2002 Football Pool -- Frequently Asked Questions
Since emailing a number of people with the invitation to join the football pool, a few questions have come up and so I thought I would address some of them here in case you were wondering the same things...
What is this?
It is a football pool where you only have to pick one game every week with a chance to win a lot of money at the end of the season.
Can I pick the same team twice?
Yes and no. During the regular season, you can only pick each team once.
What about the playoffs? If I pick St. Louis during the season, am I screwed if they make it to the Superbowl?
No. When the playoffs start, you "clear your slate" of teams picked, so all teams entering the playoffs are available to you again.
So I can pick St. Louis every week of the playoffs?
No. You can then only pick a team once during the playoffs. It's like a mini-season.
How much is the pool?
$10
Every week?
No. It is $10 for the whole season.
If I only make it to Week 12, do I get a partial refund?
No.
So it's not really for the WHOLE season?
That's up to you. Do well and it will last until Superbowl Sunday.
Where do I send the money?
Mail it to PO Box 1411, Studio City, CA 91604
Who should I make the check out to?
Kristen Graham.
Is that your name?
No.
Then why do I make it out to that name?
That's just the way things are set up this year.
Is she pretty?
Yes.
Are you dating her?
No. She's married.
Why do you always let the good ones slip away?
Mom, please.
So if I pick a losing team, I'm out of the pool?
No. You get three strikes before you are out. So you are guaranteed to make it until at least Week Three.
Will I need all three strikes? It sounds so easy.
Yes it does. And yes you probably will. No one has ever won the pool with less than two strikes against them.
How do I get off your email list?
Tell me to stop emailing you.
How do I get you to stop calling me and following me around?
Restraining order.
What is the deadline for entering the pool?
Your entry must be postmarked no later than September 7.
So I can wait until September 7 to mail you my money?
Probably not. The calendar deadline is not the only cutoff. There is also a limit of 250 people in the pool.
How many people are in the pool so far?
144
So there are over 100 spots left?
Yes.
So I have a while?
Probably not. Today we went from 114 to 144. At that rate, you would need to mail your check by August 19 or 20 to qualify. So don't delay.
What if I live farther away and my check takes a while to get to you?
The postmark will determine eligibility. There will eventually be a cut-off day. All entries mailed on that day will qualify. Later ones will not.
So you might go over 250?
Yes, but only to accommodate the people who mailed on the last day. That is it.
Can you save me a spot in the pool?
No. The only thing that saves you a spot is your money.
But I have been in the pool before.
A lot of people have been in the pool before. It is first postmarked/first served.
But I am totally good for the money.
Then send it.
But I'm your mother.
You can send it just like everybody else. Do whatever it takes.
What games are eligible?
All games played on Sunday and Monday are eligible. If you are planning ahead to later in the season, be careful not to set aside a Thursday or Saturday game for picking. You will not be allowed to pick it.
When is my pick due?
Saturday morning at 10am Pacific time.
What if it is late?
You will take a loss for the week.
What if none of the games has started yet?
You still take a loss.
That doesn't seem fair.
The deadline is 10am Saturday. It is the same for everybody. Either make it work or don't play in the pool.
That's not a nice way to talk to your mother.
Sorry, but it's the rules.
How will I know that you got my pick?
I will click reply and send your email back to you. Keep that as proof that I received it.
How will I know you got it right?
You should also check the big board to make sure your pick is posted correctly. That board is how others get to police the picking. It needs to be perfectly accurate before kick-off on Sunday, so don't let any mistakes go past then.
If I pick the same team twice by mistake, will you tell me?
No. I don't check for repeat picks.
So I can totally get away with it?
No. I will post your pick on the website and there it will sit, probably undetected for a long time. Eventually, if you make it to the end of the season, someone will check your picks to see that you have followed the rules correctly. If you have a repeat pick, you will get another loss. Two years ago, a certain foolish player (Uliana) disappeared from the playoff picture as the Superbowl approached because someone discovered a Week Sixteen repeat pick. It was not pretty.
Can I pick more than one week at a time?
Yes, you can send me your picks for the entire season if you want. I will keep track of them and post them each week.
Can I change my pick?
Yes, you can change a pick up until the 10am Saturday morning deadline.
What is the name of Houston's team?
The Texans.
What?
The Texans. You know, like people who live in Texas.
So it's a city team and the mascot is everyone in the state?
Yes.
Doesn't that seem odd?
Yes.
Are they trying to supplant the Cowboys as "America's Team?"
Perhaps as "Texas' Team."
Are you watching "Hard Knocks" on HBO?
Yes.
It's good.
Yes. It's good.
I mean, it's really interesting and quite good.
Yes.
I never realized how hard it was to be a cheerleader.
Is there a question in here?
What if the team I pick ties?
You get a loss.
But the team didn't lose.
You are not supposed to pick a team that "didn't lose," you are supposed to pick a team that won.
Has a picked team ever tied before?
Not in the last four seasons.
Do you think people will complain if it happens?
Probably.
How big is the internet?
Pretty big.
What's bigger? The internet or the sun?
I don't know that you can compare the two.
I think the internet.
Are you done with your questions?
I just want to talk. You never call any more.
Good luck in the pool, Mom.
John, wait. John? Are you there?
John?
Kristen?
Mom, hang up.
I love you.
I love you too.
Bye.
Bye.