2018-19 Regular season picking contest (degenerate gamblers rejoice!!)

[JasonEvans]

It is back! Time for our college hoops picking contest! As always, you go to Covers.com to make your picks. Details on signing up is right here. The Password to enter the group is GoDuke.

https://contests.covers.com/OfficePools/91bd9e6d-73e5-4aae-ac40-a98f00deda09
Contest Name: DBR ACC Hoops contest (pre-conference season)
Access Password: GoDuke

As in past years, you make wagers of between 100 and 500 units and can bet on both the line as well as the over/under. YOU MAY ONLY PICK GAMES INVOLVING ACC TEAMS!! So, if you pick the Kansas-MSU game, you will automatically lose (and if you win you will have to make enough wagers to lose that amount x2, which is a lot harder than it looks). Everyone starts at 0 dollars and you can keep on betting until you get to -5000 in losses. Once you hit -5000, you are done and are out of the contest.

We will keep this contest going through the end of the year and then start a new contest for the meat of the ACC conference season. Consider this the non-conference contest even though there will be a few conference games contested.

Post in this thread if you have any questions.

-Jason "I'm sure NYBri will win again. He's a freaking savant at this" Evans

[JasonEvans]

Might as well provide links to last year's contests for reference purposes.

Troublemaker won the NCAA Tournament picking contest (https://forums.dukebasketballreport.com/forums/showthread.php?41656-NCAA-Tournament-picking-contest-Degenerate-Gamblers-allowed!&highlight=degenerate).

NYBri won the ACC Regular season contest (https://forums.dukebasketballreport.com/forums/showthread.php?41068-ACC-Picking-Contest-Degenerate-Gamblers-allowed!!&highlight=degenerate). Troublemaker and Bob Green fought it out for 2nd place.

The pre-ACC contest (https://forums.dukebasketballreport.com/forums/showthread.php?40671-Pre-ACC-Picking-Contest-Degenerate-Gamblers-Rejoice!&highlight=degenerate) was won by... why look at that... me! I barely squeaked past krzyzewskiville.

-Jason "back to defend my crown!" Evans

[ChillinDuke]

YESSSSSSSS!!!

I've been waiting for this thread all year!!!!!!!!

- Chillin

[Bob Green]

I'm in...

[Troublemaker]

Just signed up!

Thanks, Jason, for starting and running these contests!

[duketaylor]

I'm in.

[jhmoss1812]

Completely forgot about this last year but I'm back in this year. Good luck guys!

[OldPhiKap]

I am SO bad at this. But you had me at “degenerate”

[jhmoss1812]

Day 1 and I have 9 picks in for a possible +2600.

Degenerate is fitting.

[jhmoss1812]

Day 1 and I have 9 picks in for a possible +2600.

Degenerate is fitting.

10 picks sorry. Counting apparently isn't my strong suit.

Is the pick count capped at 10 each day still?

[JasonEvans]

10 picks sorry. Counting apparently isn't my strong suit.

Is the pick count capped at 10 each day still?

I capped it at 20, I think. I basically don't want to limit it.

[du_bb1]

will try again--beating head against wall

[BandAlum83]

Don't know why.....but I'm in!

[ChillinDuke]

I'm locked in.

And foaming at the mouth.

- Chillin

[Bob Green]

I'm just sticking my toes in tonight to check out the temperature of the water. Three bets for a total of $1,000 fake dollars.

[BandAlum83]

I'm just sticking my toes in tonight to check out the temperature of the water. Three bets for a total of $1,000 fake dollars.

4 @ $100 a pop for me.

[du_bb1]

my status is 'hidden' not sure why ??

[Troublemaker]

my status is 'hidden' not sure why ??

It's no problem. It says that for anyone looking at the status of their own picks. Not sure why.

[elvis14]

Ignore, eventually I found a link that brought up the same form in a different way and that worked.
--
Anyone else have issues getting registering? There's a form where I enter my username, name, passwd, DOB, etc. Click 'Register' and nothing happens. No error message, just nothing.

[jhmoss1812]

The two people in 1st after Day 1 are really good at picking games. Terrible at following instructions though.

[NYBri]

I am in again. The first part of the season is tough. Hard to get a sense of the teams so early. ACC season contest is a bit easier.

[JasonEvans]

The two people in 1st after Day 1 are really good at picking games. Terrible at following instructions though.

Sigh...

TheDukeLamere-- you made the following successful picks that did not involve ACC teams and are therefore invalid:
Weber St vs San Diego - 500
Fairfield vs Purdue - 500
Mich St vs Kansas - 500
MSU/Kansas over - 500
Indiana St vs Ball St - 500
ISU/BallSt over - 500
Portland St vs Oregon - 500
BYU vs Nevada - 500

By my count that is 4000 worth of wagers that are illegal in our contest and must be wiped out. I will need you to post in this thread with details of other games you are picking that you are trying to lose. Your losses must equal 4400 units (4000 in wins plus the 400 unit vig). Again, you need to correct this by making losing picks. Please post here it keep us appraised of your progress on this.

JMania919-- you also broke the rules by wagering on games not involving ACC teams. Here are your invalid picks that must be corrected:
Penn vs George Mason - 500
Sienna vs Providence - 500
Rider vs Central Florida - 500

That is 1500 (plus the vig =1650) in losses you must also pick. Again, please post in this thread with details of your intentional losing picks.

-Jason "folks, this ain't difficult. We have done it this way forever... pick ONLY GAMES INVOLVING ACC TEAMS!" Evans

[thedukelamere]

I got a little pick crazy after my afternoon coffee and obviously didn't read the directions... 16-4 with one of the misses being an emotional hedge on UK. Guess I should have called my bookie yesterday :)

I'll bring that 4400 down as quickly as I can.

[ChillinDuke]

I got a little pick crazy after my afternoon coffee and obviously didn't read the directions... 16-4 with one of the misses being an emotional hedge on UK. Guess I should have called my bookie yesterday :)

I'll bring that 4400 down as quickly as I can.

Not to rub it in, but I do find it pretty hysterical that by going 16-4 with your picks you are almost eliminated from the competition.

- Chillin

[jhmoss1812]

Sigh...

TheDukeLamere-- you made the following successful picks that did not involve ACC teams and are therefore invalid:
Weber St vs San Diego - 500
Fairfield vs Purdue - 500
Mich St vs Kansas - 500
MSU/Kansas over - 500
Indiana St vs Ball St - 500
ISU/BallSt over - 500
Portland St vs Oregon - 500
BYU vs Nevada - 500

By my count that is 4000 worth of wagers that are illegal in our contest and must be wiped out. I will need you to post in this thread with details of other games you are picking that you are trying to lose. Your losses must equal 4400 units (4000 in wins plus the 400 unit vig). Again, you need to correct this by making losing picks. Please post here it keep us appraised of your progress on this.

JMania919-- you also broke the rules by wagering on games not involving ACC teams. Here are your invalid picks that must be corrected:
Penn vs George Mason - 500
Sienna vs Providence - 500
Rider vs Central Florida - 500

That is 1500 (plus the vig =1650) in losses you must also pick. Again, please post in this thread with details of your intentional losing picks.

-Jason "folks, this ain't difficult. We have done it this way forever... pick ONLY GAMES INVOLVING ACC TEAMS!" Evans

JMania919 is actually my brother. I'm not sure he has an account here. I told him that he messed up with his non-ACC picks and he created a second account (ZionWinniamson smh). Can you just delete the jmania919 account instead?

[JasonEvans]

JMania919 is actually my brother. I'm not sure he has an account here. I told him that he messed up with his non-ACC picks and he created a second account (ZionWinniamson smh). Can you just delete the jmania919 account instead?

I can try but it might be easier for him to log into that account and try to delete it or something like that. Perhaps he can contact Covers and ask them to remove him. That may be easier than me trying to remove someone.

[jhmoss1812]

I can try but it might be easier for him to log into that account and try to delete it or something like that. Perhaps he can contact Covers and ask them to remove him. That may be easier than me trying to remove someone.

Okay I'll let him know. It wouldn't surprise me if he does nothing. Just know that his entry doesn't count. I don't think he'll be making any more picks with that account though.

[ChillinDuke]

Okay I'll let him know. It wouldn't surprise me if he does nothing. Just know that his entry doesn't count. I don't think he'll be making any more picks with that account though.

LOL

Sounds like you invited a real value add into the contest here.

- Chillin

[jhmoss1812]

LOL

Sounds like you invited a real value add into the contest here.

- Chillin

Yeah, you guys can ban me if you want. I deserve it.

[du_bb1]

bump to top

2 games today-I think

[JasonEvans]

I got a little pick crazy after my afternoon coffee and obviously didn't read the directions... 16-4 with one of the misses being an emotional hedge on UK. Guess I should have called my bookie yesterday :)

I'll bring that 4400 down as quickly as I can.

Reminder, please post your "I'm intentionally losing this game" picks in this thread so we can all track your progress getting rid of that 4400.

[thedukelamere]

Reminder, please post your "I'm intentionally losing this game" picks in this thread so we can all track your progress getting rid of that 4400.

Hoping to clear out 2000 tonight:
Chicago St (+29.5), Under 149.5
Nicholls St. (+19), Under 149

[jhmoss1812]

There are 6 games involving ACC teams tonight. However, I only see two of them posted on Covers (UNC/Elon and Pitt/VMI).

Will the other 4 be posted later or do they not post all possible games?

[Troublemaker]

There are 6 games involving ACC teams tonight. However, I only see two of them posted on Covers (UNC/Elon and Pitt/VMI).

Will the other 4 be posted later or do they not post all possible games?

Based on previous years, yes, they will be posted but you might not get all of them. So maybe 3 of the 4 get posted by this evening.

[jhmoss1812]

Based on previous years, yes, they will be posted but you might not get all of them. So maybe 3 of the 4 get posted by this evening.

Thanks Trouble. I appreciate it.

[thedukelamere]

Hoping to clear out 2000 tonight:
Chicago St (+29.5), Under 149.5
Nicholls St. (+19), Under 149

So I went 2-2... How does this work towards my getting out of jail payment? As far as Covers is concerned, I pushed last night; Would I take my 2 losses (1000 credits) off of my 4400, or is it a push here as well?

[JasonEvans]

So I went 2-2... How does this work towards my getting out of jail payment? As far as Covers is concerned, I pushed last night; Would I take my 2 losses (1000 credits) off of my 4400, or is it a push here as well?

Your wins wipe out your losses. You are required to wipe out that full 4400 of ill-gotten gains. All you succeeded in doing was reducing it by -100. So, you still owe 4300 in losses to the pool.

[thedukelamere]

Virginia Military (+13), Over 142.5
Elon (+17), Under 150.5

2000 on the line tonight, unless they post the other 4 games on Covers.

[Troublemaker]

Thanks Trouble. I appreciate it.

No problem, but looks like I was wrong, at least yesterday. Hopefully they post more ACC games today!

[JasonEvans]

Virginia Military (+13), Over 142.5
Elon (+17), Under 150.5

2000 on the line tonight, unless they post the other 4 games on Covers.

Congrats on picking 3 of 4 losers for -1150. You still owe 3150 to the pool.

[jhmoss1812]

No problem, but looks like I was wrong, at least yesterday. Hopefully they post more ACC games today!

The number of games involving ACC teams that we've been able to pick so far has been incredibly underwhelming. Three ACC teams played today and we only get to pick the Cuse game.

[timmy c]

The number of games involving ACC teams that we've been able to pick so far has been incredibly underwhelming. Three ACC teams played today and we only get to pick the Cuse game.

Agreed. Looks like the Duke vs Army isn't available today.

[JasonEvans]

Agreed. Looks like the Duke vs Army isn't available today.

They updated and the Duke game is now available. We are a 40 point favorite and the O/U is 164.5.

[Indoor66]

They updated and the Duke game is now available. We are a 40 point favorite and the O/U is 164.5.

If I was betting, I would take the points in this one.

[thedukelamere]

3150 in the hole.

Duke -40, Under 167.5
George Washington +26, Over 126
Tulane +14, Under 151

[Bob Green]

I took the under in the Virginia game and the over in the Duke game. $1000 fake dollars on the line in today's games.

[JasonEvans]

3150 in the hole.

Duke -40, Under 167.5
George Washington +26, Over 126
Tulane +14, Under 151

Hang on... are these wagers for the contest or are they still attempts to zero out your illegal winnings? You are still allowed to bet on ACC games while you zero out your ill-gotten gains.

[Bob Green]

...and the over in the Duke game.

92 points scored in the 1st half so the teams are well on their way to beating the over if the pace stays steady.

[thedukelamere]

Hang on... are these wagers for the contest or are they still attempts to zero out your illegal winnings? You are still allowed to bet on ACC games while you zero out your ill-gotten gains.

Still trying to zero out my ill-gotten gains. 3k on the line for the Duke/FSU/Virginia games, hoping to lose all 6 bets and be out of prison for good.

[Bob Green]

I lost the over (167.5) as 166 total points were scored. That last Army shot rolls in instead of out and I'm a winner. :mad:

[Green Wave Dukie]

I lost the over (167.5) as 166 total points were scored. That last Army shot rolls in instead of out and I'm a winner. :mad:

I had the under at 169. Now I wish it had gone in. We’d have both been winners.

[BandAlum83]

I lost the over (167.5) as 166 total points were scored. That last Army shot rolls in instead of out and I'm a winner. :mad:

Same here. Frustrating, isn't it? It looked like a lock at the half.

[thedukelamere]

Still trying to zero out my ill-gotten gains. 3k on the line for the Duke/FSU/Virginia games, hoping to lose all 6 bets and be out of prison for good.

.....instead I went 5-1 and jumped from owing the pool 3150 to owing 5100.

[JasonEvans]

Same here. Frustrating, isn't it? It looked like a lock at the half.

I had the over too... but I had it at 164.5 so I won.

Last night was a really tough on on the O/U number. Lots of close calls. In addition to Duke being right there, the FSU number was 151 and that game ended at 149. Ouch. Virginia was the only moderately easy one as the Cavs number was 126 and they got to 133.

[BandAlum83]

I had the over too... but I had it at 164.5 so I won.

Last night was a really tough on on the O/U number. Lots of close calls. In addition to Duke being right there, the FSU number was 151 and that game ended at 149. Ouch. Virginia was the only moderately easy one as the Cavs number was 126 and they got to 133.

Of course, I took the under on the Cavs. The only thing I did right last night is take army and the points.

[Bob Green]

I went 0-2 yesterday betting on the over/under line. Today, I am betting the spread:

Pitt - -5.5
Stanford - +17

[Fish80]

Bump
I had the heels -18. Push. GTHC, GTH!

[jhmoss1812]

I went 0-2 yesterday betting on the over/under line. Today, I am betting the spread:

Pitt - -5.5
Stanford - +17

I'm 7-7 betting the spread for -30 and 8-4 when betting the O/U for +870. I should probably stick solely to the O/U.

Also, nice to see all 4 games involving ACC teams tonight available for picking.

[thedukelamere]

....instead I went 5-1 and jumped from owing the pool 3150 to owing 5100.

Went 2-2 yesterday, so I still owe the pot.... 5,000 credits. Trying to pay back 4k tonight:

NC-Ash (+24.5), Over 153.5
The U (-14.5), Under 143.5
Southern (+25.5), Under 145.5
Ga. Tech (+16), Under 140.0

[BandAlum83]

I'm 7-7 betting the spread for -30 and 8-4 when betting the O/U for +870. I should probably stick solely to the O/U.

Also, nice to see all 4 games involving ACC teams tonight available for picking.

I only saw GT when I checked....

[Troublemaker]

Also, nice to see all 4 games involving ACC teams tonight available for picking.

Indeed, and they did trickle in throughout the day like I originally posted upthread. I thought I had remembered wrong from last season.

It's annoying, though. If the lines aren't all available at the start of the day, we do have to check the lines maybe at lunch and then maybe once more before the evening in order to find the lagging games.

[Fish80]

Went 2-2 yesterday, so I still owe the pot... 5,000 credits. Trying to pay back 4k tonight:

NC-Ash (+24.5), Over 153.5
The U (-14.5), Under 143.5
Southern (+25.5), Under 145.5
Ga. Tech (+16), Under 140.0

It is rediculously hard to deliberately lose. I had to work off some ill gotten gains last year. Must be some deep brain thing tricking your conscious brain.

[BandAlum83]

I keep getting an error trying to access the contest. I get the main page, and I am logged in, but when I go to contests, "page not available."

Anyone else having problems? Is the site experiencing problems, or just me?

[Bob Green]

I keep getting an error trying to access the contest. I get the main page, and I am logged in, but when I go to contests, "page not available."

Anyone else having problems? Is the site experiencing problems, or just me?

I'm having no issues. This link will take you straight to the DBR contest page:

https://contests.covers.com/OfficePools/91bd9e6d-73e5-4aae-ac40-a98f00deda09

[BandAlum83]

I'm having no issues. This link will take you straight to the DBR contest page:

https://contests.covers.com/OfficePools/91bd9e6d-73e5-4aae-ac40-a98f00deda09

Nope....telling me site can't be reached. Odd

[rasputin]

Nope...telling me site can't be reached. Odd

I am having no trouble getting to the site, but my score would be better if it were blocked.

[Bob Green]

Nope...telling me site can't be reached. Odd

That is strange. My suggestions are pretty basic:

1. Reboot your computer and try again.
2. Use a different browser.

It seems easier to try those two suggestions in the opposite order I listed them.

[Troublemaker]

I'm impressed with your selectiveness and discipline, Green Wave. (Not saying that strategy's for me or everyone else).

Duke -23 was the best selection on the board tonight and your only play. Why spoil that bet with other bets that you're less sure about? +500. Slow and steady, like the turtoise, and now you're essentially tied for first place.

[Troublemaker]

fyi, I'll be pretty busy over the next couple of days so I might not have the volume of picks that I usually have. Good chance for y'all to (try to) catch up ;-)

[Bob Green]

I'm going to try my best to climb out of the red and into the black this weekend. Lots of games to pick so I need to figure out how to pick some winners.

William & Mary at Notre Dame is the only ACC game currently posted at Covers but I'm certain the other games will pop in as the morning progresses.

[Green Wave Dukie]

I'm impressed with your selectiveness and discipline, Green Wave. (Not saying that strategy's for me or everyone else).

Duke -23 was the best selection on the board tonight and your only play. Why spoil that bet with other bets that you're less sure about? +500. Slow and steady, like the turtoise, and now you're essentially tied for first place.


Well, what will probably NOT impress you - or I should say it will impress my stupidity on you - is I just put $400 on Illinois over Gonzaga. I grew up in central Illinois, we leave Tuesday to go back for Thanksgiving, and I am excited about Duke playing in Maui,..., and I deserve to be whipped by a thousand wet noodles.

Sorry. I’ll take my punishment.

[Troublemaker]

Well, what will probably NOT impress you - or I should say it will impress my stupidity on you - is I just put $400 on Illinois over Gonzaga. I grew up in central Illinois, we leave Tuesday to go back for Thanksgiving, and I am excited about Duke playing in Maui,..., and I deserve to be whipped by a thousand wet noodles.

Sorry. I’ll take my punishment.

Nope, I'm still impressed. This time, that you were early enough to grab Duke -13.5.

I was not the early bird and had to take Duke -15.

For contrarians, this might be an opportunity to make up ground. Most of us will probably be on Duke, and if you take SDSU later at like +16 or something, you could gain a lot on the league if SDSU happens to keep it close and cover.

As for your bet, GWD, hopefully Zaga covers and you won't have to enter Jason Evans' torture chamber for degenerates that can't stick to the rules.

[ChillinDuke]

Nope, I'm still impressed. This time, that you were early enough to grab Duke -13.5.

I was not the early bird and had to take Duke -15.

For contrarians, this might be an opportunity to make up ground. Most of us will probably be on Duke, and if you take SDSU later at like +16 or something, you could gain a lot on the league if SDSU happens to keep it close and cover.

As for your bet, GWD, hopefully Zaga covers and you won't have to enter Jason Evans' torture chamber for degenerates that can't stick to the rules.

It's there right now. And I'm tempted. But I'm gonna let it drift even higher. I'm betting it touches 17 or more.

- Chillin

[Green Wave Dukie]

Nope, I'm still impressed. This time, that you were early enough to grab Duke -13.5.

I was not the early bird and had to take Duke -15.




Yeah, I thought Christmas had come early when I saw that line.

[Green Wave Dukie]

Well, what will probably NOT impress you - or I should say it will impress my stupidity on you - is I just put $400 on Illinois over Gonzaga. I grew up in central Illinois, we leave Tuesday to go back for Thanksgiving, and I am excited about Duke playing in Maui,..., and I deserve to be whipped by a thousand wet noodles.

Sorry. I’ll take my punishment.


Since Illinois beat the spread last night, I've got 400 points to try to return to the field. So, in an attempt to get out of jail as quickly as possible, I'm not sitting around trying to roll doubles, I've put the 400 on Texas A&M +3 over Washington. Hopefully I have a one night sentence in the slammer. (and I'm impatiently looking for the line on tonight's game vs Auburn)

[thedukelamere]

Hopefully I have a one night sentence in the slammer.

Good luck, it's a slippery slope to climb out of... We'll miss you. :cool:

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/ScholarlyEarnestIbisbill-small.gif

[left_hook_lacey]

Duke opens at -10.5 on Auburn. Cha-ching.

[brlftz]

Duke opens at -10.5 on Auburn. Cha-ching.

I took the over, can't remember exactly but think it was around 160. I think it's going to be higher scoring than that and was confident enough to enter this contest with that as my first bet. Not sure about the spread, though, since this is likely to be our first actually challenging game and I haven't seen how this group responds to game pressure being applied by an experienced and athletic team. I wouldn't be surprised to see a nail-biter. Will be super interesting to see what happens.

[JasonEvans]

this is likely to be our first actually challenging game and I haven't seen how this group responds to game pressure being applied by an experienced and athletic team.

So, umm, doesn't the above statement almost exactly describe the Kentucky game? I guess Kentucky wasn't as experienced in the backcourt, but they sure were in the frontcourt. Auburn simply does not have NBA kind of talent on their team. And while they are used to being the most versatile and athletic team on the floor, I suspect they will be overwhelmed when they realize Duke is far more athletic and versatile than they are.

[left_hook_lacey]

So, umm, doesn't the above statement almost exactly describe the Kentucky game? I guess Kentucky wasn't as experienced in the backcourt, but they sure were in the frontcourt. Auburn simply does not have NBA kind of talent on their team. And while they are used to being the most versatile and athletic team on the floor, I suspect they will be overwhelmed when they realize Duke is far more athletic and versatile than they are.

I took Duke even at -10.5 for these exact reasons. Playing the #8 team in the country on a neutral court and Vegas gives us 10.5 points? That's saying a lot about the confidence in Duke. I think Auburn gets intimidated 3/4 of the way through the first half and wilts under the big lights.

[ChillinDuke]

I took Duke even at -10.5 for these exact reasons. Playing the #8 team in the country on a neutral court and Vegas gives us 10.5 points? That's saying a lot about the confidence in Duke. I think Auburn gets intimidated 3/4 of the way through the first half and wilts under the big lights.

Objectively, I'd take the 10.5 and go with Auburn.

But I agree, LHL, it's hard to bet against Duke in this one.

I was gonna pick Duke at -8 or so. Now at 10.5. Woof. I may still pick us. Which says a lot.

- Chillin

[BandAlum83]

Duke opens at -10.5 on Auburn. Cha-ching.

I took Duke and the under (168.5)

89-78 gets me the double!

I'll predict 92-71 Duke with the win.

[ChillinDuke]

Objectively, I'd take the 10.5 and go with Auburn.

But I agree, LHL, it's hard to bet against Duke in this one.

I was gonna pick Duke at -8 or so. Now at 10.5. Woof. I may still pick us. Which says a lot.

- Chillin

Still at 10.5.

I'm struggling to pull the trigger. Every objective part of me thinks it makes no sense to take Duke, although my gut says Duke covers.

- Chillin

[brlftz]

So, umm, doesn't the above statement almost exactly describe the Kentucky game? I guess Kentucky wasn't as experienced in the backcourt, but they sure were in the frontcourt. Auburn simply does not have NBA kind of talent on their team. And while they are used to being the most versatile and athletic team on the floor, I suspect they will be overwhelmed when they realize Duke is far more athletic and versatile than they are.

If an experienced and athletic team can keep it close late in the game, that's what I'm calling game pressure. I wouldn't say we faced a whole lot of game pressure being up by 30+ in the second half.

[Green Wave Dukie]

Still at 10.5.

I'm struggling to pull the trigger. Every objective part of me thinks it makes no sense to take Duke, although my gut says Duke covers.

- Chillin

I went with my gut as soon as someone alerted us the line was out. I’ll just tell ya, gonna keep taking the Blue Devils until they don’t cover. Even though i agree, it’s too many points and against sound logic. But hey, it’s only points, right?

[JasonEvans]

I went with my gut as soon as someone alerted us the line was out. I’ll just tell ya, gonna keep taking the Blue Devils until they don’t cover. Even though i agree, it’s too many points and against sound logic. But hey, it’s only points, right?

We failed to cover against Army.

By the way, some Vegas casinos now have the line at 11.

[ChillinDuke]

We failed to cover against Army.

By the way, some Vegas casinos now have the line at 11.

I couldn't take it. I went with Auburn and the under.

If you removed the names and the context and the hype from this matchup, #10 vs #1 on a neutral floor at +11 and o/u 170?! Those numbers would seem frankly insane.

An 11 point spread for a 9 point disparity in KP is craaaaaaaaazy rare. And I've got two years worth of Degenerate Data to prove it.

- Chillin

[Troublemaker]

One thing I'll say is that it doesn't make much sense to me to bet both Duke AND the over. We all know that if Duke gets a lead, we're going to see stallball, AND if Duke has a big enough lead, we'll even see deep bench subs. Those two things completely neuter scoring. If you had the over against SDSU, you got a taste of what that's like. The game was sailing over for awhile but then the final 5 minutes or so when Duke called off the dogs got the game to go under, and by more than 1 possession, IIRC. It's either Duke OR under but not both, imo.

Now that I've posted that, watch Duke cover and go over, haha.

[ChillinDuke]

One thing I'll say is that it doesn't make much sense to me to bet both Duke AND the over. We all know that if Duke gets a lead, we're going to see stallball, AND if Duke has a big enough lead, we'll even see deep bench subs. Those two things completely neuter scoring. If you had the over against SDSU, you got a taste of what that's like. The game was sailing over for awhile but then the final 5 minutes or so when Duke called off the dogs got the game to go under, and by more than 1 possession, IIRC. It's either Duke OR under but not both, imo.

Now that I've posted that, watch Duke cover and go over, haha.

Over looks tough at this point. Would have to be a monster 2nd half. But if anyone can do it it's Auburn bombing threes.

- Chillin

[ChillinDuke]

Duke opens at -7.5 tonight against Gonzaga. Another line that's frankly too big, but nowhere near the order of magnitude of -11.

KP #1 vs #6 on a neutral court should be a pick 'em. Or close to it. +/- 2, max, I'd expect. Maybe you stretch to +/- 3 in certain cases. -7.5 is another WOW number.

165 is also pretty wow on the o/u.

Basically, tonight is the same story they tried with Auburn, just a little less insane. For now...

- Chillin

[left_hook_lacey]

Duke opens at -7.5 tonight against Gonzaga. Another line that's frankly too big, but nowhere near the order of magnitude of -11.

KP #1 vs #6 on a neutral court should be a pick 'em. Or close to it. +/- 2, max, I'd expect. Maybe you stretch to +/- 3 in certain cases. -7.5 is another WOW number.

165 is also pretty wow on the o/u.

Basically, tonight is the same story they tried with Auburn, just a little less insane. For now...

- Chillin

I'm picking Duke to cover, and picking the under. I'm a mad man.

A fool and his money...

Update: Down to -7 Duke now.

[jhmoss1812]

Just 16 picks (8 on the spread and 8 on the O/U) for +3000 today.

I'm trying to bet on every spread and O/U this season just to gauge how well I would do if I started betting for real.

46-36-2 for far (23-20 for +500 on spread and 23-16-2 for +90 on O/U)

[ChillinDuke]

I waited patiently and just jumped at the under at 168.

If I had guts (spoiler alert: I don't), I'd take Gonzaga and the points as my other bet.

Didn't love any of the other ACC lines. I kicked around GTech and the spread but dropped it after further deliberation.

- Chillin

PS - Is BandAlum out after falling in the hole over 5000 simoleans?

[Fish80]

I will never learn. I took UVA and the over at 124.

[jhmoss1812]

I will never learn. I took UVA and the over at 124.

Good call on the over. 66 + 59 = 125

[NYBri]

Am I the first one to be out? :cool:

[Fish80]

Why don’t they list the Florida State - Villanova game? Or the Miami game?

[jhmoss1812]

Why don’t they list the Florida State - Villanova game? Or the Miami game?

Both are now listed. It is frustrating that they aren't listed all at the same time though.

[Troublemaker]

Am I the first one to be out? :cool:

I think BandAlum got you beat there. You win some, you lose some, eh? Even though this competition didn't go well for you, NYBri, you still own two prestigious Green Jackets from winning two ACC Conference Degenerate titles. It's really the Masters event of our degenerate tour. Preconference and NCAA tournament schedules can vary wildly from year to year, but the ACC Conference slate is close enough to the same year after year, kind of like how Augusta might modify the greens a bit but it's still The Masters.

I'm coming for my own Green Jacket starting in about a month, NYBri. You will not 3-peat.

P.S. Good calls on the Auburn game, Chillin'. I wasn't able to pull the trigger myself but leaned that way.


https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1tMgIIVXXXXbvXFXXq6xXFXXXK/Alice-2015-New-Women-Men-Dollars-print-3D-Sweatshirts-jacket-money-coat-funny-Galaxy-baseball.jpg

[left_hook_lacey]

I can't get ahead....or behind. Just slowly getting eaten by the vig. They call me even Steven.

8849

[Troublemaker]

What a bloodbath our league experienced last night (including me).

Better luck tonight!

[Fish80]

What a bloodbath our league experienced last night (including me).

Better luck tonight!

I too took a bath. I’m done, -5150. 🙃

Good luck to all still in it.

[Green Wave Dukie]

What a bloodbath our league experienced last night (including me).

Better luck tonight!

Glad I was not alone. In my state of depression last night (Picked mostly losers and put 500 on them; and picked WCU to cover against Wake Forest, and put 200 on that one) I went in at 500 against the spread on the challenge games for tonight. Fear I might soon be in the red, headed toward the dreaded -5,000 mark.

[Troublemaker]

It is back! Time for our college hoops picking contest! As always, you go to Covers.com to make your picks. Details on signing up is right here. The Password to enter the group is GoDuke.

https://contests.covers.com/OfficePools/91bd9e6d-73e5-4aae-ac40-a98f00deda09
Contest Name: DBR ACC Hoops contest (pre-conference season)
Access Password: GoDuke

As in past years, you make wagers of between 100 and 500 units and can bet on both the line as well as the over/under. YOU MAY ONLY PICK GAMES INVOLVING ACC TEAMS!! So, if you pick the Kansas-MSU game, you will automatically lose (and if you win you will have to make enough wagers to lose that amount x2, which is a lot harder than it looks). Everyone starts at 0 dollars and you can keep on betting until you get to -5000 in losses. Once you hit -5000, you are done and are out of the contest.

We will keep this contest going through the end of the year and then start a new contest for the meat of the ACC conference season. Consider this the non-conference contest even though there will be a few conference games contested.

Post in this thread if you have any questions.

-Jason "I'm sure NYBri will win again. He's a freaking savant at this" Evans

Jason, this contest doesn't end until Jan 7th? Are you sure you don't want to end it before the ACC season starts and then begin anew with a fresh contest for conference games? Or maybe that wasn't an option?

As always, thanks for running this contest, my friend!

[JasonEvans]

Jason, this contest doesn't end until Jan 7th? Are you sure you don't want to end it before the ACC season starts and then begin anew with a fresh contest for conference games? Or maybe that wasn't an option?

As always, thanks for running this contest, my friend!

I just put a date on it that ensured we would capture all pre-ACC season games. We will start a new one, for sure, when ACC season rolls around.

[jhmoss1812]

I just put a date on it that ensured we would capture all pre-ACC season games. We will start a new one, for sure, when ACC season rolls around.

I know that UVA plays FSU on 1/5 though

[CameronBlue]

Well this little slow roll to Hell is over for me. What an utterly stupid contest. What's the startup date for the next one?

[JasonEvans]

I know that UVA plays FSU on 1/5 though

Yup, and we will have the ACC contest started by then.

[jhmoss1812]

Yup, and we will have the ACC contest started by then.

Gotcha. Does that mean I can pick the UVA-FSU game for the current contest as well?

[JasonEvans]

Gotcha. Does that mean I can pick the UVA-FSU game for the current contest as well?

I will likely I'm a real wanker for saying this.I'm a real wanker for saying this.I'm a real wanker for saying this.I'm a real wanker for saying this. down the current contest when we start the ACC one. One contest at a time. Make sense?

[JasonEvans]

I will likely I'm a real wanker for saying this.I'm a real wanker for saying this.I'm a real wanker for saying this.I'm a real wanker for saying this. down the current contest when we start the ACC one. One contest at a time. Make sense?

Shut down. The “I” and the “U” are next to each other and created a nasty typo error when I wrote “shut.”

[devildeac]

I will likely I'm a real wanker for saying this.I'm a real wanker for saying this.I'm a real wanker for saying this.I'm a real wanker for saying this. down the current contest when we start the ACC one. One contest at a time. Make sense?


Shut down. The “I” and the “U” are next to each other and created a nasty typo error when I wrote “shut.”

Yeah, right Jason :rolleyes:. Trying to circumvent the filter again. Shameful.

;)

[jhmoss1812]

I will likely I'm a real wanker for saying this.I'm a real wanker for saying this.I'm a real wanker for saying this.I'm a real wanker for saying this. down the current contest when we start the ACC one. One contest at a time. Make sense?

Makes sense. I promise I won't ask any more questions LOL

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

I will likely I'm a real wanker for saying this.I'm a real wanker for saying this.I'm a real wanker for saying this.I'm a real wanker for saying this. down the current contest when we start the ACC one. One contest at a time. Make sense?

This is shameful. I am contacting a mod.

[Green Wave Dukie]

Since Illinois beat the spread last night, I've got 400 points to try to return to the field. So, in an attempt to get out of jail as quickly as possible, I'm not sitting around trying to roll doubles, I've put the 400 on Texas A&M +3 over Washington. Hopefully I have a one night sentence in the slammer. (and I'm impatiently looking for the line on tonight's game vs Auburn)

Just to clean this one up, for the record, back on November 20th Washington beat Texas A&M 71-67, so I 'won' by losing with Texas A&M +3. So, I am officially out of Jason's Jail.

Coming after you Trouble!

[Troublemaker]

Coming after you Trouble!

You got me! Congrats on moving into 1st place, GWD! It's time for me to become the hunter again.

Really, really great job by jhmoss, too. Frankly, 58% on that volume of picks is more impressive than anything I've done.

[jhmoss1812]

You got me! Congrats on moving into 1st place, GWD! It's time for me to become the hunter again.

Really, really great job by jhmoss, too. Frankly, 58% on that volume of picks is more impressive than anything I've done.

Thanks Trouble but I don't know about that. I've debated increasing my bet size (I was betting irregularly earlier in the contest) but I'm really just interested in seeing what my percentage on picks would be over the course of the season. Thus, I'm sticking to $100 bets only. I'm afraid that if I start betting more, I'll be out of the contest LOL.

[Troublemaker]

It's time for me to become the hunter again.

And the hunt is over. Back in 1st!

The cream always rises, folks :-)

[Troublemaker]

Thanks Trouble but I don't know about that. I've debated increasing my bet size (I was betting irregularly earlier in the contest) but I'm really just interested in seeing what my percentage on picks would be over the course of the season. Thus, I'm sticking to $100 bets only. I'm afraid that if I start betting more, I'll be out of the contest LOL.

I completely understand, jh. If I were doing what you were doing, I'd be deathly afraid that as soon as I up my bet size, the losing streak would immediately start.

Terrific season from you, no matter what happens.

[rasputin]

Having done so poorly in the pre-conference contest, I'm eager for the conference season contest to start.

[Troublemaker]

Having done so poorly in the pre-conference contest, I'm eager for the conference season contest to start.

Jason, since the conference season starts on Jan 1st with the ND-VaTech game (http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/scoreboard/_/group/2/date/20190101), do you want to end the pre-conference contest on Dec 31st and start the new contest on Jan 1st?

[HereBeforeCoachK]

Jason, since the conference season starts on Jan 1st with the ND-VaTech game (http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/scoreboard/_/group/2/date/20190101), do you want to end the pre-conference contest on Dec 31st and start the new contest on Jan 1st?

DITTO to this question....

[JasonEvans]

I'll create a brand new thread for it... but in the meantime, here you go!

I swear, if anyone picks a game that does not involve 2 ACC teams, I'm just gonna boot them from the contest. They will be out. No exceptions. We have done this enough so that folks should know the rules.

Contest Name: DBR 2019 ACC Hoops picking contest
Access Password: GoDuke
Start Date: Dec 31 2018
End Date: Mar 19 2019
Click Here To Join: https://contests.covers.com/OfficePools/94231f45-c189-45a9-a466-a9c401230d85

[Fish80]

I'll create a brand new thread for it... but in the meantime, here you go!

I swear, if anyone picks a game that does not involve 2 ACC teams, I'm just gonna boot them from the contest. They will be out. No exceptions. We have done this enough so that folks should know the rules.

Contest Name: DBR 2019 ACC Hoops picking contest
Access Password: GoDuke
Start Date: Dec 31 2018
End Date: Mar 19 2019
Click Here To Join: https://contests.covers.com/OfficePools/94231f45-c189-45a9-a466-a9c401230d85

Fabulous. I hope, on an overserved whim, I don’t mistakenly bet on a game that does not involve 2 ACC teams and get das boot. I will live and die by the rules. Thanks for doing this JasonEvans.

[Troublemaker]

Fabulous. I hope, on an overserved whim, I don’t mistakenly bet on a game that does not involve 2 ACC teams and get das boot. I will live and die by the rules. Thanks for doing this JasonEvans.

Yes, thank you as always, Jason.

We can't be degenerates without our enabler!

[jhmoss1812]

I'll create a brand new thread for it... but in the meantime, here you go!

I swear, if anyone picks a game that does not involve 2 ACC teams, I'm just gonna boot them from the contest. They will be out. No exceptions. We have done this enough so that folks should know the rules.

Contest Name: DBR 2019 ACC Hoops picking contest
Access Password: GoDuke
Start Date: Dec 31 2018
End Date: Mar 19 2019
Click Here To Join: https://contests.covers.com/OfficePools/94231f45-c189-45a9-a466-a9c401230d85

I think I'm going to pass on this. I had fun with the pre-conference one but I think I'll be too busy during the semester to keep up the way I'd want. Thanks again for organizing!

[BandAlum83]

I'll create a brand new thread for it... but in the meantime, here you go!

I swear, if anyone picks a game that does not involve 2 ACC teams, I'm just gonna boot them from the contest. They will be out. No exceptions. We have done this enough so that folks should know the rules.

Contest Name: DBR 2019 ACC Hoops picking contest
Access Password: GoDuke
Start Date: Dec 31 2018
End Date: Mar 19 2019
Click Here To Join: https://contests.covers.com/OfficePools/94231f45-c189-45a9-a466-a9c401230d85

OK, a fresh start for me. My goal is to at least last until season's end. Forget even ending with a positive balance!