LAST EDITED ON 11-24-10 AT 00:15 AM (EST)

Quick Entry

While grading the entries tonight, I suddenly realized that with the holiday weekend coming up, I should just post this tonight. It also means I'm tired and not chatty, so someone else can write the mini-recap right here.

Week 9 Results
1st place - Jill/Thomas (2x)
2nd place - Nick/Vicki (1.7x)
3rd place - Nat/Kat (even)
4th place - Brook/Claire (.5x)
5th place - Chad/Stephanie (0x)

Another Impossible Bonus

Our streak continues! Clearly, looking back at it, the previews made it look like Nick/Vicki were going to use the U-Turn. So, when they didn't, it messed up everyone's bonus picks.

The bonus game ended up claiming a few players this week, beau_30, michel, and FFantasyFX. All three went for the bonus in a big way, but were ultimately screwed over by the previews. Thanks for playing, you guys.

The Greatest Gainer Award goes popeave, who climbed 6 ranks into the Top 20 with a Nick/Vicki wager. Nicely played, good sir.

The Perfect Bet Award goes to Deshawnator22 (2x), who improved on the near-win from last week to take the prize. Very cool.

Leaderboard
1. Yogi - 778
2. vennui - 546
3. Jims02 - 440
4. ARNutz - 340
5. louislam - 319
6. Weez - 283
7. kidflash212 - 199
8. Ontheroadagain - 140
9. CTgirl - 134
10. Molaholic - 121
11. Belle Book - 93
12. Starshine - 93
13. cahaya - 86
14. Snidget - 67
15. chiubakka - 61
16. flipxycd - 60
17. Deshawnator22 - 30
18. MzTee - 21
19. sarah1234 - 17
20. popeave - 17
21. kduck - 15
22. bbenzenberg - 10
23. shilfiell - 9
24. 5cats - 9
25. Element King - 8
26. esquire - 6
27. KwietOne - 4
28. Nume - 2
29. beau_30 - 0
30. michel - 0
31. FFantasyFX - 0

Can Yogi get the clean sweep for the season or will someone claim the throne? We're getting into the final stretch, so every decision becomes huge.

Week 10 Payout Table
1st place - 2x
2nd place - 1.4x
3rd place - .6x
4th place - 0x

Well, I pretty much had to make it this way, considering the bonus game...

Bonus Game - Loan Sharkin'

The First Bank of Jims is officially open for business. This week and this week only, we are offering loans of up to 250 points to any player who wishes to do so. Don't worry, no credit scores will be checked. If you want the loan, you automatically qualify!

There are two conditions to the loan.

1. You pay the points back next week. Enjoy using the points all you want this week, because I'll be taking them back after the next leg is completed. This is barring a "To Be Continued" episode (in which case all loans/wagers are voided).

2. In addition to paying back the loan, you will be charged 30% interest. Once you borrow the points, the interest fee will apply, regardless of how your wagers turns out.

Now, given the interest, would a loan still work out for you? Well, it depends what you do with the points. If you dump all the loaned points on the team that scores 2x, then who cares about a piddly 30% interest? For example,

You take a loan of 250 points.

SCENARIO #1: Your team finishes in 1st place.
Payout: 250 points * 2 = 500 points
Subtract the 250 points you loaned.
Subtract the interest (250 * .3 = 75 points).
500 - 250 - 75 = +175 net

SCENARIO #2: Your team finishes in 3rd place.
250 points * .6 = 150 points
Subtract the 250 points you loaned.
Subtract the interest (250 * .3 = 75 points).
150 - 250 - 75 = -175 net

So, as you can see, this can be a risky proposition. If you take a loan and the wager doesn't pan out... Well, I still want my points back. Still, can you imagine what you'd do with an extra 175 points next week?

Don't worry, if you end up in the red, I can find a job at the Casino where you can work off those points you owe me. Anyone know how to deal blackjack?

But remember, you don't have to borrow all 250 points. If you want to borrow less, go for it. 250 is just the max. Borrow as much (or as little) as you're comfortable with.

TAR17 Teams Remaining
Brook/Claire
Jill/Thomas
Nat/Kat
Nick/Vicki

Interestingly, all 4 teams remaining are "above the line", although Brook/Claire are hanging on by a thread. So, no Loser Bonuses this week.

And one last thing...

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

It's a coincidence there are no Loser Bonuses this week with the Loan Sharking and all (since those would change the payouts). My plan was to do this bonus game after the next elimination.