Saturday, March 30, 2024

Elite Eight picks



I’m headed to the beach, but here is a fast update. Only four potential survivors remain. With no one on both sides of any match-ups we could see that same number advance. But picks are running out . . . 

Alabama: Perkins and Smith 2

Duke: Chad

Purdue: Marlo

Good luck to everyone but Chad 😂

Friday, March 29, 2024

Sweet Sixteen: Friday picks


After wild night our group is down to just 10 potential Survivors!  Here are their picks for today's games.

Creighton: Seagraves

Marquette: Casey, KLou, Kern 2, Cory 2, and Jenny M

Purdue: John S 2

Tennessee: Marlo, Chad, and Perkins 1

Thursday, March 28, 2024

AZ not winning any popularity contests here


I always get nervous when I end up with a pick that is too popular with the rest of the field.  Arizona proved my gut right today.  With Clemson's upset we are down to 27 players. 

With UConn's win 7 folks are guaranteed to move on to tomorrow. 

Two games left . . . how many will join these lucky 7 to play another day?

Sweet Sixteen: Thursday picks


There is little doubt what the key match-up to watch tonight is if you're after the winner's pot. A Clemson upset of Arizona would take the most people out by far.  But with picks running low any upset would take out a decent number.  This is where things really get interesting . . . .

Alabama: Evan

Arizona: Kristin B, Will B, Shawna, Pat B 1, Britt 2, Lauren B, Nikki, Johnny, Eric 2, Greg 1, Garry 2, Sue, Neha, Mac G, Vickie, Grimes 2, Zack 2, Will H 2, Pete, Collins, PK, Lias, Cory 1, Loughry 1, John M, Nick, Brett 2, Jon P 2, Perkins 2, John P, Alex R, K1, Nate 1, Noah, Al 2, and Brent 1

Connecticut: Casey, Marlo, KLou, Chad, Kern 2, Cory 2, and John S 2

Illinois: Jenny M and Perkins 1

Iowa State: Jeff, Eric 1, Grimes 1, Zack 1, Lauren H, AJ, CJ, Logan P, K2 and Logan S

North Carolina: Amy B, Britt 1, Terry D, Britton 1, Grimes 3, Felix and Brent 2

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Tiger Swiped


With Clemson's defeat of the Baylor Bears we say goodbye to Troy, King Cougar, Loughry 2, Patrick M, Mac T and Brent 3.  See you all next year!

After a slow day and half our numbers adjust a bit - we are now down to 63.

Second Round: Sunday Picks


 After perhaps the most boring day in Survivor history, we only said goodbye to two folks.  

Here's hoping to day is more interesting as long as Bama and SDSU survive! Those two are, incidentally, the two favorites.  So if you aren't like me and didn't pick them, you are now big Grand Canyon and Yale fans.

*I accidentally left off all the Purdue picks earlier.*

Alabama: Kristin, Will B, Shawna, Pat B 1, Britt 1, Lauren B, Nikki, Casey, Johnny, Eric 2, Garry 2, Vickie, Grimes 1, CJ, PK, Jenny M, Nick, Jon P 2, K 1, and Brent 2

Baylor: Troy, King Cougar, Loughry 2, Patrick M, Mac T and Brent 2

Duke: Jeff, Amy B, Terry D, Zack 2, Felix, Cory 2, John M, Brett 2, and Logan P

Houston: Grimes 3 and Collins

Marquette: Pete, Chad, Loughry 1, Perkins 2, Evan, John S 2, Noah and Brent 1

Purdue: Britton 1, Mac G, Cory 1, Perkins 1, Logan S and Al 2

San Diego State: Britt 2, Eric 1, Greg 1, AJ, Sue, Neha, Grimes 2, Zack 1, Lauren H, Will H 2, Marlo, KLou, Kern 2, Lias, John P, Alex R, K2 and Nate 1

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Second Round: Saturday picks


We start Day 3 with 71 players still alive after a few more buy backs.  The winner's pot officially settles at $1,160.  Thanks to some extra kindness from Casey and Sue the fur babies will get $310.

Here are the picks - the Illini are the big favorites but several other losses could significantly diminish our numbers, too.  From here on out you lose - you go home!

Arizona: Smith 2, Kern 2, Perkins 1, Cory 2, Zack 1, Lauren, and KLou

Creighton: Mac G, Perkins 2, Troy, Kristin, Brent 3, Mac T, Chad, Grimes 1, and Jon P

Duquesne: Theo

Gonzaga: Britton 1, Brent 2, Evan, and Lauren H

Illinois: Cory 1, King Cougar, CJ, Vickie, Brett 2, Zack 1, Eric 2, Britt 1, Casey, Neha, Lias, Johnny, Jeff B, Al 2, Collins, Logan, Will B, Amy B, Nate, Pat B 1, Loughry 2, Greg 1, Nikki, Patrick M and K1

Iowa State: Brent 1, Will H 2, PK, Lauren B, Noah, Loughry 1, Grimes 3, Terry D, Jenny M and K2

North Carolina: Grimes 2 and Nikki

NC State: Marlo, Zack 2, Eric 1, Britt 2, Felix, John P, Chad, Theo, Shawna,  and Nick M

Oakland: Britton 2

Tennessee: AJ, Garry 2, Sue, Pete, Logan P,  K2 and Alex R

Friday, March 22, 2024

SEC Stinking it up

The SEC continues to underperform.  Florida and Auburn losses take another 13 folks out.  Three of those folks are officially losers this year. Pending buy backs that leaves us with 75 players.  

Owls not such a wise pick


Four players have officially left the game after using FAU as a buy back pick. So long Seth, Brent 4, James, and Loughry 3.  Two others might join them unless the do the dumb and buy back in for tomorrow. 

With picks on both sides of the New Mexico/Clemson and Grand Canyon/St. Mary's games we are guaranteed to say goodbye others during the night.  Stay tuned . . . 

First Round: Friday picks UPDATED

 After a turbulent and disappointing first day we have 22 buy backs which leaves us with 93 entries going into day two.  Those who did the dumb picked two teams today and if either of those lose they are officially toast for the year as you can only do the dumb one time per entry.  Anyone who did not buy back after yesterday can do so today if they lose.  After today a lost means you go home!

The winner's pot stands at $1,112 and the charity pot is at $278.  An official, final tally will come with tomorrow's picks after we get past any potential buy backs today.  But that pot is getting big!!!

I have a lunch meeting to get to so for now today's picks are below in a not great quality picture of my chicken scratch notes.  I will update with a clearly typed list later.

Alabama: Amy, Eric 1, Chelsea, Terry D, Mac G, Neha, Grimes 2, AJ, Lias, Logan, Perkins 2, Alex R and Al 2

Auburn: Grimes 4, Zack 1, Lauren H, Mandy, Larry, Loughry 3, Sarabeth, Jon R, K2, Swail and John W

Baylor: James, Eric 1, Garry 2, Sue, Vickie, Grimes 3, Zack 2, Will H 2, Laura H, CJ, Marlo, Pete, PK, Felix, John M, Jon P 2, Jon R, K1, Evan, Logan and Noah

Clemson: Jeff

Duke: Kristin, Will B, Shawna, Pat B 1, Britt 1&2, Lauren B, Johnny, Britton 1&2, Greg 1, Grimes 1, Troy, Lias, Perkins 2, John P, John S 2, Nate 1, Cory and Mac T

Florida: George, Bryan and Seth

Florida Atlantic: James, Loughry 3, Gray, Seth, Theo and Brent 4

Grand Canyon: Marlo

Houston: Casey, Grimes 1, Travis 2 and Brent 1

Marquette: Grimes 2, Collins, Loughry 2 and Brent 2

New Mexico: Chad and Connor

Purdue: KLou, Cory and Loughry 2

San Diego State: Amy, Eric 2, Michael G, Grimes 4, King Cougar, Jenny M, Patrick M, Nick, Perkins 1, Connor, Brent 4, Brett and Cory

St. Mary's: Luke, Nikki, Deem and Michael G

Texas A&M: George, Patrick M and Brent 3

Utah State: Loughry 1

Wisconsin: Luke, Chelsea, Patty and John S 1




Thursday, March 21, 2024

Deja Vu all over again


The Cats just took another 9 players out with them. . . Thank goodness the Zags seem to be coming through for me. 

Nevada proved too big a gamble

 

And three more go out with Nevada - this might be goodbye for Marlo, Grimes 4 and Connor unless they double down. . . . 

So far we have one person doing the dumb - Seth bought back in after South Carolina's loss.  So winner's pot is up to $944. 

It's Not Duck Hunting Season

 


The Mighty Ducks of Oregon take out 8 more contestants with their victory over South Carolina.  

I've started getting a few buy back options.  Continued updates and look at the numbers as the evening rolls on. . . . So far the SEC isn't off to a great start.  I need the Cats to reverse that trend!

Go Big Blue!

No Mormons in this pool

And just like that 18 people are faced with deciding whether to "do the dumb" and buy back in or accept BYU's loss as a divine sign that they aren't destined to come away victorious this year. 

For those who decide to buy back in - $10 and TWO picks from tomorrow's games are due to me by NOON tomorrow!

And still so many games to come . . . The next most popular pick is Creighton.  Though they are starting to pull away a bit.  Stay tuned for more crazy developments as the day continues. 

First game . . . two losers . . .


The bold 8 v 9 pick did not pan out for James B and George.  They are on their way out of Danvegas with the very first game of the tournament unless they "do the dumb" and buy back in. 

BYU could give them a lot of company if they don't finish a come back . . . 

Stay tuned!

First Round: Thursday Picks

 


Danvegas Survivor is HUGE this year.  All things being relative, of course.  But we have hit a new record with 117 entries.  That puts our winner's pot at $936 as we kick-off.  The fur babies will get $234 as of right now.  But we all know as folks exercise the "I did the dumb" clause and buy back in today and tomorrow both those numbers will go up.  A winner's pot of over $1,000 seems like a done deal. 

Many of you have paid already - THANK YOU!!!!  

Here are the picks.  BYU would take the most people out but there are a lot of popular picks today! I will post updates as they are warranted. 

Arizona: Casey, Laura H, Felix, and Brent 1

BYU: Pat B2, Amy B, Luke, Eric1, Deem, BJ, Chris G, Michael G, Grimes1, Phil, Will H1, Cory1, Brett1, Jon P1, Will P, Nate2, Terry T, and Al 1

Colorado State: Robert

Creighton: Will B, Britt1&2, Terry D, Sue, Neha, Grimes3, Larry, Pete, Loughry1, Brett2, Logan, John S1, and Nate1

Dayton: Patty and Vickie

Drake: KT and Loughry2

Gonzaga: Lauren B, Mac T, CJ, King Cougar, Jenny M, John P, K1, and Swail

Illinois: Kristin, Shawna, Garry2, Zack2, Will H2, AJ, KLou, Jon P2, Evan, John M, and Noah

Iowa State: Johnny, Perkins1, John S2, Brent2 and John W

Kansas: Pat B1, Bryan C, Eric2, Greg E1, Troy, Lauren H, Nick M, Sarabeth, Alex R, K2, Al 2, and Brent3

Kentucky: Joey, Chelsea, Greg2, Garry1, Lias, Patrick M, Brandon P, Kern1, and Kyle

Michigan State: Mandy, Chad, and Cory2

Mississippi State: George and James B

Nevada: Marlo, Grimes 4, and Connor

South Carolina: Clay C, Justin H, Loughry 3, Perkins 2, Charlie, Jon R, Seth, and Brent4

Tennessee: Britton 1&2, Mac G, Zack1, Collins, and Kern2

Texas: PK, Gray,Nikki, Jeff B, and Theo

Texas Tech: John D, Mark G, and Grimes 2

UNC: Logan 



Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Happy Sweet 16 Danvegas Survivor Pool!

 



We have reached a milestone at the Danvegas Suvivor Pool!  Happy Sweet 16 to us! If you'd told me sixteen years ago I'd still be doing this every year I would have told you that you were nuts but here we are! 

Whether you've been with me all 16 years or this is your first - PLEASE READ THE RULES BELOW!  

Let's celebrate this milestone by making it the biggest year for entries ever!  The current record is 96 entries.  Share with friends and family and let's see if we can cross the into triple digits!

As always, please pay attention to both the submission and payment deadlines!  Last year was the first year I did not lose money on this endeavor - THANK YOU for paying up let's keep the streak alive and get all our entry fees and buy back payments in before the tip of the Sweet Sixteen round.  If you have not paid up by tip of the first Sweet 16 game you will not be allowed to participate next year!

The charity this year will once again be the Danville-BoCo Humane Society. 


The Rules

The Survivor Pool is a twist on the classic NCAA bracket challenge. Pick a winner each round, win some money and help out the kiddos at the same time!

How to Play:

  • Entry fee is $10 - $8 goes to the winner's pot, $2 goes to the charity pot.  Additional charitable donations are accepted. Entry fee and first day's pick must be in by NOON, March 21! Anyone who hasn't paid by tip of the Sweet Sixteen will be disqualified AND will not be allowed to play next year unless money is in BEFORE first pick is due.
  • Pick one winner from each day's games for the first six days of the tournament (excluding play-in games).  If your team wins, then you rinse and repeat for the next day's games. If your team loses you are out. Those surviving until the Elite Eight will then start picking one team per ROUND. So one pick from any Elite Eight games, regardless of day. Then one Final Four team and, of course, the champion. (A full listing of picks is below.)
  • Here's the kicker: You can only pick a team ONE TIME per entry! If you pick Kansas in the second round and they make it to the final game, you cannot pick them again. If you do not have a viable pick for a round, then you are out!
  • Each day's picks are due by NOON! Entries may be submitted via email or text. If you have multiple entries please clearly state which team goes with which pick. (Krista1 - Kentucky; Krista 2 - Gonzaga)
  • The last survivor standing takes home the winner's pot.  If there is more than one person left standing then the pot will be split evenly.
  • The charity gets 20% of the pot - this year that charity is once again the local puppies and kitties.
  • Multiple entries are allowed.  However, there is no frequent shopper discount - $10 to play. Period. 
  • The "I did the dumb" reset button: If you lose in the first round (Thursday or Friday games - March 21 or 22) you may buy back in ONCE per entry for another $10, but you must pick TWO teams from the next day's games and both must win for you to advance. 


How to Enter:
Entries may be emailed or texted to Krista. Entry fees should be submitted electronically if at all possible via PayPal to my email address. If your money is not in by tip of the first Sweet Sixteen game on Saturday, March 28 you will be eliminated!

2024 Submission deadlines:
First Round/Thursday pick: Noon, March 21
First Round/Friday pick: Noon, March 22
Second Round/Saturday pick: Noon, March 23
Second Round/Sunday pick: Noon, March 24
Sweet Sixteen/Thursday pick: Noon, March 28
Sweet Sixteen/Friday pick: Noon, March 29
Elite Eight pick: Noon, March 30
Final Four pick: Noon, April 6
Championship pick: Noon, April 8

If you feel like jinxing yourself, you may submit multiple days worth of picks at once but you are responsible for clearly labeling which pick goes with which day.  Pool administrator (aka Krista) is not responsible for confused submissions! Likewise, if you pick a team you've already picked and do not notice before tip of the game you are out!

Results:
Each day's picks and results will be posted here. In order to make my life easier - I will NOT be emailing a full list of picks and results.  I will do my best to upload each day's picks by 1:00 PM. However, I do have an actual job and I am a staff of one right now so this may not always happen. 

Players are responsible for checking the posts here to ensure that selections are accurately recorded before halftime of the day's first game (or roughly 90 minutes after posting). Any errors not reported (and documented) within 90 minutes of the list going live will not be changed. Periodic updates of those moving on or being eliminated will also be posted here.

Cheers and Good Luck!