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Rules & Payouts

Scoring:

First Round: The weight for each correct pick is 2.
Second Round: The weight for each correct pick is 3.
Sweet 16: The weight for each correct pick is 5.
Elite 8: The weight for each correct pick is 8.
Final Four: The weight for each correct pick is 13.
Championship: The weight for each correct pick is 21.

Tiebreaker:

The total score of the Championship game.  No Price Is Right rules.  You can go over and still win.

Maximum Brackets:

You can have up to 3 brackets per user.

Constitution:

Henceforth are the governing rules and articles for the Bracket Busters Challenge

I. All brackets shall be entered into the site or turned into the commissioner by no later than 11:30 AM EST on Thursday, the real first day of actual tournament games (not including play-in games on Tuesday & Wednesday).

II. No points will be awarded for the play-in games on Tuesday or Wednesday.

III. If you would like to pick one of the play-in teams as the winner in the 2nd round, just put that team advancing to the next round.

IV. All picks will be final as they are received in paper form. Changes will only be allowed electronically and submitted prior to the date and time stated in the aforementioned article I.

V. The use of the word aforementioned shall be limited to article IV only, unless used as an example in subsequent articles for said aforementioned article.

VI. Since my bracket will be available for all to see, I will be eligible for all prizes.  I will send out my picks prior to Thursday’s games, so you know there are no shenanigans.  This is known as the ‘No Shenanigans Clause‘.

VII. Each completed bracket will cost $10 per entry; max 3 entries per person.  Please have your entry fee to me no later than the start of the Final Four games.  You can send via Zelle, Venmo, Square Cash or my physical address.

Chris Hendrickson
3160 Glenmead Drive
Delaware, OH  43015

If we have less than 100 entries, payouts will be 1st (60%), 2nd (30%), 3rd (10%).

If we have 100+ entries, payouts will be 1st (50%), 2nd (25%), 3rd (15%) and 4th (10%).

We will also have a few ‘sweeteners’ mid-tournament which will be announced after the games begin.

If payment is not received by the start of the Final Four games, winners are not eligible to win, and the payout goes to the next best bracket entry.   There are NO exceptions to this rule.

VIII. Any bracket with a 16 seed chosen to win will be subject to ridicule from all other participants in the Bracket Busters league. The commissioner will not intervene in any matters that are related to this subject, expect to possibly ridicule you myself.

Amendment to Article VIII:  Given the incredible upset in 2018 by #16 UMBC over #1 Virginia, ridiculing other participants for choosing such an upset shall be limited to a mild taunt or scoff.

IX. Above all, have fun and enjoy the tournament. This is the greatest sporting event of the year. Good luck.