Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Hey Jabin, what gives? I wanted to win some money in this pool?  What's with this charity stuff?

A: Well, every year I get 5-10 Emails from friends who ask basically the same question: "Aren't you afraid of getting caught?"  Well, the fact was (emphasis on was) that the traditional March Madness office pool was perfectly legal. As long as all proceeds collected are paid out to the winners, NCAA Office Pools are fine (what is not legal is to make a sports bet outside of Nevada where the person taking the bet gets the money if you lose). So I was all good, knowing that the office pool "share the wealth" model was ok.

However, in late 2006, the federal government passed a Ports Security Bill (who is going to vote *against* port security?), and at the 11th hour they added a section to the bill banning Internet gambling -- specifically they banned the sending of funds over the Internet via credit card, PayPal, etc., for the purposes of games of chance (anyone heard of the stock market?).  Anyway, if you're interested you can read all about it here.

Now I'm no lawyer (although I play one on TV), but this law seemed to be the clincher, and I didn't want to knowingly break the law (I like you people, but not the 'going to prison' kind of like, you know?). And I'm just the sort of poor schmuck they would make an example of. So, I first thought about not doing the pool at all, but then the charity idea entered the picture.

Q: So the winner picks the charity?

A: That's right. The only catch is that it must be a legitimate charity (as in 501(c)(3). The winner will get a check sent to the charity in their name, and will get credit for a tax deduction in the amount of the gift.

Q: So it's still $5 to play?

A: Yes, the entry fee to the pool is $5, but I'm asking you to consider that this is for charity, so if you want to give more, that's ok too.

Q: Hey Jabin, how come you hate Duke so much?

A: Remember the story about the guy who climbed Everest?  Someone asked him why he climbed such a high mountain, and he said "Because it's there."  Well that has nothing to do with why I hate Duke.  Obviously the rivalry in the ACC (I went to Wake Forest) is big, but I don't hate other ACC schools as much. I think it's just the arrogance of Coach K, combined with the string of whiny little guys they've had at the school (Hurley, Wojo, JJ, and now Paulus).  Anyway, it's one of those things that goes back so long I sometimes forget why I hate them so much -- and then Coach K works the refs and they get a ridiculous call in their favor as the announcers praise them for playing "tough Duke defense" (aka, fouling at any other school), and it all comes back to me. It's all in good fun, and I mean no disrespect to the many fine Duke grads who play in this pool.  I do, however, hope your Devils go out early in a blaze of glory.

Q: If a train left Chicago traveling 65 mph and another train left Philadelphia traveling 55 mph, what time would they meet up at the Final Four?

A: I was told there would be no math involved on this FAQ.

Q: Hey Jabin, I've got Davidson over Belmont in one Final Four bracket.  Should I just declare myself the winner now or wait until this tourney thing plays out.

A: You do what you gotta do.  And good luck in your baseball pool.

 

Any other questions? Please send me an Email, and if the FAQ Committee deems it worthy, I'll answer it and add it to this page.

 

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