Maevski Leads in Race for Consistency Prize

  After four weeks of handicapping contests, it is time for the cumulative standings to settle in a bit.  We hope.  That's one reason for expanding the list to the top 20 contestants, so we can see more names that are appearing with some regularity.

  Another reason is the rule that says a winner of the weekly top prize cannot win the consistency prize.  Weekly winners have totals that put them at or near the top of the cumulative standings, so with four weekly winners in the top 20 it is time to show more names.

  Lastly, if you are competing in the weekly handicapping contests held in conjunction with my OTB Tour, you should be keeping track of your point total.  Then you can compare your total to those in the standings and see what you need to do to advance.

  A reminder is in order.  In addition to the weekly top prize of a paid trip to the Coast Casinos World Series in Las Vegas, there is an additional such prize for the contestant with the highest total money won during the spring series who did not win a weekly contest.

CUMULATIVE STANDINGS THROUGH 3/28/09 CONTEST

   Since Matt McBride, Curt Phillips, and the Wenger brothers have won the top weekly prize, they are not eligible for the consistency prize which is based on highest cumulative total money won.  Therefore, Walter Maevski of Bartlett is currently the top contender for the consistency prize.

  "I was just happy that I've been performing evenly and profitably each week in the contests," relayed Maevski.  "Frankly, it hadn't occurred to me that my third-place finish last Saturday would put me in the lead for the consistency prize."  

  Tom Bolek of Palatine continues to play consistently, scoring so as to be highly-placed in the cumulative standings.  "I love these contests and the way you have them structured," offered Bolek while at the South Elgin parlor last Saturday.  "I'm attending as many of them as I can."

  Ray Wachala of Chicago had been somewhat self-deprecating about his earlier contest performance.  When informed of his fourth-place finish last Saturday, and his sixth-place standing cumulatively, Wachala softened a bit and admitted, "I guess I am doing better.  Now I'm feeling like I can win a weekly contest like my partner, Otto Yahnke, or the consistency prize."

  Soft-spoken Tom Hausheer, also of Chicago, was a weekly contest winner last fall.  His advice to all:  "You are always in contention.  Every week we all start over, so we all have the same chance to win.  I'll be there each Saturday to take my shot."

  You're next chance to win the trip to Las Vegas and all that goes with it is this coming Saturday, April 4, when my OTB Tour moves to Fat's Sam restaurant and Trackside OTB in Lockport, conveniently located just off Route 355.  For more information, including directions and a map, click here.

See you there!

Scott