The Rules

I might as well kick off the discussion about this league and its proposed rules, now that we have some new inquiries from someone wanting to join.

If you are reading this, it is likely because you have already joined or are interested in joining Ryan's (Irish Eyes) league at the Hollywood Stock Exchange .

Irish Eyes, The Night and I discussed potential rules at a bar one night. We welcome your feedback:

1. No Cheating - Play the game strictly on the basis of trading imaginary stocks, bonds and options. Do not indulge in the various surveys and ad click-throughs that offer big piles of unearned imaginary cash. We have all done this from time to time, but now that we are all at more or less an even level, let's draw a line under it and start playing the game properly. To enforce this rule, the league captain (Ryan) reserves the right to request a copy of your account history if your account shows a sudden, suspicious jump in value.

2. End Date - The game could go on forever unless we set an endpoint. What would people say to closing the game at 9 a.m. Mountain Time on the day after the Academy Awards (usually around the end of February - early March). Our logic here is that the game will probably allow some special trading opportunities related to the awards.


3. Fee - Hey, there's nothing like real money to make things exciting, eh? We propose a $50 fee (payable at the end of the game) for participation. As the league stands at present, this would mean a $300 jackpot.

4. Non-Payment of Fees - No one will be kicked out for refusing to accept the fee proposal, but they also won't be eligible to win the jackpot.

5. The Books Are Open - If you convince others to join in order to boost the jackpot, go for it. The only proviso is that they have to start from scratch like everyone else and will have to catch up on their own. Since none of us have been exactly raking in the dough yet, that shouldn't be that tough.

So, let us know what you think.