# American Idol Top 36 Pool **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 6, 2009, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733 "2009-02-06T18:41:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733/141 "2009-05-06T14:50:57Z")
I can’t tell if you’re kidding or not, but I think Kris did the best this week. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733/142 "2009-05-06T15:01:34Z")
I woke up this morning seriously thinking of putting all 20 points on Danny, who is my original and current pick to win it all. Not sure what I will do, but I’m ignoring Hal’s helpful suggestion for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733/143 "2009-05-06T23:03:28Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > Just shy of 12 hours remaining to get your picks in. > > Personally, I don’t see any way Adam can survive this week after those terrible performances. I highly recommend everyone just dump their full 20 points on him. Whatever is causing that loud LOUD whooshing sound??? Hmmmm… ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733/144 "2009-05-07T02:33:21Z")
Crap crappity crap crap crap. I had 10 each on Kris and Allison, but then I realized that I had dropped so far back in the standings that 10 points wasn’t going to cut it for me. So, all 20 went on Kris. Crap. ---
**Author:** ![Rachael\_Rage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733/145 "2009-05-07T03:23:30Z")
I haven’t done the math but I am pretty sure I am beyond saving at this point. SIGH. Not even a single lousy bonus point. But in a way I’m glad there was not even the tiniest positive thing about Allison getting voted out. :(:(☹ ---
**Author:** ![infinitii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e8c25b/32.png) [@infinitii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/infinitii)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733/146 "2009-05-07T04:22:24Z")
I wonder if it’s possible that Adam will have a shock boot next week, and then Kris wins it in a Kris/Danny finale (which would be the worst finale ever). I think that’s the only sure way I’ll be able to win it all-- I’m gonna have to work the math to see if there’s any way I can get it without that (rather unlikely) event. ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733/147 "2009-05-07T13:16:24Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > Crap crappity crap crap crap. > > I had 10 each on Kris and Allison, but then I realized that I had dropped so far back in the standings that 10 points wasn’t going to cut it for me. So, all 20 went on Kris. > > Crap. I’ll second that crapfest. Zero points for me. I was so _sure_ Danny was going home! ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2009, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733/148 "2009-05-07T13:35:39Z")
Crap in a hat. I missed the performance show, but my wife said to put 20 on Kris. Then I quickly tivoed through it last night in time to change my picks, and Gokey was so awful I had to put 10 on him, even though he’s still my overall (I don’t want him to win, I don’t think he’ll win, but I can’t risk losing the 36 pts if he does.) Did not expect Allison to go! She was the best of the (mediocre) bunch this week. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733/149 "2009-05-13T23:36:21Z")
Whoops – forgot once again to bump this earlier in the day. Less than 90 minutes left – get 'em in! ---
**Author:** ![Rachael\_Rage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2009, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733/150 "2009-05-14T04:11:25Z")
I am starting to come to terms with my likely middle-place finish. Do I get an A plus plus…PLUS! for effort? That’s it for picks, right? I mean, there’s no more picking to be done unless you want to change your winner, so congrats to all who are mathematical contenders for the top! This has been lotsa fun and big, big thanks to **Hal**. If it’s not too early (or too rude) to say, I kinda liked last year’s method better (and I SWEAR it’s not because I tied for first, or second or whatever it was), where you make all your picks at the top 12 and you earn points based on how close your pick is to the actual one. It’s interesting to see how close people get that early on in the game and with so little time to get to know the contestants. Plus the weekly pick method makes overthinkers like me sweaty little stress-balls on Wednesday mornings. But that’s just me. ANY Idol Prediction Game is far better than no Idol Prediction Game, so I’ll be back next year no matter what. And one more round of applause\* for **Hal Briston** for making it happen! Woot! ETA: \*A Paula seal-clap, of course. Or a Kara table-bang. ---
**Author:** ![infinitii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e8c25b/32.png) [@infinitii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/infinitii)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2009, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733/151 "2009-05-14T12:45:15Z")
If my calculations are correct, my ONLY shot is if Kris wins this, so I’m putting all my points on Kris, leaving him as my overall pick, and just hoping for the biggest upset in Idol history-- if not, ah well…it was fun. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2009, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733/152 "2009-05-14T13:24:51Z")
> [@Rachael\_Rage](#): > > That’s it for picks, right? No no, there’s still picking to be done! This week, you have _40_ points to play with, and just to make it nice and confusing, you’re putting your points on who you think will _win_, not who you think will be eliminated. Plus there are six points in bonus questions up for grabs. All that, coupled with the overall pick points, means this is still anybody’s game\*. As for the type of game, I agree, **Rachael** – I really liked last year’s version as well. However, I see no reason why they can’t both be in play. Last year’s version was of the “Set it up and you’re done” variety – once you picked the finishing order of the Top 12, that was it, there was nothing more for you to do but watch the results each week. This pool has the interactive component each week, so I’m thinking they could easily run concurrently. Be worth thinking about next January, anyway. \*Blatent lie. Many of us are baldly well screwed and have no chance at winning – hell, a top 10 finish would be a personal victory at this point. ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2009, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733/153 "2009-05-14T23:35:22Z")
there is hope… being only 7 points ahead of mchapman, but 12 points behind if Adam wins, I though all chances of a phungi win were lost… 40 points, however, gives me a chance… that said, I hope Kris wins the prize… winning this pool may be too stigmatizing! ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2009, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733/154 "2009-05-17T22:34:11Z")
I guess there is some way I could win this but it makes my head hurt trying to figure it out. For what it’s worth, I am the only person left in the top ten who had Adam as their orginal pick so I guess if I put all my points on him and everyone else splits their points up and Adam wins…oh whatever… ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2009, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733/155 "2009-05-20T12:56:47Z")
All right everyone – time for last ups! Remember, you’re picking who you think will win this time. Get 'em in before the show airs tonight! ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733/156 "2009-05-21T03:09:01Z")
> [@infinitii](#): > > If my calculations are correct, my ONLY shot is if Kris wins this, so I’m putting all my points on Kris, leaving him as my overall pick, and just hoping for the biggest upset in Idol history-- if not, ah well..it was fun. DINGDINGDINGDING! Congratulations to you, **infinitii** , for pulling this one out in the end! Lots of trading off of the top spot this season, but it was that 33 bonus points you put on Kris that put you over the top. Gutsy call, but it worked out nicely – good job… And for posterity’s sake (since I’m guessing Fun Office Pools won’t keep the page around forever), here’s the final totals for the season: 1 **infinitii** 299 2 **Rachael Rage** 245 3 **mchapman** 238 4 **phungi** 236 5 **drainbead** 235 6 **kittenlm** 232 7 **Ataraxy** 223 8 **Millit the Frail** 222 9 **Mahaloth** 221 9 **Crotalus** 221 11 **Kolak of Twilo** 220 12 **wvmom** 212 13 **BetsQ** 210 13 **gonzoron** 210 15 **Hal Briston** 208 16 **judikium** 205 17 **Pleonast** 198 18 **lilyofthevalley** 196 19 **rebo1026** 189 20 **RachelChristine** 185 21 **only mostly dead** 173 22 **Blue Mood** 163 23 **SamStone** 154 24 **gorgonzola** 149 25 **Lush Puppy** 148 ---
**Author:** ![Rachael\_Rage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733/157 "2009-05-21T03:37:43Z")
Wow - I wasn’t expecting THAT, that’s for sure! 😃 Good job **infinitii**! I had completely given up on even cracking the top 10, so figured I had nothing to lose by plonking all points on Kris in case of an upset. That plus good luck on bonuses made up for my somewhat terrible record on the weekly picks. I can’t believe I actually did as well as last year. Maybe this version of the game isn’t so bad after all. 😉 I do agree with **Hal** ’s point that there’s no reason not to do both types of pools next year, so I hope someone hosts the spreadsheet version for Season 9. I’m WAYYY too lazy, and mathematically challenged, to do it myself. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733/158 "2009-05-21T08:00:41Z")
Apparently, I suck at this. ---
**Author:** ![infinitii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e8c25b/32.png) [@infinitii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/infinitii)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733/159 "2009-05-21T12:17:57Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > Congratulations to you, **infinitii** , for pulling this one out in the end! Lots of trading off of the top spot this season, but it was that 33 bonus points you put on Kris that put you over the top. Gutsy call, but it worked out nicely – good job… Wow-- I really owe it all to someone whose name I’ve already forgotten in the Grassy Knoll thread over at TWOP (and it’s difficult to find an old post in that mess) who made what I thought was a pretty clear case for the producers wanting Kris to win it all (I can’t remember his reasoning, but it had something to do with there being a top 13), so I went with him. Of course, after watching the season, I don’t think there was such a plan at all, and I think that Kris and his fans kept him alive in spite of what the producers of the show wanted. So basically, I was just really really lucky. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2009, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733/160 "2009-05-21T17:38:42Z")
Well, that was a lot of fun! I had picked Adam at the very beginning to be the winner, so I had 36 points from him if he won. But I was fairly sure Kris would win this week. He has that common boy-next-door appeal that Adam lacks, although I think Adam has more talent. So I split my 40 pts, 38-2, so I’d get 38 points either way. I like this week-by-week pool because it keeps players interested in the results each episode. But I also like the pick-everyone-in-advance pool we used last year, because it requires so foresight. I think someone mentioned this earlier, but let’s do both next year? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-top-36-pool/484733.md?page=9)