One of the most unique features of the Bookie Challenge competition is its statistical archives. Ever since the start of the competition's "ad hoc season" (year #1 in 2011), all statistical data, such as individual and combined handicapping records, yearly point standings, and much more, have been preserved by the Biased Nihilist. The Challenge's statistical archives are referred to many times in the weekly reviews during each of its long and arduous handicapping seasons, and they are a great resource to refer to when it comes to comparing records and streaks from a current competition to those of past competitions. What's more, handicappers in the Bookie Challenge competition can access the statistical archives to see how they compare against their handicapping peers. But more importantly, especially for those handicappers in the competition who dare test their handicapping wares against real-life bookmakers, the statistical archives contain raw numbers that do not belie a handicapper's ability to beat the NFL pointspreads. The numbers are what they are. As such, each handicapper can reflect upon his cumulative numbers from past competitions and get a sobering account of how he really fares in the world of handicapping the NFL. And for those who engage real-life bookies, their statistical histories in the Bookie Challenge can be a no-frills barometer to best evaluate whether they can seriously beat the Vegas odds enough to put some extra spending money in their pockets. In any event, whether a participant in the competition is a serious handicapper, or one trying to pocket the competition's Latinum jackpot, or just a fan of the game who loves to dabble in a handicapping competition for the fun of it, the Bookie Challenge's statistical archives immortalizes each participant's handicapping legacy, whether good, average, or bad. |