Bet on books, help kids get books March 4, 2008 7:49 PM Subscribe
The Morning News is throwing their annual Tournament of Books to figure out the best book of 2007. A new twist this year is the Making Book Tournament where you bet on what the winner will be, with the proceeds going to First Book, a literacy foundation. MeFi is dollar matching bets up to $1,000 for the contest.
MeFi is dollar matching bets up to $1,000 for the contest.
Call me naive in the arcane ways of the world, but I don't exactly understand what this means. Not snarking, I really don't know what 'matching bets' means here.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 8:11 PM on March 4, 2008
Call me naive in the arcane ways of the world, but I don't exactly understand what this means. Not snarking, I really don't know what 'matching bets' means here.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 8:11 PM on March 4, 2008
Golly, I wonder which admin had this idea. ;)
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 8:12 PM on March 4, 2008
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 8:12 PM on March 4, 2008
I don't exactly understand what this means
There are six or seven other sites donating to the cause and dollar-matching. So let's say random people make 500 bets at $10 each. It raises $5,000 for the literacy foundation and then the six or seven sites together come up with a matching $5,000 ($700-800 each, in this case), then the foundation gets $10,000. There's an upper limit of dollar matching of $1,000 for each of the sites helping out, so if 1000 people bet $10, it'd raise $10k plus $6k or $7k more.
The money is just going to buying books for kids and I think people picking the correct winning books are entered into drawings for free prizes (software, ipods, etc)
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:20 PM on March 4, 2008
There are six or seven other sites donating to the cause and dollar-matching. So let's say random people make 500 bets at $10 each. It raises $5,000 for the literacy foundation and then the six or seven sites together come up with a matching $5,000 ($700-800 each, in this case), then the foundation gets $10,000. There's an upper limit of dollar matching of $1,000 for each of the sites helping out, so if 1000 people bet $10, it'd raise $10k plus $6k or $7k more.
The money is just going to buying books for kids and I think people picking the correct winning books are entered into drawings for free prizes (software, ipods, etc)
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:20 PM on March 4, 2008
Ah, cool, I understand now, I think. So you're not matching amounts bet by MeFi members particularly, but splitting up the matchable total of all bets with the other sponsors (up to $1000 from Metafilter) and donating it?
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 8:51 PM on March 4, 2008
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 8:51 PM on March 4, 2008
Sorry, Matt, but according to the Coudal Partners website:
"Your $10 = $90
We'll match up to $1000 worth of wagers and so will each of the super-cool companies listed below.
..
MetaFilter
..
Bottom Line
Each $2.50 we raise buys one kid one book, so your ten bucks buys four. With these matching donations however, your $10 wager has the power to buy 36 new books for underprivileged kids."
So every one of the 8 participating "matchers" will be matching the first $1000 bet, multiplying it nine-fold. And the leaderboard shows $930 already put down, soget out your checkbookopen your PayPal account and be prepared to send them the whole $1K.
posted by wendell at 10:16 PM on March 4, 2008 [1 favorite]
"Your $10 = $90
We'll match up to $1000 worth of wagers and so will each of the super-cool companies listed below.
..
MetaFilter
..
Bottom Line
Each $2.50 we raise buys one kid one book, so your ten bucks buys four. With these matching donations however, your $10 wager has the power to buy 36 new books for underprivileged kids."
So every one of the 8 participating "matchers" will be matching the first $1000 bet, multiplying it nine-fold. And the leaderboard shows $930 already put down, so
posted by wendell at 10:16 PM on March 4, 2008 [1 favorite]
Ah ok, I didn't know how they were going to calculate it, I just assumed I was donating a grand to a literacy program and said yes when they asked if I'd participate.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 11:42 PM on March 4, 2008
posted by mathowie (staff) at 11:42 PM on March 4, 2008
Cool, I bet on Petropolis. I always favor the underdog!
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 3:10 AM on March 5, 2008
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 3:10 AM on March 5, 2008
Okay I just bought all the books. The total comes to $228.01, but at least 3 of the ones I bought said "1 left at (discounted 30% price)" ...
Besides after completely snubbing "Against the Day" last year, I have no faith in the tournament of books. Always going for the Cormac McCarthy fan favorite! As such, they'll probably stoop to On Chesil Beach. Go long on On Chesil Beach.
posted by geoff. at 7:25 AM on March 5, 2008
Besides after completely snubbing "Against the Day" last year, I have no faith in the tournament of books. Always going for the Cormac McCarthy fan favorite! As such, they'll probably stoop to On Chesil Beach. Go long on On Chesil Beach.
posted by geoff. at 7:25 AM on March 5, 2008
I just wanted to say how awesome it is that you're participating in this, Matt. First Book sounds like a terrific organization.
posted by LeeJay at 8:22 AM on March 5, 2008
posted by LeeJay at 8:22 AM on March 5, 2008
Well I think it's disgusting Mr Howie is promoting gambling and I think it's horrifying that he is promoting the idea that any book other than the Bible is "best". I also have a few other feelings that I'm saving for anything else he does that I don't agree with - feelings such as "repulsion," "nauseousness" and "astonishment". So don't feel sorry for me - I've got plenty of emotions in reserve. No, you should feel sorry for yourselves, given that you are wicked little apelings who fill me with repulsion. Shit - I just used up repulsion. OK - but I've still got some spare nausea. So chew on THAT astonishing shit.
posted by the quidnunc kid at 8:53 AM on March 5, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by the quidnunc kid at 8:53 AM on March 5, 2008 [2 favorites]
I am shocked to discover there is gambling going on in this establishment!
Seriously, though, I think it is fantastic that you are putting up the 1K! Literacy rocks.
posted by misha at 9:47 AM on March 5, 2008
Seriously, though, I think it is fantastic that you are putting up the 1K! Literacy rocks.
posted by misha at 9:47 AM on March 5, 2008
Who reeds things that arent on Mefi?
posted by blue_beetle at 11:55 AM on March 5, 2008
posted by blue_beetle at 11:55 AM on March 5, 2008
Damn, I'm still only up to the 1880s. I'll let you know when I'm caught up.
posted by Eideteker at 11:59 AM on March 5, 2008
posted by Eideteker at 11:59 AM on March 5, 2008
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posted by not_on_display at 8:09 PM on March 4, 2008 [1 favorite]