Although perhaps fun - it might make for some paradoxes.

Suppose I'd win it without that bet, and SQ would cash big because he had a max-bet on me [and well, why wouldn't you?!] - after which he'd overtake me to win the leg.

Then that invalidates his bet, defaulting to me winning after all. Validating his bet.

But good news folks, we have a new tournament. In fact it started yesterday. It's called the Black Sea Countries Final (2012) and it features a GM from all of the countries that border the Black Sea (see http://www.chessbg.com/live for a graphical depiction). That will carry us all the way to the 19th and then it's time for the London Grand Prix.

We did two things. First, there is a new clause in the fineprint of the "Discrepancies and Disputes" section of the ChessBookie Game Help Page. (Do we have to make everybody click an "I agree" button now?)

The addition reads:

<5. Normally, a bet will close at the designated close-time and no further action will be taken. However, if we learn that the bet has been scheduled to close much earlier than necessary, the Chess Bookie reserves the right to reopen a closed window for more betting.>

Second, is that I will be much more sensitive to the problems with re-opening closed wagers, and only do it in the circumstances of the most blatant of errors.

In short, while I retain the right to do it, I give you my promise to avoid doing it.

< shivasuri4: <chessgames.com>, Svidler has been replaced by Adams in the FIDE Grand Prix, as per http://www.chessdom.com/london-fide... >

The organisers have had to effect a last minute replacement as GM Peter Svidler has had to withdraw from this leg due to family reasons.

Here's a thought: To encourage players to place their bets sooner (there is no question it is advantageous to wait on your bets until the odds are starting to clarify themselves), incorporate a "tax" into the betting that gets bigger as the betting deadline approaches. To give one example on how this could be structured:

Bets placed more than eight hours before the deadline would have no tax. At the eight hour mark, the tax kicks in, with an increase to the tax of 0.1% for each two minutes that transpire. So, if a $100 bet is placed 20 minutes after the eight hour mark, 1% of the bet is taxed. leaving $99 to go into the betting pool. A bet placed seven hours before the closing time would be taxed 3%, six hours before closing time would be taxed 6%, etc. up to a maximum of 24% for a bet placed just before the windows close.

Presumably! Bit surprised none seemed to have noticed it yet, neither here nor at the tournament-topic page. So I gathered I'd better header the matter.

nb: Obviously in this case 'header' is a verb akin to 'pass along', when in need of a verb rhyming with better.

<Obit>

I can ensure you my mouth is foam-free, which I've heard is the correct technical term according to scientists researching every aspect pertaining to foam. Or lack thereof.

But to more pressing matters, if you press:

Considering you recently made the whole situation of re-opening lines a big deal, I thought it no more than logical that the first such occasion, we'd better get an Official Chessbookie Ruling.

Certainly, previously in this situation lines would've opened once more. Presumably the case is more complex now - so it should be informative to see whether the lines re-open or not.

--

Women Grand Prix Rd 5: PICK THREE

It has 1 major drawback, namely that you can't get many c$ in. So alternatively using your c$ and betting big early on, so that odds can settle, can be very effective. You get bigger swigns, and it might be less optimal over the long run - but this game only has the short run. The sprint.

In theory, Practice and Theory are the same. In practice they are not.

The game we are playing is one of strategy, and the "taxing" system would spoil it. Besides, I've never seen the "system" being used at racetracks, or anywhere else.