The rules are a little different this time around to add some flavor. There are 3 dates this sim where there are 9 games. This time, it doesn't matter WHO wins, it just matters if the differential is more than 9, less than 9, or exactly 9. You get 9 points for every correct answer for more than 9 or less than 9 picks and 99 points for correctly picking an EXACTLY 9 game. Of course, that opens up the strategy of picking EXACTLY 9 every time and hoping 1/9th of the games come through for you. SO, you can only have a maximum of 9 picks that are EXACTLY 9.
Think I'm crazy about the number 9? You don't know the ninth of it! Here's a picture of a tattoo I got in an alley once:
You can see my official entry at the bottom of this post as an example.
As always, EVERYONE can play every week. The best score from your division will be ranked against the best score from the rest of the divisions, so participation can only help your division's cause. And remember, you'll get points at the end of the season for having good attendance. Here's how the participation points break down.
Participate in 11+ Pick 'Ems: 5 points
Participate in 10 Pick 'Ems: 4 points
Participate in 9 Pick 'Ems: 3 points
Participate in 8 Pick 'Ems: 2 points
Participate in 7 Pick 'Ems: 1 point
Participate in 6 or fewer Pick 'Ems: No soup for you
Furthermore, if your division has the most cash at the end of Pick 'Em, you get 5 points...UNLESS YOU DON'T PARTICIPATE IN ANY PICK 'EMS. Here's the standings after week 1.
4th Place: Midwest - $1750
3rd Place: Pacific - $2150
2nd Place: Atlantic - $3500
1st Place: Central - $4600
For this sim, the prizes are the same as last sim. However, next week, the first two sims will go up to $400, $900, and $1400 for the first two sims, and some sort of jeopardy style wager for the final sim.
1st Place: $1100
2nd Place: $700
3rd Place: $300
4th Place: You, too, can go crazy about 9s just by watching this simple YouTube video:
For an example of best practices in formatting, here is my official entry:
3/4/2015
Rockets @ Grizzlies - Under 9
Trailblazers @ Magic - Over 9
Heat @ Cavaliers - Over 9
Wizards @ Jazz - Under 9
Lakers @ Suns - Over 9
Celtics @ Knicks - Over 9
Clippers @ Nuggets - Over 9
Spurs @ Timberwolves - EXACTLY 9
Kings @ Supersonics - Over 9
3/8/2015
76ers @ Heat - Over 9
Celtics @ Cavaliers - Over 9
Nets @ Jazz - Over 9
Hawks @ Bucks - Under 9
Knicks @ Clippers - Over 9
Wizards @ Nuggets - EXACTLY 9
Mavericks @ Spurs - EXACTLY 9
Magic @ Pistons - Over 9
Kings @ Grizzlies - Over 9
3/11/2015
Mavericks @ Supersonics - EXACTLY 9
Grizzlies @ Hornets - Under 9
Nuggets @ Magic - Over 9
Bulls @ Heat - Under 9
Trailblazers @ Suns - Over 9
Kings @ Timberwolves - Over 9
Nets @ Bucks - Over 9
Jazz @ Spurs - Under 9
Raptors @ Cavaliers - EXACTLY 9
Entries are due on Friday, June 2nd at 5pm Central Time
