[Doc JS]

First, let me say that the BTP is a GREAT contest!!! And I am very appreciative that SBR puts on this contest for its members!!!

I do have two suggestions that I'd like to run up the flag pole:

1. Would it be possible to open up the games that the Prick picks to allow players to pick the other side of same game? I get not letting players pick the side that the Prick picks, but I don't see why players couldn't/shouldn't be allowed to pick the other side of the same game if the software would allow it.

2. When we get down to the "NFL only" part of the season, would it be possible to include totals in our options to pick from?

Thank you for taking the time to read this and at least consider it.

Doc JS

[Sean]

A couple of good suggestions there, Doc JS. We'll put both of those at the top of the list for consideration next year. I personally like the idea of allowing contestants to play opposite sides of The Prick's picks ... very much in the spirit of the entire competition. We'll see how he takes to that idea next time around.

[pokernut9999]

2 very good suggestions.

[SBR Lou]

Doc always has something solid to add. I agree with both suggestions.

[jon13009]

Great suggestions Doc, the last few weeks are great examples where having totals as a pick would be of benefit with so few choices available.

Otherwise the BTP is the best free handicapping contest on the web.

Happy holidays!

[Illusion]

BTP has been no totals since day one, so I do not like that idea. As far as fading the prick I love that idea. I see no reason reason why we can not fade the prick. If that's a no go, how about we open the last few weeks to fading the prick since there are limited games to choose from.

[idontlikerocks]

i think its a good thing that it gets harder near the end of the season. helps to put some separation between the players

[hhsilver]

I have a comment about using best bets as a tie breaker for the season prizes. In a sense the number of best bets is already a tie breaker.

if after 10 weeks:
player A : 30w, 10L ,6-4 on BBs >>>>> 22 points
player B : 27w, 13L , 9-1 on BBs>>>>>22 points
player C 27w, 13L , 8-2 on BBs>>>>>20 points

(forgive me if I have an arithmetic error)

In the examples, B, with fewer wins than A, is tied with A because of a better best bet score. It seems harsh to me that A loses the tie breaker for the same reason ( best bets) that allowed B to have a score as high as A even though B had fewer correct games.

With B and C , we see that best bets is already a tie breaker. With the same overall record, B leads C because of best bets.

As far as fading the Prick is concerned, I may be the only one against it ( mildly, not strongly, against it). A player would be foolish to not fade at least one Prick pick. Why allow the possibility of going 4-0 and having the Prick do the same? The possibility of that happening is part of the fun of the contest.
I am writing as someone who had 3 winning weeks and was lucky they all were when the Prick didn't. That made the win sweeter. If the $100 is THAT important to any member, maybe he/she shouldn't be gambling and spending so much time on a gambling site.
I confess that I might feel otherwise had one or more of my winning weeks coincided with a 4-0 Prick week.

Anyway, it's a fun contest and I thank SBR for running it.
Whatever you decide, and that includes no changes, is fine with me.

[Doc JS]

BTP has been no totals since day one, so I do not like that idea. As far as fading the prick I love that idea. I see no reason reason why we can not fade the prick. If that's a no go, how about we open the last few weeks to fading the prick since there are limited games to choose from.

Illusion,

Exactly! My only reason for suggesting the totals during the "NFL only" part of the season would be to give players more options to choose from because of the limited number of games.

For example, a couple of weeks ago, there were 12 games on the schedule. Prick took four, only left 8 to choose from.

Now, if you open up the other side of Prick's picks to choose from, that would also give players more options.

As I said, GREAT contest. LOVE IT!!! THANKS TO SBR FOR PUTTING IT ON!!!!

Doc

[Dark Horse]

BTP has been no totals since day one, so I do not like that idea.

That would be an argument against any and all type of change.

I'm in favor of including totals. Some people are much better at totals than sides. Why not level that playing field?

[sharktank1]

It's his free BBQ, and it tastes might fine from here!
Don't want to lose this here contest, 'cause of some rule changes.
Thanx for putting it on Mr. P.

From a rookie player who has learned a lot this year, from the pro's @ BTP forums.

[Dark Horse]

It would be cool if NFL plays could be entered on Sunday morning, to not give college bettors an unfair advantage (weather, last minute lineup changes, etc).

[Doc JS]

It would be cool if NFL plays could be entered on Sunday morning, to not give college bettors an unfair advantage (weather, last minute lineup changes, etc).

DH,
I like that suggestion.
Obviously, the concern would be for players changing their picks after the fact. I' not a programmer but I'm sure Ganch could come up with a way for games to "come off the board", as it were (just like at the sportsbooks), right after kickoff so that you could no longer pick them.

Maybe you wouldn't even have to make all your picks at one time. If you wanted two college games on Saturday and two NFL games on Sunday. You get your two college picks in on Saturday before the start times of the respective games and then do the same thing on Sunday. I think that would put the guys who pick NFL only during the contest back on level footing with everyone else.

That, DH, is a buena idea!!

Doc

[Dark Horse]

Cool. Ganch could also program games to come off the board an hour or so before kickoff. To avoid confusion.