Championship picks

Here we are . . . the final game.  After pretty much no upsets since Day One, Duke's dramatic loss took out 20+ people.  We have 11 players hoping to come away with some money after tonight's game. 

If Florida wins the pot will split 3 ways for $400 each.  If Houston wins the pot will split 9 ways for $133 each. 

Thank you again to everyone for a great year!  See you next year!

Championship picks:

Florida: Terry, Smith 2, and Al 2

Houston: Britt 1, Greg, Will 2, KT, Mike K, Patrick P, Brandon P, Sarabeth, and Noah

Final Four picks and payouts

Another Survivor first is going to happen this year.  For the first time ever it is going to come down to who picks the correct winner!  One other time we had it come down to whether someone had a pick for winner, but never has it mattered whether that pick was correct.  But it is guaranteed to to come to that this year.  Which means, 15 of our 60 folks are out tonight no matter what as they do not have a winner to pick. 

Out of the remaining players here are the potential winning scenarios and payouts.  Note: Before someone questions my math. Some people can pick either winner from the other game tonight as champion, which means the scenarios below account for more possible winners than actual players. 

Duke then Florida: 6 people win $200
Duke then Auburn: 5 people win $240

Houston then Florida: 3 people win $400
Houston then Auburn: 3 people win $400

Florida then Duke: 22 people win $55
Florida then Houston: 9 people win $133

Auburn then Duke: 5 people win $240
Auburn then Houston: 3 people win $400

And now today's Final Four picks:

Auburn: Jett, Matthew 2, Amy 1, Casey, BJ, Sue, Phil 1, Will 1, Josh 3, Alex M, Seth and Brent 5

Duke: Joey, Britton 1, Mac, Grimes 6, Zack 1, Jenny, Logan P, Smith 1, Voth 2 and John W

Florida: Forrest, Britt 1, Eric 1, Deem, Greg, Nancy, Mike F, Grimes 2, Walker, Will 2, AJ, KT, Mike K, Patrick M, Brett, Sara, Brandon P, Heather 1, Kyle P, Sarabeth, Alex R, Jon R, K1, Jacky, Noah, LesLye, Al 1, Brent 4 and Kyle W

Houston: Pat, Terry, Dino, Grimes 4, Justin, Pete, Robert, Smith 2 and Al 2

Elite Eight picks and a few stats

A record 63 64 people go into the Elite 8 round.  We lost Robert unless he can prove I missed a pick submitted before the Noon deadline.    I did indeed miss an email.  Distracted by the rum drinks.  Robert's Duke pick has been added below. 

We are pretty much guaranteed a split pot.  The question is just going to be how many people are splitting the winnings. 

Before we get to today's picks a few random stats.  Coming into today's picks, on average, those left had burned 4 of the 8 teams.  After today's picks, the vast majority of those playing have two of the four number one seeds left.  Twelve players have three number one seeds left after today.  Of course, it all depends on what top seeds you have left (assuming they survive this weekend) and whether you have balance to pick two more games. 

I predict this year it's gonna come down to how many people pick the actual winner.  That will be a first for Danvegas.  It has come down to who has a pick left for the final game before, but we have never had to see who actually picks the correct champion to crown our winner before. 

And now the Elite 8 picks.  The biggest shake-up comes with a Vols upset of Houston which takes out 20 of our remaining players. 

Auburn: Forrest, Britt 1, Greg, Grimes 4, Will 2, AJ, Mike K, Brandon P, Heather 1, Jacky, K1, Smith 2, Noah, LesLye, Al 1 &2, Jon R an Patrick M

Duke: Jett, Terry, Dino, KT, Sara, Sarabeth, Pete and Robert

Florida: Pat B, Amy 1, Casey, Grimes 6, Justin, Phil 1, Will 1, Alex M, Smith 1, Seth, Voth 2, and Brent 5

Houston: Joey, Matthew 2, Eric 1, Deem 1, BJ, Britton 1, Nancy,  Mike F, Sue, Mac, Grimes 2, Zack 1, Walker, Josh 3, Brett, Logan P, Kyle P, Alex R, Brent 4, John W and Jenny M

Michigan State: Bany

Tennessee: Grimes 3, Travis K and Clay

Three more Volunteer as Tribute

With Kentucky's exit from the tourney, three more players - Kristin, Troy 1 and Josh 2 - also exit our game.   We now have 64 players.  A loss by either Houston or Auburn would take 1/3 of those players out . . . a loss by both would dramatically cut the field.

Guts Izzo not enough for Ole Miss

Three of our players - PK, Logan S and Evan - played the gutsy game tonight and Ole Miss almost helped them take out 17 folks.  Instead we say goodbye to three.   There are 67 folks alive right now . . . though more are guaranteed out at the end of the UK/UT game. 

Sweet Sixteen: Friday picks

Will the games be as calm as the waters outside my condo? I'm not sure, I feel like we are due for an upset to shake things up.  An Auburn or Michigan State loss would take out 20 each . . . Houston a slightly smaller 17.  Things could get interesting.  Updates as warranted.

Today's picks and go Cats!

Auburn: Joey, Pat, Eric 1, Deem 1, Nancy, Mac, Grimes 2 & 6, Walker, Pete, KT, Jenny, Brett, Logan P, Kyle P, Sarabeth, Alex R, Clay, Brent 4 and Kyle W

Houston: Jett, Forrest, Casey, Grimes 3, AJ, Alex M, Perkins, Bany, Jon R, K1, Jacky, Smith 1, Seth, LesLye, Voth 2, Al 1 and Brent 5

Kentucky: Kristin, Troy 1 and Josh 2

Michigan State: Britt 1, Matthew 2, Terry, BJ, Britton 1, Greg, Mike F, Sue, Grimes 4, Justin, Phil 1, Will 1, Kern, Mike K, Josh 3, Patrick M, Brandon P, Smith 2, Al 2 and John W

Ole Miss: PK, Seagraves and Logan S

Tennessee: Amy 1, Dino, Zack 1, Will 2, Robert, Sara and Noah

Sweet Sixteen: Thursday picks

Today's bookie services are fueled by amazing French pastries.  

Choices are narrowing which means more people taken out by upsets.  Here are today's picks. 

Alabama: Kristin, Joey, Forrest, Mac, Grimes 3, Troy 1, Will 2, PK, Josh 2, Jenny, Alex M, Sara, Brandon, Logan P, Heather 1, Sarabeth, K1, LesLye, Alex R, Voth 2, Al 1, Brent 4, and John W

Arkansas: Troy 2, Josh 1 and Theo

BYU: Matthew 1

Duke: Pat, Amy 1, Casey, Deem 1, B J, Mike F, Grimes 2, Justin, Phil 1, Travis K, Bany, Jon R, Smith 2, Clay, and Al 2

Florida: Matthew 2, Jett, Dino, Sue, Grimes 4, Pete, Josh 3, Robert, and Logan S

Texas Tech: Britt 1, Eric 1, Terry D, Britton 1, Greg, Nancy, Grimes 6, Zack 1, Walker, Will 1, AJ, KT, Mike K, Patrick M, Brett, Kyle P, Evan 1, Smith 1, Noah, Seth, Brent 5 and Kyle W

Illin-bye

 And with the Cats' victory over the Illinois we say goodbye to Deem 2.  Good riddance. 

Second Round: Sunday Picks

Today's picks are definitely clustered around about three teams. . . . so upsets will cut our numbers significantly.  If you survive today, you owe me a pick on Thursday before Noon. . . . I will send a reminder.  Most folks have paid.  If you have not get that money to me before Noon on Thursday or you are out! 

Alabama: Pat B, Britt 1, Casey, Terry, BJ, Greg, Mike F, Sue, Grimes 2 & 4, Troy 2, Justin H, Walker, Pete 1, KT, Brett, Smith 1

Arizona: Kristin, AJ, Jon R, Seth

Duke: Josh 1

Florida: Zack 1. Kern

Illinois: Deem 2

Iowa State: Ian, Nikki, Chris G, Neha, Michael G, Grimes 1, Herron, Campbell, Jon P, Charlie

Maryland: Forrest, Matthew 1 & 2, Deem 1, Britton 1, Mac, Grimes 6, Troy 1, Phil 1, Will 1, PK, Mike K, Josh 3, Patrick M, Sara, Brandon P, Perkins 1, Kyle P, Sarabeth, Alex R, Bany, K1, Logan S, Smith 2, Noah, Theo, LesLye, Al 2, Brent 4, John W and Kyle W

Michigan State: Jett,  Joey B, Amy 1, Eric 1, Dino, Nancy, Grimes 3, Will 2, Josh 2, Robert, Jenny, Alex M, Logan P, Evan 1, Jacky, Clay T, Voth 2, Al 1, Brent 5

In case you didn't know - Wolverines are mean

Michigan takes out A&M and 8 of our players.  We are down to 93 players.  There are several close games keeping our crowd on the edge of their seats.  How many of us will survive day of the elimination round?

Not so stormy day

 

St. John's and Ricky P did not bring a big enough Red Storm to take down Arkansas today.  With this upset we say goodbye to 10 players.  We are down to 101 entries and a lot more games to come. 

Second Round: Saturday picks

We only had one person buy back in after yesterday which brings our winner's pot to an even $1200.  Starting with tips today if you lose you are out.  I will try to update as things happen. . .  once again some heavy favorites for picks so upsets will make it interesting!

Go Ricky P!

Arkansas: Josh 3

Auburn: Grimes 3, Justin, Josh 2, and Bany

BYU: Britton 1

Houston: Grimes 6, Kern, Josh 1, Sara, and Clay T, 

Michigan: Patrick M

Purdue: Joey, Ian, Forrest, Eric 1, Terry, Greg, Michael, Grimes 1, Zack 1, Phil 1, Will 1, Herron, AJ, Campbell, Pete 1, KT, Mike K, Robert, Jenny, Alex M, Sarabeth, K1, Evan 1, Jacky, Noah, Theo, Al 1, Brent 5 and Wynn

St. John's: Eric 2, Grimes 5, Zack 2, Richard, KLou, Cory 1, Nicholas, Mandy, and Brent 1 & 2

Tennessee: Kristin, Pat, Britt 1, Casey, Deem 1 & 2, Mike F, Nancy, Chris G, Grimes 4, Troy 1, Walker, Brett, Brandon P, Kyle, Logan S, Smith 1, Seth, LesLye, and John W

Texas A&M: Britt 2, Britton 2, Marlo, Heather 2, K2, Evan 2, Nate, and Brent 3

Texas Tech: Jett, Matthew 1 & 2, Amy 1, Nikki, BJ, Dino, Sue, Mac, Neha, Grimes 2, Troy 2, Will 2, PK, Jon P, Logan P, Heather 1, Charlie, Alex R, Jon R, Smith 2, Noah, Voth 2, Al 2, Brent 4 and Theo

Wisconsin: Will B, James 2, Vickie, Lauren, Pete 2, Cory 2, Leffew, and Mark S

First Round: Friday Picks

Thursday had some bumps and a few exciting upsets.  The stage has been set for a Cal v Ricky P match-up tomorrow, but before we get to that we have said goodbye to 14 folks.  An even 20 have doubled-down by exercising the "I did the dumb" clause.  That brings our winner's pot to $1192 as of tip today.  We will be sending $298 to help clean up our oceans. 

Reminder: Today is the final day where buy backs are allowed.  

With a lot of very popular picks a few upsets could really send shockwaves through our pool!

Alabama: Nikki, Britton 2, Grimes 6, and Kern

Arizona: Nikki, Casey, Eric 1, Mac, Chris G, Grimes 1, Troy 1, Cory 1, Josh 1, Logan, Heather 2, Sarabeth, Mandy, Smith 1, and Brent 5

Baylor: Cory 1

Duke: Josh 3, Seth, and Brent 1

Iowa State: Pat B, Matt B 1 and 2, Joey, Amy 1, Eric 2, Terry, Britton 1, Grimes 3, Grimes 4, Zack 2, Lauren, Phil 1, Will 2, Herron,  Mike K, Josh 2,  Alex M, Nicholas, Heather 2, Jacky, Smith 2, Noah, Brent 2, and John W

Kentucky: Forrest, Britt 1 and 2, James 2, Deem 1 and 2, BJ, Dino, Greg, Mike F, Grimes 2, Grimes 3, Justin, Walker, Will 1, Pete 2, KLou, PK, Leffew, Brandon P, Kyle, Gray, K1, Evan 2, Logan S, Swail, Clay T, LesLye, Al 2, and Brent 2

Marquette: Amy 2, and Phil 2

Maryland: Kristin, Will, Ian, Jett, Amy 1, Greg, Nancy, Neha, Michael, Troy 1, Campbell, Marlo, KT, Robert, Jenny, Jon P, Charlie, Jon R, K2, Evan 1, Nate, Al 1, and Brent 3

Memphis: Theo

Michigan State: Kristin, Zack 1, Walker, Richard, Pete 1, Brett, Sara, LesLye, and Brent 4

North Carolina: James 1, and Swail

St. Mary's: Vickie, and Mark S

Ole Miss: Patrick M, and Heather 1

Oregon: Amy 2, Eric 1, Sue, Michael, Grimes 5, Troy 2, Charlie, Mark S, Voth 2 and Kyle W

UConn: AJ, Cory 2,  Josh 3, and Alex R

Vandy: James 1

Clemson gets lassoed

With McNeese State's upset, 15 folks are potentially done with Survivor on their first pick.  Add that to the 6 folks (we know Kristin is doing the dumb) who are currently out after the Cards loss and we might be waving goodbye to as many as 21 folks already . . . . 

And we are barely halfway through the first day.  

The Cards do the dumb

I gotta tell you, this Cats fan was actually rooting for the Cards.  I like Coach Kelsey.  But, alas, the Cards impressive season comes to an early end in March.  And with the big L for Louisville, we may be saying goodbye to six of our players already!  

Kristin is already "doing the dumb" and buying back in . . . will anybody else?

First Round: Thursday picks

 

We have a very crowded dance floor this year with a record 128 initial entries.  That puts the winner's pot at $1024 and the charity pot at $256.  In honor of my looming beach vacation, this year's charity will be 4Ocean. 

Of course . . . this is all before today's games begin and people start to lose and opt back in with the "I did the dumb" buy back.  So I am sure those purses will increase.  Reminder: You can buy back if your team loses today by paying $10 and choosing TWO teams from tomorrow's games.  

The vast majority of you have paid up - THANK YOU!  If you have not please send that money via PayPal or Zelle or holler at me if you've dropped it to me snail mail style. 

I will post updates when things start to get interesting.   Let's dance!

Auburn: Kern, and Brent 1

BYU: James 2, and Voth 2

Clemson: Jeff, Amy 1, Eric 1, Greg, Michael, Matt G 3, Troy 1, Walker, Laura, Larry, Collins, Josh 3, Charlie, Connor, and LesLye

Creighton: Phil 2, KT, and Josh 2

Georgia: Lisa

Gonzaga: Vickie, Will 2, PK, Bany, K2, and Mandy

Houston: Logan

Kansas: James 1, Britton 3, Cory 1, Will P, Swail and Lauren

Louisville: Kristin, John K, Elijah, Mark S, Voth 1, Brent 2 and Chad

Michigan: Matt G 1, Troy 2, Richard, Cory 2, and Noah

Missouri: Amy 2, Nikki, Heather 2, and John P

Purdue: Jett, Britt 1, Britt 2, Matthew 1, Eric 2, Deem 2, BJ, Mac, Matt G 5, Lauren, Marlo, Leffew, Patrick M, and Evan 2

St. John's: Zack 1, Mike F, and Clay T

Tennessee: Sue, Matt G 6, Pete 2, Heather 1, Smith 2, and Brent 4

Texas A&M: Matthew 2, Neha, Pete 1, Mike K, Jenny M, Sarabeth, Al 2, and Brent 5

Texas Tech: Joey, Will B, Pat B, Forrest, Chris G, Matt G 4, Zack 2, Justin, Herron, Campbell, Alex M, Nicholas, Sara, Brandon P, K1, Jacky, Nate and John W

Wisconsin: Ian, Casey, Terry, Deem 1, Britton 1, Britton 2, Dino, Matt G 2, Phil 1, Will 1, AJ, KLou, Josh 1, Robert, Brett, J Parsons, Logan, Kyle P, Alex R, Jon R, Evan 1, Smith 1, Seth, Theo, Al 1, Brent 3 and Kyle W

Danvegas Survivor - Rules 2025

It is March . . . . and you all know what that means . . . Danvegas Survivor is back.  It's year 17 which is insane because it means my baby is almost legal!  

Last year we had a record 116 entries!  Think we will beat that this year? Should we have a side bet to predict total number of entries?  Or whether the winner's pot will top $1200?  Feel free to share with anyone you know who might be interested.

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 be the Campbell Keepin Johnson Scholarship Fund.  JK. I will think of a legit 501C3 before we get going but might change it up this year. 

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 20! 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 20 or 21) 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. I also have Zelle. If your money is not in by tip of the first Sweet Sixteen game on Saturday, March 27 you will be eliminated!

2025 Submission deadlines:
First Round/Thursday pick: Noon, March 20
First Round/Friday pick: Noon, March 21
Second Round/Saturday pick: Noon, March 22
Second Round/Sunday pick: Noon, March 23
Sweet Sixteen/Thursday pick: Noon, March 27
Sweet Sixteen/Friday pick: Noon, March 28
Elite Eight pick: Noon, March 29
Final Four pick: Noon, April 5
Championship pick: Noon, April 7

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!