Intro to Gint-A-Cuffs

Gavin asked a serious question in a comment.

I'm embarrassed to admit I have no idea what Gint-A-Cuffs is. I mean, I've heard about it on the blogosphere several times in passing, and I know it involves Allen & Ginter.. some sort of contest? group break? giveaway? So confused.

For those bloggers and curious onlookers who have either been involved as a participant or in the coach's boxes looking in, it doesn't need explaining.  But for those who are new to the blogging scene or haven't stumbled across this dark corner of the internet perhaps some explanation is in order.

Many, many moons ago (this is the sixth annual GAC - you count them), a blogger named Beardy came up with the idea of having a contest using Topps Allen & Ginter cards as a scoring mechanism.  I was asked to assist in the craziness, either as co-moderator, assistant score checker, whatever.  Beardy has since moved on from maintaining a blog so I've taken the reins and am now running with them.

Basically a contestant purchases a hobby box of Topps Allen & Ginter, then breaks it on their blog.  As commissioner I assign points based on my own personal tastes or I look to see which way the flag is flying.  There is some form of method to my madness.

The blogger then opens each pack, showing (at least) the point cards on his (or her) blog.  They can get points for favorite player, favorite team.  Blah, blah, blah.  Look at last years' rules.

In past years the winner has received a hobby box of Topps Allen & Ginter for their luck.  Really, there is no skill to this.  During the six to eight weeks or so of the contest it provides bloggers something to do.  Got to generate posts based on something.

So, it is a contest.  Group break?  Not really.  Giveaway?  Sure.  Last year the winner got a box.  The loser got a box.  Then I randomized the remaining contestants and someone else got a box.

But, you ask, who provides the boxes as prizes?  Is there an entry fee?  Topps has provided the prize boxes.  There is no entry fee, only that you purchase a hobby box of Topps Allen & Ginter.  I've been fortunate in that some of the online card stores have provided those boxes to the contestants and a discount.  See?  Everybody wins.

Gavin, be confused no more.  Until the contest actually starts.  Generally the scoring system is not finalized until a week after the cards hit the streets.  We used to do it on the day that they came out until we realized that Topps includes cards that aren't on the actual checklist.  Sneaky so-and-sos.

Along the way contestants will ask for a commissioner's ruling.  Which means that I didn't actually think the thing out ahead of time or I just didn't understand what Topps was trying to do.

Rulings tend to go in the favor of the contestant that asked the question, especially if that contestant offers a bribe.  Lately the bribe offers have been rather pitiful.   And you all paid the price for those.

It is a bit of bragging, a bit of contest, a bit of fun.  And Spankee continues to make great banners.  If you have any more questions, please ask.

Gint-A-Cuffs VI is just around the corner

Once again Spankee has created a killer banner for Gint-A-Cuffs. The product will be hitting the streets about July 11, 2014. That's just over five weeks away. I'm on the verge of contacting potential sponsors.

SportsCardRadio has issued a potential checklist.  GAC scoring details and rules to follow.

If you'd like to play this year, please leave a comment below.

Winner Announced, Prizes Assigned

It was a good Gint-A-Cuffs.  Scoring was tight.  After review of the posted scores I'm declaring that Brian, of Play At The Plate, is the winner of GAC V.  Well done.  He will be receiving a hobby box of 2013 Topps Allen & Ginter cards, supplied by Topps.

And because Topps supplied three boxes as prizes, I get to decide how they should be dispersed.  Thanks, Topps.  One down, two to go.

The second box will be going to the last place holder Ryan, aka The Ginter Godfather.  Two down, one to go.

In the past, I've been disappointed that several participants signed up and never completed the game.  I understand life getting in the way of cards and such and I'm very proud this this year so many did complete the game.  So, to the randomizer we go.  I think that five times through should be good.  The 12 participants that didn't already win a box will be entered into the gaping maw and it will regurgitate the next box recipient.

Dan, of The Other World, is our final box winner.  Winners, please get me your postal mail address.

Thanks to Dave and Adam's Card World for being our dealer sponsor.

Thanks to Spankee, of My Cardboard Mistress, for one of the best GAC banners ever.

So, I hope that it was as much fun for you as it was for me.  Okay, I hope that it was more fun for you than it was for me.

Now, I don't ask for much.  Really I don't.  Since the bribes this year were very anemic and none actually materialized, I'd like to ask for a card or two.  Actually, a few cards.  If you have extras of any A&G Red Sox players, send them my way.  I've got a new patron, Jason S., that has been sending me Hershiser cards.  I'd like to repay him in some way.  What a better way than to use someone else's cards.

Drop me an email at:  mark DOT aubrey AT gmail DOT com  for more info.

The End Is Here

Friday night came and went.  The posting of scores is closed.  14 of the 15 participants followed through on the contest.  I think that this is the highest percentage of finishers that we've ever had.

I need to verify a few scores before I declare a winner and dole out the prizes so wonderfully provided by Topps.

The End Is Near

Just like the regular baseball season, Gint-A-Cuffs will soon be coming to an end.  A gentle reminder about the end.

All cards that score points, either positive or negative, are to be shown on the participant's blog.  The participant shall keep a per pack score and a running total.  After having scored their whole hobby box, they shall comment on the Leader Board page.  Final scores shall be submitted no later than 11:59pm, Eastern, Friday, September 27, 2013.

And now a gentle reminder about bribes.  Hint.  Hint.

This is the time of Gint-A-Cuffs that I really like.  I get to go out and look at your posts.  As commissioner I do my darnedest to avoid them during the actual running of GAC.  I don't want to be swayed as I issue my rulings.  "What?  You solicit bribes yet don't want to be swayed?"  Yep.  I'm a riddle like that.

An impressive score was recently posted to the Leader Board.  After a bit of review, I've posted a new and different leader.  Go and check it out.

I'll be checking, with a fine tooth comb, the top point getters to make sure that cards have been scored properly.

Tic Toc revised

In the last post I gave a point ruling. I was wrong.

Clearly I have no clue what I'm talking about.  I have not seen a double rip card except as the participant sent me the scans.  I assumed that it was like a Russian nesting doll, a card within a card within a card.

It is a card with two other cards inserted, one on each side.  To free the cards inside, one would have to rip the card twice.  Hence "Double Rip Card".

So, updated scoring:

+35 Double Rip Card 1:1,429 * any card inside will be counted as a Rip Card (+10) plus possible bonus points based on autos/relic/SP  * cards must be ripped to get the bonus points.  Since this is a 'hit card' Yankees penalties are enforced

And this also factors in:

+5 Mini Exclusive Rip Card (#351-400)

So how would this score?  Let's use the following actual Double Rip card rip as our example.


The Double Rip card in this video is of Robin Yount and Ryan Braun. That card would score +35.

The owner decides to rip it, freeing the cards trapped inside. Each of those cards would be +10. So now they're up to a net of +55. What did they pull?  Mike Schmidt (card # 393).  The second card was Justin Verlander (card # 355).

Both of those newly freed cards are Mini Exclusive Rip (Short Print) cards.  +5 each.  That brings it up to a net of +65.

If the owner decided not to rip the Yount/Braun card it would score +35 and they could sell it on ebay.

The Scoring Rules have been updated to reflect the current ruling.

Confused?  So am I.  Thanks for playing.

The Clock Ticks

We're down to the final week of Gint-A-Cuffs.  Please finish up your scoring and post it.

I was asked about a scoring issue on a specific card.  A Double Rip card.  I'll let the participant reveal the card on their blog.  I'm not going to spoil the big reveal.

Here's my point ruling on a Double Rip card:

+35 Double Rip Card 1:1,429 * card inside will be counted as a Rip Card (+20) * card inside that Rip will be +10 (as above) - cards must be ripped to get the bonus points

So go finish scoring. Don't forget to post.

This scoring is all wrong. Please see this post for clarification.