August 18, 2011

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Yes, my friends, the time has come once again, and the moment we have waited long, nerve-racking months for has arrived: the NFL Suicide Pool returns in 2011, courtesy of a new collective bargaining agreement, hosted by yours truly. And, once again, we expect to field our largest field ever this coming season.

For those with questions, this post shall serve as a reference for all Pool Rules and Regulations. NFL Suicide Pools have a simple premise: you pick the winner of one single NFL game each week (straight up, no point spreads) and if the team you choose wins their game, you advance to the next week. If your team loses, you take a loss, and in the Swami's Suicide Pool two losses eliminates you from competition. You may not pick the same team twice during the regular season (see below for special playoff rules). There are additional details, of course, which are outlined below, but the above is the general gist of things.
 
Participants are encouraged to read the following in its entirety, even those who are experienced Swami Suicide Pool veterans.

(1) Entries - Each participant may enter a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of five (5) entries. (2) Picks - You pick the winner of a single NFL game each week. No point spreads are involved, which means you pick the straight-up winner. Please note that ties count as losses. Kindly email your weekly picks to SwamiSuicidePool@gmail.com. (3) Deadline - You must get your pick in by the start of your chosen team’s game (kick-off). If you neglect to send a pick in a given week, the default pick is the home team for the Monday night game. If you have already used that team, the Monday night visiting team is your selection. If you have already used both teams, you lose. (4) Format - This is a double-elimination tournament; you are allowed one loss. Uno, dos, adios! (5) Disputes - If rule clarifications or amendments are required mid-season (unlikely) or in the event of disputes (also unlikely), all decisions made by the Swami are final. (6) Updates - An update email will be sent each week with the number of surviving players, the coming week's schedule of games, and pick selections from the previous weeks. The update will usually come on Tuesday, although the Swami reserves the right to stretch it later into the week, if needed. You can also check this blog for the update. (7) Playoffs - The playoff structure for 2011 is identical to the 2010 and 2009 formats. Starting in Week Ten (10) of the regular season, any team chosen by a participant is NOT eligible to be selected in the playoffs, where the standard Suicide Rules will apply (i.e. you select one team to win per weekend playoff round). Teams chosen in Weeks One thru Nine (1-9) will be available to be re-selected in the playoffs.


Kindly address questions to the Swami at SwamiSuicidePool@gmail.com.

Good luck to all participants! Hank would be so proud.

That is all.