Tuesday, July 26, 2011

SoSG Streaking: Game Starts Tonight!

Thanks to SoSG reader Dusto Magnifico for the logo!

Get your velcro tearoff warmup pants ready, because tonight we are going streaking!

Thanks to all of you who signed up for this game. Here's how the game works:

  • The object of the game is to survive the longest by making the correct selection in a series of propositions, with each proposition dependent upon an outcome in that day's game. Each proposition will be binary, so one side will "win" and the other side will "lose." (For example, a proposition might be "the Dodgers will hit four or more home runs in tonight's game" (and we all know what side to take on that example).)
  • Sometime in the two hours leading up to the first pitch in that day's game, a new "SoSG Streaking" Proposition Post will go up, with a proposition bet described. But here is the catch: only the first player in each head-to-head bracket to post a comment with his or her desired side will be allowed to select the side of the proposition. In other words, if you're in a head-to-head bracket and your opponent chooses his or her side first, you by default get put on the other side of the proposition.

  • Even though one person has already picked a side of the proposition, the opponent also needs to comment within the Proposition Post thread, in order to stay alive--or, the first player gets both sides of the proposition (and is guaranteed a win).

  • Propositions will be closed at first pitch. If neither opponent in the head-to-head battle takes a stance before the first pitch, both contestants are eliminated (or I'll think up some other outcome, maybe a coin flip; the point is, put in a vote).

  • I'm guessing that these propositions will be a first-mover advantage, so you may want to check if the Proposition Post has gone up yet.

  • The tournament bracket is single-elimination and was largely determined in the order people registered, with the exception of Dusto Magnifico for whom we have to thank for the awesome game logo (above), so I advanced him to the first round (sorry, Loney Fan!). The rounds will play as follows (click to enlarge):

So, to Loney Fan, hawkhandler, In Vin Veritas, Fernie V, Steve K, Central Valley Fan, Neeebs, and Keven C: be ready sometime after 5p today! Good luck!

40 comments:

Fred's Brim said...

fun!

8====D~

Eric Karros said...

Ah, this should be interesting (sits back with popcorn in hand)...

Sax, question: if only one person in a face-off responds but gets it wrong, does the other guy win even though he never commented?

Steve Sax said...

@EK: Yeah, I couldn't figure out how to swing this but that's the idea. So, for example, even if the proposition for last night's game was "number of Rockies that will come to the plate in the ninth inning: 9.5 players" and I got in first and picked "under", I would lose.

You bring up a good point, though: should I make the other guy have to comment or do something in return? Otherwise in theory a passive player could win the whole tournament.

QuadSevens said...

That's a great logo! And this game is right up a gambler's alley. Loving it!

Jason said...

It seems pretty easy to just declare that the first poster gets both sides of the proposition if the opponent never shows up.

Eric Karros said...

Hmmm...I sort of think yes, make the 2nd responder at least comment something to win by default.

One thing I like about the game is the should-I-or-shouldnt-I guess strategery. It's like Jeopardy or the SAT - if you have no idea of the answer, guessing could hurt you (although unlike the SAT or Jeopardy, even if you're truly clueless, your odds never drop below 50-50).

As I play this game out in my head, I think requiring the 2nd responder to still comment would boost participation without compromising this guessing strategery.

Eric Karros said...

So yes, I essentially agree with Jason.

Steve Sax said...

Ok, good points. I will alter the instructions...

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I think that the thread should go up two hours before game time, if a comment is required by the second poster. That way, there is plenty of time for him/her to get his/her comment in.

Jason said...

I have another rule proposal to handle the situation where neither commenter posts. It would require reseeding the bracket between rounds. It also works best if all propositions are in a grab bag at the beginning of each round allowing the first post for each pairing to choose the proposition and the side. After each round, the winners of the previous round are reseeded based on the difference between the prop line (4.5 Dodger runs) and the actual (8 runs, margin is 3.5). Any ties in margin are seeded in the same order as the previous round.

If any pairing results in no winner (due to neither side posting or some other wrinkle) the blank spot(s) gets seeded last meaning the highest seed gets a bye.

This obviously involves a lot for admin work but it also adds an incentive to post as early as possible to choose the prop line that seems the most out of whack with reality (Kershaw, 2.5 K?).

spank said...

I thought streaking was involved? DAMMIT!

Jason said...

^ Addendum: if a poster advances due to forfeit but actually chose the losing side (Dodgers score 4.5 runs, the chose under, opponent never posts, Dodgers score 8 runs) only half the inherited side's points are awarded for seeding the next round (the over in this case so half of the 3.5 margin, 1.75).

This keeps a early (but wrong) poster from lacking into a high seed and potential bye.

Steve Sax said...

@Jason: I *love* the idea of the proposition grab bag. That is brilliant.

Unfortunately, I can't do it for this round; I'm going to be out of town for the latter half of this week so I'm pre-loading all the propositions early (and won't be able to maintain or administer them during the days). Maybe we'll have to do a new "SoSG Streaking, Squared" competition after this one?

Steve Sax said...

@Mr LA Sports Czar: Proposition posts are going to go up at a irregular time, for obvious reasons...

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Then I will likely be out tomorrow.

Steve Sax said...

Come on, Mr. LA SC! Where's the can-do attitude? Don't go all emo-ing on me

Jason said...

@Sax

I didn't go out drinking last night so I am shockingly lucid this morning. Is this what it is like to be a teetotler? It's like I woke up this morning to find a new, strange, bright and cheerful world.

I hate this place.

*shotguns beer, shoots Jameson*

In Vin Veritas said...

anyone else imagining broxton in a full nude sprint from the pen??? just me??? sigh...

Dusto_Magnifico said...

I did have a few other versions come to mind... this was by far the best. Though having Broxton

Dusto_Magnifico said...

...would have been mysteriously awesome.

Eric Karros said...

@In Vin Veritas - is that the first proposition of the game?

If so, I will go with...YES. I think Dusty probably imagined Brox naked too.

Fernie V said...

Hey Man, it's his game, rules have been established. Now shut it and stop complaining.

Steve Sax said...

Fernie V is ornery--be ready, Keven C

Neeebs (The Original) said...

@FB (6:21a.m.)

8 D

OH 8 D!!!!!!!!!!

Steve Sax said...

huh?

Pride of Dong said...

saturday and sunday I'll be at the games, so IF i'm still in the running, I'm hoping for lower turn out for cell coverage!

Steve Sax said...

Oh, Central Valley Fan, you'll get it. You'll get it.

(Just make sure to check the site and cast your vote before you enter the Stadium grounds...)

Neeebs (The Original) said...

@Sax (10.57)

That's what I said, initially.

It's a visual.

Go back to FB's post.

Steve Sax said...

I'm not so good with this ascii art stuff

Josh S. said...

(ノ>_<)ノ

( ̄(エ) ̄)

Pride of Dong said...

I hope to god the 200,000th post is an ascii drawing...


;-P - - - -(======8

QuadSevens said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
QuadSevens said...

Just spent way too much time looking up ascii art online. Failed at posting some too.


*kicks his own ass*

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Things we shouldn't know about SOSG posters:

FB's a 4 =
CVF's a 6 =

Pride of Dong said...

Also, looks like FB's is uncut... D vs )

Fernie V said...

@ sax & Keven C, I actually have not ever won a bracket. So I wouldn't worry Keven c.

Steve Sax said...

ಠ_ಠ

Steve Sax said...

Mr LA SC, this one is for you

╔═╦══╦═╗
║╩╣║║║║║
╚═╩╩╩╩═╝

Kyle Baker said...

My god this place is a shithole. It's seedier than HMS Bounty on Wilshire,

I like it.

Steve Sax said...

where have you been all day, dusty?