ProbabilityBasketballSM

Official Rules

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  1. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY

    By registering to play ProbabilityBasketballSM 2005 NCAA Basketball Contest (hereinafter referred to as the "Contest"), entrants agree to all of the terms and conditions of these Official Rules. The Contest is governed by and subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws. The Contest is not to be used in connection with any form of gambling. The Contest is free, and there are no entry fees or charges to participate. No purchase is necessary to play.
     
  2. GAME OF SKILL

    ProbabilityBasketballSM is a game of skill owned and operated by Probability Sports, Inc. ("PSI"). Players are ranked and winners are determined according to the objective criteria set forth in these Official Rules, which are designed to judge each player's skill in estimating the strengths (probabilities of winning) of NCAA basketball teams throughout the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament (the "Tournament"). Both the Contest format and the unique scoring method ensure that skill is by far the predominant factor in a player's success, and that a much higher degree of skill is required to succeed than in contests where the player simply guesses winners of basketball games. The Contest is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NCAA or any of its member or affiliate institutions or organizations.
     
  3. PARTICIPATION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

    The Contest is open for participation to anyone at least 13 years of age at the time of entry. Each entrant must supply a valid email address to which he/she has access. Only one valid entry per person is permitted. A player that meets these eligibility requirements is eligible to participate in the Contest and shall hereinafter be referred to as a "Player."
     
  4. PRIZE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

    In order for a Player to be eligible to win prizes in the Contest, the following Requirements must also be met:
    • The entrant must be a legal resident of the contiguous United States of America (except that Rhode Island residents are not eligible to win prizes), Alaska, Hawaii, or the District of Columbia, being at least 18 years of age at the time of entry;
    • There must be no previously registered Prize-Eligible Player having the same mailing address and/or email address. Only one Prize-Eligible Player is allowed per email address and per mailing address; and
    • The entrant must not be an employee of or a contractor for PSI, or an immediate family member (spouse, mother, father, sister, brother, daughter, or son) of any such employee or contractor.
    A player that meets these eligibility requirements is hereinafter referred to as a "Prize-Eligible Player." Any Player who does not meet one or more of the above requirements may participate in the Contest but is not eligible to win prizes in the Contest. PSI reserves the right to determine prize eligibility at its sole discretion.
     
  5. EXCLUSIONS

    PSI reserves the right to exclude or expel from the Contest, and from any and all future PSI contests, any individual suspected of:
    1. Not meeting one or more of the participation-eligibility requirements as set forth in section 3;
    2. Not meeting one or more of the prize-eligibility requirements, as set forth in Section 4, when such an individual has registered as a Prize-Eligible Player;
    3. Registering and/or participating in the Contest as or on behalf of another person, rather than (or in addition to) himself/herself;
    4. Attempting to "hack" the website or in any way gain unauthorized access to the website or any of its databases, applications, and files; or
    5. Attempting to overload the capacity of the website, or attempting any other hostile action designed to adversely affect the operation of the website or Contest.
    PSI reserves the right to suspend or terminate the Contest at its sole discretion at any time should any hostile actions adversely affect the correct operation of the Contest.
     
  6. CONTEST ENTRY

    To enter the Contest, each person must complete an online registration form located at http://ProbabilityBasketball.com/register.html to acquire a user name and password and to determine his/her prize eligibility. Registration and maintenance (updating) of contact information is free. PSI reserves the right to change any entrant's user name or prize eligibility. Any entrant whose user name or prize eligibility has been changed will be notified via the email address provided to PSI during registration (or during updating of registration information). There is a limit of one (1) entry per person. If more than one (1) entry is received per person, PSI reserves the right to void all entries associated with that person. PSI further reserves the right to create prize-ineligible entries at any time.
     
  7. CONTEST DURATION

    Players may enter the Contest from 12:00:00 p.m. ET, March 16, 2005 through 6:00:00 p.m. ET, March 24, 2005. Picks are made for individual basketball games (hereinafter referred to as a "Game" or "Games") from 12:00:00 a.m. ET, March 16, 2005 through 6:00:00 p.m. ET, April 4, 2005, and points are accumulated from March 17, 2005 through April 4, 2005. The Contest is intended to operate in tandem with the First Round through the Championship of the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament. If the Tournament is delayed, extended, interrupted, canceled, shortened, or otherwise affected for any reason, the Contest may be postponed, extended, shortened, or terminated at the sole discretion of PSI.

    In the Contest, a "Round" consists of all Games played during one of the six rounds in the Tournament, starting with the "First Round", having games played on March 17, 2005 and March 18, 2005, and ending with the "Championship" (Round 6) played on April 4, 2005. This year's "Opening Round Game", played on March 15, 2005 before the First Round, is not included in the Contest, and the outcome of this game has no effect on the scores of players in the Contest. The "Sweet-16" consists of the 15 games played in Round 3 through Round 6 (Regional Semifinals through the Championship).
     
  8. PLAYING INSTRUCTIONS

    To play the Contest, each player must enter, for each Game, a Probability (also referred to as a "Pick" or "Probability Pick") for either of the two teams in the Game. The Probability must be entered as a percentage from 0% to 100%. The Contest program will automatically adjust the Probability for the other team in the Game to a value of 100% minus the entered Probability. This ensures that the two Probabilities in each Game always add up to 100%. (In the case where the program is unable to perform the automatic Probability adjustment for any reason, the player shall be responsible for verifying accurate Probabilities for both teams.) Any Game for which the player does not enter a Probability for either team is treated the same as a Probability Pick of 50% for each team. (This is a default neutral Pick.)

    In addition to these Probability Picks, a player must enter, for use as Tie Breakers, predictions of the final scores (called "Tie Breaker Picks") for designated "Tie Breaker Games". Any Tie Breaker Game for which the player does not make a Tie Breaker Pick is treated the same as a prediction of a score of 0 to 0.

    A player submits his Probability and Tie Breaker Picks to the Contest by clicking a "Submit Picks" button. A player may make or change his/her Pick for a particular Game at any time (a) after the start of the period in which Picks may be made in the Contest; (b) after the teams playing in that Game have been determined and verified by PSI; and (c) before the Picking Deadline for that Game as set forth herein. A player may view only his/her own Pick for a Game before the Picking Deadline for that particular Game. After the Picking Deadline has passed for a given Game, any person may view the Pick for any player in the Contest for that Game. PSI shall not be held responsible for undesired Picks as a result of (a) incomplete, incorrect, late, lost, or misdirected entries; (b) failed, partial, or garbled computer transmissions; or (c) technical failures of any kind. PSI shall not be held responsible for others gaining knowledge of a player's Picks before the Picking Deadlines due to any technical errors, regardless of the source of the error, or due to unauthorized access to the website or any of its databases, applications, and/or files.
     
  9. PICKING DEADLINES

    For each Game in the Tournament, there is a "Picking Deadline" after which no player may make a Pick (either a Probability Pick or a Tie Breaker Pick) for that Game. For each day of the Tournament on which at least one Game is played, the Picking Deadlines for all Games played that day are at the same time. After the start of the period in which Picks may be made for a particular game, the Picking Deadline for each Game will be displayed next to the area in which the player views and makes his/her Pick for that Game.
     
  10. CONTEST SCORING

    For each Game, a player gains or loses points dependent upon whether the team he/she has picked as the favorite (a Pick with a Probability higher than 50%) wins or loses the Game. The number of points gained or lost, based on the player's Pick, is determined by the scoring function, which is shown in the table in Section 11 of these Rules. Any player not making a Pick for a particular Game, or selecting 50% for each team in that Game (a neutral Pick), neither gains nor loses any points for that Game, regardless of the outcome of the Game. Points gained or lost by a player for each Game are added or subtracted, respectively, to a player's total points in order to calculate the cumulative Round, Sweet-16, and Tournament Total Scores for that player. Any Game for which a player does not make a Pick will neither add nor subtract points to or from any of the Total Scores.

    Round Total Scores are calculated over all Games in each Round of the Tournament. Sweet-16 Total Scores are calculated over the 15 games played in Round 3 through Round 6 (Regional Semifinals through the Championship). Tournament Total Scores are calculated over the 63 games played in Round 1 through Round 6 (First Round through the Championship). The "Opening Round Game", played on March 15, 2005 before the First Round, is not included in the Contest, and the outcome of this game has no effect on the Total Scores of players in the Contest.
     
  11. CONTEST SCORING FUNCTION

    Favorite % Win Loss Underdog %
    50% 0.00 0.00 50%
    51% +3.96 -4.04 49%
    52% +7.84 -8.16 48%
    53% +11.64 -12.36 47%
    54% +15.36 -16.64 46%
    55% +19.00 -21.00 45%
    56% +22.56 -25.44 44%
    57% +26.04 -29.96 43%
    58% +29.44 -34.56 42%
    59% +32.76 -39.24 41%
    60% +36.00 -44.00 40%
    61% +39.16 -48.84 39%
    62% +42.24 -53.76 38%
    63% +45.24 -58.76 37%
    64% +48.16 -63.84 36%
    65% +51.00 -69.00 35%
    66% +53.76 -74.24 34%
    67% +56.44 -79.56 33%
    68% +59.04 -84.96 32%
    69% +61.56 -90.44 31%
    70% +64.00 -96.00 30%
    71% +66.36 -101.64 29%
    72% +68.64 -107.36 28%
    73% +70.84 -113.16 27%
    74% +72.96 -119.04 26%
    75% +75.00 -125.00 25%
    Favorite % Win Loss Underdog %
    75% +75.00 -125.00 25%
    76% +76.96 -131.04 24%
    77% +78.84 -137.16 23%
    78% +80.64 -143.36 22%
    79% +82.36 -149.64 21%
    80% +84.00 -156.00 20%
    81% +85.56 -162.44 19%
    82% +87.04 -168.96 18%
    83% +88.44 -175.56 17%
    84% +89.76 -182.24 16%
    85% +91.00 -189.00 15%
    86% +92.16 -195.84 14%
    87% +93.24 -202.76 13%
    88% +94.24 -209.76 12%
    89% +95.16 -216.84 11%
    90% +96.00 -224.00 10%
    91% +96.76 -231.24 9%
    92% +97.44 -238.56 8%
    93% +98.04 -245.96 7%
    94% +98.56 -253.44 6%
    95% +99.00 -261.00 5%
    96% +99.36 -268.64 4%
    97% +99.64 -276.36 3%
    98% +99.84 -284.16 2%
    99% +99.96 -292.04 1%
    100% +100.00 -300.00 0%

     
  12. TIE BREAKER SCORING

    PSI shall designate one Game in the First Round, one Game in the Second Round, and the Championship Game as "Tie Breaker Games". For each Tie Breaker Game, a player is asked to predict the final score for that Game. In the Contest, the "Team 1 Offset" is defined as the difference between the actual and predicted final scores of the team listed first (higher) for that Game. The "Team 2 Offset" is likewise defined as the difference between the actual and predicted final scores of the team listed second (lower) for that Game. The "Primary Tie Breaker Score" is calculated as the sum (addition) of the Team 1 Offset and the Team 2 Offset. (For example, a Primary Tie Breaker Score of 0 is achieved only with the exact prediction of the scores for both teams.) The "Secondary Tie Breaker Score" is the higher of a player's two offsets between the Team 1 Offset and the Team 2 Offset. In the Contest, a lower Primary or Secondary Tie Breaker Score beats a higher one.

    Ties between Round 1 and Round 2 Total Scores are broken using the Tie Breaker Scores for the Tie-Breaker Games in the First Round and the Second Round, respectively. Ties between Sweet-16 and Tournament Total Scores are broken using the Championship Game Tie Breaker Scores.
     
  13. PRIZES

    PSI reserves the right to substitute any prize with another prize of equal or greater value. The prizes are as follows:
    • $4750 Grand Prize for the highest-ranked Prize-Eligible Player having achieved a Tournament Total Score of at least 4750 points at the end of the contest (1 prize).
    • $100, $50, $25 for the First- through Third-Place Tournament Total Scores, respectively (3 prizes).
    • $25 for the top Sweet-16 Total Score (1 prize).
    • $25 for the top First-Round Total Score (1 prize).
    • $25 for the top Second-Round Total Score (1 prize).

     
  14. SELECTION OF WINNERS

    For all prizes, winners are chosen from among all Prize-Eligible Players who entered the contest before the Picking Deadline of the last Game in the period for which a prize is being awarded. Prize-Eligible Players are ranked according to the following criteria (in order of importance):
    1. The player's Total Score, based on that player's Probability Picks, over the period for which the prize is being awarded (i.e. Round Prize, Sweet-16 Prize, Tournament Prize). A player having a higher Total Score is ranked higher than (superior to) a player having a lower Total Score.
    2. In the event that two or more players have identical Total Scores, the player's Primary Tie Breaker Score for the period for which the prize is being awarded is used. Whenever players have equal Total Scores, a player having a lower Primary Tie Breaker Score is ranked higher than (superior to) a player having a higher Primary Tie Breaker Score.
    3. In the event that two or more players have identical Total Scores and identical Primary Tie Breaker Scores, the player's Secondary Tie Breaker Score for the period for which the prize is being awarded. Whenever players have equal Total Scores and Primary Tie Breaker Scores, a player with a lower Secondary Tie Breaker Score is ranked higher than (superior to) a player having a higher Secondary Tie Breaker Score.
    4. In the event that two or more players have identical Total Scores, identical Primary Tie Breaker Scores, and identical Secondary Tie Breaker Scores, the player's date and time of registration into the Contest. Whenever players have equal Total Scores, Primary Tie Breaker Scores, and Secondary Tie Breaker Scores, a player registering to play in the Contest earlier is ranked higher than (superior to) a player registering later.

    All prizes are awarded to the top ranked (according to the above criteria) Prize-Eligible Players. If a player wins the Grand Prize, that player is not eligible to win the First-Place Tournament Prize. In this case, the First-Place Tournament Prize is awarded to the next-highest-ranked Prize-Eligible Player.

    Prizes are non-transferrable. Each winner will be notified of his/her winnings via the email address provided to PSI during registration (or during updating of registration information) within seven (7) days after a prize has been officially won as determined by PSI. Prizes must be claimed by supplying proof of age and mailing address to PSI within twenty-eight (28) days of notification. Noncompliance or failure to respond within this time period may result in forfeiture of the prize, in which case the prize will remain unclaimed and will become the property of PSI. In the case where a winner is found to have been ineligible to compete for prizes according to the official rules, the next-highest ranking player will be selected as an alternate winner and will be notified of this fact within seven (7) days of this determination.

    Any lists of winners posted on the Contest website are unofficial until verified and confirmed by PSI. Each winner is individually responsible for all federal, state, and local taxes, as applicable. Entry into the Contest constitutes a winner's permission to use his/her name, likeness, and/or city of residence for promotional, advertising, and marketing purposes without further compensation. Each winner will be required to provide PSI with proof of age, identity, and mailing address, including submission of a notarized affidavit of eligibility and/or a photocopy of a valid state driver's license, identification card, or other government-issued identification that includes date of birth. PSI is not responsible for any failure of notification of winning resulting from incomplete or incorrect email addresses as provided to PSI during registration (or during updating of registration information), or misdirected email as a result of actions or circumstances outside of PSI's control. PSI reserves the right to disqualify any winner suspected of not meeting eligibility requirements.

    PSI will mail all prize checks for the Contest within fourteen (14) days of receipt of proof of age and mailing address, or within fourteen (14) days of the conclusion of the Contest (championship), whichever is later.
     
  15. ODDS OF WINNING

    A player's odds of winning prizes is dependent upon the number of players entered in the Contest and upon the player's level of skill in estimating the relative strengths (probabilities of winning) of basketball Game participants (teams).
     
  16. LIST OF WINNERS

    For a list of winners, go to the web page http://ProbabilityBasketball.com/winners.html. To request a written list of winners or a hard copy of the Official Rules, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
    Probability Sports, Inc.
    ProbabilityBasketball Official Rules and Winners List
    P.O. Box 733
    Columbia, MD 21045-0733
    Please specify the contest year for which the rules or list of winners is being requested, and specify whether the rules, the list of winners, or both is being requested.

  17. REFERRALS

    A registered player can refer friends to the contest by using the form at http://ProbabilityBasketball.com/referrals.html to make referrals. Submitting this form sends a one-time email to a friend, inviting him/her to enter the Contest. Included in this email is the user name of the referring person.

    No player should use the referral form to "spam" (send unsolicited email to non-acquaintances). Only persons whom a player knows, and who he/she thinks would possibly be interested in playing in the Contest, should be contacted via the referral form. Any player suspected of engaging in spamming may be expelled from the Contest, at the sole discretion of PSI.
     
  18. TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS

    PSI shall not be held responsible for printing or posting of typographical errors, regardless of the source of error.
     
  19. INTERNET MALFUNCTIONS

    PSI shall not be held responsible for internet crashes, malfunctions, or slowdowns caused by network congestion, viruses, sabotage, satellite failures, phone line failures, electrical outages, or natural disasters.
     
  20. LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY

    PSI shall not be held responsible for any errors, or any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by website users or any of the equipment or programming associated with the Contest or any technical or human errors that may occur in the processing of entries or Picks in the Contest. PSI assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft, destruction of, authorized access to, or alteration relating to any Contest entries. PSI is not responsible for any problem or technical malfunction relating to any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers or access providers, or computer equipment or software; failure or delay in delivery of email due to technical problems or traffic congestion on the internet, at any website or combination thereof, including injury or damage to participants or to any other person's computer related to or resulting from participating in or downloading of any materials relating to the Contest, regardless of whether or not that server or computer is or was owned, operated, or controlled by PSI. If, for any reason, the Contest is not capable of proceeding as planned, including due to infection of PSI's computers or servers by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of PSI that corrupt the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the Contest, PSI reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Contest. ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY OF PSI'S WEBSITES OR TO UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST MAY BE A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL AND STATE LAW, AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, PSI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY LIABLE PARTY TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
     
  21. INDEMNIFICATION AND RELEASE.

    By participating in the Contest, each entrant agrees to release and hold PSI and its respective employees, officers, directors, agents, and representatives harmless from any and all losses, damages, rights, claims, and actions of any kind including, without limitation, personal injuries, death, property damage, and claims based on publicity rights, defamation, or invasion of privacy, either directly or indirectly related to or arising from the Contest or from acceptance, possession, misuse, or use of any prize.
     
  22. CHANGES TO OFFICIAL RULES

    PSI reserves the right to modify or alter these Official Rules at any time by making changes to this web page. All users who registered for the Contest before any material change is made that affects the operation or administration of the Contest will be notified of the rule change via the email address supplied to PSI during his/her registration (or during updating of registration information). Users are advised to periodically review these Official Rules to ensure compliance and understanding of the Rules in effect at any given time.
     
  23. DISPUTES

    Except for any suit seeking injunctive relief to enforce the proprietary rights or protect the confidential information of either party, any claim, controversy, or dispute arising out of or relating to these Official Rules shall be decided by binding arbitration pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and conclusive upon the parties. Judgement upon any award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction having jurisdiction thereof. Arbitration of any claim, dispute, or controversy must be initiated no later than one year after the event or occurrence of the underlying matter at issue, and any claim initiated later than one year after the event or occurrence of the underlying matter at issue shall be barred.
     
  24. PROHIBITION AGAINST GAMBLING

    This Contest shall not be used in connection with any form of gambling, and PSI does not endorse or condone the use of the Contest for any wagering or gambling purposes.
     
  25. SEVERABILITY

    In the event that any portion of the Official Rules is found to be invalid or unenforceable pursuant to judicial decree or decision, public policy, or existing federal or state law, the remainder of the Official Rules shall remain valid and enforceable according to its terms. The parties agree that all valid provisions of the Official Rules will be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The parties agree that, in the event any provisions are deemed not enforceable or not valid, that those provisions shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary to make them enforceable or valid.
     
  26. REGISTRATION INFORMATION CHANGES

    The entrant bears the sole responsibility of notifying PSI of any changes to his/her email address and/or mailing address. The entrant may use the web page http://ProbabilityBasketball.com/change.html to make any such changes.
     
  27. GOVERNING LAW

    The validity of these Official Rules, the construction and enforcement of all terms, and the interpretation of the rights and duties of the parties shall be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflict of laws principles.
     
  28. HEADINGS

    The headings in these Official Rules are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the terms.
     
  29. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

    The Contest is void where prohibited by law and where expressly excluded by these Official Rules. Any entrant residing in any location where the Contest is void and prohibited by law shall not be eligible for prizes. Entrants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with all state and local laws relating to contests and games of skill, and to comply with any and all relevant laws.

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