Rules and Information for the Nutters Prediction League (NPL) for the 2009/10 Season
How to Play – General Information
To take part in the NPL all you have to do is simply predict the following for all First Team Inverness Caledonian Thistle (ICT) 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
Guess the number in the crowd for the game.
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 match kicks off (if I remember!)
Post your prediction in the following format:-
HT:
FT:
1st Scorer ICT:
1st Scorer Opp:
Crowd:
(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
Crowd: 2232
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. 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 the line up 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.
Crowd
You will be awarded 10 pts if you are bang on and 5pts if you are no more than 100 out – over or under. The crowd figure will be determined by those displayed on CeeFax. If for some reason CeeFax fail to post their updates in reasonable time, the BBC Football web site will be used or any other alternative recognised web site.
If there are no correct predictions (10 pointers) for the crowd then the nearest entrant to the actual figure will be awarded TWO bonus points. If there is a tie for this honour all involved will receive the two points.
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 – 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. They will also be deleted from the message board.
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 entrant’s names are on the respective entries.
Notes on Correcting your Prediction
For a trial period during the 2009/2010 season I will permit predictions to be edited, prior to kick-off, on the message board. If you do use this facility to edit a prediction then please PM me. This will make sure my attention is brought to the change and the spreadsheet can be amended accordingly in order for you not to miss out on points. If you fail to PM me the change then I will not be held responsible for any errors involving edited predictions.
NPL Results 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.
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.
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 Honours list.
Updated 24/06/09
