. Shoot me a note if you want in and get me your $$$.
Thanks.
I was trying to join a Basbeall 13 run pool, but got in too late...so I figured I would start my own. I don't like our chances of gathering together 30 guys for this thing, so I figured we could try and get 14 to just do the AL teams. If we end up with less than that we'll just do a random draw.
Here's how it works:
You are assigned a team, and the goal is the be the first one to score each run total from 0 to 13 before any of the other teams. I've never done one of these before, but I see how it could be a lot of fun and give you someone to follow other than the lowly Twins.
Since it's based on complete random luck for whether you win or not I'm thinking $20 is a good entry fee. If you want in, please let me know and I'll do the draw for teams on Wednesday before the 1st games begin.
Depending on the number of guys we get, we'll either pay out 1 or 2 places. If we fill up all 14 spots, I'll break it down to $200 for 1st and $80 for 2nd. If we have 10 or less it will be winner take all.
You can buy more than 1 team if you want to improve your odds. Shoot me a note if you want in and get me your $$$.
Thanks.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Feedback
Hey Guys -
I've heard from a few of you, but am hoping to get more feedback so we can have a true majority opinion on the tiebreakers/carry over debate. So far most are in favor of doing away with the carry over and adding some kind of tie breaker each week for the weekly prize.
I'm also hoping to compile the list of potential new recruits over the next month or so. I have received a couple of names already, and I had a couple of my own - but please send me any more guys that are interested in playing next year.
Finally - still searching for a new name for the Football Challenge, so all of you creative and funny people out there please send me your ideas. A couple decent ones so far, but I'm not sure if we've found it yet.
Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. Keep a look out for the upcoming Masters Pool which will be sent out Monday APRIL 2nd. It's $10 per guy per major, or $40 all at once to enter all 4. It's probably easier to do that if you plan on playing rather than sending me $10 at a time. It's a pretty simple pool, we split the golfers into 5 tiers based on their odds, pick one from each tier, and have a point system based on their finish to determine the winner. It's fun & it gives you somebody to root for and a chance to cash in.
I've heard from a few of you, but am hoping to get more feedback so we can have a true majority opinion on the tiebreakers/carry over debate. So far most are in favor of doing away with the carry over and adding some kind of tie breaker each week for the weekly prize.
I'm also hoping to compile the list of potential new recruits over the next month or so. I have received a couple of names already, and I had a couple of my own - but please send me any more guys that are interested in playing next year.
Finally - still searching for a new name for the Football Challenge, so all of you creative and funny people out there please send me your ideas. A couple decent ones so far, but I'm not sure if we've found it yet.
Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. Keep a look out for the upcoming Masters Pool which will be sent out Monday APRIL 2nd. It's $10 per guy per major, or $40 all at once to enter all 4. It's probably easier to do that if you plan on playing rather than sending me $10 at a time. It's a pretty simple pool, we split the golfers into 5 tiers based on their odds, pick one from each tier, and have a point system based on their finish to determine the winner. It's fun & it gives you somebody to root for and a chance to cash in.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Madness Recap & FC 2012-13 Rules Changes
Well, it was a long day on Saturday for many of us. Thanks to all of you who stopped in for anywhere from 0-20 drinks. I was only stuck with a couple of envelopes, Hammer & Oge, so I will get those to you two ASAP...unless you want me to keep it and just enter you in each of the 4 upcoming Major Golf Tourneys at $10 each?!?!? For those of you who missed it, we lasted at BWW from about 11am-8pm, when we were told that we were drinking above the average drinks per hour and for too many hours. I don't think we were asked directly to leave, but they started bringing a lot of water and very few Jameson's...so we grabbed Chipotle next door and bailed.
The night moved back to my place where 2 miracles were witnessed, JG won a poker game...and then JG won another poker game. We entertained ourselves with PJ turned up to 11 and the KFAN button bar on my phone. I started a drunk text rally late in the evening, if I hit you up on one of those I'm sorry. Our brilliant golf idea the next day was good until the 30 mph winds had us ready to cry and quit by about hole 12. JG and I posted dueling 103's, so whenever I play with you guys next we're each going to be listed as 31 handicaps. It was ugly, but it was golf in March...so it was good.
We talked multiple times about FC topics and I think we're in a consensus on most of the rule changes for next year, but here's the list in case you missed it on Saturday or couldn't comprehend my words, which is totally possible.
1.I will use ACTUAL Tuesday lines for all games instead of the opening lines listed in USATODAY.
2. We will be giving out 1 point for ties and 2 points for wins so we eliminate the tie = loss conundrum.
3. The payout scale will add in extra payouts for the overall NCAA W% champ and the NFL W% champ
The only one that wasn't decided and is still up for debate is the tiebreaker or carry-over question. This year, with 17 guys, we did the carry over method and This came into play in 7 of the 18 weeks, or a little under 50% of the time. I think it put more emphasis on certain weeks, which made it fun, but it also hurt those of us who tied for the win on multiple weeks and had nothing to show for it. We will be adding members next year and I'm expecting to be somewhere in the 20-30 range for players. This in turn will likely add a few more ties if we continue with this method. The other option would to have a payout every week and make up a weekly tiebreaker. This could be consistent every week, or it could be something that changes every week. I'm thinking the best thing to do is make it a total point number for one game (MNF, SNF, Vikes game, Biggest game of the week?) or a pick the largest winner or largest loser each week for either NCAA or NFL (ARK will beat VANDY 44-3 and be a +41 for the week).
PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR OPINIONS ON THIS AND WHAT YOU THINK WILL BE BEST FOR THE GROUP AS A WHOLE. IF YOU HAVE OTHER IDEAS FOR A TIEBREAKER I WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED TO HEAR THOSE AS WELL. SHOOT ME A NOTE, I'LL COMPILE THE REPSONSES OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEK AND WE'LL HAVE A VERDICT...DEMOCRACY, SORT OF.
The last and final point of this update is that it's officially RECRUITING SEASON for the FOOTBALL CHALLENGE. If you have buddies who you know want to play or guys you think may be interested but haven't talked with as of yet - please send me their name and email and I will put them on the list. It's tough to get guys to commit in March, but I'll put them on the list so we can narrow it down by August when the fun starts. Also, if you don't want to play any more - please let me know that, too. We've only lost 1 member in our history and it sounds like he's back on board for next year...so it's like we haven't lost anyone in the 5 years of the FC...but let me know if you are out. More importantly, send me any and all potential new recruits and their contact info so we can start working on the FC 2012.
As always, I really don't like the name Football Challenge, but I guess I'm not creative enough to come up with something else...but maybe one of you guys are. I'm looking for something a little more clever and interesting and a little less bland and obvious...so please send me your suggestions on that as well.
So here's your checklist for the next few weeks:
1. Rule changes - Tiebreaks Y/N and what should a tiebreaker be?
2. New Recruits - name/email address
3. Are you in for next year? Y/N
4. What should we rename the Football Challenge?
That's it - once again thanks to all those that made it out to the 'burbs on Saturday. It was a ton of fun hanging with you all and watching a little basketball, wrestling, golf, baseball, and anything else we could make a wager on!! Great times, like always. I'll start working on the golf tourney planning...but I won't be bringing that up for a while since all my get out of jail free cards are used up for a while. I think JG picked the date of June 23 late on Saturday night...but we'll see. If it doesn't work out this year, maybe we'll try and hook up for a couple of rounds through the extended golf season with each of you. Throw me an invite and I'll try and make it work out.
The night moved back to my place where 2 miracles were witnessed, JG won a poker game...and then JG won another poker game. We entertained ourselves with PJ turned up to 11 and the KFAN button bar on my phone. I started a drunk text rally late in the evening, if I hit you up on one of those I'm sorry. Our brilliant golf idea the next day was good until the 30 mph winds had us ready to cry and quit by about hole 12. JG and I posted dueling 103's, so whenever I play with you guys next we're each going to be listed as 31 handicaps. It was ugly, but it was golf in March...so it was good.
We talked multiple times about FC topics and I think we're in a consensus on most of the rule changes for next year, but here's the list in case you missed it on Saturday or couldn't comprehend my words, which is totally possible.
1.I will use ACTUAL Tuesday lines for all games instead of the opening lines listed in USATODAY.
2. We will be giving out 1 point for ties and 2 points for wins so we eliminate the tie = loss conundrum.
3. The payout scale will add in extra payouts for the overall NCAA W% champ and the NFL W% champ
The only one that wasn't decided and is still up for debate is the tiebreaker or carry-over question. This year, with 17 guys, we did the carry over method and This came into play in 7 of the 18 weeks, or a little under 50% of the time. I think it put more emphasis on certain weeks, which made it fun, but it also hurt those of us who tied for the win on multiple weeks and had nothing to show for it. We will be adding members next year and I'm expecting to be somewhere in the 20-30 range for players. This in turn will likely add a few more ties if we continue with this method. The other option would to have a payout every week and make up a weekly tiebreaker. This could be consistent every week, or it could be something that changes every week. I'm thinking the best thing to do is make it a total point number for one game (MNF, SNF, Vikes game, Biggest game of the week?) or a pick the largest winner or largest loser each week for either NCAA or NFL (ARK will beat VANDY 44-3 and be a +41 for the week).
PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR OPINIONS ON THIS AND WHAT YOU THINK WILL BE BEST FOR THE GROUP AS A WHOLE. IF YOU HAVE OTHER IDEAS FOR A TIEBREAKER I WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED TO HEAR THOSE AS WELL. SHOOT ME A NOTE, I'LL COMPILE THE REPSONSES OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEK AND WE'LL HAVE A VERDICT...DEMOCRACY, SORT OF.
The last and final point of this update is that it's officially RECRUITING SEASON for the FOOTBALL CHALLENGE. If you have buddies who you know want to play or guys you think may be interested but haven't talked with as of yet - please send me their name and email and I will put them on the list. It's tough to get guys to commit in March, but I'll put them on the list so we can narrow it down by August when the fun starts. Also, if you don't want to play any more - please let me know that, too. We've only lost 1 member in our history and it sounds like he's back on board for next year...so it's like we haven't lost anyone in the 5 years of the FC...but let me know if you are out. More importantly, send me any and all potential new recruits and their contact info so we can start working on the FC 2012.
As always, I really don't like the name Football Challenge, but I guess I'm not creative enough to come up with something else...but maybe one of you guys are. I'm looking for something a little more clever and interesting and a little less bland and obvious...so please send me your suggestions on that as well.
So here's your checklist for the next few weeks:
1. Rule changes - Tiebreaks Y/N and what should a tiebreaker be?
2. New Recruits - name/email address
3. Are you in for next year? Y/N
4. What should we rename the Football Challenge?
That's it - once again thanks to all those that made it out to the 'burbs on Saturday. It was a ton of fun hanging with you all and watching a little basketball, wrestling, golf, baseball, and anything else we could make a wager on!! Great times, like always. I'll start working on the golf tourney planning...but I won't be bringing that up for a while since all my get out of jail free cards are used up for a while. I think JG picked the date of June 23 late on Saturday night...but we'll see. If it doesn't work out this year, maybe we'll try and hook up for a couple of rounds through the extended golf season with each of you. Throw me an invite and I'll try and make it work out.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
5 days and counting...
The bracket is out and pools are filling up, and all we have left to do is hand out the money and grab a drink and watch hoops for about 12 straight hours.
BWW opens at 11am on Saturday, games will likely start right around that time. Here's the deal for those of you who plan on being there all day - meet at my place around 10:30 and we'll head down to BWW together to be there right at 11. They don't really do reservations on a day like Saturday, so those of us who are there early will stake out a couple of tables and wait for the rest of you. It's also going to be 75 degrees, so the patio with 2 TV's might be our best bet...we'll see.
If you need directions to my place or BWW, just let me know. Bring anyone else who you think might enjoy it and/or potential new recruits for Football Challenge 2012-13.
Other questions - shoot me a note and we'll figure it out.
Hope to see you all on Saturday!
BWW opens at 11am on Saturday, games will likely start right around that time. Here's the deal for those of you who plan on being there all day - meet at my place around 10:30 and we'll head down to BWW together to be there right at 11. They don't really do reservations on a day like Saturday, so those of us who are there early will stake out a couple of tables and wait for the rest of you. It's also going to be 75 degrees, so the patio with 2 TV's might be our best bet...we'll see.
If you need directions to my place or BWW, just let me know. Bring anyone else who you think might enjoy it and/or potential new recruits for Football Challenge 2012-13.
Other questions - shoot me a note and we'll figure it out.
Hope to see you all on Saturday!
Monday, March 5, 2012
March Madness Gathering
The countdown is officially on to the gathering of the minds on MARCH 17th. The hoops regular season is over, and brackets will be announced next Sunday.
I've heard from a few of you who plan to attend, but I want to make sure everyone is aware of the plan for St. Patty's day once again.
WHERE: BWW Chanhassen
WHAT: March Madness watching/gambling/cocktailing
WHY: Collect your payday from Football Challenge 2011 and turn your cash into 3x or 4x what your actual winnings were through basketball wagers with your fellow Football Challenge members.
WHEN: Saturday March 17th - games will start around 11am and probably end around 11pm, so I'm thinking many of us will meet at my place and cruise down together if you're in for the long haul.
If you plan on making a shorter drive by appearance then meet us at any time at Wild Wings and collect your cash or free drink. I also have some relevant FC info from the season for each of you. I plan on discussing possible rule changes, new members, and anything else that might come up over 12+ hours of wagering and drinking.
There is a hotel actually just down the road from BWW if you plan on not being able to drive home that night. I also live nearby and will have room for a few guys at my place.
It's going to be a great time and I hope to see you all there. I'll send out a final reminder next week and we'll start the final countdown.
I've heard from a few of you who plan to attend, but I want to make sure everyone is aware of the plan for St. Patty's day once again.
WHERE: BWW Chanhassen
WHAT: March Madness watching/gambling/cocktailing
WHY: Collect your payday from Football Challenge 2011 and turn your cash into 3x or 4x what your actual winnings were through basketball wagers with your fellow Football Challenge members.
WHEN: Saturday March 17th - games will start around 11am and probably end around 11pm, so I'm thinking many of us will meet at my place and cruise down together if you're in for the long haul.
If you plan on making a shorter drive by appearance then meet us at any time at Wild Wings and collect your cash or free drink. I also have some relevant FC info from the season for each of you. I plan on discussing possible rule changes, new members, and anything else that might come up over 12+ hours of wagering and drinking.
There is a hotel actually just down the road from BWW if you plan on not being able to drive home that night. I also live nearby and will have room for a few guys at my place.
It's going to be a great time and I hope to see you all there. I'll send out a final reminder next week and we'll start the final countdown.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Super Bowl Review - Post Season Final Standings
I didn't have the energy to write this up last night, so sorry for over-promising and under-delivering. After 2 early mornings with the kids, painting our dining room, and back to back nights of booze I was completely spent after watching the Super Bowl. It was a classic, not because of the quality of play, which I thought was kind of sub-par, but because it featured a couple of memorable moments between 2 major teams and came down to the last play.
So the NYG win & cover made it a race bewteen JR, TN, and GT. TN and GT both needed to beat me by 3 in the props to win outright. It didn't happen. I hit 8 of 10 on my props, and took the overall post-season title. This continues the Rollins dominance of post-season football as G-Reg won last year's post-season and I won in 2009-10.
Props - there was no prize awarded, but I hit 8 of 10, which was the best score. JG had 5, AW had 5, GR hit 2, MH hit 7, MC hit 1, SS had 5, RO had 4, TN had 4, MT had 6, GT had 7, CP had 5, JH had 6, and MO had 6. Overall a pretty strong prop performance by most of us.
Here are the final post-season standings:
POST-SEASON W
JR 73
GT 70
TN 67
MH 62
MT 61
SS 54
CP 54
AW 51
MC 51
GR 49
MO 48
RO 46
MR 41
JG 39
JH 37
LW 33
MS 0
Once again, thanks to all of you for a great year. Hope to see you all on the 17th of March to collect your payday and potentially gamble it all away watching March Madness and having cocktails in Chanhassen.
Here's the final cash tally for everyone for the Football Challenge 2011-12:
MH - $100
MR - $100
RO - skunked
SS - $450
TN - $150
CP - skunked
LW - skunked
MO - $50
JR - $300
MC - skunked
MT - $50
GT - $100
MS - $100
GR - $200
AW - $50
JH - $50
The 4 of you who were skunked and have nothing to collect should still show up as Steve and I owe you each a cocktail. There has to be a consolation prize of some sort, right?
So the NYG win & cover made it a race bewteen JR, TN, and GT. TN and GT both needed to beat me by 3 in the props to win outright. It didn't happen. I hit 8 of 10 on my props, and took the overall post-season title. This continues the Rollins dominance of post-season football as G-Reg won last year's post-season and I won in 2009-10.
Props - there was no prize awarded, but I hit 8 of 10, which was the best score. JG had 5, AW had 5, GR hit 2, MH hit 7, MC hit 1, SS had 5, RO had 4, TN had 4, MT had 6, GT had 7, CP had 5, JH had 6, and MO had 6. Overall a pretty strong prop performance by most of us.
Here are the final post-season standings:
POST-SEASON W
JR 73
GT 70
TN 67
MH 62
MT 61
SS 54
CP 54
AW 51
MC 51
GR 49
MO 48
RO 46
MR 41
JG 39
JH 37
LW 33
MS 0
Once again, thanks to all of you for a great year. Hope to see you all on the 17th of March to collect your payday and potentially gamble it all away watching March Madness and having cocktails in Chanhassen.
Here's the final cash tally for everyone for the Football Challenge 2011-12:
MH - $100
MR - $100
RO - skunked
SS - $450
TN - $150
CP - skunked
LW - skunked
MO - $50
JR - $300
MC - skunked
MT - $50
GT - $100
MS - $100
GR - $200
AW - $50
JH - $50
The 4 of you who were skunked and have nothing to collect should still show up as Steve and I owe you each a cocktail. There has to be a consolation prize of some sort, right?
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