In the interest of time, most rules will remain the same. I'll point out any changes or additions.
Concept
Participants will submit as many (only bounded by betting limits, number of games, and bankroll) or as few (as low as zero) sports 'wagers' on NFL regular season games every week. The wagers can be in the form of a bet against a posted spread, an over/under against a posted total, or a money line bet against posted odds.
Bankroll
Each participant will start with an imaginary bankroll of $10,000. The bankroll will go up or down depending on the result of those wagers. The participants with the largest bankrolls at the end of the contest, will win as described in the Payout section below.
Wager Options
Against the Spread (ATS) - The participants will select the team and the amount they want to wager against a posted point spread. The wager amounts will be considered the amount bet and any winnings will be adjusted by the odds of that game. For instance, someone selects the Bears +4.5 for $550 at (-110), they will 'lose' $550 from their bankroll if the Bears lose by 5 or more, but will 'win' $500 toward their bankroll if the Bears win, or lose by 4 or less.
Over/Under (O/U) - The participants will select the game and the amount they want to wager against a posted total points scored between the two teams. The wager amounts will be considered the amount bet and any winnings will be adjusted by the odds of that game. For instance, someone select the Jets/Dolphins over 48 for $700 at (-115), the will 'lose' $700 from their bankroll if the combined score of the two teams is less than 48 points, will 'win' $608.70 toward their bankroll if the combined score of the two teams is greater than 48 points, or will not have any amount added to or removed from their bankroll if the combined score is exactly 48 points.
Money Line - The participants will select the team they are betting on to win the game and the amount they want to wager against posted money line odds. The wager amounts will be considered the amount bet and any winnings will be adjusted by the odds of that game. For instance, if someone select the Steelers for $1,000 at (+120), the will 'lose' $1,000 from their bankroll if the Steelers lose the game, but will 'win' $1,200 toward their bankroll if the Steelers win. In the rare event of a tie game, the bet is a push and there is not impact to the bankroll.
Note - A participant cannot bet on the opposite side of an identical wager type, even if the amount is different. For instance taking the over and the under in the same game is not allowed. In a similar vein, a participant cannot bet ATS for one team and the money line on the opposite team unless the spread is greater than a touchdown. This rule is in place to prevent participants from satisfying the minimum number of bets while at the same time, taking very little risk to their bankroll.
(New for 2015) Note - In a situation that the participant selects a team, but doesn't specify ATS or Money Line, I will attempt to clarify through PM, but in the event that it isn't clarified, it will be presumed to be ATS. For example, someone sends in Bears for $1,000. It's not clear if it is ATS or ML, so if not cleared up before the submission deadline, it will be assumed to be ATS.
Betting Limits
The minimum wager will be $100.
The maximum wager will be based on a (new for 2015) escalating 'win' limit of:
- $2,000 per win for weeks 1-7
- $2,500 per win for weeks 8-14
- $3,000 per win for weeks 15-17
As an example,with a normal ATS or O/U price of -110, in weeks 1-7, the betting limit would be $2,200 since that will produce a win of $2,000. For a money line wager you will need to calculate (or just ask me, I can do the calculation if you want) the amount to bet, so that the win doesn't exceed $2,000. So for example, a bet of $5,000 on a game with a money line of -500 is perfectly acceptable since it will produce a win of $1,000, but a wager of $800 on a game with a money line of +400 will not work since it will produce a win or $3,200 and therefore exceed the maximum. I will try to let you know if you have submitted a wager that exceeds the maximum win limit so you can adjust, but I cannot guarantee I will catch it. If a selection exceeds the maximum win limit, the wager will not be accepted.
(New for 2015)- On a weekly basis, you may wager an aggregate amount up to but not exceeding your starting bankroll for the week on the Thursday game. I will update the standings after this game, and then you may wager an aggregate amount up to but not exceeding your re-adjusted bankroll (with the Thursday results included). This will allow you to re-invest winnings into the weekend and Monday night games. If someone submits picks that are in excess of the amount available, I will decline picks in the reverse order they were submitted, until your bankroll permits it.
Number of selections
Over the course of a seventeen week season, each participant must place a minimum of 50 selections. This amounts to an average of less than 3 per week. There isn't a minimum number to be played on any given week. It actually can be accomplished in as little as two weeks if someone was so inclined. If a player doesn't fulfill the required minimum number of selections, be it because they went bust (or below the betting minimum), or they just forgot, they are ineligible to win.
Lines
I will post lines and odds for games generally no later than 36 hour before kickoff. I will post all Sunday and Monday games generally no later than 36 hours before the first Sunday game. I will not post adjusted or updated lines unless there is an obvious error. In that case, I will contact those who may have bet on the 'fouled' line, and declare it no bet.
Selection Rules
All selections should be submitted to me via PM. I will also provide participants with my email address only to be used in the case they are suspended (or worse) from WOV during the season. Selections should be sent to me no later than 1 hour before a Thursday or Saturday game, and no later than 3 hours (10 a.m. Eastern) on Sunday for all of the Sunday or Monday night games. This will allow me to post all the selections before the games begin, or at the worst, shortly after. Like a bet in a sportsbook, once the wager is placed it cannot be cancelled by the participant, so please check all submissions before hitting 'send'. (New for 2015) And, if an injury happens to a key player (or Adrian Peterson starts beating kids again), you can't take back a previous pick, it will still stand, although the line may be taken off the board at my discretion.
Entry Fee
$25 per participant, and I will accept up to two entries per person if you are so inclined. We will use LeagueSafe for collecting the entry fees and disbursing the payouts. You are welcome to check out the site, LeagueSafe. I think it addresses the concern about putting the entry fees in escrow, there are low-cost options for submitting the entry fee as well as collecting winnings. I haven't registered this year's league yet, so please don't try to submit an entry fee for this league until I send out links to confirmed participants. All money collected will go to the prize pool, with the exception of any fees deducted by LeagueSafe (which is 3%, or $0.75 per entry).
Payouts
10-19 entries
1st - 65%
2nd - 35%
20-29 entries
1st - 55%
2nd - 30%
3rd - 15%
30+ entries
1st - 50%
2nd - 25%
3rd - 15%
4th - 10%
Eligibility
This is intended to be a friendly contest among members of this site. Therefore to play, you must be a WOV member in good standing (not on the suspension list, and not a known bet welcher). We need at least 10 confirmed entires to make this work. If we don't have 10 participants by the end of the day on 9/7, I'll scrap the idea for this year.
Results and Contest Standing
Every Tuesday morning, and Friday morning, I will post results from the week prior, as well as a contest standing summary with updated year to date bankrolls and year to date number of selections.
Disputes
Since I will not be participating, I will act as Commissioner and try to moderate a reasonable solution to any disputes. In the event that cannot happen, the dispute will be be voted on by the contest participants. Majority rules on all issues, and I break ties if there happens to be one.
Disclaimer
Neither the Wizard, Zuga, or anybody associated with the site ownership is proposing, developing, administering, nor endorsing this contest, and as such is not responsible for resolving any disputes or making any payments. This contest can be ended at any time by the request of ownership and if so, the prize pool will be distributed equally regardless of the contest standings at the time.
I'm going to split this thread off so we start with your rules and it will be easy to find.
One possible rule change: anyone with than 50 picks is still eligible for winning, but given a -$3300 to the final balance for game less than 50
Quote: beachbumbabsI also contributed but want another shot at it. A good contest, MAP, thanks for running it again.
I'm going to split this thread off so we start with your rules and it will be easy to find.
Thanks BBB, I was going to request a new thread be started and the old one locked if we got enough interest. Looks good so far, we have 6 interested parties in the first several hours.
Quote: TomGAlmost certainly going to be in, just need to be guided a little better on how to pay
One possible rule change: anyone with than 50 picks is still eligible for winning, but given a -$3300 to the final balance for game less than 50
Would be great to have you play this year Tom. Click on the LeagueSafe site in the rules, and it will take you to the website where the funds will be submitted and paid from. You can't send anything in there yet, as I will have to register this league and give you a link and/or league ID to deposit the money. I will only register this league after I'm sure we have enough interest.
As far as the proposed rule change, it's interesting, but I think I'll keep it as is. Part of the fun is rooting for your own selections and against others, and the only way to make that happen is to make picks. It really isn't an onerous requirement, only averages to 3 per week. And with the flexibility to make them any time throughout the season (including as many weeks as you wish without making any picks), 50 minimum seems reasonable. Last year, the two winners, wudged and ATLiens made 161 and 108 picks respectively.
Hope you are able to play, more info about participants soon.
Quote: ATLiensI'm in to defend my 2nd place finish from last year. Wow that's a semi-lame statement.
Glad to have you back!
Quote: WizardofnothingIf we can get 20 people I'll add 50 in extra money to the pool - lets gets this going - I'm in
That's very generous. Last year we had 13 players, hope we can improve on that number this year.
Quote: JohnzimboI went down in flames early last year but will saddle up again this year
That's the spirit! You made it one week longer than vendman1 at least.
Quote: WizardofnothingI'm in and if we get more then 40 people I'll donate 50 to the pool
Wait... here you offered +$50 for 20+ people...are you changing that, or offering an additional $50 for +40? Just curious...generous either way, but I think 40 might be unrealistic...
Quote: WizardofnothingI thought that I offered 50 for Midwest aps pool and 50 here- regardless if we get 40 or more I'll kick in 100 in this pool
Yeah, the threads have very similar names. Thanks for the offer both places!
Payments will be accepted through Sept. 17th. If anybody else wants to play, please let me know in this thread, or through PM, and I'll get you the deposit instructions.
Ayecarumba
JohnZimbo
TomG
Wizardofnothing
Beachbumbabs
ATLiens
steeldco
miplet
Wizard
vendman1
10DollarBri
The lines for the opening Thursday night game is:
NE -7 (-110)
PIT +7 (-110)
Over Under 52 (-110)
miplet
Johnzimbo
Ayecarumba
10DollarBri
Beachbumbabs
I anticipate we will get some more over the next couple of day. If you are still interested in playing, please let me know so I can get you payment instructions. The contest can be entered through Thursday of next week (9/17).
Quote: MidwestAPThus far we have 5 paid participants
miplet
Johnzimbo
Ayecarumba
10DollarBri
Beachbumbabs
I anticipate we will get some more over the next couple of day. If you are still interested in playing, please let me know so I can get you payment instructions. The contest can be entered through Thursday of next week (9/17).
I've just paid.
Quote: icecapperI'd like to join this contest if spots still available.
Absolutely, I'll PM you the deposit information. Because there is flexibility on making picks/"wagers" (minimum 50 per week, no weekly minimum), you can enter by depositing the contest fee up until next Thursday, Sept. 17th.
Quote: steeldcoI've just paid.
You are confirmed, good luck this year.
Quote: MidwestAPYou are confirmed, good luck this year.
Thanks but no luck, good or bad, matters. I find this stuff so much fun that I'll probably soil myself.............
miplet
Johnzimbo
Ayecarumba
10DollarBri
Beachbumbabs
icecapper
steeldco
Romes
We had 13 last year, with another week still to go before the sign-up deadline, I hope we can top this number.
I'll send out some reminder PM's to those who played last year who haven't signed up yet.
Quote: beachbumbabsI was still in it the last week (mathematically) last year, so that should prove that anyone can win. lol.... Glad you're both signing up; looking forward to the contest.
Ha, well this is encouraging at least. I'm pretty familiar with sports betting, but not NFL sports betting =P. Either way it sounds like it'll be a fun contest!
Player | Selection | Amount | Result |
---|---|---|---|
Ayecarumba | PIT +7 | 110 | |
Beachbumbabs | NE -7 | 550 | |
NE/PIT Under 52 | 330 | ||
Romes | NE -7 | 1100 | |
ATLiens | NE -7 | 825 | |
10DollarBri | NE -7 | 550 |
Anyway, below are the results from tonight and the updated ytd standings. Remember, new this year, you can use your entire updated bankroll after the Thursday game for the weekend and Monday night games.
Also, my apologies for not posting a ML price on the game tonight, I didn't even realize I missed it until I sat down to watch the game.
The lines and prices for Sunday/Monday will be posted later tomorrow in the table format I used last year.
Player | Selection | Amount | Result |
---|---|---|---|
Ayecarumba | PIT +7 | 110 | 0 |
Beachbumbabs | NE -7 | 550 | 0 |
NE/PIT Under 52 | 330 | +300 | |
Romes | NE -7 | 1100 | 0 |
ATLiens | NE -7 | 825 | 0 |
10DollarBri | NE -7 | 550 | 0 |
Player | # of Picks | Bankroll |
---|---|---|
Beachbumbabs | 2 | $10,300 |
ATLiens | 1 | $10,000 |
Ayecarumba | 1 | $10,000 |
Romes | 1 | $10,000 |
10DollarBri | 1 | $10,000 |
JohnZimbo | 0 | $10,000 |
icecapper | 0 | $10,000 |
steeldco | 0 | $10,000 |
miplet | 0 | $10,000 |
Quote: MidwestAPWell the season got off to a rather interesting start with game one landing right on the number. Got to love Al Michaels making innuendos to the spread when the Steelers scored the last "meaningless, but not really" touchdown and extra point with 2 seconds in the game. He's made these references for years and I still find it funny.
Anyway, below are the results from tonight and the updated ytd standings. Remember, new this year, you can use your entire updated bankroll after the Thursday game for the weekend and Monday night games.
Also, my apologies for not posting a ML price on the game tonight, I didn't even realize I missed it until I sat down to watch the game.
The lines and prices for Sunday/Monday will be posted later tomorrow in the table format I used last year.
Player Selection Amount Result Ayecarumba PIT +7 110 0 Beachbumbabs NE -7 550 0 NE/PIT Under 52 330 +300 Romes NE -7 1100 0 ATLiens NE -7 825 0 10DollarBri NE -7 550 0
Player # of Picks Bankroll Beachbumbabs 2 $10,300 ATLiens 1 $10,000 Ayecarumba 1 $10,000 Romes 1 $10,000 10DollarBri 1 $10,000 JohnZimbo 0 $10,000 icecapper 0 $10,000 steeldco 0 $10,000 miplet 0 $10,000
BBB's Under action explains the two missed Steelers field goals in the first half...hehe. I would say that it was my bad luck, but it is clear that I was lucky to get the push. Well done BBB!
Quote: MidwestAP...Got to love Al Michaels making innuendos to the spread when the Steelers scored the last "meaningless, but not really" touchdown and extra point with 2 seconds in the game. He's made these references for years and I still find it funny...
I thought that was funny too... Especially since I was rooting for a nice sized win out the gate! Damn garbage time touchdown!!!
Babs taking the early lead! What's your secret?? =D
Quote: Ayecarumba
BBB's Under action explains the two missed Steelers field goals in the first half...hehe. I would say that it was my bad luck, but it is clear that I was lucky to get the push. Well done BBB!
Hahaha. Thanks! I figured looking at the injury list and the continuing distraction of deflategate, they'd underperform, but it was a close thing on all the PIT non-conversions.
Quote: MidwestAP
Well the season got off to a rather interesting start with game one landing right on the number. Got to love Al Michaels making innuendos to the spread when the Steelers scored the last "meaningless, but not really" touchdown and extra point with 2 seconds in the game. He's made these references for years and I still find it funny.
I was going to ask you guys if that was what he was doing; couldn't believe the garbage TD w 2 secs left that split the spread. I thought maybe there was some other inside story I hadn't heard, but he was dropping hints left and right the whole quarter, especially that last 3 minutes, that seemed like they couldn't be about anything other than spoiling the spread.
So he/they can't refer openly to all the billions bet on the NFL over the season, the lines published in the newspapers, any of it? Even though it's legal in many markets? Odd. Must be a tv censor thing.
Quote: RomesI thought that was funny too... Especially since I was rooting for a nice sized win out the gate! Damn garbage time touchdown!!!
Babs taking the early lead! What's your secret?? =D
Sheer dumb luck. Shhhh. :)
Quote: beachbumbabsQuote: MidwestAP
Well the season got off to a rather interesting start with game one landing right on the number. Got to love Al Michaels making innuendos to the spread when the Steelers scored the last "meaningless, but not really" touchdown and extra point with 2 seconds in the game. He's made these references for years and I still find it funny.
I was going to ask you guys if that was what he was doing; couldn't believe the garbage TD w 2 secs left that split the spread. I thought maybe there was some other inside story I hadn't heard, but he was dropping hints left and right the whole quarter, especially that last 3 minutes, that seemed like they couldn't be about anything other than spoiling the spread.
So he/they can't refer openly to all the billions bet on the NFL over the season, the lines published in the newspapers, any of it? Even though it's legal in many markets? Odd. Must be a tv censor thing.
I'm not sure what he is allowed to mention openly, I'm pretty sure it isn't a TV censorship thing, but more of the NFL hypocrisy (which in turn dictates what they allow the networks to mention). Even in today's age, the NFL outwardly portrays gambling as something that should be avoided and act as they are above it, but when behind closed doors, I would think they would celebrate it as it brings eyes to the game and the advertisers, allowing them to roof their mansions with bricks of $100 bills.
In any case, Al Micheals is one of the best, he ALWAYS knows the lines (both spread and over/under) and has make thinly veiled late game references to it for decades. One of many reasons I love listening to him call a game.
As a first week reminder, please submit picks to me no later than 10:00 am eastern (7:00 am west coast) on Sunday.
If anybody else is interested in playing, please let me know. There's still time to join the fun!
Team | Spread | Over/Under | Money Line |
---|---|---|---|
GB | -7 | 49 | -330 |
CHI | +7 | 49 | +270 |
KC | +1 | 41 | +100 |
HOU | -1 | 41 | -120 |
CLE | +3(+105) | 39.5 | +160 |
NYJ | -3(-125) | 39.5 | -180 |
IND | -2.5 | 45 | -140 |
BUF | +2.5 | 45 | +120 |
MIA | -3.5 | 43.5 | -180 |
WAS | +3.5 | 43.5 | +160 |
CAR | -3(-115) | 41 | -160 |
JAC | +3(-105) | 41 | +140 |
SEA | -4 | 40.5 | -210 |
STL | +4 | 40.5 | +180 |
NO | +2.5 | 48.5 | +120 |
ARI | -2.5 | 48.5 | -140 |
DET | +3(-115) | 46 | +130 |
SD | -3(-105) | 46 | -150 |
TEN | +3 | 41 | +125 |
TB | -3 | 41 | -145 |
CIN | -3 | 43 | -160 |
OAK | +3 | 43 | +140 |
BAL | +4.5 | 48.5 | +185 |
DEN | -4.5 | 48.5 | -215 |
NYG | +6 | 51.5 | +220 |
DAL | -6 | 51.5 | -260 |
PHI | -3(EV) | 55 | -155 |
ATL | +3(-120) | 55 | +135 |
MIN | -2.5 | 41.5 | -135 |
SF | +2.5 | 41.5 | +115 |
MidwestAP PMed me about it so I came to take a look. Count me in again, but I'm not expecting to be much of a challenge this year..
Quote: wudgedFido checking in. I haven't been checking this board much in the past 6 months or so since picking up a second job.
MidwestAP PMed me about it so I came to take a look. Count me in again, but I'm not expecting to be much of a challenge this year..
Yay! We've missed you!
Good luck everyone! I am looking forward to an exciting season!
The defending champion, wudged, is taking the go big or go home approach!
As always, please double check and make sure I have the picks documented correctly.
Player | Selection | Amount | Result |
---|---|---|---|
Ayecarumba | PIT +7 | 110 | 0 |
GB/CHI Over 49 | 220 | ||
IND -2.5 | 550 | ||
IND ML | 1400 | ||
OAK +3 | 550 | ||
OAK ML | 300 | ||
DAL/NYG Over 51.5 | 110 | ||
Beachbumbabs | NE -7 | 550 | 0 |
NE/PIT Under 52 | 330 | +300 | |
CHI ML | 200 | ||
KC +1 | 440 | ||
IND -2.5 | 880 | ||
MIA -3.5 | 770 | ||
MIA ML | 1080 | ||
TEN ML | 600 | ||
DEN -4.5 | 660 | ||
MIN -2.5 | 2200 | ||
Romes | NE -7 | 1100 | 0 |
GB -7 | 330 | ||
BUF +2.5 | 330 | ||
SEA -4 | 330 | ||
CIN -3 | 330 | ||
DEN -4.5 | 330 | ||
ATLiens | NE -7 | 825 | 0 |
HOU ML | 900 | ||
ARI -2.5 | 660 | ||
IND ML | 700 | ||
JAC ML | 150 | ||
STL +4 | 385 | ||
DEN -4.5 | 605 | ||
ATL ML | 300 | ||
MIN -2.5 | 605 | ||
10DollarBri | NE -7 | 550 | 0 |
HOU -1 | 550 | ||
DAL/NYG Under 51.5 | 550 | ||
DAL -6 | 550 | ||
DEN -4.5 | 550 | ||
wudged | MIA -3.5 | 2200 | |
MIA ML | 3600 | ||
KC +1 | 2200 | ||
KC ML | 2000 | ||
icecapper | CHI +7 | 500 | |
ARI -2.5 | 500 | ||
NYJ -3 | 500 | ||
STL +4 | 500 | ||
PHI -3 | 500 |
Quote: AyecarumbaThe first weekend is always interesting, since the pre-season supplies such sketchy "real game" performance information. I wonder how the professional lines makers work out the numbers for the first week. It seems like they could be guessing... just like me.
Good luck everyone! I am looking forward to an exciting season!
Yes, it's one of the more volatile weeks for movement of the year. Obviously the Pats game moved quite a bit because of Brady's reinstatement, but you look at SF vs MIN, it opened with SF as a 3.5 favorite and now has them as a 2.5 dog.
Quote: RomesIn our PM I also had SEA 330 ATS. Let's see if my strategy of drinking then picking works!
Yes you did. Thanks for pointing it out. I added it to the scoring spreadsheet I use, but forgot to translate it to the selection table.
I'll get it added.