What do you feel is the proper tip for the person running the office pool?
But what? I think one "block" is more than enough for a half or final score. That way they can play free and get a little cash. It is not supposed to be profit-making for them but I agree at the least they should play free. If they wanted over 5% I would call that crazy, if I want that kind of negative expectation I'll book a regulaar bet.
What does everyone think?
And yeah, you pay when you pick.
If it's a pool among friends, then, well, you're supposed to be friends.
Bottom line, no tips or free boxes.
Quote: AZDuffmanThe woman who runs the pool was mumbling that this is her last year for it as no one is tipping.
I agree at the least they should play free. If they wanted over 5% I would call that crazy
You're both outta your fuckin' minds.
Quote: ChuckYou're both outta your fuckin' minds.
Consider this a warning. The next post like that and you'll be on suspension.
The way I see it, if she whines about the no tipping, as her manager, I would give her a menial job, like cleaning out the pucks in the men's urinals.
Quote: WizardConsider this a warning. The next post like that and you'll be on suspension.
I resign my membership voluntarily. You have no fuckin' idea how to run a message board.
Quote: ChuckI resign my membership voluntarily. You have no fuckin' idea how to run a message board.
The new rules have claimed their first victim. Just to be safe, in case he changes his mind, Chuck is expelled.
Quote: ChuckI resign my membership voluntarily. You have no idea how to run a message board.
LOL! He got rid of you, didn't he? Looks like he knows what he's doing to me..
Quote: WizardThe new rules have claimed their first victim.
He's more of a volunteer than a victim, but lets not quibble over details. He should immediately enter a 12 step program, though hope of a full recovery is remote..
Quote: WizardThe new rules have claimed their first victim. Just to be safe, in case he changes his mind, Chuck is expelled.
Thanks for showing you are serious on the new rules. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
I gotta be honest. When I first read this, I was unsure if this reply had the right tone. It seemed a little ... I don't know ... like a parent scolding a child.Quote: WizardConsider this a warning. The next post like that and you'll be on suspension.
Apparently, it was the correct action, since Chuck's reaction was nothing short of a temper tantrum.
---
Now back to the thread.
I wonder why the woman running the pool thinks she deserves a tip. I also wonder why she is selling boxes on credit.
What happens if someone fails to pay? Is she stuck buying the box herself? Is that why she tries to get a tip? To help her pay for the boxes she is stuck with? ....And didn't win with?
What would have happened if one of those credit boxes remained unpaid, and won?
Quote: AZDuffmanPlease note I am not asking about an office "bookie" or runner. I mean the person who runs the block-pool where you get the 2 numbers or the pick'em pool. The woman who runs the pool was mumbling that this is her last year for it as no one is tipping. I hit one of these pools only once and that was at a place where tipping was not expected since it was a super bowl party and no real work was involved. But the office person does go around and collect then run it. The people at my place seem to make it harder on themselves than they need to (ie: accepting credit players as long as they pay before kickoff. Where I come from you play a pick'em or block pool you pay when you book.) but if I won I'd give something.
But what? I think one "block" is more than enough for a half or final score. That way they can play free and get a little cash. It is not supposed to be profit-making for them but I agree at the least they should play free. If they wanted over 5% I would call that crazy, if I want that kind of negative expectation I'll book a regulaar bet.
What does everyone think?
At my office, the fantasy football, football pickem, 100 square, and fantasy golf games are all run with an unwritten rule: the league officiant will pay the winner at lunch and in cash, and the winner will pay for the meal. All fees are paid at the time of entry into the pool.
6 to 8 pots are opened, 20 horses in each pot. Each jackpot may be either of the flavor "Winner Takes All", or "Win, Place, Show." The cost of each horse in a jackpot may be either $2 or $5. People may buy multiple horses in the same pot, or across different pots. Each horse is randomly drawn, so you may not "pick" your favorite.
I keep a tally sheet of who bought which tickets, which horse they picked, if they paid for the ticket, and if the winner(s) in each pot have been paid. It's a fair amount of work, but I have a system that is functional. I sell 120 to 160 tickets every year, collecting and dispersing around $400-$500.
Sometimes people don't pay me when they buy their ticket. I have noticed people's surprise at allowing people to buy tickets on credit. I have two responses:
1. On the chance they win, I can deduct the cost of their ticket(s) from their winnings, and we're done.
2. I know where they work.
Ok, granted, some workplaces are large, and not everyone knows everyone else. I work with just about every co-worker at my job in some capacity here and there, and know everyone. I let them know I can collect their ticket cost at a future date. Perhaps I'm lucky, but no one has reneged on their obligation to pay.
Also...
I have never been tipped, and would never expect it, and would refuse it. I play in my own jackpots, usually buying the last tickets. It keeps things a little more honest, in that I can't pick and choose which horse I want early. It also lets everyone else have a chance at playing. If necessary, I would prefer to not have any tickets if it meant other people could play.
I have been a part of running various Derby Jackpots since I was young, either at family parties, or even in my neighborhood. Neither me or my family have ever been offered a tip. Perhaps it's because the largest win is only $100? I could see a $1,000 winner wanting to possibly tip, but I would never expect it as a norm.
I don't think it's a question of getting people to pay, it's more of a question of WHEN they are going to pay.Quote: DweenSometimes people don't pay me when they buy their ticket. I have noticed people's surprise at allowing people to buy tickets on credit. I have two responses:
1. On the chance they win, I can deduct the cost of their ticket(s) from their winnings, and we're done.
2. I know where they work.
And the big question: What do you tell someone who won, but can't be paid yet, because your credit customers haven't paid up yet?
Quote: DJTeddyBearI gotta be honest. When I first read this, I was unsure if this reply had the right tone. It seemed a little ... I don't know ... like a parent scolding a child.
Apparently, it was the correct action, since Chuck's reaction was nothing short of a temper tantrum.
---
Now back to the thread.
I wonder why the woman running the pool thinks she deserves a tip. I also wonder why she is selling boxes on credit.
What happens if someone fails to pay? Is she stuck buying the box herself? Is that why she tries to get a tip? To help her pay for the boxes she is stuck with? ....And didn't win with?
What would have happened if one of those credit boxes remained unpaid, and won?
I think she has a cutoff and unpaid boxes will be recycle resold. But lets just say there is a high degree of office politics where I work despite it being a great place to work otherwise. To me it is silly to let the weekly box game squares be sold on credit (a high-value SUperBowl Box that is anoter story-those are almost always sold on a lay-away plan.) But to quote a wise person, "I see nothing, NOTHING! Col Hogan I do not know, I do not WANT to know."
That has never been a problem... since the Derby happens over the weekend, people scrounge up the money by Monday, which is when I start paying out. I've never really thought about having to pay people out of my own pocket while people are in debt to me, since the amount owed in total is probably only $20-$40... along with the fact that I've never had an issue with someone not paying (eventually). If I see someone that has won, or they come to me, I pay them, period.Quote: DJTeddyBearAnd the big question: What do you tell someone who won, but can't be paid yet, because your credit customers haven't paid up yet?
I know some of you are probably thinking I'm either too trusting, or a little nuts to dig into my own wallet to make good on winning tickets. I submit that it is a unique situation, with non-life changing amounts of money, and a tight-knit workplace. Your mileage may vary.
Quote: I808There is a word for it -- barato (not sure of the spelling ... pronounced bah rah toe ... but said quickly).
That is the Spanish word for cheap, like a cheap price. I've been to Hawaii three times, and things are kind of different there. However, here, I still would be cheap, and not barato.
Anyway the final straw was the fact that his payout was for the final score and not the end of regulation score, which i never realized that until it happened to me. I felt this gives people with the same numbers (such as 2-2) a disadvantage because if a game goes into overtime, they have a decreased chance of winning becasue the only way for them to win is if a team wins by 10, 20, 30... Anyway there was an argument and i stoped doing his pool all together. Am i wrong on the disadvantage of having similar numbers and the game score not ending at regulation?
Quote: jsantee97It looks like this died out awhile ago but anyway...I used to be in a pool with the squares - final scores and 100 boxes. The pool organizer would keep $80 of the $2500 total money ($25/sq) of the pool funds for running the pool, thus giving himself a manditory built-in tip. I always thought this was rediculous but kept doing the pool for a year or two after i figured out he was not paying out all that was brought in because I enjoy them and it makes the NCAA tournament more exciting to watch.
Anyway the final straw was the fact that his payout was for the final score and not the end of regulation score, which i never realized that until it happened to me. I felt this gives people with the same numbers (such as 2-2) a disadvantage because if a game goes into overtime, they have a decreased chance of winning becasue the only way for them to win is if a team wins by 10, 20, 30... Anyway there was an argument and i stoped doing his pool all together. Am i wrong on the disadvantage of having similar numbers and the game score not ending at regulation?
It should not matter, assuming a fair distribution of numbers you have the same chance of getting 2-2 and 2-9, or whatever. You seem right about it being a disadvantage, but when you buy a block you are just buying a fancy raffle ticket that takes time to draw.
Thanks for your input.
Quote: AZDuffmanIt should not matter, assuming a fair distribution of numbers you have the same chance of getting 2-2 and 2-9, or whatever. You seem right about it being a disadvantage, but when you buy a block you are just buying a fancy raffle ticket that takes time to draw.
I just felt that way becasue for example if I have 2-2 and you have 2-1 I can only win if there is a 10 point difference in final score, where you can win if there is a 1 or 11 point difference.
Thanks for your comment.
The standard response is "That never happened." Of course, it almost happened this year.
Personally, if I were running the pool, I'd pay the normal 12.5%/25%/12.5%/50% if it ended after 4 quarters, or 10%/20%/10%/10%/50% if it goes to overtime. I get nowhere when I suggest that...
Quote: DJTeddyBearWe don't have basketball pools, but I would always ask the similar question about the SuperBowl pool: What happens if it's tied and goes to overtime?
The standard response is "That never happened." Of course, it almost happened this year.
My answer to that was always simple--make the payout say "final" and not "4th qtr."
Here is a neat math question, maybe even worthy of an "Ask the Wizard" column? What would be the optimal value of different numbered squares?
Lets take a $10 block pool paying 25% on the halftime and 75% on the final with no rake for the bookie. $1,000 is in play. We all know 7/4 is far better than 8/5. What if you could "buy" the numbers you wanted. Would 7/4 be worth $20 or more and 5/2 only $2? Anyone into self-abuse enough to get a mathematically-proven price grid?
The thing is there is only one payout per game and it is end of game score so i personally feel like a person with doubles is at a big disadvantage.
Quote: jsantee97Wow...I pass on that analysis.
The thing is there is only one payout per game and it is end of game score so i personally feel like a person with doubles is at a big disadvantage.
I never thought of the idea until I posted it. I hope no math professor is reading this and gives the assignment to his or her class.
Doubles would matter more in basketball than football. In basketball my guess is all numbers are fairly equal, maybe with a slight edge to even numbers.
My dad later discovered why. They would draw the numbers for the squares before selling any spots.
I have been in football pools with the squares and I would say that with football there are a large percentage of squares with crappy numbers...but with football i fugure that is the luck of the draw. However in basketball, such as the NCAA tournament, there really are no "bad" numbers (except for doubles) because of the 2 & 3 point increments and even 1. In my case with the basketball pool there are 10 squares that have no chance of winning unless the game goes to overtime.....and the game ends with a ten point margin. And honestly, if a basketball game goes into overtime, what are the odds that a team is going to outscore the other by 10 in the 5 minute period....just saying.
Maybe i am overly bitter, but this guy also stopped hosting poker tournaments because he never got tipped. Obviously he is doing these things for extra money and not because he simply enjoys them.
to Lieutenant. Another Captain stopped by and too George's superior he had saved 2 for $1 raffle tickets for him.
George's boss to be was notourusly tight with money and " Said, I'll takew just one, George will take the other
one" What could Uncle George do ?? That's how Aunt Evie got to drive a brand new 1957 Plymouth LOL
After retiring George was in Zizzimos bar who ran a $100 a square with no cut for his customers, A guy
offered to split a square with George. But by the time George got back to the bar the guy had found a new
partner. George walked hom again and came back a bought a square all by himself Got 0&0 , won three
quarters . George and Aunt Evie went to Hawaii
Quote: jsantee97Maybe i am overly bitter, but this guy also stopped hosting poker tournaments because he never got tipped. Obviously he is doing these things for extra money and not because he simply enjoys them.
If he put a vig on the entry fee there was no reason to tip him. Sounds like someone needs to explain the concept that people will rather pay $2 once than $1 twice for the same service to him.
1.) NO PAY NO PLAY... and money before signing block.
2.) Price the block pool so that it fills usually $5 or $10
3.) Small pools? wager on last digit of total score, these are usually final score or Half & Final (30 & 70). (Example: 28-21 score, the last digit adds to 9)
Now MHO on the OP: Price of the block if you win, thats 4% total fair enuff.
However, I agree that, in a game among friends or co-workers, no tips should be expected.
(Also, no credit - cash up front, or you're not in.)
1) Would Chuck have been expelled if he used "frickin" or "F***ing"? Or was it not the cursing but the tone of his post? (Or both?)
2) I've never seen any tipping in any office pool of any kind - NCAA, Superbowl, or weekly NFL Pick 'Em. The closest thing to it I've ever experienced was that the guy who compiled all of the numbers of our work fantasy football league (before it was internet based) only had to pay a $25 entry fee instead of $50 for the league.
3) If you have trouble selling the squares in a 10 x 10 grid game, try multi-level pricing. We usually do $2 per square or 3 for $5.
Quote: buzzpaffAlso helps to be lucky Mom's brother, my Uncle George, a fireman, was in the Captains office on the day after his promotion
link to original post
to Lieutenant. Another Captain stopped by and too George's superior he had saved 2 for $1 raffle tickets for him.
George's boss to be was notourusly tight with money and " Said, I'll takew just one, George will take the other
one" What could Uncle George do ?? That's how Aunt Evie got to drive a brand new 1957 Plymouth LOL
After retiring George was in Zizzimos bar who ran a $100 a square with no cut for his customers, A guy
offered to split a square with George. But by the time George got back to the bar the guy had found a new
partner. George walked hom again and came back a bought a square all by himself Got 0&0 , won three
quarters . George and Aunt Evie went to Hawaii
Quote: FastEddieMy Uncle George was lucky in gene pool and in life. Lived to be 100. Was a fireman and got promoted to Lt. this was in 1957 I think. Anyway first day in new firehouse in captain,s office. Another Captain came in and said to 1st Captain “ I saved 2 ticket for my church drawing for you” Ist Captain say I will take one and you will take one , won’t you George . ? That is how my Uncle George won a 1957 Plymouth.
link to original post
Years later George was in Zizzimos bar, they had a $100 a square Super Bowl score lottery. A guy asked George to go partners with him. George walked home and git $50 from Aunt Eve. But when he got the guy had got another partner. So George walks home and gets another $50 from Aunt Eve. Buys his own square, gets 0/0 wins 3 quarters $7500. He and Aunt Eve go to Hawaii.
I see George on bus one day. Tells me he has been betting 729, date numbers went legal in state and has not hit yet over 2 years, even had my sister play for him when he is out of town or on vacation. I play it for a month and hit box for $80. Put $10 to it . Tell wife gonna bet with bookie at work for a month. He pays 650 versus state 500. Three weeks later 729 for $1950.
Nice try, Buzz. Hope you're doing well. May you live as long as Uncle George.
Nuke.
P.s. I'd like to thank MDawg for the detective work.
Detective work my ass, someone else figured it out and wrote it on another forum not too long ago.Quote: WizardQuote: buzzpaffAlso helps to be lucky Mom's brother, my Uncle George, a fireman, was in the Captains office on the day after his promotion
link to original post
to Lieutenant. Another Captain stopped by and too George's superior he had saved 2 for $1 raffle tickets for him.
George's boss to be was notourusly tight with money and " Said, I'll takew just one, George will take the other
one" What could Uncle George do ?? That's how Aunt Evie got to drive a brand new 1957 Plymouth LOL
After retiring George was in Zizzimos bar who ran a $100 a square with no cut for his customers, A guy
offered to split a square with George. But by the time George got back to the bar the guy had found a new
partner. George walked hom again and came back a bought a square all by himself Got 0&0 , won three
quarters . George and Aunt Evie went to HawaiiQuote: FastEddieMy Uncle George was lucky in gene pool and in life. Lived to be 100. Was a fireman and got promoted to Lt. this was in 1957 I think. Anyway first day in new firehouse in captain,s office. Another Captain came in and said to 1st Captain “ I saved 2 ticket for my church drawing for you” Ist Captain say I will take one and you will take one , won’t you George . ? That is how my Uncle George won a 1957 Plymouth.
link to original post
Years later George was in Zizzimos bar, they had a $100 a square Super Bowl score lottery. A guy asked George to go partners with him. George walked home and git $50 from Aunt Eve. But when he got the guy had got another partner. So George walks home and gets another $50 from Aunt Eve. Buys his own square, gets 0/0 wins 3 quarters $7500. He and Aunt Eve go to Hawaii.
I see George on bus one day. Tells me he has been betting 729, date numbers went legal in state and has not hit yet over 2 years, even had my sister play for him when he is out of town or on vacation. I play it for a month and hit box for $80. Put $10 to it . Tell wife gonna bet with bookie at work for a month. He pays 650 versus state 500. Three weeks later 729 for $1950.
Nice try, Buzz. Hope you're doing well. May you live as long as Uncle George.
Nuke.
P.s. I'd like to thank MDawg for the detective work.link to original post
One might call that good detective work, I call it
Ratting. And all for what, how was Buzz hurting MDawg or the forum in any way? What was MD's motivation or why was it his business to run and tattle?
Yeah, I get it, Buzz pissed off the owners of the site and was given a chance to knock it off but still kept going. Buzz isn't a bad guy, It's been years since that incident, Buzz has been a pretty good contributor, perhaps a second chance is in order. Obviously, if that is something Buzz wanted he should go through the proper channels and do it correctly.
