Daytona 500 Fantasy Game 2009 | Auto Racing Office Pools
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Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Friday, March 14, 2008
March Madness - Not Just for Brackets Anymore
I love this time of year when everyone from your co-worker to your grandma is in a March Madness office pool. Admittedly, I fill out at least two bracket pools each year, trying to hedge my bet from one to the other.
But as I thought about it, do we really need to go through all the matchups of the entire bracket, all 64 teams? How many office pools have you been in that were decided by anything other than the final 2 teams in the championship game?
Therefore, why not just cut to the chase. Last year, I started playing a unique pool format where it does all hinge on just picking these final 2 teams. No safety net here kiddies. The format is easy but challenging, as you make your selections over days, not all upfront prior to the opening Thursday.
The game is called Last 2 Left and the website offers a free public game and private office pools which aren't restricted by the traditional deadlines of brackets. The site offers not only the Men's NCAA Tourney but also the Women's and the NIT. Here's the site's schedule:
Men's NCAA College Basketball Tournament
Public Game - Deadline to get in: 3/21/08 by 12PM EST
Private Office Pool - Deadline to start one: 3/27/08 by 12PM EST
Women's NCAA College Basketball Tournament
Public Game - Deadline to get in: 3/23/08 by 12PM EST
Private Office Pool - Deadline to start one: 3/29/08 by 12PM EST
Men's NIT College Basketball Tournament
Public Game - Deadline to get in: 3/19/08 by 12PM EST
Private Office Pool - Deadline to start one: 3/22/08 by 12PM EST
So this year, try something new that should take you no more than two minutes. Sure, you can do your brackets too but when your National Champ goes down on the first weekend, here's an alternative for you. Good luck!!!
Writer Harland Crom is an avid sports fan and reality TV voyeur who has has participated in and managed many types of office pools over the years. His Blog, http://fantasy-games-and-office-pools.blogspot.com, discusses the relationship of popular sports, events and reality shows with fantasy games.
But as I thought about it, do we really need to go through all the matchups of the entire bracket, all 64 teams? How many office pools have you been in that were decided by anything other than the final 2 teams in the championship game?
Therefore, why not just cut to the chase. Last year, I started playing a unique pool format where it does all hinge on just picking these final 2 teams. No safety net here kiddies. The format is easy but challenging, as you make your selections over days, not all upfront prior to the opening Thursday.
The game is called Last 2 Left and the website offers a free public game and private office pools which aren't restricted by the traditional deadlines of brackets. The site offers not only the Men's NCAA Tourney but also the Women's and the NIT. Here's the site's schedule:
Men's NCAA College Basketball Tournament
Public Game - Deadline to get in: 3/21/08 by 12PM EST
Private Office Pool - Deadline to start one: 3/27/08 by 12PM EST
Women's NCAA College Basketball Tournament
Public Game - Deadline to get in: 3/23/08 by 12PM EST
Private Office Pool - Deadline to start one: 3/29/08 by 12PM EST
Men's NIT College Basketball Tournament
Public Game - Deadline to get in: 3/19/08 by 12PM EST
Private Office Pool - Deadline to start one: 3/22/08 by 12PM EST
So this year, try something new that should take you no more than two minutes. Sure, you can do your brackets too but when your National Champ goes down on the first weekend, here's an alternative for you. Good luck!!!
Writer Harland Crom is an avid sports fan and reality TV voyeur who has has participated in and managed many types of office pools over the years. His Blog, http://fantasy-games-and-office-pools.blogspot.com, discusses the relationship of popular sports, events and reality shows with fantasy games.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Johnny Fairplay Throws Survivor Fans vs. Favorites Fantasy Players
Survivor Fans, especially who play fantasy games and office pools, got thrown a curve on the Survivor Micronesia season premiere when Johnny Fairplay asked to be voted off. One of the most infamous Survivors, Fairplay was a popular choice in many office pools.
Fairplay's request to be sent home was met with skepticism as the players thought it was a trick. In the end, however, they gladly sent him packing.
In the Last 2 Left Public Micronesia Game the first deadline thankfully has not passed yet so players have a chance to make a quick change. Players in private office pools, where the deadline has passed, weren't so lucky.
For those not familiar with the Last 2 Left format, the object of this game is to correctly predict the 2 Survivors that will reach the Season Finale. Players make 3 selections at various times - one survivor to reach the finale, the second survivor to reach the finale and then the overall winner, for tiebreaker purposes. Sounds simple, right?!? It's tougher than it sounds and strategy comes into play when trying to edge out other players.
Last 2 Left applies this same format to many different types of events. So if you're into reality television shows (Celebrity Apprentice, American Idol, Survivor, Big Brother 9, Amazing Race and more) popular sports (football, basketball, hockey, golf, baseball, tennis, auto racing and more), and other high profile contests, there's a game here for you. The website offers one free Public Game for every event, or you can create an Office Pool for just your friends, also free.
Writer Harland Crom is an avid sports fan and reality TV voyeur who has has participated in and managed many types of office pools over the years. His Blog, http://fantasy-games-and-office-pools.blogspot.com, discusses the relationship of popular sports, events and reality shows with fantasy games.
Fairplay's request to be sent home was met with skepticism as the players thought it was a trick. In the end, however, they gladly sent him packing.
In the Last 2 Left Public Micronesia Game the first deadline thankfully has not passed yet so players have a chance to make a quick change. Players in private office pools, where the deadline has passed, weren't so lucky.
For those not familiar with the Last 2 Left format, the object of this game is to correctly predict the 2 Survivors that will reach the Season Finale. Players make 3 selections at various times - one survivor to reach the finale, the second survivor to reach the finale and then the overall winner, for tiebreaker purposes. Sounds simple, right?!? It's tougher than it sounds and strategy comes into play when trying to edge out other players.
Last 2 Left applies this same format to many different types of events. So if you're into reality television shows (Celebrity Apprentice, American Idol, Survivor, Big Brother 9, Amazing Race and more) popular sports (football, basketball, hockey, golf, baseball, tennis, auto racing and more), and other high profile contests, there's a game here for you. The website offers one free Public Game for every event, or you can create an Office Pool for just your friends, also free.
Writer Harland Crom is an avid sports fan and reality TV voyeur who has has participated in and managed many types of office pools over the years. His Blog, http://fantasy-games-and-office-pools.blogspot.com, discusses the relationship of popular sports, events and reality shows with fantasy games.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
2008 Presidential Election Becomes Tangled Game for Democrats
In the "left" corner, we have the Democrats who have promised to be positive. With Hillary Clinton's lead widening in the polls, Edwards, Obama and Dodd, decided they'd rough her up a bit so she wouldn't look so attractive to voters. The speculation is that they may have gone too far by trying to land one to the head so early. John Edwards now seems to be the one sporting the shiner.
The big question is, can Hillary beat the other side? I'm concerned, as are others, that her polarizing affect may be just enough to let a lesser qualified Republican steal the top job.
So if not Hillary, then who? Barack Obama is next in line but he seems like a two-sided candidate to me. The side that delivers prepared speeches and controlled messaging appears to be a powerful beam of light, leading the way to change. The side that must sit in the chair opposite a Tim Russert type answering direct questions, has a metered delivery that attempts to mask a definite uncertainty.
If Clinton and Obama are the top two, would either accept the invitation of the other for vice president? Not likely.
Enter Joe Biden. Everyone respects and agrees with Joe. In fact, his campaign just put out a video called, Joe is Right, where they string together all the clips of the other candidates agreeing with him. It appears they agree with him because they don't see him as a threat. How ironic would it be if he jumped ahead in the polls after Iowa. Unlikely? We'll see.
If you've noticed, there's been no mud slung at Joe or from Joe. That's because they all know Joe is tops on foreign affairs and could actually beat the Republicans. So, is Hillary, Barack and the others holding a spot for Joe as VP or, as some have mentioned, Secretary of State? It would be bad form to duke it out with a future running mate.
I ask a simple question. If Joe Biden is so right as the other candidates claim, can garner the Republican vote, reach across the aisle and actually layout a plan for the Middle East, shouldn't he be the guy the Democrats back? No way. Who wants a slam dunk?!?
As for the others, "Dry" Richardson, "I already blew my chance in '04" Edwards, "It's been over" Dodd and "I saw a UFO" Dennis K., they should all just drop out now and give the money back. Of course, they won't. They'll stick around just long enough to muddy up the field.
So as you can see, it's a tricky game. Speaking of games, make sure you play the 2008 Presidential Election Last 2 Left Game. The game's deadline is drawing near where you'll need to predict which Democrat and which Republican will win their party's nomination.
Writer Harland Crom is an avid sports fan and reality TV voyeur who has has participated in and managed many types of office pools over the years. His Blog, http://fantasy-games-and-office-pools.blogspot.com, discusses the relationship of popular sports, events and reality shows with fantasy games.
The big question is, can Hillary beat the other side? I'm concerned, as are others, that her polarizing affect may be just enough to let a lesser qualified Republican steal the top job.
So if not Hillary, then who? Barack Obama is next in line but he seems like a two-sided candidate to me. The side that delivers prepared speeches and controlled messaging appears to be a powerful beam of light, leading the way to change. The side that must sit in the chair opposite a Tim Russert type answering direct questions, has a metered delivery that attempts to mask a definite uncertainty.
If Clinton and Obama are the top two, would either accept the invitation of the other for vice president? Not likely.
Enter Joe Biden. Everyone respects and agrees with Joe. In fact, his campaign just put out a video called, Joe is Right, where they string together all the clips of the other candidates agreeing with him. It appears they agree with him because they don't see him as a threat. How ironic would it be if he jumped ahead in the polls after Iowa. Unlikely? We'll see.
If you've noticed, there's been no mud slung at Joe or from Joe. That's because they all know Joe is tops on foreign affairs and could actually beat the Republicans. So, is Hillary, Barack and the others holding a spot for Joe as VP or, as some have mentioned, Secretary of State? It would be bad form to duke it out with a future running mate.
I ask a simple question. If Joe Biden is so right as the other candidates claim, can garner the Republican vote, reach across the aisle and actually layout a plan for the Middle East, shouldn't he be the guy the Democrats back? No way. Who wants a slam dunk?!?
As for the others, "Dry" Richardson, "I already blew my chance in '04" Edwards, "It's been over" Dodd and "I saw a UFO" Dennis K., they should all just drop out now and give the money back. Of course, they won't. They'll stick around just long enough to muddy up the field.
So as you can see, it's a tricky game. Speaking of games, make sure you play the 2008 Presidential Election Last 2 Left Game. The game's deadline is drawing near where you'll need to predict which Democrat and which Republican will win their party's nomination.
Writer Harland Crom is an avid sports fan and reality TV voyeur who has has participated in and managed many types of office pools over the years. His Blog, http://fantasy-games-and-office-pools.blogspot.com, discusses the relationship of popular sports, events and reality shows with fantasy games.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Fantasy or Reality, We’re Fixated on the Two
You’ve probably been asked this question or have asked it of others - “Who do think will be the final two?” That is, the two teams to reach the World Series or the Super Bowl, the last two singers on American Idol, the last two house mates left on Big Brother, or the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees.
As fans and spectators, we love the anticipation of who will be in that final, head-to-head match. In many cases, the debate and predictions of who will be these final competitors is more entertaining than the final event itself. I can think of a number of Super Bowls where this was the case and I’ve had people tell me that they find the elimination process of March Madness much more entertaining than the outcome of the championship game. This speculation of the “2”, which we constantly see on message boards, overhear in sports bars and partake in at the water cooler, has become a unique form of entertainment and intrigue onto its own.
No one knows this fact better than broadcast producers and promoters. We are force fed commercial after commercial hyping every reality show season finale, the “Road to the Finals,” and every other final, “clash of the titans.” It makes for great drama and we are compelled to watch. The college football puppet masters, even with their stubbornness to implement a much desired playoff system, realize the value of pitting number one against number two. Hence, they gave us the BCS. Reality TV masterminds have taken it even further by allowing us to vote for the winners, proving to be smart, engaging and profitable.
One website has also embraced this sensation and has taken what promoters know in a slightly different direction. The developers of Last 2 Left have created a patent pending, game based on this final two phenomena. This one format is applied to many different types of events, ranging from popular sports and reality television shows to other high profile contests, including the 2008 Presidential Election. The object of the game is for players to correctly predict the final two competitors of a specific event. Believe it or not, predicting the overall winner is nothing more than a tiebreaker.
I’ve played all types of office pools – fantasy football, pick ‘ems, eliminators and even a game we made up for the very first Survivor show. The problem with many of these games is that they become a second job and make me feel that I constantly have a deadline hanging over my head. And God forbid if you miss a deadline! You’re either out of the game or you fall so far behind in points you might as well quit.
For me, this new, and did I mention free, Last 2 Left format is perfect. It requires very little time, I only have 3 deadlines at most and the site includes many different sports and reality TV shows. Simply put, it’s one format, in one place with many choices. The website offers players two game types – a public game in which I can sign up and not have to wait for an invitation to play and a private game, where visitors can create office pools exclusively for their friends. In case you were wondering, it’s not a gambling site but rather for entertainment only. The site creators expanded the Last 2 idea to include the top 2 finishers in events that don’t have a final head-to-head match up, like golf and NASCAR races. It’s not much of stretch on their concept and expands the games they offer.
So, for all of us fans who debate who should be at the final Survivor tribal council, or in the Stanley Cup or vying for the presidency, there is now a simple, online game. Go play, invite friends, and have fun. By the way, “Who’s your 2?”
Writer Harland Crom is an avid sports fan and reality TV voyeur who has has participated in and managed many types of office pools over the years. His Blog, discusses the relationship of popular sports, events and reality shows with fantasy games.
As fans and spectators, we love the anticipation of who will be in that final, head-to-head match. In many cases, the debate and predictions of who will be these final competitors is more entertaining than the final event itself. I can think of a number of Super Bowls where this was the case and I’ve had people tell me that they find the elimination process of March Madness much more entertaining than the outcome of the championship game. This speculation of the “2”, which we constantly see on message boards, overhear in sports bars and partake in at the water cooler, has become a unique form of entertainment and intrigue onto its own.
No one knows this fact better than broadcast producers and promoters. We are force fed commercial after commercial hyping every reality show season finale, the “Road to the Finals,” and every other final, “clash of the titans.” It makes for great drama and we are compelled to watch. The college football puppet masters, even with their stubbornness to implement a much desired playoff system, realize the value of pitting number one against number two. Hence, they gave us the BCS. Reality TV masterminds have taken it even further by allowing us to vote for the winners, proving to be smart, engaging and profitable.
One website has also embraced this sensation and has taken what promoters know in a slightly different direction. The developers of Last 2 Left have created a patent pending, game based on this final two phenomena. This one format is applied to many different types of events, ranging from popular sports and reality television shows to other high profile contests, including the 2008 Presidential Election. The object of the game is for players to correctly predict the final two competitors of a specific event. Believe it or not, predicting the overall winner is nothing more than a tiebreaker.
I’ve played all types of office pools – fantasy football, pick ‘ems, eliminators and even a game we made up for the very first Survivor show. The problem with many of these games is that they become a second job and make me feel that I constantly have a deadline hanging over my head. And God forbid if you miss a deadline! You’re either out of the game or you fall so far behind in points you might as well quit.
For me, this new, and did I mention free, Last 2 Left format is perfect. It requires very little time, I only have 3 deadlines at most and the site includes many different sports and reality TV shows. Simply put, it’s one format, in one place with many choices. The website offers players two game types – a public game in which I can sign up and not have to wait for an invitation to play and a private game, where visitors can create office pools exclusively for their friends. In case you were wondering, it’s not a gambling site but rather for entertainment only. The site creators expanded the Last 2 idea to include the top 2 finishers in events that don’t have a final head-to-head match up, like golf and NASCAR races. It’s not much of stretch on their concept and expands the games they offer.
So, for all of us fans who debate who should be at the final Survivor tribal council, or in the Stanley Cup or vying for the presidency, there is now a simple, online game. Go play, invite friends, and have fun. By the way, “Who’s your 2?”
Writer Harland Crom is an avid sports fan and reality TV voyeur who has has participated in and managed many types of office pools over the years. His Blog, discusses the relationship of popular sports, events and reality shows with fantasy games.
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