3rd Hoshitori!!

[Riley@hachi.hi-tech.ac.jp]

Hi there, sumo fans!  As I'm leaving and won't be back til about the
8th of September, I'll post this now to make sure you get it in time.
If things go well, I may be able to post while in Seattle, but can't
count on it.  Below are the rules and explanations.  

**Entries (one per person) due to me by September 10, the Saturday
before the beginning of the Aki Basho in Tokyo.

 
                Hoshitori Rules:
                ----------------
 
 
1) Pick 10 makuuchi rikishi that you think will do well.  They must be
   in order, as the Number 1 guy gets 10 points for each win, the Number
   2 gets 9 points, and so on.  The winner is the one whose rikishi total
   the highest number of points at the end, including the extra bonus
   points listed in #5 below.  For the higher point levels, try to pick
   the rikishi who should get 10 or more wins, as they will boost your
   total the most, obviously.  Some of the Maegashira who really sucked
   rocks in the prior basho and dropped way down will also be likely to
   get a good record this time, are are often good picks.  Be objective,
   and don't pick just the ones you like the most.
 
2) In the event of one rikishi leaving the basho, include a substitute
   for him.  The sub will assume the same point level for all torikumi
   on days when the injured/sick rikishi does not fight.  If more than
   one rikishi pulls out, the substitute will count only for the first.
 
3) As a tie-breaker, pick the winner of the Technique Prize.

4) Make up a sumo name (shikona) to use as your title.  Results will
   be posted by shikona.

5) Extra points:
 
        a. Triple points for kin-boshi (Example:  if a rikishi should
           get 5 points, he would get 15 for beating Akebono)
 
        b. Double points for gin-boshi
 
        c. 10 points for any of the 3 Sansho prizes

  **NOTE**  This area is not quite in line with sumo realities, but 
            hoshitori rules have Sekiwake and below eligible for
            kin/gin-boshi.   Just to clarify a bit...

6) Game fees:  10 Sumo bucks (wow, no inflation!!)
 
7) Winner's (highest point total) prize:  Again, we'll have a case of
   633 ml. Sapporo beer.  The food will be miso ramen and vegetable
   gyoza, a nice autumn dinner!  

8)  Entry:  Still haven't been getting too many, so it's open to all.
    One entry per person, e-mailed to me by September 10 (Saturday).
    
  **NOTE**  Again, Akebono's condition is in doubt, and he may not be
            able to compete in this basho.  It's better to wait a bit
            before you make up your mind!!

9) Claiming your prizes:  You are welcome to your prize, but
   I ain't shipping anything.  You gotta come to my house to
   get it, ok?  I can pick you up at Hachinohe-eki, which is
   on the Tohoku-sen, about 75 minutes north from Morioka,
   which is the end of the Tohoku Shinkansen.  You can stay
   at my house while we drink the beers and munch out.

Any further questions, comments and nice things can be e-mailed to
me directly.  I'll post current standings from time to time through
the basho.
 
I do this all at work, and any donations of database software (Mac)
or laptop computers (any platform) are entirely welcome!!
 
Mata nee....
 
David
riley@hachi.hi-tech.ac.jp