Race For the Lid - TwentyTen - NOW OPEN

[Andyzipp]

Admin note - Sorry for the delay, folks. -Waldo



It's baaaaack! Yes, the game you all pay waaaaay too much attention to and get underoos in a bunch about has made it's return to the TZ.  The heck with March Madness Brackets, you know as well as I do that the RFTL is really the primo game in town.  We will award a lid and a bat to the winner.

You ready... here you go...
RACE FOR THE LID XI
Contest Rules:
________________________________________
1.  Whatever the rules are, BudGirl (your RFTL judge and jury for 2010) can change them any time for any reason, including whim.  The purpose of this rule is not to promote chaos, but to preempt wailing, moaning, whining, and griping.  Particularly griping.
________________________________________
2.  Picks below 80 can’t win. Even if they’re right they’re wrong.
________________________________________
3.  All posts are in this thread.  Posts out of this thread are DQ’d unless BudGirl changes the rules.
________________________________________
4.  One choice per person.
________________________________________
5. If there are gaps in the high picks, say, between 95 and 162, the high pick gets the gaps down to the next highest pick.  This does not work in reverse, i.e., below 95.  We all lose if the Astros win fewer than the low pick.
________________________________________
6. The grand prize, of course, is an Astros cap of BudGirl's choosing from the Astros Team Store or Astros.com.  Because of that, BudGirl is allowed to make rulings on prize disputes that may arise... namely, she gets to tell you to go to hell if you whine that you should get the prize!
________________________________________
7.  NO POSTINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL THE OFFICIAL COMMENCEMENT TIME, WHICH IN THIS CIRCULAR DEFINITION WILL BE ON OR ABOUT 10:00 A.M., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31st (the Official Commencement Time).  Anyone who post before then will be DQ'd.
________________________________________
8.  No entries will be accepted after the first pitch on Opening Day.  Or thereabouts.
________________________________________
9.  If there is no correct entry BudGirl will find a winner by a method created in her mind.
________________________________________
10.  Here’s the list of past winners:

2009 Ron Brand
2008 EasTexAstro
2007
2006  Fredia (who PM'ed me and called me every name in the book... misspelled of course)
2005  Drew Corleone
2004  Andyzipp
2003  Jim R
2002  no winner
2001  Neil T. (See how arbitrary and capricious his rulemaking can be?  He didn’t even enter the contest until the 161st game, right after he disqualified the real winner.)
2000  no winner, but one heck of a whiner
1999  Astrobabe

[geezerdonk]

70

[S.P. Rodriguez]

70

dude... premature...

7.  NO POSTINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL THE OFFICIAL COMMENCEMENT TIME, WHICH IN THIS CIRCULAR DEFINITION WILL BE ON OR ABOUT 10:00 A.M., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31st (the Official Commencement Time).  Anyone who post before then will be DQ'd.

[Andyzipp]

dude... premature...

He also violated rule 2.

[Bench]

dude... premature...

THAT'S your problem with his post?  The timing?

[S.P. Rodriguez]

THAT'S your problem with his post?  The timing?

Well, no.  But for the other part, I simply applied the "Opinions are like assholes..." rule. 

[VirtualBob]

He also violated rule 2.

But according to rule #4, that is his only shot at the lid.

[OregonStrosFan]

It's 10:00 a.m., 3/31/10, in Cairo (or Istambul if you prefer).  88 wins!

[Tralfaz]

It's 10:00 a.m., 3/31/10, in Cairo (or Istambul if you prefer).  88 wins!

That's nobody's business but the turks.

[MusicMan]

That's nobody's business but the turks.

No, that was Constantinople.

[moriartp]

No, that was Constantinople.

Why'd they change it?

[AtascAstro]

Why'd they change it?

I can't say, people just liked it better that waaay!

[Andyzipp]

Locking this topic until 10 (or so.)

Any guesses prior to the unlocking are null and/or void.

[Ty in Tampa]

84

[EasTexAstro]

87

[Lurch]

82

I think I broke F5

[BizidyDizidy]

81

[Ron Brand]

85

[Fredia]

88

[drew corleone]

83

[seib22]

89

[Tralfaz]

80

[Bench]

85

91

[pots]

92

[matadorph]

90

[tbone421998]

92

[Guinness]

86

[AtascAstro]

AtascAstro – 93 wins
Ebby Calvin – 84 wins (via proxy, in a meeting)

[tbone421998]

92

93

[T. J.]

94

[tbone421998]

93

94

[AtascAstro]

Ebby Calvin – 95 wins (via proxy, in a meeting)

[matadorph]

AtascAstro – 93 wins
Ebby Calvin – 84 wins (via proxy, in a meeting)

Too late, quick draw.

[tbone421998]

94

96

[Mr. Happy]

100

[S.P. Rodriguez]

98

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

99

[BudGirl]

AtascAstro – 93 wins
Ebby Calvin – 84 wins (via proxy, in a meeting)

Ebby's pick was already grabbed.

[BudGirl]

93

grabbed 11 seconds before.

[Noe]

99
 Barbara Feldon

[BudGirl]

83

no good

[BudGirl]

94

again, you missed.

keep trying though.

[Noe]

99
 Barbara Feldon

Damn you Spinx, get your hands off Barbara!  Gimme 103

[BudGirl]

99
 Barbara Feldon

SP Rodriguez called it first.

[BudGirl]

81

[Lurch]

81

Is there an anti-Biz rule?

[BudGirl]

Is there an anti-Biz rule?

what?  I can't buy my own cap?

[BudGirl]

Just to update the picks

71   
72   
73   
74   
75   
76   
77   
78   
79   Andyzipp
80   Tralfaz
81   BizidyDizidy
82   Lurch
83   Drew Corleon
84   TyinTampa
85   Ron Brand
86   Pete M
87   EasTexAstro
88   Fredia
89   seib22
90   Matadorph
91   Bench
92   Pots
93   AtascAstro
94   T.J.
95   Ebby Calvin
96   tbone 421998
97   MusicMan
98   S.P.Rodriguez
99   Sphinx Drummond
100   Mr. Happy
101   austro
102   outlawscotty
103   Noe in Austin
104   Jacksonian
105   
106   BatGirl
117        hostro

[Lurch]

what?  I can't buy my own cap?

Link

[BudGirl]

Link

Hey, I get to make the rules!  I don't know how I missed it.  The picks do come in rather quickly.

[Noe]

Nice, you kicking out Biz's pick... just because?

Just to update the picks

71   
72   
73   
74   
75   
76   
77   
78   
79   
80   Tralfaz
81   BudGirl
82   Lurch
83   Drew Corleon
84   TyinTampa
85   Ron Brand
86   Pete M
87   EasTexAstro
88   Fredia
89   seib22
90   Matadorph
91   Bench
92   Pots
93   AtascAstro
94   T.J.
95   Ebby Calvin
96   tbone 421998
97   
98   S.P.Rodriguez
99   Sphinx Drummond
100   Mr. Happy
101   
102   
103   Noe in Austin
104   
104   
105   
106   

[S.P. Rodriguez]

SP Rodriguez called it first.

I had 98!

[BudGirl]

that's what i have you down as.

[BizidyDizidy]

Hey, I get to make the rules!  I don't know how I missed it.  The picks do come in rather quickly.

How about if it's 81 I'll buy you a cap and you can buy me a cap.

[austro]

101. God damn meetings.

[BudGirl]

How about if it's 81 I'll buy you a cap and you can buy me a cap.

That's alright.  I just missed it.  I thought it odd it was still open.  It's yours and yours alone.

[Noe]

I had 98!

Methinks BG was thinking "Spinx" and typed "SP Rodriquez" instead.  It happens, but kicking out Biz's pick is classic, I think she should carry that through just to see what happens!  Of course, that's just me trying to cause anarchy and angst before the season starts.

[BudGirl]

Methinks BG was thinking "Spinx" and typed "SP Rodriquez" instead.  It happens, but kicking out Biz's pick is classic, I think she should carry that through just to see what happens!  Of course, that's just me trying to cause anarchy and angst before the season starts.

That sounds reasonable and probable.  I have the list right, I hope.

You have to create your anarchy and angst using someone else.  May I suggest BatGirl?

[Noe]

That's alright.  I just missed it.  I thought it odd it was still open.  It's yours and yours alone.

Take 97, that seems like a good choice.

[Lurch]

Great way to burn a morning!  Can we do it again tomorrow?  Perhaps how many WFW'd clarks we'll get this season?

[Noe]

That sounds reasonable and probable.  I have the list right, I hope.

You have to create your anarchy and angst using someone else.  May I suggest BatGirl?

Watch me work:

"Hey, I just got a phantom PM from a friend of a friend who knows BatGirl's mechanic who heard from her babysitter that she wants 106"

[BudGirl]

Take 97, that seems like a good choice.

I should, but its more fun to watch the others play.

But it was kind of funny that I tried to steal Biz's number.

[Ty in Tampa]

I think I broke F5

I haven't hit F5 so many times since I scored the $50 ACL passes last year.

[MusicMan]

97

[Outlawscotty]

102

[Andyzipp]

79.  And yes I know all about the rules.

[Jacksonian]

104 and fuck the cubs

[hostros7]

117 - because why the fuck not? 

[BudGirl]

Just to update the picks

71  
72  
73  
74  
75  
76  
77  
78  
79   Andyzipp
80   Tralfaz
81   BizidyDizidy
82   Lurch
83   Drew Corleon
84   TyinTampa
85   Ron Brand
86   Pete M
87   EasTexAstro
88   Fredia
89   seib22
90   Matadorph
91   Bench
92   Pots
93   AtascAstro
94   T.J.
95   Ebby Calvin
96   tbone 421998
97   MusicMan
98   S.P.Rodriguez
99   Sphinx Drummond
100   Mr. Happy
101   austro
102   outlawscotty
103   Noe in Austin
104   Jacksonian
105   BUWebguy
106   BatGirl
117   hostros7

[BUWebguy]

What the heck, I'll take 105.

[OldBlevins]

108.  I guess I should have been paying attention.  But if I win, it'll be a great season.

[HudsonHawk]

108.  I guess I should have been paying attention.  But if I win, it'll be a great season.

Just an FYI, but if the Astros win less than 80 games, then no pick wins, and the winner will be chosen based on a scientific method I develop on the spot and in my head.  So no one, other than Andy is out of the Race just yet.

[Curly]

Sweet, I can't believe nobody beat me to 107!  CHAMPIONSHIP!

[Andyzipp]

Just an FYI, but if the Astros win less than 80 games, then no pick wins, and the winner will be chosen based on a scientific method I develop on the spot and in my head.  So no one, other than Andy is out of the Race just yet.

I'm only out of the race if your scientific method created randomly excludes me 5 months from now.

[Fredia]

sounds like it would involve time travel.

[HudsonHawk]

I'm only out of the race if your scientific method created randomly excludes me 5 months from now.

No, you are out of the race for violation of Rule #2.

[Andyzipp]

No, you are out of the race for violation of Rule #2.

I'll take my chances with the physics.

[BudGirl]

Just an FYI, but if the Astros win less than 80 games, then no pick wins, and the winner will be chosen based on a scientific method I develop on the spot and in my head.  So no one, other than Andy is out of the Race just yet.

I let you do that last year, don't assume I'll let you do so again. 

[subnuclear]

I'll take 109 just to see my name on the list. 

[HudsonHawk]

I let you do that last year, don't assume I'll let you do so again. 

Ha!  Who else has the random mind to make it happen?

[rifraft]

78, rules be damned.

[TheWizard]

I'll take 109 just to see my name on the list. 

Give me 107. Its always.. been my lucky number?

[BudGirl]

Give me 107. Its always.. been my lucky number?

Seems like it is Curly's too.

Sweet, I can't believe nobody beat me to 107!  CHAMPIONSHIP!

[chuck]

116.

[David in Jackson]

75

[TheWizard]

Crap, just give me 110. I had a legit chance with 107.. with 110, I'm just being unrealistic.

[Guinness]

Crap, just give me 110. I had a legit chance with 107.. with 110, I'm just being unrealistic.

juneberno!

[94CougarGrad]

So many other people are playing, what the hell. I'll take 111, because I'm all into numerical alliteration. Or something.

[Outlawscotty]

I'll gladly donate my 102 on Tuesday for a win today.  Please.

[SaltyParker]

74

[Fredia]

have some peope been mathmeaticly eliminatyed yet?

[Andyzipp]

have some peope been mathmeaticly eliminatyed yet?

I can guarantee you that will never happen.

[BudGirl]

Picks are closed. 

74   Salty Parker - submitted late
75   DavidinJackson
78   rifraft
79   Andyzipp
80   Tralfaz
81   BizidyDizidy
82   Lurch
83   Drew Corleon
84   TyinTampa
85   Ron Brand
86   Pete M
87   EasTexAstro
88   Fredia
89   seib22
90   Matadorph
91   Bench
92   Pots
93   AtascAstro
94   T.J.
95   Ebby Calvin
96   tbone 421998
97   MusicMan
98   S.P.Rodriguez
99   Sphinx Drummond
100   Mr. Happy
101   austro
102   outlawscotty
103   Noe in Austin
104   Jacksonian
105   BUWebguy
106   BatGirl
107   Curly
108   OldBlevins
110   The Wizard
111   94CougarGrad - submitted late
116   chuck
117   hostros7

[JimR]

27

[BudGirl]

27

for you, I will make an exception.

[Lurch]

27

Homer

[subnuclear]

I'll take 109 just to see my name on the list. 

I'm not suggesting anyone made a mistake, but if I made offense to someone, I would like to apologize.

[MusicMan]

I guess taking 155 would be a bad idea.

[Reuben]

150

[jonbloozy]

69

[BudGirl]

Here's something Waldo came up with in Excel that factors in the win guesses as well as each poster's overall contributions/detriments to/from SnS:

1.  Take each person's post count, divide by 100, and round to the nearest whole number.
2.  Subtract 50 points for all users over 5000 posts because they should probably spend less time here.
3.  Subtract an additional 100 points for all users over 10,000 posts because they really need to spend less time here.
4.  Subtract their guess's deviation from the actual Astros win total (above or below does not matter).
5.  Add a 5-point "optimism bonus" for all guesses between 85 and 95 wins, inclusive.
6.  Subtract a 5-point "foolish optimism penalty" for all guesses 96 wins and up.
7.  Highest point total wins.

Based on this, Lurch (guess of 82) is the winner, which is somewhat appropriate since his guess was fairly realistic and yet still optimistic as it technically predicted a winning season.

I will contact Lurch to set-up delivery of lid.

[Ron Brand]

Congratulations!

[Bench]

You can't argue with science.  Way to go Lurch!

[MusicMan]

You can't argue with science.

You should listen to Waldo.  He's pre-med.

[Lurch]

Woah!  Thank you!  I shall wear it with pride, but only in Chili's

[homer]

Woah!  Thank you!  I shall wear it with pride, but only in Chili's

But be sure you take it off when the waitress sits down to take your order.

[Astroholic]

Here's something Waldo came up with in Excel that factors in the win guesses as well as each poster's overall contributions/detriments to/from SnS:

1.  Take each person's post count, divide by 100, and round to the nearest whole number.
2.  Subtract 50 points for all users over 5000 posts because they should probably spend less time here.
3.  Subtract an additional 100 points for all users over 10,000 posts because they really need to spend less time here.
4.  Subtract their guess's deviation from the actual Astros win total (above or below does not matter).
5.  Add a 5-point "optimism bonus" for all guesses between 85 and 95 wins, inclusive.
6.  Subtract a 5-point "foolish optimism penalty" for all guesses 96 wins and up.
7.  Highest point total wins.

Based on this, Lurch (guess of 82) is the winner, which is somewhat appropriate since his guess was fairly realistic and yet still optimistic as it technically predicted a winning season.

I will contact Lurch to set-up delivery of lid.

Thats too much ciphering thar.

[subnuclear]

"foolish optimism" = forgot it was RFTL day and was 20 minutes late and had to take 148.