Official Rules
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID IN WHOLE OR PART WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. CONTESTANTS RESIDING IN AREAS WHERE THE CONTEST IS VOID MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE CONTEST, BUT WILL BE INELIGIBLE TO WIN PRIZES. SEE ELIGIBILITY SECTION BELOW FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
REGISTRATION. To enter the contest you must first register using the Registration Form. Limit one entry per person and/or email address. Entrants can register before March 16, 2008, but can only make bracket selections beginning 9:00 PM ET on Sunday, March 11.
Note: If you have previously registered for a Nine.com contest, there is no need to re-register. Just verify your information if prompted and login using the same username and password.
The $100,000 March Madness Bracket Challenge organizers, Nine.com and its contest administrator (hereafter collectively "Contest Providers"), are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, illegible, incomprehensible or misdirected entries, bugs, failures in servers, hardware or software transmission failure or lost, delayed or corrupted data transmission. Entries will be declared made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted at the time of entry. "Authorized account holder" is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an email address by an Internet Access provider, on-line service provider, or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution etc.) that is responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address. All entries become the property of Contest Providers and will not be returned to entrant. Multiple entries by the same person using one or more email accounts will result in disqualification. No mechanically or electronically reproduced entries will be accepted. All entries must be submitted from a valid email account that may be identified by reverse domain name search. Potential winners may be requested to provide Contest Providers with proof of identification (address and birth date) and proof that the potential winner is the authorized account holder of the email address associated with the winning entry.
GAME OF SKILL. This is a game of skill and knowledge. Your odds of winning are affected by the selections you make and the number of qualified entries received.
HOW TO ENTER. After you register, proceed to the Enter/Change Picks page. All picks must be submitted during the entry period from 9:00 PM ET on Sunday, March 11 to 12:00 PM ET on Thursday, March 15, 2007.
Complete the entry form by filling out the brackets for the four regions and final rounds, making sure to use the submit button at the bottom of the pages for each bracket. In order to fill out a valid bracket you must choose a winner for each match-up which is consistent with the prior match-ups. When you press the submit button your picks will be checked for consistency and you will be told whether or not they were accepted. If not you will be asked to correct them and resubmit.
You will also be asked to select an answer to the following three tie-breaker questions which will be used as the first three tie-breakers in the event of a tie for any of the guaranteed prizes:
- How many points will be scored by the winning team in the Championship game?
- How many points will be scored by the losing team in the Championship game?
- How many will be the most points scored by one player in the Championship game?
Confirm your selections using the submit button at the bottom of the page. Follow all additional instructions listed on that page, observing all posted deadlines.
Notes:
- An entry is valid as long as it contains at least one completed bracket by a registered contestant.
- You may change your picks any time before the posted deadline.
DEADLINES. The contest will open for picking at 9:00 PM ET on Sunday, March 11. The deadline for entering and/or changing submissions is 12:00 PM ET on Thursday, March 15, 2007 and is posted on the Enter/Change Picks page. No submissions will be accepted after the deadline for any reason. The sole determinant of time for the purposes of the Contest will be the servers of the Contest Providers. Contestants entering picks close to the deadline do so with this information in mind.
WINNER SELECTION. For each matchup in which you correctly pick the winner, you are awarded the points specified for correct picks for that round which will be used to rank you relative to the other contestants. The more total points you earn, the better your rank will be. The points awarded for correct picks increase each round as the tournament progresses. The number of points awarded is a combination of the Base Points and the Underdog Bonus Points (if applicable) as described below. Amongst people with the same number of points at the end of the contest, the tie-breaking questions will be used to break ties: the closer your prediction is to actual the better. Finally, if there are still ties, then the entrant whose picks were submitted earlier will be ranked better. Note that if you submit your picks and then change them, we will use the time we received your last set of picks for the purposes of the final tie-breaker. The top contestants will win the prizes listed on the Prizes/Winners page and described in the Prizes section below. Contestants who fail to submit all four brackets and the final rounds, but who submit at at least one bracket may still be eligible for prizes, however their chances of winning may be reduced by not submitting all five.
CONTEST SCHEDULE AND SCORING SYSTEM.
The tournament schedule and scoring system are indicated below. The deadline for making picks for each of the four brackets and the final rounds is 12:00 PM ET on Thursday, March 15, 2007.
| Round | Dates | Teams | Games | Base Points (per correct pick) |
Underdog Bonus Points (if the Underdog wins) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Round | Mar. 20-21 | 64 | 32 | 5 | (Higher Seed - Lower Seed) x 1 |
| Second Round | Mar. 22-23 | 32 | 16 | 10 | (Higher Seed - Lower Seed) x 2 |
| Regional Semifinals | Mar. 27-28 | 16 | 8 | 20 | (Higher Seed - Lower Seed) x 3 |
| Regional Finals | March 29-30 | 8 | 4 | 40 | (Higher Seed - Lower Seed) x 4 |
| National Semifinals | April 5 | 4 | 2 | 80 | (Higher Seed - Lower Seed) x 5 |
| National Championship | April 7 | 2 | 1 | 100 | (Higher Seed - Lower Seed) x 6 |
| Totals | -- | -- | 63 | -- | -- |
Scoring Explanation and Examples
If the favorite wins, you simply get the number of Base Points specified for a victory in that round. If the underdog wins, you get the Base Points plus the Underdog Bonus Points as calculated according to the formula above.
For example, using a No. 12 seed playing a No. 5 seed, here are the total points that would be awarded in each round:
| Round | Points awarded if Favorite Wins |
Points awarded if Underdog Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 1: First Round | 5 | 5 + ( (12-5) x 1 ) = 12 |
| 2: Second Round | 10 | 10 + ( (12-5) x 2 ) = 24 |
| 3: Regional Semifinals | 20 | 20 + ( (12-5) x 3 ) = 41 |
| 4: Regional Finals | 40 | 40 + ( (12-5) x 4 ) = 68 |
| 5: National Semifinals | 80 | 80 + ( (12-5) x 5 ) = 115 |
| 6: National Championship | 100 | 100 + ( (12-5) x 6 ) = 142 |
Note: On the Enter/Change Picks page, the seed number is indicated in brackets next to the team's name. The seed for each team is carried throughout the tournament. When the tournament reaches the final four, it is possible to have a matchup where there is no favourite (such as if two No. 1 seeds meet in the National Semifinals).
WINNER NOTIFICATION. Determination of the potential prize winners shall take place on or about April 9, 2008 by Contest Providers whose decision shall be final (see GENERAL CONDITIONS below). Potential winners will be notified by email, phone, regular mail and/or overnight courier within one week of the prize determination date. If potential winner is unreachable after 10 days an alternate potential winner will be selected by rank according to the rules. To be declared a potential winner of any prize, the contestant may also be required to correctly answer without assistance of any kind, whether mechanical or otherwise, a time-limited, mathematical, skill-testing question to be declared a prizewinner. In addition, potential winners may be required to execute and return an Affidavit of Eligibility/Prize Acceptance Form/Release of liability within 10 days of notification to be declared a prizewinner. Noncompliance within this time period may result in disqualification and an alternate potential winner being chosen.
Prizes will be distributed within sixty (60) days after each prizewinner has been successfully contacted and notified of their prize and has complied with all contest rules and requirements. Contest Providers reserve the right to substitute a prize for another of equal or greater value for any reason. All applicable taxes are the sole responsibility of the prizewinners. The names of all prizewinners and their respective city of residence may be posted on the contest web site.
PRIZES. To be eligible for a cash prize, you must have a real-money account at Nine.com and have deposited and wagered at least $50 in sports/horse wagers within the last 30 days of the applicable prize period. If you are an inactive/non depositing player, you will not be eligible to win any of the prizes.
Any new contest registrants from the U.S. or Canada are not eligible for the cash prizes. Only existing customers at Nine.com and new registrants from non-North American countries are eligible for the cash prizes.
| $3,000 in Overall Prizes | |
|---|---|
| Awarded to the contestants with the most points overall at the end of the contest. The top 5 contestants win their share of $3,000 as follows: | |
| Place | Prize |
| 1st | $1,000 |
| 2nd | $800 |
| 3rd | $600 |
| 4th | $400 |
| 5th | $200 |
| $1,050 in Segment One Prizes (Rounds 1 and 2) | |
| Awarded to the contestants with the most points in the first two rounds. The top 10 contestants win their share of $1,050 as follows: | |
| Place | Prize |
| 1st | $400 |
| 2nd | $200 |
| 3rd | $100 |
| 4th-10th | $50 |
| $1,050 in Segment Two Prizes (Rounds 3 to 6) | |
| Awarded to the contestants with the most points in the last four rounds (Regionals through Championship Game). The top 10 contestants win their share of $1,050 as follows: | |
| Place | Tier 1 Prize |
| 1st | $400 |
| 2nd | $200 |
| 3rd | $100 |
| 4th-10th | $50 |
| $100,000 Perfect Picks Bonus Prize | |
| A $100,000 lump sum bonus prize will be awarded to any entrant who picks 63 winners and who has complied with the contest rules and requirements. One $100,000 bonus prize is available to be won from among all entrants who participate. If more than one entrant picks 63 winners, the bonus prize will be shared evenly between/among such entrants. | |
All guaranteed prizes will be bettable funds into an account at the sportsbook. Contestants must wager the prize amount 5 times in the sportsbook prior to any withdrawal being issued.
ELIGIBILITY. The Contest is open to anyone 18 years of age or older with internet access at the time of registration. Employees of Contest Providers, their respective parents, their affiliates and subsidiaries and the immediate family members of each are ineligible to win prizes. Only one entry per person and/or email address is permitted. If an entrant has multiple betting accounts among BGD, VIP and NINE, that entrant will be ineligible to win prizes and will be disqualified. Prize recipients may be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility and publicity release. Acceptance of a prize constitutes permission to use winner's name and information provided by winner for promotional purposes without further compensation, unless prohibited by law. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply. All applicable taxes are the sole responsibility of the prize winners. In order to be eligible for the contest, players must have a funded account at Nine.com (or alternate participating sportsbook).
Note: Effective Feb 26, 2007, any new registrants from the US or Canada are not eligible for the cash prizes. Only existing customers at Nine.com and new registrants from non North American countries are eligible for the cash prizes.
USE OF CONTEST INFORMATION. Contest Providers reserve the right to use any and all information related to the Contest, including information on contestants obtained through the Contest, for internal purposes with regards to the Contest, unless prohibited by law. Contestant data will not be provided to any third party unless the contestant has agreed to it during registration or on the contest site. Entrants further grant to Contest Providers the right to use and publish their proper name and city/state of residence online and in print, or any other media, in connection with the Contest. By accepting a prize, winner and travel companion (if applicable) grant permission to Sponsors to use their names, photographs, likenesses, voices, prize information and/or biographical information for publicity and promotional purposes without further compensation unless prohibited by law. By entering, participants release and hold harmless Contest Providers, their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, and agents from any and all liability for any injuries, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with the Contest or any prize won. Restrictions, conditions, and limitations apply.
CONDUCT. Contest Providers reserve the right at their sole discretion to disqualify any individual they find to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the game or website; to be acting in violation of the Official Rules; or to be acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person. You agree that in the use of the Contest -- including but not limited to chat areas, and the registration of usernames or groupnames -- you will not use obscene, libelous or slanderous language, or language which infringes upon a third party's trademark, trade name or other intellectual property right or right to privacy. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Contest Providers, their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, sponsors, officers, consultants, agents, and employees against and from all claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses asserted by third parties alleging that the Contest includes obscenity, libel, slander, or infringes upon the third party's intellectual property or privacy rights, as a direct result of your actions in the use of the Contest. You further agree to not knowingly: damage or cause interruption of the Contest; prevent others from using the Contest; obtain or modify another user's non-public account information without his/her consent. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY A CONTESTANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE GAME IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, CONTEST PROVIDERS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH CONTESTANT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY. Winners and travel companions (if applicable) assume liability for injuries caused or claimed to be caused by participating in the contest, or by the acceptance, possession, use of, or failure to receive any prize. Contest Providers are not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by website users or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest or by any technical or human error which may occur in the processing of submissions in the Contest. Contest Providers assume no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries. Contest Providers are not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer on-line systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of email or players on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Website or combination thereof, including injury or damage to participant's or to any other person's computer related to or resulting from participating or downloading materials in the Contest. If, for any reason, the Contest is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Contest Providers which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Contest, Contest Providers reserve the right to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. The Contest and all of the related pages, contents and code are copyright © VIP Management Services, and/or affiliated sponsors/administrators. All rights reserved.
GENERAL DISCLAIMERS. The $100,000 March Madness Bracket Challenge is neither affiliated with nor endorsed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association or any of its member colleges or universities.
GENERAL CONDITIONS. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. The decisions of the Contest Providers are final on all matters of fact, interpretation, eligibility, procedure and fulfillment. By entering this contest, you acknowledge acceptance of all contest rules and agree to be bound by them.