Odds | History | Rules
The 17th Run for the Slivers ...
Welcome race fans. The initial field is small, but we're expecting
it to expand rapidly as few of the perennial contenders have shown
their hands yet. As the teams leave the Paddock for their walk
ro the Starting Gate it appears we have some catching up to do
if we are to match 2004's record field of 82 teams. That cavalry
charge set an alltime record with 328 players enrolled in the
Team Tournament. Never fear ... procrastination is the favorite
training technique for the WBC Derby and late entries are all
the rage.
You can download the entry form in pdf form or simply email your squad to doncon99@toad.net.
Entry deadline is July 25. Rules are simple. You must have four
members. All must be pre-registered to attend WBC and each must
indicate a different tournament for his/her team game. Entry is
free so give it a shot.
Happy Handicapper, Stuart Tucker, is sharpening his pencil
as we assemble the racing form. (Here's an explanation of how he calculates them.) We will update the odds weekly
as new teams enter the field. Again this year he is a handicapper in
every sense of the word, as the scoring will be handicapped by
awarding a bonus point to every player who scores a team point
in an event they have not won at a past WBC. Will it make a difference?
It didn't last year as Nest of Spies won for the third straight
year, although they needed a tie breaker to win the photo finish.
We update the odds as new teams enter the field. This year he is a handicapper in every sense of the word as for the first time, the scoring will be handicapped by awarding a bonus point to every player who scores a team point in an event they have not won at a past WBC. Will it make a difference? Only time will tell. (Word has it that the Track Steward will hold the windows open
for late entries but don't press your luck! Get those Teams entered
now at doncon99@toad.net.)
Horse Talk Commentary
By Stuart "The Happy Handicapper" Tucker
July 20, 2008
The favorites, Nest of Spies, have checked in, laying down the gauntlet by
adding Chris Byrd and improving their Power Rating by a few more points and
lowering their odds. The Greenville Mafia teams have also entered: Famine contains their heavy hitters and holds down the third slot in our Handicap listing,
but don’t count out War, though Josh Githens may need a heavy chariot to
survive his event.
This may be the year of Da Boys, who rank 10th among our current 59 teams,
though they’ll probably need an extraordinary result from Jordan Flawd to take
the laurels. The aftermath of the dissolution of the Manly Men has benefitted
Polish Lancers, who pick up Metzger, shortening their odds considerably and
making them the ninth ranked team and very definitely a threat to win it all. Go
Flank Yourself contains some of players on hot streaks, but is probably a
couple players short of real contention. While the recent successes of Shockers defy understanding--expect their event overlords to put them in place this year.
Among the mid-ranked teams, I like TC’s Bug Destroyers. We Ain’t Dead Yet will need their younger players to pick up the pace a bit to compete. Wonder
Women I may have swapped in a new fourth, but they are still a piece short of
making a real challenge. Wonder Women II is still floundering around for talent.
Teen Girl Squad has become Dream Team, but can only ride the value of their
batting eyelashes for only so long.
Quebec sends us a new team, Les 3 Mousequetaires, resting heavily on the
shoulders of Marc Beauregard (a first-time wood winner last year).
At the 6200-1 end of the list are returning teams S.W.A.T. and Heterodyne (last year’s Team Stookey’s), both changing one of their baton carriers. Neither
has a chance, but bet on Heterodyne to outscore S.W.A.T. (bet the"under").
I understand that some of the key free agents won’t be making it to the
convention due to family events (an expect birth in one case). Guys, take a lesson
from Birnbaum: devotion to winning at the convention in August requires some
discipline in the previous October/November. Set your priorities!
Well without further ado, it is time to unveil the preliminary odds. Remember to sign your team up pronto. Time is running out. Entries shown in red have not
yet pre-registered or have not specified a game. They must do so by July
25 or they will be scratched.
2008 Teams (as of 7/29/2008) |
Rank |
Team # |
Team Name |
Power Rating |
Odds |
Members/Events |
1 |
38 |
Nest of Spies |
352 |
25-1 |
James
Pei FTP, Dave Dockter POG, Stefan MeCay TWS, Chris Byrd HRC |
2 |
29 |
Champagne Room Gamers |
310 |
28-1 |
Bruce
Reiff FBS, Jeff Mullet GOA, Nate Hoam ALH, Mike Stanley CMS |
3 |
48 |
Greenville Mafia: Famine |
239 |
37-1 |
Scott
Pfeiffer NW5, Ralph Gleaton RRY, Bruce Young UPF, Arthur Field
BAT |
4 |
72 |
Baby Seals |
227 |
39-1 |
George
Young WTP, Pete Reese POG, Ewan McNay BRI, Dennis Nicholson MMS |
5 |
25 |
St. Paul's Rejects |
216 |
41-1 |
John
Pack VIP, Steve Packwood 776, Mike Backstrom SET, Rich Moyer SSB |
6 |
21 |
Band of Fools |
214 |
41-1 |
Gary Dickson TRC, Ray Freeman TIM, Tom Gregorio BWD, Mike Kaye VIP |
7 |
27 |
The James Gang |
206 |
43-1 |
Doug
James TRC, Jim Eliason VIP, Rich
Beyma WAT, Rob Beyma RBS |
8 |
30 |
All The King's Jesters |
203 |
44-1 |
Paul
Risner B17, Keith Hunsinger ATS, Bruce Monnin WAS, Jim Jordan
BRI |
9 |
34 |
The Defectors |
198 |
45-1 |
Pete
Stein KRM, Debbie Gutermuth EPB, Lisa Gutermuth FMR, Ken Gutermuth
WPS |
10 |
41 |
Polish Lancers |
191 |
46-1 |
Rick
Young TWS, Paul Gaberson WTP, Bruce Wigdor UPF, David Metzger
812 |
11 |
66 |
Reservoir Dogs |
180 |
49-1 |
Matt
Fagan DUN, Phil Barcafer NW5, Jim Doughan BKN, JR Tracy ASL |
12 |
37 |
Da Boys |
179 |
50-1 |
Harry
Flawd SSB, Devin Flawd PDT, Jordan Flawd TTA, Mark Yoshikawa MMS |
13 |
67 |
Team Viagra |
179 |
50-1 |
Tom
Dunning RA!, Rob Winslow GXY, Nels
Thompson BKN, Stephen Cuyler ACS |
14 |
19 |
MIT SGS |
174 |
51-1 |
Alan
Applebaum VIP, Martin Sample ACS, David
Finberg TTN, Aaron Fuegi TT2 |
15 |
61 |
Central FL Gamers |
174 |
51-1 |
Kevin
Youells ACV, Jeff Cornett E&T, Greg Kulp HWD, Doug Galullo
SCT
|
16 |
46 |
Greenville Mafia: War |
171 |
52-1 |
Josh
Githens CMS, Bryan Collars CBC, Davyd Field TKL, Dave Gantt ACQ |
17 |
8 |
Old Guard |
167 |
53-1 |
Randy Heller BTW, Bill Morse QGB, Forrest Pafenberg B81, Bob Ryan ANZ |
18 |
82 |
Extraordinary Gentlemen |
167 |
53-1 |
Aran Warszawski HWD, Raphael Lehrer POE,
Haim Hochboim SET,
Harald Henning EPB |
19 |
32 |
Ghosts |
164 |
54-1 |
Larry
Lingle QGB, Dennis Culhane EOS, John Wetherell UNP, Charles Hickok
AGE |
20 |
13 |
Go Flank Yourself |
162 |
55-1 |
Chris Withers TWS, Rob Doane GCA, Steve Likevich B81, Justin Rice HIS |
21 |
63 |
Koleszar Lientz Plat |
159 |
56-1 |
Steve
Koleszar TTN, Luke Koleszar ALH, Dave Platnick PRO, Gerald Lientz SCT |
22 |
35 |
We Ain't Dead Yet |
158 |
56-1 |
Frank
Sinigaglio CMS, Bruno Sinigaglio WAT, Buddy Sinigaglio QGB, Don
Greenwood BKN |
23 |
5 |
Team X |
157 |
57-1 |
Dan Dolan Sr ELC, Dan Dolan Jr PDT, Tim Dolan BCY, Chris Storzillo ABN |
24 |
6 |
Team AREA |
152 |
58-1 |
Ed Menzel GBG, John Sharp VIP, Bruno Wolff TT2, Bill Thomson SQL |
25 |
84 |
Team Delaware XV |
152 |
58-1 |
Tim
Hitchings WAS, Vince Meconi AFK, Verity Hitchings PRC, Evan Hitchings
EIS |
26 |
62 |
EPGS5: Wabbit's Wevenge |
145 |
61-1 |
Barb
Flaxington PRO, Eric Freeman AMR, Greg Thatcher ELG, Chris Moffa
POE
|
27 |
20 |
Shockers |
144 |
62-1 |
John
Popiden PGG, Marty Musella PZB, Keith Schoose TWS, Bert Schoose
FBS |
28 |
12 |
Me & Three Stiffs |
140 |
64-1 |
Keith Wixson WNW, Mike Rinella BKN, Mark Giddings FTP, Rob Hassard POG |
29 |
68 |
Galaxy Quest |
137 |
65-1 |
Joel
Tamburo HIS, John Keating GXY, John Coussis ABN, Mark Mitchell
SCC |
30 |
47 |
Greenville Mafia: Death |
128 |
70-1 |
Bill
Beckman SSB, Kate Taillon ING, Ken Richards SHG, John Emery UPF |
31 |
4 |
Caveman Rejoice |
127 |
70-1 |
David Meyaard ELC, Karl Henning QGB, Nick Henning GSR, Jonathan Gemmell ADV |
32 |
22 |
Boarding Party |
125 |
71-1 |
Ben
Knight EIS, Rob Eastman BCY, Mike Fitzgerald RFG, Roy Gibson ACS |
33 |
36 |
3 Men & A Canadian |
123 |
73-1 |
Bill
Dyer FDE, Brad Johnson RRY, Joe Abrams LID, Glenn
McMaster DUN |
34 |
16 |
El Chupacabra |
119 |
75-1 |
Bruce Bernard VNC, Brandon Bernard ABN, Britteny Bernard TTR, George Deutsch AOA |
35 |
55 |
TC's Bug Destroyers |
116 |
77-1 |
Chris Busch MMS, Pete Busch HWD, Terry Coleman 960, Allen Kaplan CCA |
36 |
81 |
The Real Guys |
112 |
80-1 |
Peter
Putname CYL, Rode Spade POF, Tom DeMarco SPG, Andrew Gerb PGD |
37 |
70 |
Forced Laughter |
110 |
81-1 |
Robert
Drozd WPS, Ted Drozd CFC, Charles Drozd VIP, Jennifer Drozd CAR |
38 |
58 |
Killer B's |
106 |
84-1 |
Bill O'Neal PDT, Bill Peeck WTP, Bill Place CCA,
Bob Titran IVH |
39 |
26 |
Gaming Speed Bumps |
105 |
85-1 |
Craig
Yope BCY, Chris Trimmer WOR, Robert Frisby PGG, Doug Porterfield
AOA |
40 |
75 |
EPGS 2: The White Knights |
103 |
87-1 |
Alex
Bove GOA, James Castonguay PGD, Michael Kaltman CYL, Randy MacInnis
HRC |
41 |
79 |
Stalingrad Cowboys |
98 |
91-1 |
Mark
Guttag CCA, John Vasilakos ASK, Stuart Hendrickson WLL, Daniel
Broh-Kahn TKL |
42 |
9 |
Gang Greene |
97 |
92-1 |
Rob McCracken TRC, Mark Miklos BAR, Andy Lewis SSB, John Miklos HWD |
43 |
33 |
Nickel City Gamers |
97 |
92-1 |
Laurie
Wojtaszczyk TTR, Michael Wojtaszczyk CAR, Grant LaDue WNW, Kevin
Wojtaszczyk AUC |
44 |
2 |
Those Other Guys |
95 |
94-1 |
James Sparks WAW, William Sparks QGB, Pierre LeBoeuf 8XX, Keith Levy POE |
45 |
31 |
Cardboard Heroes |
89 |
101-1 |
Bill
Navolis RRY, Steve Squibb UNP, Cliff Ackman TTR, Kathy Stroh RFG |
46 |
78 |
EPGS 4 |
85 |
105-1 |
Rick
Cambron HIS, Robert Sohn ABN, Jason Wagner GSR, Deniz Bucak ING |
47 |
10 |
MVGA |
85 |
105-1 |
MVGA Eric Brosius FI5, Richard Meyer EPB, Jeffrey Meyer CYL, Ian Miller RFG |
48 |
85 |
Point Men |
83 |
108-1 |
Jason
White CCA, Scott Moll HRC, Joe Pabis
VNC, Ric Manns HOS |
49 |
57 |
Fantastic Four |
83 |
108-1 |
Steve Cuccaro KRM, Brian Schott RRY, Jim Garvey
VSD, Pat Garvey IVH |
50 |
18 |
Wonder Women I |
82 |
109-1 |
Kaarin
Engelmann SLS, Ayree Rice TTR, Carrie Lewis MMS, Rolinda Collinson
GSR |
51 |
56 |
Beach Bums |
73 |
123-1 |
Natalie Beach MOA, Matt Beach MRA, Sarah Beach CAR, Ed Beach GCA |
52 |
39 |
The Furious Four |
72 |
125-1 |
Justin
Thompson KGM, Bill Alderman EIS, Bill Powers CBC, Mary Ellen Powers
MRA |
53 |
71 |
3 Brits & A Yank |
71 |
126-1 |
Peter
Card HIS, Nick Smith GSR, Chris Hancock SCT, Mark Love MRA |
54 |
89 |
99 Cent Only Store |
71 |
126-1 |
Winton LeMoine RA, Roderick Lee VNC, Steve
Williams SQL, Rick Byrens POG |
55 |
69 |
Smortal |
70 |
128-1 |
Scott
Nerney FMR, John Shaheen BCY, Chad Gormly PDT, Rob Kircher AGR |
56 |
23 |
Want Some Candy |
69 |
130-1 |
Sean
McCulloch TT2, Pam Gutermuth TAM, Nicole Reiff FBS, Danny Lewis
SSB |
57 |
17 |
Dream Team |
66 |
136-1 |
Alex
Henning, RRY, Rebecca Hebner TTA, Ashley Collinson VNC, Angela
Collinson CMS |
58 |
74 |
Judean People's Front |
65 |
138-1 |
Eric Monte TTR, Paul Jones LST, Vassili Kyrkos MOV, Josh
Gifford LID |
59 |
86 |
Chit Kickers |
64 |
140-1 |
Ed
Witkowski BWD, Roger Eastep M44, Dvd Avins PGD, Jason Levine MAN |
60 |
42 |
Kromp on Krew |
63 |
143-1 |
Paul
McCarthy VNC, Roger Taylor MMS, Lee Rodrigues KRM, Phil Rodrigues
SUC |
61 |
90 |
Too Little, Too Late |
62 |
145-1 |
Charlie Mitchell SET, Robbie Mitchell
CAR, Tom McCorry TWS, Mikkel Christensen M44 |
62 |
53 |
Wheat, Chit & Die |
49 |
180-1 |
Chris Palermo SFR, Dave Denton CNS, Brian Stone ELG, John Reiners AMR |
63 |
73 |
People's Front of Judea |
46 |
200-1 |
Ann
Marie Dilworth ALH, Barry Barnes CYL, Rob Barnes IMP, Malinda
Kyrkos PRO |
64 |
87 |
Pressed For Time |
43 |
210-1 |
Andy
Latto T&T, Cally Perry SPB, Claire Brosius LST, Sam Brosius
RFG |
65 |
76 |
EPGS 3: Dice Busters |
41 |
220-1 |
Steve
Cameron SCC, Steve Fitchett PRC, Keith Layton CUB, Jim Vroom FBS |
66 |
52 |
Screaming Forehead |
41 |
220-1 |
Andy Maly UPF, Greg Courter CBC, Gretchen Paull MOA, Catherine Paull CAR |
67 |
44 |
Wonder Women II |
39 |
230-1 |
Jamie Tang TTR, Katherine McCorry POF, Suzanne Tuch ALH, Carol Caler ACS |
68 |
51 |
Amish Terrarium |
38 |
240-1 |
Jeff Paull SET, Nathan Paull BLR, Michael Gentile CCA, Greg Schmittgens POE |
69 |
11 |
Possum 2 |
34 |
260-1 |
John Elliott ACS, Joe Collinson WTP, Matthew Morgal POE, Dan Collinson HOS |
70 |
40 |
Les 3 Mousquetaires |
34 |
260-1 |
Marc
Beauregard BGP, Staphane Dorais ABN, JF Gagne DUN, Romain Jacques
E&T |
71 |
54 |
Natty Bohemians |
33 |
270-1 |
Phillip White GXY, Michael Buccheri SCC, Robert Buccheri ACQ, Cody Sandifer AOS |
72 |
77 |
EPGS 1 |
33 |
270-1 |
Melvin
Casselberry NW5, Frank Cunliffe ATS, Mark Singer UPF, Robert Stribula
EPB |
73 |
60 |
Karstaginians |
32 |
280-1 |
Jacob Hebner WOR,
Karsten Engelmann AE3,
Kerry Codoley QGB,
Zack Dunn CAR |
74 |
80 |
Kilroy Was Here |
30 |
300-1 |
Rob
Kilroy BLR, Kathy Kilroy LID, Stephanie Kilroy TTR, Ashley Kilroy
LST |
75 |
43 |
PeckofPickledPeppers |
28 |
320-1 |
Peter
Perla FMR, Mark Herman NW5, Zach Lawrence FTP, Rich Phares TIM |
76 |
83 |
Settlers of Pasadena |
25 |
360-1 |
Bill
Duke RBN, Jennifer Duke RSK, Cheryl Meek ACQ, Chris Goff SET |
77 |
59 |
Non-Zero Sum Gamers |
23 |
390-1 |
Chris Yaure CCA, Phillip Yaure 960, Joe
Yaure SJN, Amelia Englemann KRM |
78 |
7 |
Game Night Games |
22 |
410-1 |
Matt Tolman A&A, Tom Tolman SET, Tim Hall POG, Valarie Hall VSD |
79 |
1 |
MLBT |
20 |
450-1 |
Bob Wicks PGD, Michael Shea SET, Terri Wicks MED, Lynda Shea TAM |
80 |
15 |
Team Melton |
19 |
470-1 |
Craig Melton HRC, Joanne Melton LST, Virginia Melton SET, Rebecca Melton TTA |
81 |
64 |
Big Damn Gamers |
17 |
530-1 |
Marc
Houde ADV, Tamara Houde RRY, Michael Mahady TTN, Paul Richardson
BLR
|
82 |
65 |
No One Can Catch Red |
17 |
530-1 |
Jim
Carvin UNP, Lyle Wenger BAT, Eric Lenhart ALH, Joe Betz MED |
83 |
88 |
The Minutemen |
14 |
640-1 |
Chris Senhouse TWS, Marc Berenbach PRO, Joshua
Pearce SHG, Brian Kowal AMR |
84 |
3 |
The Harley Gang |
10 |
900-1 |
Russell Harley KGM, Kathryn Harley PRO, Christina Harley ACV, Rachel Harley HWD |
85 |
24 |
Pack Attack |
10 |
900-1 |
Sharee
Pack GSR, David Pack CAR, Marie Pack CMS, Aurora Pack QGB |
86 |
14 |
Pixel Juice |
4 |
2300-1 |
Brad Sherwood PRO, Kevin Shaud ACS, Carmen Petruzzelli MED, Al Suszko 960 |
87 |
28 |
3 Beers & a Chardonnay |
4 |
2300-1 |
Janice
Thorn AE3, Rich Jenulis ACV, Mike Galandiuk CBC, Paul Sampson TWS |
88 |
49 |
Greenville Mafia: Pestilence |
3 |
3000-1 |
Claire
Pfeiffer PRC, Allyson Field SET, Kevin Emery NW5, Henry Pfeiffer
M44 |
89 |
45 |
S.W.A.T. |
1 |
9000-1 |
Bill Dickerson MFD, Steve Bachmann ACV, Vince Romeo TT2, Nick Klercker TTN, |
90 |
50 |
Team Heterodyne |
1 |
9000-1 |
Norman
Rule CAR, Amy Rule T&T, Lee Mewshaw LST, Marcy
Morelli TTR |
|
Self-Service Scoring: To improve the speed with which the standings are updated, Team Member, whether they score a point or not, should post their point totals on the Team Tournament kiosk Standings Board as soon as they are known. The Point Schedule is listed in the printed program. Those who score points in an event they have never won will receive one bonus point. While the self-service scoring is unofficial and subject to verification, it allows attendees to gain a current sense of where they are in the standings as the week unfolds. Since the results of some events are not known until the very end (and later) of the convention, the official scoring will be done the following week and posted here. The winning team will receive a plaque at the 2009 convention.
Horse Talk Commentary
by Stuart “Happy Handicapper” Tucker
July 14, 2008
This column has become the easiest job on earth. Bet Nest of Spies. End of story.
In case it has escaped your attention, Nest of Spies has won three years in a row. Can you spell D-Y-N-A-S-T-Y? And of all things, they did it last year with a key baton carrier, David Dockter, out sick. Hats off to Mr. Fedin for contributing the final points needed by the Team Tournament’s Elite team. I dare say, Nest of Spies must be considered the unquestionable favorite this year--especially in light of the demise of that other team we all love to hate. Yes, say it isn’t so, but the early entries show that the Manly Men are dead--splitting up key anchors Ken Gutermuth and Bruce Reiff, who have kept the Manly Men atop the odds chart year in, year out. Gutermuth gladly takes the nom de guerre of The Defectors. Reiff’s weakened team, Champain Room Gamers at 12-1, remains the favorite for the moment, as Nest of Spies has not checked in as of this writing. The Defectors remain a respectable contender, however, ranking sixth among the first 34 entrants.
A key free agent at the moment is Marvin Birnbaum, who apparently isn’t the “Me” in his old team, Me & 3 Stiffs, who hold down a respectable 27-1 chance to win it all this year without Marvin. Of course, that depends upon whether Marvin goes ahunting in their tournaments!
Some of the more creative new team names: Go Flank Yourself (23-1) and 3 Bears & a Chardonay (1000-1).
Among the first 34 team entries, I see ten new groupings--largely evidence of a growing tendency of kids and wives to join in the fun. Of course, those entries tend to populate the long-shot end of our list (at unbettable 1000-1 odds in some cases). Wouldn’t it be fun to see one of them surprise us all? I guess such teams are just a few Stefan Mecay’s away from shocking the team tournament at its roots. But as a betting man, I have to think that teams with relatives are sure signs of weakness (not that I haven’t been “carried” by a few distant cousins from time to time). It just seems more likely that a group of competitors that don’t have to sleep under the same roof are more likely to have the killer instinct necessary to grind it out toe to toe this August.
Forgive me for my straight-shooting horse talk today; maybe I’m getting too old to be a diplomat any more. I’ve always liked team names that tell it like it is. Take Team Delaware XIV from last year: they tell you how many times they’ve failed to win. Let’s hear the applause of the 77 other teams who can point to them and feel good about themselves. Yes, there is no need to feel intimidated by a team that has been around for so long. The Greenville Mafia teams have it right: come up with a new name each year to stay under the radar. Trouble is that a few years ago I think I convinced them to preface their team names with “Greenville Mafia”: so now you know to buddy up with others when across the table from one. Remember: knives don’t kill people; notoriety in multiplayer games does (see aforementioned knife sticking out of back).
Come on team leaders, stop resting on the laurels (or lack thereof) of your friends and family. Among the 700+ players who did NOT join a team last year, an abundance of talent exists. It is time to dump that cousin who is your weak leg and get some real talent. My apologies to each married man who has teamed up with his spouse--I guess you can only suggest she join the Wonder Women so many times. Here are the Baton Ratings of last year’s top-ranking unhitched players:
Sincavage, Michael VA 95
Withers, Chris CA 93
Beyma, Rob MD 84
Coussis, John IL 84
Dunning, Tom NY 76
Rennert, Phil MD 76
Koleszar, Steve VA 65
James, Doug NC 63
Pfeiffer, Ray MD 63
Sutton, Brian MD 6 |