Changes in Rules from last season are indicated in bolded red. But basically there are no changes from the 2002 season.
We have 18 weeks again this year. The first pool game is 11am, Saturday, August 30th.
16 choices are available each week. And you have to pick 15 of them.
Throughout the college season, most of the games will be College with several NFL. For the last few weeks, most or all of the games will be NFL.
All picks are versus a spread. This allows those not so knowledgeable to participate since a point spread on a game makes each game a virtual toss-up pick. The football point-spread is the great equalizer!
Picks will generally always include important and/or TV games - so that just about every game that is on TV will be a pool pick. If there are games you wish to have (or not have) in the pool - please let me know.
Monday night NFL game will always be in the pool (thus final results will always depend on the outcome of that game).
Your picks must be weighted from 15 (best) to 1 (worse). Only 1 of the 16 games (your choice), you do not pick. Thus you can exclude picking the 1 game you are least certain about. Max score for a week therefore is 120.
All point-spreads will include a half-point. Thus - No tie games.
If a game is cancelled or not played for some reason, that game will be not counted (of course), and all other weights will be adjusted appropriately so that everyone's picks will be from 14 to 0. Max score would then be 105. This is done by reducing by 1 the weight on every game which is of a higher weight than that of the cancelled game.
There will be no tie-breakers for pool winnings. Winnings will simply be split equally. Each week's final results approximate a bell curve, so there shouldn't be lots and lots of ties every week for the top spots.
Each week costs $5.
You don't have to enter every week, but your top 12 weeks (out of 18) will count towards the overall awards. $10 each week will be put into the overall kitty (which will therefore end up totaling $180).
Each week's payout is (from all proceeds less the $10):
1st - 40% 2nd - 30% 3rd - 20% 4th - 10%
Final overall payouts are: 1st - $81 (45%) 2nd - $45 (25%) 3rd - $27 (15%) 4th - $18 (10%) 5th - $9 ( 5%)
In order to participate you MUST create a user account at http://budmans.com. But then, you've already done that if you can read this. You also MUST indicate your desire to participate and get setup by Bud. This can be done by e-mail to stowe@budmans.com. You need BOTH a user account AND football pool authorization to participate. Please have this setup in advance of the first games which starts August 30th, 2003.
The best way to make your entries each week is at:
You can (as a last resort only) e-mail (stowe@budmans.com) or voice-mail (515-270-3216) your picks to me if unable to access the web site. Clearly indicate your weights for each of your choices (15 to 1). Do NOT re-order the games (that just makes my compilation of your entry more difficult.) Do NOT forget to put weights by your picks!
As in past years, entries will be accepted as long as they're before the start of the first game. In fact, the system will prohibit any entry from being accepted after that time. You can also change (edit) your picks right up to game time.
Recaps and Overall Results are automatically and dynamically generated at:
Expect each week's pool games to be available by Wednesday evening.
I have friendly easy payment plans. Pay as you go preferably a few weeks at a time and preferably ahead of time.
Your current balance can always be checked. Just click on: