Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
TORONTO – Ah, hope season; that time in June when every team is a Grey Cup contender.
The 2016 season kicks off in another week but when it comes to CFL Fantasy, the time to start strategizing is now. CFL Pick ‘Em is back for 2016 with more riding on it than ever before with more than $130,000 in combined cash and prizes up for grabs.*
This year it pays to go streaking. Pick 30 in a row, win $30,000. Pick 40, win $40,000. Think you can pick 50 straight? You’re looking at $50,000. *View rules regarding streaks and prizing.
With zeros across the board, hope is in the air because everyone who plays has a chance, not only to win their league but to win big money. The bigger the streak, the more you can win.
Can you catch fire and go on a long streak? Do you have the confidence to go all-in on every pick? Whether you’re all-in on every game or an upset specialist, we look at the many different types of CFL Pick ‘Em players – including some of the ones you might hate.
Which category do you fall under?
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The risk taker
Always giving 110 per cent . . . err, at least 100 per cent in the confidence slider. It’s go big or go home for the risk taker, and when things are going well, they’re going REALLY well. Start to struggle, though, and look out.
Play it safe Sally
The opposite of the risk taker, play it safe Sally isn’t risking anything. This person knows that slow and steady wins the race, and hey, power to ‘em – you don’t need any confidence to cash in hot streaks. The best thing about the play it safe Sally is you can’t lose points when you aren’t risking anything. Could also call this person ‘no negative Ned’.
The streaker
The streaker, not quite the life of the party but knows how to cause a stir. Liable to go off on a moment’s notice. We’re talking about the Pick ‘Em player that all of a sudden out of nowhere goes on this long winning streak. The streaker could be struggling, but the tables can turn fast. This person is $$$.
The Commissioner
The Jeffrey L. Orridge of your Pick ‘Em group. Basically the person that sets up your group and adds any wrinkles or rules in addition to the parameters of the game (side bets anyone???) Being the commissioner is a very important job and requires the right kind of person. A good commissioner can go a long way in making the group fun and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Cool-hand Luke
Everyone hates cool-hand Luke because he’s a beginner; he doesn’t know too much about the CFL and you should be doing much better than him – or so you think. But Cool-hand Luke seems to have all the picks. Why, you don’t know. Call it beginner’s luck, call it whatever. Don’t sweat it, you’ll catch him one day. His luck has to run out . . . right?
WEEK 1 IS COMING
We’re a week away from kicking off the season — make sure you start 2016 off right!
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The know-it-all
The third-string tackle, the practice roster kicker, last year’s seventh round pick . . . the water boy – the know-it-all knows everything there is to know about the CFL. And they’ll let you know about it too. You hate the know-it-all but darn it if they know how to play CFL Pick ‘Em. Possibly the most hated of Pick ‘Em players.
Coach Conservative
Coach Conservative does things like taking a knee with 30 seconds left in the half, punting from their opponent’s 30 or never, ever going for it on third down. They also only go with the pick trend favourites in CFL Pick ‘Em. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. It’s just a little . . . boring. Coach Conservative just does what everyone else does. But hey, maybe THIS is the year that pick trend favourites go undefeated!
The smack talker
Ear plugs: you’ll need ’em. The smack talker is a little bit like the know-it-all, except a lot more boisterous and doesn’t know nearly as much. Still, give the smack talker some credit: not everyone can do it. The good news is you’ve got a chance against them; the bad news is good luck shutting them up. Level of annoyance? 9.5 out of 10, but you’re ready — bring on the chirps.
The lazy Larry
This is Larry. Larry is usually found near the bottom of the Pick ‘Em standings with minus-200 points. Larry often forgets to make his picks. Larry is lazy and while the potential is there, he stinks at Pick ‘Em. Assert yourself. Don’t be like Larry.
Controversial Kevin
Hot takes, get your hot takes! Controversial Kevin loves to scream out ‘I told you so’ when he nails that three per cent dog. Problem with Kevin is he doesn’t tell you about all the underdogs he picks that don’t come through. So yeah, let Kevin enjoy his glory every now and then. The standings will do the talking in the end. Way to go, Kevin. You really nailed it this time (P.S. if every CFL game is an upset this year, we’re all screwed).
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The ‘had a hunch’ dude
Unlike Controversial Kevin, the ‘had a hunch’ dude isn’t usually going out on a limb. He’s a smart, well-researched down to earth Pick ‘Em player. But every now and then, out of know where, he’ll pick a big upset and it’ll come through “because I had a hunch.” So when the ‘had a hunch’ dude says he’s taking the 0-10 Riders this week (we kid)… you might wanna consider doing the same.
The homer
It’s exactly the way it sounds. The homer bleeds their own colours and picks their team to win every single time. No matter what. Sorry, 2015 Riders fans (seriously).
The ‘happy either way’ guy
Don’t get it twisted, the ‘happy either way’ guy loves his own team just as much as the homer. He’s got a different strategy though. He happily picks against his own team knowing that no matter the outcome, he’s happy either way! An internal battle that is very common among Pick ‘Em players. The struggle is real.
The Contender
The contender is the person you’re gunning for from start to finish because in the end, you just know they’re gonna be near the top. Maybe they won the Pick ‘Em Championship last year. Whatever the case, you respect them. They’re good. Now take ‘em down.
These are just some of the types of Pick ‘Em players we’ve come across — you’ve probably encountered many more. And not only have you come across most of these but there’s a decent chance you are at least one of them.
And now, head on over to Pick ‘Em and get those picks in for Week 1. DON’T be a lazy Larry.
