When did the Big Dance Club get started?

Good question and we're not entirely sure of the answer. It was started by "The Poolmaster" Ed Rivet sometime in the mid-1990's and all picks were sent in by email. The Poolmaster tallied results by hand and send emails during the rounds to keep everyone updated.  

It evolved over time with the second and third tie-breakers and the option to pick "with or opposite" a competitor to enhance the head-to-head competition.  Originally only the Top 3 finishers earned money. But as the Club grew, more top finishers were added to the money list. There were a couple of years without the Big Dance Club - 2001 when the Poolmaster had a baby due in the middle of the tourney and the 2020 Covid disruption.

For official purposes, the 2022 tournament was designated as the official 25th Big Dance Club competition. After 25 years, The Poolmaster finally won the competition he started. 

•  No competitor has ever been Champion twice. In the 27 years of the Club's history, we've had 27 different first place finishers. And there are members of the club who have been competing at least 20 years. 

• There is an interesting "Beginner's Luck" phenomena in the Club where one or more first time competitors almost always end up in the money. Several Champions have been crowned in their "Rookie" year of competition.

• The all-time top finishing Champion belongs to Bill Kean, who finished with 53 of 63 corrects games selected. That was due to an unmatchable opening round where he lost the very first game on Thursday, then scorched a perfect 31 of 32 games to complete the round, never looking back. The average Champion wins with correct picks in the mid to upper 4o's.  53 correct picks will probably never be challenged.  The next closest Champ hit 49 in 2024, Ed Peper. 

• Despite not ever having repeat a Champion, many competitors have finished in the Top 3 in various places more than once.  The most prolific Top 3 finisher is Paul Long, who had a hot streak in his early years in the Club, now claiming 6 overall Top 3 finishes - 1 Championship and two second place finishes and three third place finishes. Another long-time competitor, Champion and multi-Top 3 finisher is Bill Peper, whose nephew Joe is also a Champ and multi-Top 3 finisher.