How to play
The Game
The basic premise is simple – predict the outcome of all 380 Premier League matches in the 2023/24 season gaining points for correct and partially correct predictions.
You do not have to predict all 380 matches up front of course. Predictions will be made on a weekly basis.
The season is broken into 9 sessions, 7 consisting of 4 game weeks and 2 consisting of 5 game weeks. Each session is a separate competition with all competitors starting on zero points. The competitor scoring the highest number of points at the end of each session wins that session and the main prize with a smaller prize for the runner up of each session.
In addition, there is a prize for the competitor who scores the most points each game week. Thus, even if you are trailing overall in the session you still have a chance to win a prize.
Taking Part
If you are not yet registered on the website that is the first thing you need to do. Click on “Register” on the main menu bar and follow the instructions. This triggers an email to the site administrator who will authorise your registration. Once you have received confirmation of registration via email you are almost ready to start playing.
The “PPC 2023/24” menu bar option has a drop down menu with various options all of which should be self explanatory.
To enter the Premier League Prediction Competition (PPC for short) you need to click on the “Join / Exit PPC 2023/24” option from the drop down menu. This brings up a page showing the current competitions running. PPC 2023/24 will be one of these. Check the check box next to it and click on the “Click to Confirm Registration” button that will pop up. Then you are ready to start submitting predictions.
Entry Fees
Before that you need to pay the entry fee for the next session. If the game is in mid-session you will need to wait for the next session to start but since they are all only a number of weeks in length that should not be too long.
Entry fee is £5 per session. Unless you know me in person and thus can pay by cash or via a bank transfer, I am currently only accepting payment via PayPal. This is secure, simple to set up and is free for you to use to make payment. Please use the following link Make Payment or click on the “Make Payment” option from the drop down menu or main menu strip.
Payment must be made by the end of the first game week of the session otherwise you will be removed from that session.
If you are unable or unwilling to use PayPal, my apologies but you will not be able to enter.
Submitting Predictions
To enter predictions click on the “Submit Your Predictions” option from the drop down menu to take you to a page displaying the fixtures for the current match week and allowing you to enter predictions for each match.
Predictions can be entered in bulk or can be entered one at a time if so desired but predictions for any match can only be provided BEFORE the match kicks off. Once the match has started you will no longer be able to enter a prediction for that match. Matches in the same game week that kick off later will remain open for predictions until they kick off.
It is possible to change your predictions for any match right up to the point the match kicks off via the “Submit Your Predictions” option.
It is also possible to provide predictions in advance should you so wish. Click on the “Next Week” button at the bottom right of the “Predictions” screen. This will display the next set of fixtures for which you can enter predictions. And so on.
Once you have entered predictions you will be able to view these using the “Current Gameweek Predictions” link on the drop down menu. Please note that you will only be able to view your own predictions before matches kick-off. Once a match has started, and thus you can no longer change your prediction for that match, you will then be able to view all predictions submitted for that match from everyone else.
Double Point Matches and Session Jokers
Double Point Matches
Each match week one match will be designated as a Double Point match. As the name suggests points scored on this match will be doubled, including any negative points scored.
The matches are chosen a couple of weeks in advance by the system administrator with a view to choosing matches that are likely to be hardest to predict and thus result in a variety of different predictions from all competitors.
This does not always work out of course but not for lack of trying
Session Joker
In each session, all competitors will be allowed to select one match of their choice in that session to receive double points. This is known as their Session Joker.
Only one match per session can be chosen as a joker. Once played the option to select a joker will no longer be available to that competitor during that session.
It is not compulsory to play a joker in a session if a competitor chooses not to but jokers are NOT carried over if not played. Use it or lose it.
The only restriction on choosing a match on which to play your joker is that you cannot play it on a match already designated as a double point match. The website will prevent you from doing this.
Point Scoring
Details of point scoring can be found on the “Scoring System” page from the drop down menu under “PPC 2023/24” or you can use the following link: Scoring System
Prizes
Prizes are financial and are dependent on the number of people taking part in any one session. The more taking part, the greater the prizes.
Please note that I do not make any profit from the competitions but I do need to cover the cost of PayPal and will deduct that from the total prize pot. PayPal charge 45p for each £5 session fee (as at September 2020).
Should the number of people taking part ever exceed 50 I am looking to add a charity element where 10% of the prize pot will be paid to charity.
Predictor of the Week (POTW) prizes are set at 10% of the total session pot. For 4 week sessions that totals 40% of the overall session prize pot. For 5 week sessions it totals 50% of the overall session prize pot.
The number of winning places for each session overall will depend on the number of competitors taking part in that session as follows:
– Below 15: 1st & 2nd places – split 4/5 (1st), 1/5 (2nd).
– 15 – 29: 1st & 2nd places – split 2/3 (1st), 1/3 (2nd).
– 30 – 49: 1st, 2nd & 3rd places – split 3/6 (1st), 2/6 (2nd), 1/6 (3rd).
– 50 – 99: 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th places – split 6/10 (1st), 3/10 (2nd), 2/10 (3rd), 1/10 (4th).
– 100 and over: TBA
Examples:
– 12 competitors: 12 x £5 = £60 prize pot. Less PayPal costs of 12 x 45p (=£5.40) = £54.80. Each POTW = £54.80 x 10% = £5.48. 4 x POTW = £21.92 leaving £32.88. 2 prize places. 1st = 4/5 of the prize pot = £26.30 for the session winner. 2nd = 1/5 of the prize pot = £6.58.
– 22 competitors: 22 x £5 = £110 prize pot. Less PayPal costs of 22 x 45p (=£9.90) = £100.10. Each POTW = £100.10 x 10% = £10.01. 4 x £10.01 = £40.04 leaving £60.06. 2 prize places. 1st = 2/3 of the prize pot = £40.04. 2nd = 1/3 of the prize pot = £20.02.
And so on.