Problem is you against sports betters! who know more then me
pure luck pools needed lol *cough keef*
Ha ha, this is a really interesting issue - we have discussed the balance of skill and luck a lot over the last couple of years. And there is a divergence of opinion within S&L over just how much weighting should be given to each.
When we first had the concept I thought that the games should be heavily skill-based. There is a ton of luck in any form of gambling of course, but I really liked the idea of putting thought into my selections and trying to out-guess the field. To apply skill and knowledge. But as time has gone by, I am gravitating more towards the luck side of the continuum.
Speaking as a
user of S&L, rather than an owner... I am most definitely a mug punter. Pretty much everyone reading this thread will know more about sport than me, and be able to make better selections. Yes, I do enjoy thinking about who to pick in my fantasy team, or trying to figure out how many corners will be given in a football match... and I like the fact that it
feels like I am exercising skill and judgement. But in truth I know that this is mainly an illusion, and I am really just making random guesses compared to some others.
But I actually love this! I like the fact that I can even just pick my answers randomly and - whilst I will have a slightly smaller chance of winning than a shrewdie - I still have
almost the same chance. Because of the luck element.
I have come to realise that what truly appeals to me about playing on S&L is
THE SWEAT. I love watching sport on the telly whilst at the same time sweating my pool entry; cheering for two more corners, a red card, a late goal or whatever. And I love rubbing my friends down when I beat them in a pool... especially if I know they have spent a lot longer on their selections than me! This is what I am paying for when I enter a game - the enhancement to my enjoyment of a sporting event through having a great sweat experience. And rub-down potential.
So I have come full circle on this one I guess. I now personally prefer questions which are heavily luck-based. They give just as much of a sweat as the more skillful ones, but I don't have to put too much effort into selecting my answers.
Thus, I am pleased to say that most of the questions in our games are pretty luck-based. Many of them are actually straight 50/50s. And of course because it is pools betting, if you do happen to choose a very unlikely answer... well, you probably have it on your own! So the rare times you get that answer correct, no-one else is likely to share the points with you. Of course there is also skill/knowledge involved, and there will definitely be guys who make good money long-term on S&L. But in the short-term anyone can win - even me! - and I don't mind that I am losing out a little bit to someone like Keith since I am paying for the sweat. Plus, it makes it all the more fun when I do beat him in a pool
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