We Have A Winner

B-Man, come on down!  You're the next winner in this little thing we call Gint-A-Cuffs.

You had a killer box.  The foils didn't hurt, either.

For your prize, Topps has generously donated a hobby box of 2017 Allen & Ginter.  It is in my possession.  I've sent you an email for your address.

As Commissioner, I felt that I sort of phoned in my duties.  Based on the final tally responses, some of you did as well.  A few of you emailed me at the end and I appreciate that.

We'll see what happens with GAC next year.  For now, let's enjoy some post season baseball.

Doing what I'm supposed to do

Ever have things in your life that you should do, but don't?  Simple things.  Calling back your friend.  Getting the oil changed on time.  Replying to questions on Gint-A-Cuffs scoring.

Those simple tasks that we don't do.  Then a few days go by.  We start to feel guilty that we haven't done them.  Then a week passes.  Then two.  Now we're feeling guilty and we avoid the issue, rather than face it, deal with it and move on with life.

I return my friends' calls.  I change the oil.  I haven't been tending to Gint-A-Cuffs in the manner that I should be.  I'm sorry and I ask for forgiveness.

So, to address the issues.

Hot foil boxes.  My ruling is this.  Score every card as if it wasn't foil.  The box gets a +20 to the overall score.

Judson asked about how to score a boxloader.

I noticed that you scored your boxloader as +4 (BL) x 1.7FP, rather than the +2 FP. Which one is the correct scoring?

He was replying to Commissioner for the Day, --David, who, with good intentions, gave slightly incorrect info.  --David will not be penalized for this.

The correct boxloader multiplier is 1.7 for Favorite Player.

Now, to go update the scoring rules.

Thanks.

Letters. We get letters.

Fortunately for me they're already formed into words and the words into sentences.  Like I need to assemble random consonants and vowels to make heads or tails of  your concerns.  Geesh.

Let's see what gobbledy-gook I can spew to pacify the questions you've been tossing at me.   I present them below.  My lackey suggested that I edit them for brevity and clarity.  I assume that he meant the questions, not my gibberish.  We'll go with that.


B-Man asked:

Dear Comish, I believe I have a foil hotbox. I have busted two packs and the base cards have all been foil parallels.  Is there a bonus for these parallels?

Foil card example, lifted from ebay

The Commissioner thoughtfully replied:

Yeah, probably.  I've got an idea in my head either for bonus for each card, which would upset the rules to such a degree you'd think that there was an eclipse around the corner, or maybe a bonus for the whole box.  I'm leaning towards the second one.  No firm answer as of yet.  Adding a point or two to a mini or relic doesn't upset the balance of the contest.  This one has the possibility.  A ruling is due by the end of the week.  Thanks for your patience.

--David stated:

I'm a bit of a doof, so if this is answered above, please enlighten me: I pulled a mini red A&G back #/25. How does that score?

Brooklyn Back example, lifted from ebay

The Commissioner thoughtfully replied:

--David, I can't disagree with your first statement.  Regarding how that scores, let's open it up to the other contestants and see what happens.  Oh, it looks like we have an answer.

J. Meeks replied:

The mini red A&G back #'d /25 is the Brooklyn back. I pulled one also.

J. Meeks also went on to ask:

For box loaders, how do we score it if we pull one of another contestant's favorite player? I know that isn't technically a "hit," but I thought I would ask. 

--David jumped in:

In the first example, you would get +4 Boxloader and +2 for Other FP (nothing for other's fav team, only other fav player).  Wahoo!!

The Commissioner added his 2 cents:

Yep.  What he said.  Basically a "hit" is a card that scores points in GAC.  Traditionally a "hit" is an auto or a relic card.  A superdy-duperdy refractor.  A numbered parallel.  Things like that.

 Being a Chatty Cathy, J. Meeks also asked:

Also, how is the scoring if the What A Day insert is of my favorite team OR features another participant's favorite player?

Again, --David jumped in:

Same for second example. You get the What A Day bonus then +2 for other fav player (nothing for other fav team). If YOUR fav team, then you get the +1 added. If YOUR fav player, then you get +4 added! Wahoo!!

The Commissioner again replied:

Yep.  Who wants to run this thing next year?  

B Man, being the inquisitive sort, asked:

OK Comish a few more rulings please. Last year SPs were not awarded points. Should I assume this remains the case this year?

The Commissioner reached back into his brain, thought a bit, and declared:

I have no clue why they weren't included last year.  Let's bring them back.  More points for everyone.  Short Print full size cards shall be +1, usual FP/FT/Yankees adjustments.  I'll need to update the actual rules page.

In the same breath he also asked:

Also, the Ultimate Card Giveaway - are these the Rediscover Topps cards?

The Commissioner, realizing that he's running out of pithy retorts, replied:

Yes.

On a more serious note, let me say:

Thank you all for your kind words of condolence.  They were comforting. 

Now, stop with the questions and clarifications.  I have things to do.  Like sleep.  And await your bribes.

Generous Commissioner

Dan, in the wee hours of this morning, asked if he could again join our happy band.

I've decided to say yes, with no bribe involved.

Dan, please post your Favorite Player / Favorite Team.  I'll add them in later.

The rest of the contestants, please check to see who Dan picked, because his FP will affect your scoring.


I say I'll add them in later because I'm headed off to Indiana this morning.  My wife's uncle passed away earlier this week.  Today is the viewing and service, tomorrow is the burial.

Figuring it might be a tad gauche to update this blog during that time, I'm erring on the side of caution and respect.  I might have a few minutes tonight, after family time.

Start ripping.

Ready. Set.

Hey there, Gint-A-Cuffs contestants.

I've made the 2017 rules and scoring page available.  Things will kick off in a short bit.

I'd like to thank Topps for the great prize (a hobby box of 2017 Allen & Ginter).

Being veterans of Gint-A-Cuffs, you know what to do.  (Bribe.  Bribe.  Bribe.)

I'm sure that as the bleary-eyed commissioner I've made some colossal mistake.  I'll correct it in a few days.

Ask questions on the Q&A page.  Show your scoring cards.  Keep it clean.  Have fun.

Now Go!

Unanticipated Delay

To make Gint-A-Cuffs work, a few things need to happen.

Number 1. Participants need to declare their Favorite Player and Favorite Team.  If you've done so, thank you.  If not, please do it.

I'll be trying to contact those that haven't yet declared.

Number 2.  The Commissioner needs to get the scoring straightened out.  Please do it.

I'll be crunching numbers like, well, whatever crunches numbers.

Thanks for your patience.  Please stay tuned.

2017 Hobby Wrapper / Odds

Judson, from My Cardboard Habit, sent in this scan of a wrapper, detailing the odds of cards.

I've transcribed it below.  I'll be using these odds to help formulate the final scoring rules.  No, there won't be any skill-test questions for our neighbors to the north.

*Base Card Glossy Parallel 1:4,244
Base Short Print 1:2
Base Short Print Glossy Parallel 1:4,244

Base Card Mini Parallels
Allen & Ginter Back 1:5
Black-Bordered 1:10
No Number 1:85
*Brooklyn Back 1:170
*Wood 1:2,332
*Glossy 1:4,244
*Metal 1:1,811
*Printing Plate 1:1,058
Base Mini Short Print 1:13

Base Card Mini Short Print Parallels
Allen & Ginter Back 1:65
Black-Border 1:130
No Number 1:85
*Brooklyn Back 1:170
*Wood 1:2,332
*Glossy 1:4,244
*Framed Cloth Card 1:543
Relic Version A 1:24
Relic Version B 1:24
Framed Mini Relic 1:105
Framed Mini Relic Gems and Ancient Fossils 1:3,600
Framed Mini Relic Fictional Figures 1:8,174
*Cut Signature 1:51,767
*Framed Allen & Ginter Originals 1:7,924
*Single Autograph Relic Book 1:2,390
*Dual Autograph Relic Book 1:5,431
Framed Mini Autograph 1:65
*Framed Mini Autograph Parallels:
  *Black Frame 1:423
  *Red Ink 1:1,139
*Framed Mini Employee Autograph 1:10,494
*Rip Card 1:160
*Double Rip Card 1:1,441

Full Size Inserts
What A Day 1:2
World's Fair 1:5
Sport Fish & Fishing Lures 1:5
Revolutionary Battles 1:10

Mini Inserts
World's Dudes 1:13
Bust a Move! 1:20
Required Reading 1:50
Magicians & Illusionists 1:34
Constellations 1:50

Extremely Short Print Stealth 1:5,227
*Dual Autograph Book 1:77,650
*World Baseball Classic Full Size Relic 1:274
*World Baseball Classic Mini Relic 1:8,174
Full Size Autograph 1:731
Ultimate Card Giveaway Topps buyback 1:6


key: * = Sequentially Numbered

Be Calm and Rip Some Packs

It is now the first of August. People all over the globe are wondering when Gint-A-Cuffs will actually start.

The official start date will be Monday, August 8, 12:01 am.  Just after Sunday night turns into Monday morning.  Eastern Daylight Saving time.  Or are we off that?  Monday morning, Knoxville, Tenn. time.  There.

Judson was able to provide a wrapper image.  Odds and points are being scrutinized.

Topps has graciously provided a prize of a Hobby Box.

Sign up.  Pick your Favorite Player, Favorite Team.

If you have questions, ask.

Be calm.  Rip some packs.

Limber up.

GAC 9!

We're a go on Gint-A-Cuffs 9!

There's been some interest.  I've started working on the updated rules.  An email has been sent to Topps, asking for another year of sponsorship.

What do I need to do next?  Get a high quality scan / image of the back of a hobby pack to see the odds / subsets.

I need you to spread the word.  Get a few more collectors interested.  Start thinking about your favorite player and favorite team.

Yes, I understand that the price of a hobby box increased.  Sorry about that.

You might also be under the impression that you must have your hobby box in at the time the contest starts (roughly August 1st).  Nope.  You need to have your final score submitted by the time the contest ends (roughly September 30th).  Yep.

Let me know in the comments if you're interested in participating.

GAC 9?

A few of you have asked about what is happening with Gint-A-Cuffs this year.

I haven't given it much thought.  Yes, Topps A&G has hit the street.  Packs are being busted.

And I haven't even looked at a checklist.

So, let's have a sign up.  If there's enough interest, I'll toss some rules together and we'll have fun.

How much is "enough interest"?  I'll know it when I see it.

No, the rules aren't going to be changing much.  New subsets, new cards, same snark.

If you want in, comment below.  You know what to do.

Signed,
The Commissioner