Friday Notes

I finally gave up on Mariano tonight. Very disappointing. I kept telling myself, "Just get me one save. Just one, you bum. "Hideous. I think he netted me about 50 negative rotohog points before selling him. No plans to buy him back anytime soon. And I'm getting so annoyed with the Money Schooled team of late that I'm starting two SP's tomorrow just to make myself feel a little better (or a lot worse.)

But what I need to remember is that this game is just like the stock market. If you let fear and greed play you, you will lose. Or as Jim Cramer would say, "Bulls make money, bears make money, pigs get slaughtered." I have a sound strategy, it has worked to large degree so far, and I plan to be still writing on this blog come September.

Speaking of strategy, I'm wondering to myself, "If my team is only worth about $600, I'm right on pace with position players and innings, and I'm in 139th place, am I still in this thing?" And when I say, "in this thing" I mean a shot at $100K.

I am, but there are a number of people ahead of me who have incredibly impressive teams and seem to know what they are doing. I'll elaborate this weekend.

Rotohog

I'm spending enough time with Rotohog that I might as well blog about it. This is the ultimate in fantasy sports. Players can be traded in real time. There are many other features that make the game excellent, but they generally revolve around the ability to trade - just like a stock market - and acquire whatever players you want for your team. Assuming, of course, you have the cash to do so.

There is only one set of athletes for every 12 participants, so supply is limited. This creates some interesting bubbles in certain players. There are a myriad of rules, just like with any fantasy sports game. Considering the winner takes home $100K, they are worth knowing.

The most important are the players limits. 162 games at each position and 1300 total innings for 6 pitcher spots. (2 starters, 2 relievers, 2 any) Everything is about maximizing your points per.

There have energed two classes of participants. Those who spend the time, and those who don't. To win the overall prize, a great deal of time will be required. My biggest fear - I spend the time and take 11th place. (Out of the money) That will not make me happy. Considering how much fun the game is, and how much strategy gets to be played out, I think it's worth it. We'll see.

There is an element of trading ability and a larger element of fantasy sports in the game. And you need clear skills in both to win. This game, it is my suspicion, will not be for the faint of heart.

I've been playing fantasy sports for about a decade and have had multiple teams every year (this year I have 6), but have never been so involved as to start blogging about it. That speaks volumes, I believe, about Rotohog.