NPL Rules and Instructions 2015-2016

[+Gringo]

There are no changes to the rules from last season:

 

Rules and Instructions for playing the Nutters Prediction League (NPL) for the 2015/16 Season


How to Play

To take part in the NPL all you have to do is simply predict the following for all First Team Inverness Caledonian Thistle (ICT), SPL, Europa League, League Cup and SFA Cup matches:-

The Half Time (HT) score.
The Full Time (FT) score.
The scorer of the First goal for ICT.
The scorer of the first goal for the opposition and
The time of the first goal scored.

There is no need to register for this game. Just enter your prediction on the Gringo’s NPL Board on the forum before the match kicks off. Each game will be posted on the board approx’ two weeks before the fixture (if I remember!).
‘
Post your prediction in the following format:-

HT:
FT:
1st Scorer ICT:
1st Scorer Opp:
Time of 1^st Goal:

(Just copy and paste the above format onto the board and add your predictions)

For Example:-

Gringo
HT: 0-0
FT: 2-1
1st Scorer ICT: Anybody
1st Scorer Opp: Bonehead
Time of 1^st Goal: 36

Important
To avoid losing points, please use the same 'username' throughout the contest.


The Rules / Scoring system

All predictions should be posted before kick off, it is up to you to check k.o. times and post accordingly No excuses! ALL entries posted after k.o. (even 1 sec over) will NOT be accepted. Very often the match thread will be automatically locked at the scheduled kick off time regardless of whether the match has physically kicked off or not so please post early to avoid disappointment. Each game will be advertised on the Gringo's NPL board approx' two weeks or so before the game. These games will remain on the board throughout the season and, where possible, will be locked after kick off or some other time convenient to me.

H-T and F-T Correct Scores

You will be awarded 1 pt for each correct score (1-0) and result (h, a or d) + a bonus of 2pts for an all correct prediction. I.E If you predict a 1-0 score and the actual score is 2-0 you will be awarded 1 pt for the 'home' result and 1pt for the '0' score. If the score was 1-0 you would get 1pt for the '1', 1pt for the '0' and 1pt for the 'home' result plus a bonus of 2pts for an all correct answer giving you a max 5pts. (Sounds complicated but it will become as clear as mud as the game progresses). So, basically, a correct score is worth 5 points.
Please note that, unless you state otherwise in your prediction, the first score you give will always be regarded as the 'home' team.

First Scorer ICT/ Opposition /Use of Surnames

You will be awarded 2pts for a correct answer. OG's do count but only if you state this at the time and for the correct team. Please be aware of teams who have the same players surname in their line ups (including those on the bench) so please state clearly which player you have selected by using their first name(s). Failure to clarify this WILL result in a loss of points.

Time of 1^st Goal
 

Simply predict the Time – in whole minutes – of the First Goal scored in the game.

You will be awarded 10 pts if you are bang on and 5pts if you are no more than 5 mins out + or – and 2pts if you are 6-10 mins out (+/-).

 

Exact: 10 points

5+/-: 5 points

6-10+/-: 2 points     

 

The Time of the 1^st Goal will be determined by the BBC Football web site. If for whatever reason the BBC fail to post the time of the goal then I will use another recognised web-site to determine the outcome. This will be advised in the the Results/Tables thread should this occur.

Any goals that are timed at 45+1 etc and 90+1 etc will be counted as 45 and 90 respectively but will NOT the maximum of 10 points. Only 5pts will be awarded in these cases.

ALL Cup Ties will be timed over 90 mins. Extra Time does not apply

The JOKER

For 2014/15 please refer to the separate thread regarding your JOKER entitlement.

Using a Joker will DOUBLE your points tally for that game. Only one joker per game can be used. Use them wisely on games you are very confident on getting loads of points.
The Joker CAN be used on any Bonus Point games but any Bonus Points won will NOT be doubled.
To use your Joker simply add **JOKER** at the end of your prediction.
The winner of the 2015/16 NPL will be able to use three jokers the following season. Those finishing in the next nine positions will qualify for two Jokers and all others will only get one.

Cup Matches

Cup matches will be based on 90 mins only. Extra time does not count. There will be no extra points awarded for extra-time scores / pens etc. Any games played on a neutral ground the home team will be notified on the appropriate game thread.

Bonus points

From time to time I will select a match where bonus points will be available. All bonus point matches and details of how to win these points will be advertised on the specific thread. Please look out for them as they could appear at any time.

Abandoned / Postponed Matches

Abandoned and Postponed matches will be VOID and all entries will be cancelled. They will NOT be carried over for the re-arranged fixture.

Notes on 1st scorer

A point was raised about naming a first scorer after predicting a '0' scoreline. It was suggested that the entrant should put 'None' or No Scorer in the first scorer section and be awarded the 2pts. As far as I am concerned if there isn’t a goal there cannot be a 'first scorer'. I have no problem with entrants naming a 'first scorer' and predicting a '0' scoreline. It will be accepted. (Affectionately known as Gringo’s Law)

Posting for other players / Multiple Postings

You can post a prediction on behalf of another entrant (with their permission!) but please specify clearly who the prediction is for. Posting a series of predictions is also permitted but please make sure all the entrants names are on the respective entries.

Notes on Correcting your Prediction

Corrections to your prediction(s) can me made prior to kick-off by either using the edit facility on the original post or, alternatively, just re-post the whole prediction. In all cases the later prediction is used when the NPL spreadsheet is compiled.

Scores and Updates

Results and Tables from completed Games will be posted as soon as possible after each game. As I am the only person running the NPL, delays to updates can be expected due to holidays and going to watch ICT etc. As a general rule I will attempt to get the update on the NPL Board no later than two hours after the match. An expected update time will be advised on the respective Game Thread.

Championship Tie

In the event of a tie for first place, positions will be decided by the amount of correct scores (HT/FT 5 pointers) you have got, if there is still a tie after that the amount of correct scorers will be used. If it is still tied after that then I will use the average points system.
This system will also be used to determine the 'Euro' positions for the benefit of the Joker quota for the following season.

Prize

The winner will receive (eventually) a small-engraved trophy, which can gather the dust whilst sat on top of the telly. As the winner of the NPL you are also entitled to bragging rights throughout the close season. The top ten positions will be regarded as qualifying for Europe and will be inscribed on the NPL Honors list.

Edited June 26, 2015 by Gringo
Updated for 2015-16 season