Your thoughts on "chopping the pot"? (1 Viewer)

[John Bender]

Just curious - high stakes league running for 13 years all with the same 12 friends.

Top 4 who made the playoffs who are the closest 4 friends in the league decided to combine the pool money they would have won and split it 4 ways, enjoy their early Xmas money and play for bragging rights the last few weeks (which actually mean a lot in this league).

I'm the treasurer (see: I hold the money) and have no problem paying them out, it's their money.

Commish caught wind, and decided that it's against the rules (he didn't make the playoffs and is pissed about it) and next year anyone included in chopping the pot will have to put an extra 100 dollars to the pool or be locked from the league.

Kind of wuss move to chop the pot, but it's not my money - could care less.

Kind of an ##### move to make up rules as you go and try to fine everyone involved.

This happened in any of your leagues in the past? What was the reaction? Really just curious - I don't care one way or the other but it's caused quite a controversy in the league because it is usually so competitive.

BTW - Top 4 get paid. 2nd place gets LESS than what the chopped pot would amount to, so really the only chance of making more than the quartered pot is by finishing first because 1st place wins such a high percentage of the money.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=576176

 

[John Bender]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=576176

Mods go ahead and delete if you want.

Sorry - really drunk and never been in the shark pool before

 

[Raider Nation]

I hate pot-chopping. I'm a gambler.

Every time I get to the title game, I email my opponent to see if he wants a winner-take-all scenario instead. Winner gets 1st AND 2nd place dough!

 

[baconstripdivots]

Just curious - high stakes league running for 13 years all with the same 12 friends.Top 4 who made the playoffs who are the closest 4 friends in the league decided to combine the pool money they would have won and split it 4 ways, enjoy their early Xmas money and play for bragging rights the last few weeks (which actually mean a lot in this league).I'm the treasurer (see: I hold the money) and have no problem paying them out, it's their money.Commish caught wind, and decided that it's against the rules (he didn't make the playoffs and is pissed about it) and next year anyone included in chopping the pot will have to put an extra 100 dollars to the pool or be locked from the league.Kind of wuss move to chop the pot, but it's not my money - could care less.Kind of an ##### move to make up rules as you go and try to fine everyone involved.This happened in any of your leagues in the past? What was the reaction? Really just curious - I don't care one way or the other but it's caused quite a controversy in the league because it is usually so competitive.BTW - Top 4 get paid. 2nd place gets LESS than what the chopped pot would amount to, so really the only chance of making more than the quartered pot is by finishing first because 1st place wins such a high percentage of the money.

Rules are set at the beginning of the year before the draft for a reason. Top 4, no matter how close of a personal relationship they have with each other, the bottom line comes down to the fact you are all FRIENDS. Not a word to throw around lightly. If the Commish allows that to happen, all 8 of you will have to hear trash x4. What do the other 7 teams that missed the playoffs think? Hopefully the same I do.I'll keep an eye on this to see if you've posted the decision.

 

[ShaqAttaq]

whenever i make the title game and the prize money is significant, i offer this: 1/3 (1st+2nd money) to loser and 2/3 (1st + 2nd money) to winner. it still makes winning worth something, but makes losing more palatable. i have really enjoyed mocking my opponent when he didn't take the deal & i won.

 

[belljr]

The commish is a tool. Who cares if they want to chop the pot. If they all say yes then so what. Unbelievable what people get worked up over.

Personally I would probably only chop of I got down to the final 2 but it's really not a big deal. And I'm a gambler.

 

[comfortably numb]

Your commish is a dooosh

So, if your 4 friends lost someone to prostate cancer, and they decided to just donate the winnings to a prostate cancer fund, your commish would have a problem with it?

What exactly does the rule states, that the commish said it is against the rules?

And how does one police this?

If I chop the pot with a friend, the winner who gets the championship money could just paypal the chop amount the day after he receives his winnings from the commish.

As long as a normal competitive lineup is still submitted to ensure league competitiveness and a true champion to be crowned, I don't care if the winner gives HIS money to the last place team.

 

[chidoy]

it's THEIR winnings. Who cares what they do with it?

 

[bleedgreen]

I'd prefer to go for the 1 in 4 chance at the big bucks...

but if all 4 agree then why should the rest of the league care

 

[DoubleG]

The commish is a tool. Who cares if they want to chop the pot. If they all say yes then so what. Unbelievable what people get worked up over.

In head-to-head fantasy football play, it's usually a coin toss at the end when you have good teams anyway. The good teams probably just want to protect against a fluke day. Your commish needs to back off - it's not his money. It's theirs. What a jerkwad.

 

[C-Bound]

whenever i make the title game and the prize money is significant, i offer this: 1/3 (1st+2nd money) to loser and 2/3 (1st + 2nd money) to winner. it still makes winning worth something, but makes losing more palatable. i have really enjoyed mocking my opponent when he didn't take the deal & i won.

Ya, I'm in the semis with a good friend, we're hedging not chopping so either of us will win at least a little of the payout but its not close to 50/50.

 

[Summer Wheat]

In my main 14 team league has been together 20 years and nobody would have the balls to even ask to chop. In my other league there are a bunch of penny pinching pansies worried about hording a couple of extra dollars.

Take whatever prize you win and enjoy.

"Excuse me..would you like to chop? I have played all year on my own now I want to split" Stop it!!

 

[massraider]

In my main 14 team league has been together 20 years and nobody would have the balls to even ask to chop. In my other league there are a bunch of penny pinching pansies worried about hording a couple of extra dollars.

Take whatever prize you win and enjoy.

"Excuse me..would you like to chop? I have played all year on my own now I want to split" Stop it!!

I like that: Take whatever prize you win and enjoy.I also like this: I'll do whatever the hell I want with my prize money, including chop it, and I will enjoy that.

Personally, I'd never chop it. But if others want to, it's like religion or sex, none of my damn business. It's not affecting integrity of the league, it's not collusion, so shouldn't matter to anyone.

 

[Mello]

For me, it just doesn't seem right after playing for 13-16 weeks to then chop the pot. Maybe if I was playing in 30 extremely high stakes leagues. In the leagues I play in, I'd use a request to chop as trash talk fuel. That said, players can do whatever they want. As long as teams are still competing for a championship, they can do whatever they want with their own money.

 

[Cenobite]

The commish is a tool. Who cares if they want to chop the pot. If they all say yes then so what. Unbelievable what people get worked up over.

In head-to-head fantasy football play, it's usually a coin toss at the end when you have good teams anyway. The good teams probably just want to protect against a fluke day. Your commish needs to back off - it's not his money. It's theirs. What a jerkwad.

Agreed. So the 4 don't tell the Commish and split it anyway. The Commish is a tool. As an aside, I would also do a split where the winner does get a few bucks more than the rest.

 

[footballnerd]

I wouldn't do a chop and think a 4-way chop is ridiculous, but the commish is overstepping his boundaries here. My money is on the two inferior teams advocating this 4-way madness.

 

[Shutout]

If the commish doesn't like their decision, he SHOULD HAVE MADE THE PLAYOFFS.

Its the winners money. They can spend it as they deem fit.

I've had people win a league and ask me to send the money to a charity or somewhere other than the winner's pocket. This is really no different. The commish is losing sight of the fact that its ok to play for the enjoyment or bragging rights every bit as much as its ok to play for the money. SOunds like sour grapes on your commish.

 

[Summer Wheat]

I wouldn't do a chop and think a 4-way chop is ridiculous, but the commish is overstepping his boundaries here. My money is on the two inferior teams advocating this 4-way madness.

Play it out and if the winners want to give away some of their winnings that is fine!

 

[massraider]

I wouldn't do a chop and think a 4-way chop is ridiculous, but the commish is overstepping his boundaries here. My money is on the two inferior teams advocating this 4-way madness.

Play it out and if the winners want to give away some of their winnings that is fine!

Why isn't it fine if they want to do it two weeks earlier?Does the commish also have a say in how the winner spends the money?

 

[39407]

The commish is out of line, but it is a wuss move though

If it was me I'd try to pursuade them otherwise, but beyond that not much.

 

[DoubleG]

I wouldn't do a chop and think a 4-way chop is ridiculous, but the commish is overstepping his boundaries here. My money is on the two inferior teams advocating this 4-way madness.

Play it out and if the winners want to give away some of their winnings that is fine!

Why isn't it fine if they want to do it two weeks earlier?Does the commish also have a say in how the winner spends the money?

I have a longstanding offer to my wife. I win the championship, the first thing I do with the winnings is take her out to a nice restraunt (her choice) with no kids for a nice dinner. It's my little way of thanking her for putting up with all of my FF foolishness. She's had nice dinners 3 of the last 6 seasons. This year aint looking bad either.

Of course, my commish frequents these boards, so I'm sure he'll make sure I only spend on booze from now on.

 

[lynx4ben]

If I was commish it would be pretty simple. I pay out however the rules dictated preseason. Once they get the money they can do what they wish. However, I would be particular about watching the actions of such players to make sure no such agreements ever occur in the future before the playoffs and traded deadline have started. This is something that could grow into a collusive situation.

 

[ROBOPUNTER]

Chopping the pot is cowardly. Cowards do not belong in fantasy football. Further discussion is unnecessary.

 

[imagroid]

LOL @ cowardly. Fantasy football is gambling and people gamble for $$$. I understand some of you played some high school ball and are vicariously playing out that missed career path through this hobby, but get over it.

 

[39407]

LOL @ cowardly. Fantasy football is gambling and people gamble for $$$.

Even so, if you're such a gambler how about growing a pair and go for the big prize?

 

[imagroid]

LOL @ cowardly. Fantasy football is gambling and people gamble for $$$.

Even so, if you're such a gambler how about growing a pair and go for the big prize?

Variance. Duhand I never said I chop. I said it's not cowardly. You can flip coins for $100's all day long, but do you?

 

[ROBOPUNTER]

LOL @ cowardly. Fantasy football is gambling and people gamble for $$$.

No one, not a single person in my leagues compete to win money. I don't know any gambling degenerates that need their fantasy football winnings to pay their mortgage. Perhaps my leagues are unlike yours in this respect.

 

[massraider]

Chopping the pot is cowardly. Cowards do not belong in fantasy football. Further discussion is unnecessary.

Then I guess we won't be seeing you in this thread any more. :confetti:

 

[imagroid]

LOL @ cowardly. Fantasy football is gambling and people gamble for $$$.

No one, not a single person in my leagues compete to win money. I don't know any gambling degenerates that need their fantasy football winnings to pay their mortgage. Perhaps my leagues are unlike yours in this respect.

Who said they need the $$ to pay their mortgage? I know you are trying to embellish the other side to try and prove something, but it doesn't work. I guess if you are so stinking rich or play for $5 leagues, then I see your point. Otherwise, I disagree.

 

[39407]

LOL @ cowardly. Fantasy football is gambling and people gamble for $$$.

Even so, if you're such a gambler how about growing a pair and go for the big prize?

Variance. Duhand I never said I chop. I said it's not cowardly. You can flip coins for $100's all day long, but do you?

Cowardly is a strong word, I'd call it bush league.

 

[massraider]

LOL @ cowardly. Fantasy football is gambling and people gamble for $$$.

Even so, if you're such a gambler how about growing a pair and go for the big prize?

Variance. Duhand I never said I chop. I said it's not cowardly. You can flip coins for $100's all day long, but do you?

Cowardly is a strong word, I'd call it bush league.

That'd be the wrong term too. Bush league is poor sportsmanship. Frankly, chopping the pot could be considered good sportsmanship. "Hey, we're all winners, let's all walk away with something."If anything, it's kind of.......lame. I play all year to have a shot at the title game, and the risk of losing the big pot is worth it to me, love these next two weeks of playoffs. So yeah, I think it's lame, and people are missing out on the excitement of watching games during the playoffs, but frankly, my opinion shouldn't matter one bit on how OTHERS choose to enjoy it. Now if others want to call it cowardly, and pretend they are He-Man gladiators every Sunday, instead of a chubby guy with a smartphone, that's cool. Sad, but fine.

 

[Summer Wheat]

If I was commish it would be pretty simple. I pay out however the rules dictated preseason. Once they get the money they can do what they wish. However, I would be particular about watching the actions of such players to make sure no such agreements ever occur in the future before the playoffs and traded deadline have started. This is something that could grow into a collusive situation.

My league of 20 years does not allow it, and it is written in our by-laws, it is so competitive that anyone who even asked for a chop would be hooted out of the league.

 

[atl3695]

LOL @ cowardly. Fantasy football is gambling and people gamble for $$$.

Even so, if you're such a gambler how about growing a pair and go for the big prize?

Variance. Duhand I never said I chop. I said it's not cowardly. You can flip coins for $100's all day long, but do you?

Cowardly is a strong word, I'd call it bush league.

That'd be the wrong term too. Bush league is poor sportsmanship. Frankly, chopping the pot could be considered good sportsmanship. "Hey, we're all winners, let's all walk away with something."If anything, it's kind of.......lame. I play all year to have a shot at the title game, and the risk of losing the big pot is worth it to me, love these next two weeks of playoffs. So yeah, I think it's lame, and people are missing out on the excitement of watching games during the playoffs, but frankly, my opinion shouldn't matter one bit on how OTHERS choose to enjoy it.

Now if others want to call it cowardly, and pretend they are He-Man gladiators every Sunday, instead of a chubby guy with a smartphone, that's cool. Sad, but fine.

Lots of nonsense in this thread. Like your manhood or cowardice has anything at all do with fantasy football. at those who say they wouldnt chop because they are "gamblers". Any true gambler knows that the goal of gambling is to put yourself in the best situation to make money, not just go all in and hope for the best. So if you are playing the highest scoring team in the league in the finals, and you just lost Aaron Rodgers, it doesnt make sense to accept a chop if offered?

The games are still played and you still have bragging rights if you win. Most of my leagues have prize pools of around $2000. Obviously not life changing money but enough to where I would not needlessly turn down a chop if I felt my team was inferior.

 

[yellowdog]

IT'S THEIR MONEY AND THEY WANT IT NOW!!!

 

[Turtles]

It's the owners' collective money; they can do whatever they want with it imo.

I personally wouldn't chop as long as I thought my team was better than my opponent's that week - I don't mind the variance.

 

[Rovers]

The rules spell out exactly how prize pool money is to be distributed. The treasurer should award money according to the rules, period. What those owners do with that money after they get it is up to them.

 

[ROBOPUNTER]

Chopping the pot is cowardly. Cowards do not belong in fantasy football. Further discussion is unnecessary.

Then I guess we won't be seeing you in this thread any more. :confetti:

Calm down, bartender.

 

[ROBOPUNTER]

I guess if you are so stinking rich or play for $5 leagues, then I see your point.

Do you play fantasy football for income or not? I play to compete.

 

[Summer Wheat]

I guess if you are so stinking rich or play for $5 leagues, then I see your point.

Do you play fantasy football for income or not? I play to compete.

Exactly! You play for the competition and whatever cash you win is a bonus.

 

[HurryUpSundays]

Turn the table on his beach ace.

Carry on with the league next year per usual, but find someone to take the commish's place.

 

[aquateen]

LOL @ cowardly. Fantasy football is gambling and people gamble for $$$. I understand some of you played some high school ball and are vicariously playing out that missed career path through this hobby, but get over it.

I've been in the same league for 12 years, yes there is a pot, and it's nice to win the money, but for me it's all about the trophy and getting to talk smack about winning for a year.

 

[Kanil]

Your commish is a doosh. The rest of the league should form another league next year and ban him from it imo.

 

[Disc Shark]

The commish needs to grow up.

 

[Warhogs]

The rules spell out exactly how prize pool money is to be distributed. The treasurer should award money according to the rules, period. What those owners do with that money after they get it is up to them.

Exactly. THis is how to handle it.If the commish heard the winner was going to spend the money to buy his kids new shoes and he did not like it is he going to pass a no buying shoes law. Leagues should have specific payout rules and follow them. If owners want to agree to chop the winnings that is up to them.

 

[39407]

The rules spell out exactly how prize pool money is to be distributed. The treasurer should award money according to the rules, period. What those owners do with that money after they get it is up to them.

I'd still call it bushleague, but yes this is the right answer of course. But then why inform the rest of the league that they're going wuss? I guess the guy that initially suggested it really needs the money in a hurry.

 

[DoubleG]

Before this thread, I never realized how many high school and college guys we had on this board. The fist pumping and #### wagging going on in here has reached levels normally only seen in the FFA.

Alot people taking their masculinity, the FF payouts and themselves way too seriously up in here.

FF payout prefrence <> masculinity. HTH.

 

[massraider]

Before this thread, I never realized how many high school and college guys we had on this board. The fist pumping and #### wagging going on in here has reached levels normally only seen in the FFA. Alot people taking their masculinity, the FF payouts and themselves way too seriously up in here.FF payout prefrence <> masculinity. HTH.

Bingo

 

[Billy Bats]

Pot chopping happens all the time. I've turned down the offers and don't agree with it, but what do I care if I'm not involved? The commish has no business instituting fines for it, I would have him removed as commish.

Tell him it's not winnings, and not HIS league, and the rest of ya's are removing him as commish, because what he's doing is against the rules.

 

[imagroid]

I guess if you are so stinking rich or play for $5 leagues, then I see your point.

Do you play fantasy football for income or not? I play to compete.

....and I get that. Which was something I mentioned in my initial post about guys playing out missed career paths vicariously through this hobby. I play FF for some of the same reasons I bet on sports. 1. It's fun2. It makes the NFL 1000X's more interesting. I watched the damn browns vs bills game last week. 3. Sometimes I make some $$$If i'm trying to take pride in "competing", I'd like to at least pick something that isn't pretty much 55/45 skill/luck. Like I said, nothing wrong with preferring not to chop, but the notion that it's cowardly is ridic.