the office pool

so most people are playing boxes. its the easy mindless way to game. 100 boxes and results of the first quarter, half time, third quarter and final scores are rewarded. years ago, when numbers were labeled across zero to nine, it was advantageous to get in early and pick out the 7-7 or 7-0. to make it more "fair," the rows and columns are chosen at random when the grid is full.

typically, entrance is anywhere from $5 to $100. say for a $20 per box cost. first and third quarters would be rewarded $300 each. half time gets $400. the final get a whooping $1000.

the prizes all together are worth $1700. all the entrance however makes $2000. so where does the extra $300 go? the organizer gets it. beating a 15% vig is hard enough -- it's impossible to do it when is based solely on luck. For me, its not even worth the entertainment value of throwing darts at numbers.

so why don't i play the organizer? the disadvantage of being a freelance consultant.