There will be 18 weeks this season. The first pool game is 11am, Saturday, September 3rd.
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 most interesting games. 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 or someone entering picks for you, must have a user account at http://budmans.com. (There's a link on Budmans.com home page to create a new account: Create User Account ). If you participated last year, you're all set (unless you forgot your password.) If you're new, you must also indicate your desire to participate and get setup by Bud. This can be done by e-mail to stowe@budmans.com.
The best way to make your entries each week is at:
You can (as a last resort only) e-mail (stowe@budmans.com) or phone/voice-mail (515-975-2284) 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:
Only your picks (or those you have authorization to pick) will be visible before the games have started.
Expect each week's pool games to usually be available by Wednesday evening.
I have friendly easy payment plans. Pay as you go or settle up at the end.
Your current balance can always be checked. Just click on: