Tag Archives: Bonus

Issue # 6.2.3 “Winners and Losers” (3/21) **Prize Distribution & Bonus Details”

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Cinema for the Blind

TOP 6 AND BONUS WINNERS WILL SHARE $1,560 POT
52 eliminated entries can now win the Bonus

EL SEGUNDO/CERRITOS, CA (smt)- The #1 most expected not to last fell in the 2nd round (W-Xavier) but the overall #1 who became the first #1 seed to lose to a #16 seed was a shocker (S-Virginia).  The two #1 seeds (E-Villanova and MW-Duke) don’t have much elite company as they are only joined by five other teams in the top 16 (last time in the pool era was 2000).  Incredibly two #7s, two #9s, and two #11s are in the Sweet 16.  Three #5 seeds fill up the remaining spots.  There has been one buzzer beater (#3W-Michigan over #6W-Houston) and a few near buzzer beaters in one of the more exciting tournaments in recent years.  #11S-Loyola-Chicago has won on two shots in the final seconds (0.3 and 3.6 seconds left) to win by a combined total of 3 points while #7S-Nevada has twice rallied from 14-point second half deficits (14 to #10S-Texas and 22 to #2S-Cincy).  #11MW-Syracuse became the eighth straight First Four team to win 1st Round and the fourth to win in 2nd Round.  Eleven games have gone to overtime (2) or decided by 3 points or less.  Whew.

While you are taking a breather, take a listen to She’s Forever” from one of the unsigned bands Paul T (Poolrider (102nd-T, 63 pts) helps promote and always his 3rd entry, Cinema for the Blind (25th-T, 73), a young brother-sister duo).  Our 24th year saw a 156 entries (and our first removed entries (4) since 2002) from 108 people, some making their appearance for the first time since 2014.  We will have six money spots as we have $1,560 to divvy out. The top prize will be $620, $70 less than last year when we had a record 178 entries. The prize distribution is listed below and as always, all fee money goes into prizes. So we have those top six spots plus the Bonus. What’s the Bonus? Read on…

As it has been for the past 14 years, the Conference Wins is the Bonus Prize (as detailed below) (aka, Bonus1). However, if no one wins it, the Bonus2 takes effect and the entry who is closest to the Total Points in Final tiebreaker gets the Bonus Prize. We have used this Bonus to give hope to those who get eliminated early as only those who do not finish in the top 6 will be eligible to win. Rules follow below…

Bonus1 – Winningest Conference

When you completed your online entry and saw your picks (to print out), Continue reading »

Issue # 6.2.3 “Six Conferences Battle it Out for Supremacy”

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Foreign Figures - Listen to "Fire"

Tuesday, March 21, 2017 

RECORD NUMBER OF ENTRIES ADD 7TH MONEY SPOT
ACC implosion means just 7 eliminated entries can win $40 Bonus

CERRITOS APT/EL SEGUNDO, CA (smt)- The top overall seed Villanova and 2 seeds Duke and Louisville are no more in somewhat of a chalk tournament thus far.  12 of the top 16 seeds are in the Sweet 16.  While there have been no buzzer beaters or overtime games, there has been a lot of drama watching teams make clutch play after play (while you are taking a breather, take a listen to one of the unsigned bands Paul T (Poolrider) helps promote, Foreign Figures).  Our 23rd year saw a record number of entries (178) from a record number of people (124), some making their appearance for the first time since 2002.  For the first time, we will have SEVEN money spots as we have $1,780 to divvy out. The top prize will be $690, $95 more than last year. The prize distribution is listed below and as always, all fee money goes into prizes. So we have those top seven spots plus the Bonus. What’s the Bonus? Read on…

As it has been for the past 13 years, the Conference Wins is the Bonus Prize (as detailed below) (aka, Bonus1). However, if no one wins it, the Bonus2 takes effect and the entry who is closest to the Total Points in Final tiebreaker gets the Bonus Prize. We have used this Bonus to give hope to those who get eliminated early as only those who do not finish in the top 7 will be eligible to win. Rules follow below…

Bonus1 – Winningest Conference

When you completed your online entry and saw your picks (to print out), some of you might have been wondering what the heck “Winningest Conference(s): ?? | Wins: #” meant. And thus, subliminally, you were also picking which conference would get the most wins in the tournament and how many wins that conference would get via your direct picks. Neat, eh? So that output, which in my case (Air Fabone 23), says Continue reading »

Issue # 12.5.1 “High Scoring Affair”

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(Note: This is recap for Saturday’s games)

Watch the best animated show on TV, Star Wars Rebels!
Saturday, April 2, 2016 [Published 4/4]

VILLANOVA TURNS ON SWITCH, UNC BREAKS ZONE
For the first time since the end of the 1st round, Buccos 1 back on top

CERRITOS, CA (smt)- #2S-Villanova had a 21-4 run in the first half but #2W-Oklahoma chipped away and cut it to 9 with 16:22 left.  Cut to the Wildcats going crazy with a 33-4 run in just over 9 minutes to demolish Buddy Hield and the Sooners, 95-51, in the biggest Final Four blowout ever.  ‘Nova shot 71.4% and missed just five shots in the explosive second half.  #1E-UNC missed their first 12 three-point shots but it didn’t matter as the Tar Heels scored 50 in the paint in holding off #10MW-Syracuse, 83-66.  The Orange 2/3 zone couldn’t prevent UNC from scoring at will within the arc shooting 64.6% from 2-point range.

Resistance is futile as The Resistance watches from the sidelines as three pass him putting him in a tie for 4th (122 pts).  Buccos 1, who led after Round 1, leads again with 128 pts with JJ in second with 126.  It will be one of these two who will win our 22nd pool, and each would pick up their first ever money prize as well.  Ten can still finish in the top 6.  Those two and Honey Badger have a 100% chance at money, although the latter would have to win a tiebreaker for 6th if Villanova wins the title.  JJ, Honey Badger, and The Hip-Hopopotamus (10th-T, 119) got both teams correct while 108 missed both.

For the Bonus, if Villanova wins the championship, Ito (129th-T, 84) wins Continue reading »

You’re too good of a player to do that

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Thanks, Coach K.  But there are 14 good entries that can finish in the top 6 including six who will win our 22nd pool. There are 8 possible outcomes and the tiebreaker information.  The tiebreaker is very key this year as it could decide 1st place and it could decide 6th place (and thus, some will miss out).

Ito will win the $40 bonus if Villanova or Oklahoma win the NCAA championship (ACC with 19 wins).   If Syracuse beats Oklahoma, Bob’s Ball Hogs wins the Bonus! Bob’s Ball Hogs will win money if UNC wins the title or if Syracuse beats Villanova (ACC with 20 wins).  Therefore no one picked the ACC with 20 wins and Bonus2 is in effect which is the closest to the total points in final.  The tiebreaker here is placement, so if there are multiple entries with the same tiebreaker (e.g., 144), then it’s the entry that has the most pool points (highest placement) that would win.  49 would be eligible to win this.

Edit: Corrected bonus.

Issue # 7.2.3 “Your Comeback for the Ages?”

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Hydrogen Child - Listen to "Sirens"

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

SECOND LARGEST POT TO BE SPLIT SEVEN WAYS
Bonus Prize keeps 15 eliminated entries alive for $40

CERRITOS/EL SEGUNDO, CA (smt)- It’s been one of the wildest weekends featuring three buzzer beaters, a couple of double overtime games, one of the biggest upsets, and one of the biggest comebacks (while you take a breather, take a listen to one of the unsigned bands Poolrider helps promote, Hydrogen Child).  Our 22nd year features the 2nd highest total for entries (149) and 2nd most people (110).  For the sixth straight year, we will have six money spots as we have $1,490 to divvy out.  The top prize will be $595. The prize distribution is listed below and as always, all fee money goes into prizes. So we have those top six spots plus the Bonus.  What’s the Bonus?  Read on…

As it has been for the past 12 years, the Conference Wins is the Bonus Prize (as detailed below) (aka, Bonus1). However, if no one wins it, the Bonus2 takes effect and the entry who is closest to the Total Points in Final tiebreaker gets the Bonus Prize. We have used this Bonus to give hope to those who get eliminated early as only those who do not finish in the top 6 will be eligible to win. Rules follow below…

Bonus1 – Winningest Conference

When you completed your online entry and saw your picks (to print out), some of you might have been wondering Continue reading »

Issue # 7.2.3 “Second Chance Points” + Watch Ceasefire!

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[ Listen to an up and coming band - Ceasefire's No Tomorrow ]

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

SPLITTING A RECORD POT OF $1,610
 Bonus Prize means 143 entries can still win money 

EL SEGUNDO, CA (smt)- The pace of entries never ceased (as an aside, take a listen to one of the unsigned bands Poolrider helps promote, Ceasefire) as we shattered the previous record of 138 entries by 23.  For the fifth straight year, we will have six money spots as we have a record $1,610 to divvy out.  The top prize will be a record $640 which is $85 more than the record in 2014. The prize distribution is listed below and as always, all fee money goes into prizes. So we have those top six spots plus the Bonus.  What’s the Bonus?  Read on…

As it has been for the past 11 years, the Conference Wins is the Bonus Prize (as detailed below) (aka, Bonus1). However, if no one wins it, the Bonus2 takes effect and the entry who is closest to the Total Points in Final tiebreaker gets the Bonus Prize. We have used this Bonus to give hope to those who get eliminated early as only those who do not finish in the top 6 will be eligible to win. Rules follow below…

Bonus1 – Winningest Conference

When you completed your online entry and saw your picks (to print out), some of you might have been wondering Continue reading »

We have a champion! Steve N!

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Steve N (The Rat Pack) needed 2 things to happen:  Louisville to win and Michigan to win.  And he got both to become our 18th different HWCI NCAA Pool Champion and win the $530 prize.  This is the first time he has won money in 8 years (9 total entries).  Blakeley H (Bwakewey Cubed) will win 2nd or 3rd, his 2nd win in 4 years (Bonus in ’11) (10 entries).  Kevin T (Shake N’ Bake) will win 3rd or 4th, his 2nd win in 8 years (Bonus in ’09).  Paul T (Poolraider)  joins the winners as he will win either 4th, 5th, or 6th since his tiebreaker is in the middle of the 3 tied.  This is his 2nd win in 9 years (2nd in ’05) (12 entries).  Only 2 of these 3 will join the winners list:  Kevin J (Cliff Paul), Van P (Lastminute), and Byron W (Flying Ace).

As for the $40 Bonus, 26 entries are alive (only 25 can win since Van P would finish 4th and be ineligible in her winning scenario).

Here are the final scenarios for the top money & Bonus: Continue reading »

Issue # 11.4.2 “Michigan Dominates Early, Louisville Dominates Late”

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Just one #1 seed joining 2 #4’s and a #9.  What a wacky tournament.  Disaster everywhere but for some reason, 3 can still win the pool (thank you Syracuse & Michigan lovers) making it still competitive in the final weekend.  Of course, with just 10 entries alive, 3 have guaranteed spots.  Which ones?  Read on (or read original)…

Sunday, March 31, 2013 ** HAPPY EASTER!!! **
Issue # 11.4.2 "Michigan Dominates Early, Louisville Dominates Late"
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WOLVERINES EAT GATORS FOR LUNCH; LAST #1 ADVANCES
The Rat Pack alone in 1st and 1 of 3 guaranteed money
HOME OF IN IT TO NGUYEN IT‘S MOM IN ALHAMBRA, CA / CERRITOS, CA (smt)- Before you could seemingly blink, #4S-Michigan built a 41-17 lead and when #3S-Florida was trying a comeback, Continue reading »

Issue # 9.3.2 “Incredible Comeback and Midwest Showdown”

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If you notice on the right side now, you can now easily click the links for the latest Bonus Possibilities and the Worksheet, a green/red view of who got what picks right.  As always, if you longed to see yourself near the top of the heap in the past, Scott’s Updates is the Archive page for all information.  And if you’re wondering what Kansas was doing in the latter part of the game (probably what Memphis was doing in the ’08 championship game vs Kansas), call on Mystery Incorporated led by Scooby Doo (seriously, this is the best Doo yet with biting humor and an overall Lost-type mystery that plays out bit by bit in all 52 eps)!

Read below or view original update.

[The best reincarnation of Scooby Doo; airing final eps weekdays 5/4 ET/CT on Cartoon Network]

Friday, March 29, 2013 
Issue # 9.3.2 "Incredible Comeback and Midwest Showdown"
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GO FOR THE WIN – NOT! LEGENDARLY COACHES IN MW
ChasCroix and The Rat Pack nearly in the money
CERRITOS, CA (smt)- So you blew a 14-point lead with 6:50 left and an unfortunate free throw miss allowed you to blow a 5-point lead with 21 seconds left.  But you’ve dominated the paint (finishing with 60) yet in a tie game take your time to take a 3-pointer?  Then in overtime, Continue reading »

Issue # 7.2.3 “Bonus! Prizes!”

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Ahead of tonight’s games (good luck to all!), here is the official prize breakdown.  Also, the details of the Bonus, which most don’t care about until they’ve been eliminated and the Final Four is here, are listed below.  A proper update via email  will come later today (problems FTP’ing at work).

Edited: Forgot to update Bonus1 Analysis below.  Original file can now be viewed here.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013 

Issue # 7.2.3 "Bonus! Prizes!"
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DO YOU DESERVE A SECOND CHANCE?  MAYBE
 Five are eliminated from both top prizes and Bonus1 (maybe they can sneak into Bonus2)
CERRITOS, CA (smt)- For the third straight year, we will have six money spots as we have a healthy $1,310 to divvy out.  Plus the Bonus.  What’s the Bonus?  Continue reading »

126 breaks the tie

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Congrats to Jane’s son Quinn D (aka, Quinnsanity) in winning the pool and $540!  Lots of Losers (Bob G) gets 2nd ($280) and Nwspring 1 (Nicholas S) gets 3rd ($190).  With the total points equaling 126, that breaks the tie for 4th (so SlackJaw (Jon J) gets 4th ($135) and Vodka-Its Not Real (Sam N) gets 5th ($90)) and 6th, including our first split-prize ever as Frumunda Mybalz (Andy F) and The Wife’s Picks (Megan J) will split $65 ($32.50), and thus each will get less than our Bonus Prize winner, SpAva (Linh T– my wife!  Let’s here it for the wives!), who won a 10-way tie for the Bonus by getting the correct conference (Big East), conference wins (13), and total points (126) to win $40 knocking her brother (Krimsonguard) out of the money.  Andy F wins for the first time in 15 years, Linh T for the first time in 11 years, and Jon J for the first time in 10 years.

Prizes Detals Leaked…

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The formal newsletter comes out late tonight (or early tomorrow, depending where you live), but here are some nuggets:

  • 1st place is a record $515, enough for about 125 gallons of gas in California or 0.026% of what Charlie Sheen used to get paid for a single episode
  • A new 6th place prize is introduced, and it will be $60 (I wish this was in place last year when I finished 6th)
  • In the race for the Bonus Prize (Winningest Conference), only 21 entries are still alive (since the Big East crapped out) and 36 entries are eliminated from both the Bonus1 and top 6 prize money… but, if no one wins this Bonus1, every non-winning entry is alive again for the total points tiebreaker Bonus2.
  • What would you like to see as a Bonus Prize?  Most upset weighted points?  Most Elite 8 teams? Comment and let us know!