Welcome aboard <holland oats> to the craziness of the <ChessBookie> betting world! :) Most all of the information you requested is readily available in text form here on the website. You should first know about these...

<FAQ> or <ChessBookie> Help page... - ChessBookie Game Help Page -

Another useful and informative website section is - ChessBookie Game Glossary - which is a <Glossary> or <Help Page> to the language that <ChessBookie> uses.

Finally, on the main <ChessBookie> Betting Profile page there are links to the "Hall of Fame" and the two links given above - ChessBookie Hall of Fame -

There are four betting legs within each year - Spring - Summer - Fall & Winter. The first three legs all qualify to win a spot in the Winter Leg Championship and having the advantage of starting with $10,000 c-bucks (instead of the normal $1,000 start). Also, the overall winner in the qualifying legs will get a free one year membership to <CG.com> The winner of the Winter Leg Championship gets a generous prize of a gift certificate and a free two year membership. In fact on the <CG.com> 'Homepage' it gives info on all this with last year's <ChessBookie> Champion - percyblakeney chessforum - and the prizes he won. ;)

<Last but not least, does anybody know of any websites or bookies that actually take real bets on chess?>

I'll leave that to one of our more knowledgeable <CG.com> members that can fill in that info for you... Since, I don't really <gamble> but I do like to play this game! :)

Hope that all helps and will get you started... :)) - Mal

<<<<<<< IMPORTANT >>>>>>>

The last Round (Rd #14) of the Sochi 'Grand Prix' Chess Tournament will start one hour early at 6 AM EDT. To be <safe> you should bet before that time or there could be a good chance that the bet you make will be disqualified...

<<<<<<< IMPORTANT >>>>>>>

PS: <NakoSonorense: <malthrope> You have a lot of bets going on there. You seem to have it all planned out. I, on the other hand, place my bets pretty much at random... So far it has paid off! :)>

Whatever works I say! <grin> Looks like my plan worked and even if GM Aronian loses (to Gris) in the last round he still might get a share of first (In fact if he lost then three of my runners (if 'Karjak-Radja' draw) could possibly all tie for a share of first. Wang Yue still has a chance as well if he can get past Chucky. Which as we all know is easier said than done! ~lol~ My best practical result now is a decisive score in the 'Karjakin-Radjabov' last round game and two of my runners WIN! <fingers crossed> :P

<I'd try to catch you up, but I rather play it safely now and qualify for the Championship like last time. It's easier to beat all of those who start with $1,000... unless, of course, someone pulls off a "technical draw" and ends up in second place!>

The man we all *luv* <TD> is just amazing!!! :^) He has proved beyond a question of a doubt that what everyone thought was impossible (I knew it be done!) is possible! BTW: He came in 3rd place which is still an incrediable feat! :))

However, they posted it for 5 AM EDT instead of 6 AM EDT (exactly one hour before as they have it now posted for two hours before).

Oh I like that one! :)) As, I fondly remember the old days of the great Linares Chess Tournaments. Which was first sponsored and organized by the Spanish businessman Luis Rentero. He was notorious for being a strong opponent of short draws (which as we know all GM's are so adept at!) in chess. To the point that in 1991 he began to offer cash $bonuses$ for playing longer games. <grin> Of specific interest to <Whitehat1963>'s betting proposal is for many years the first tiebreak used in Linares was: <"The most wins with BLACK!"> ~lol~ Oh, the memories... :^) - Mal

<hms123> Sometimes we payoff bets as soon as game results are known, this allows you to immediately use your chessbucks. The standings are computed just once a day.

See <Whithat1963> sometimes if you ask nicely, just like you did, your request is granted! :)) Gee, I wonder how many overall c-buck bets that Kramnik and Leko will get? Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! Sorry I just couldn't help myself. <sheepish grin> Besides, I'm sure Misha would have fully approved. Tal would have definitively said, <"Bet it all on BLACK!"> No question about it! <grin>

<<malthrope> Thanks for responding to <holland oats> questions.>

You're welcome <ChessBookie> ! :) I didn't have anything better to do atm. So, helped you out! ;) Since your job must be a rough one having to perform multiple tasks at fixed time schedules (except perhaps for the Leaderboard and general statistical Bet updating which I assume is all programmed in). The <Net> result - you now have one thing less to do! :^) Regards, - Mal

There is of course plenty of time left but for those betting on - Bilbao Grand Slam: Perfecta - and - Bilbao Grand Slam: Winner

The Bilbao Grand Slam is using a unique scoring system. Where 1-0, 0-1 and ½-½ are no longer what they appear to be?! Let me explain...

_____________________________________________

A <Win> scores '3 points' on the crosstable

A <Draw> scores '1 point' on the crosstable.

A <Loss> still scores 'o points' on the crosstable. _____________________________________________

So, keep this in mind when betting your hard earned 'c-bucks' on the two bets above. Since this scoring system will be used throughout the entire Bilbao 'Grand Slam' Chess Tournament. It has been said that this system doesn't greatly alter the results when pitted against the standard <Win-Draw-Loss> format. Although I've seen a few where the results do get skewed a bit IMHO. In fairness thought that everyone should know this info in advance! :) Finally the TC being used here is: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves and another 60 minutes to finish the game.

I'm sure the upcoming bets that <ChessBookie> will present to us shortly will all be given in the standard 1-0, 0-1 and ½-½ format - this so that we don't entirely lose track of our senses! <grin>

The players will 'Win' when they can, 'Draw' if they must and 'Lose' only when it's unavoidable! ~lol~ :^) All the Best, - Mal

PS: Chessdom has the best explanation of the new 'Grand Prix' system so far... On the top 'Menu' » 'Tournaments' » 'Grand Slam' // http://www.chessdom.com/

Glad its weekend now.

Ans still, I'm right behind the top ten now. \o/

That's tough <Kreifi> - as in IMHO it's best to wait until the bets take on their final shape - percentage, pool & odds wise - before the final posting time... However, I do decide in advance my betting strategy and mark my bets with the minimum amounts. Then make any necessary changes during the last hour of bets closing.

Of course, you do risk the chance of the <CG.com> server being down... :( Guess I'm lucky there since I live a very random life where most of what I do in organizing my schedule surrounds itself with doctor's appointments, following the <SUPER GM> Chess tournament circuit and, of course, acquiring food! ~lol~

<Glad its weekend now.

Ans still, I'm right behind the top ten now. \o/>

Yep! I follow how all the <ChessBookie> leaders are doing - ^Up^ or down. You're doing great! :))

<That Mal seems to be crazy. :P>

I'll take that as a compliment! <grin> :^) - Mal

Well <TD> as I've previously stressed with all my tips given here is that 'Lady Luck' plays a BIG part of it! :) Think it also helped considerably that I learned over time never to fear losing. Since in order to WIN you must also accept and expect your losing bets! The real secret is it's just like a Knight move... Sometimes it's two steps <back> and one to the side and when you're lucky it's two steps <forward> and one step to the side! ~lol~

<He has a system. Go ahead Mal, share with your friends, buddy, buddy. I think you can coast to victory but maybe you want more and more!>

Don't know about a <system> However, I will tell you that after I read "My System" that the Royal Game started to click for me and I finally became a Master Chess Player at the tender age of 22! <sheepish grin> So, coasting will only last so long... I'm looking forward to a fantastic finish when we begin betting on the - Bilbao Grand Slam Chess Final (2008) - It will be a "Ball Buster" of <SUPER GM> Chess Tournaments for the ages! ;)

<The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, both in one game. Arrrggghhhh!!>

That's how it always has been... Sans the Skis and the Snow now replaced by our grand chessboard! <grin> :^) My Best, - Mal

That's a classic, Mal! :D>

I'm glad you liked it Annie! :) Just wanted to point out that sometimes it takes "Lady Luck" on your side to move forward and <not> backwards. It's much more than just predicting the correct result beforehand... ;)

OK, everyone get ready for - Bilbao Grand Slam Chess Final (2008) - Chess tourney as it will decide it all! <grin> Don't forget to get all of your refreshments, snacks and popcorn ready. In addition a <SUPER GM> safety belt is (maybe) optional! ~lol~ :^) - Mal

<NakoSonorense> - It should end right around the 'Autumnal Equinox' which occurs on September 22nd this year. As previously written in my previous posts the - Bilbao Grand Slam Chess Final (2008) - should decide it all! The Bilbao 'Grand Slam' Chess Tournament runs Sept. 2nd-13th.

It wouldn't surprise me in the least if <ChessBookie> throws in a surprise or two! <grin> For example the - Chessgames Challenge: A Nickel vs The World, 2008 - CC game, or perhaps something that none of us can possibly predict! ~lol~ I'm sure <ChessBookie> will give the correct answer shortly and fill us all in... :^) - Mal