Fantasy RatDog, an idea created by Phantasy Tour and based on fantasy baseball and David Gans famed baseball/Dead analogy, lets Dog fans test their intuition of RatDog setlists and have a little fun as the tour moves along.
The game works like this:
- You pick the songs you think RatDog will play the most often in specific slots (i.e. First Set Opener, Encore) over the course of a tour. For example, if you think RatDog will open its shows with Sugar Magnolia more than any other song, you should pick that song in the First Set Opener slot.
- You receive points each time RatDog plays a song you selected, and the person with the most points at the end of the tour wins the game.
- The game is just for fun (and bragging rights).....
If your pick opens the 1st set, score 8 points; or if it's played elsewhere in the show, score 1 point.
First Set Wild Card (4):
If your pick is played in the 1st set, score 4 points; or if it's played elsewhere in the show, score 1 point.
First Set Closer (6):
If your pick closes the 1st set, score 6 points; or if it's played elsewhere in the show, score 1 point.
Second Set Opener (8):
If your pick opens the 2nd set, score 8 points; or if it's played elsewhere in the show, score 1 point.
Second Set Wild Card (4):
If your pick is played in the 2nd set, score 4 points; or if it's played elsewhere in the show, score 1 point.
Second Set Closer (6):
If your pick closes the 2nd set, score 6 points; or if it's played elsewhere in the show, score 1 point.
Encore (5):
If your pick is played in the encore, score 5 points; or if it's played elsewhere in the show, score 1 point.
Wild Card (2):
If your pick is played at any time in the show, score 2 points.
Dylan Song (3):
If your pick is played at any time in the show, score 3 points.
Cover Song (3):
If your pick is played at any time in the show, score 3 points.
One Time Played (15):
If your pick is played at only one show,, score 15 points.
First Time Played (15):
If your pick is played for the first time, score 15 points.
What is the deadline for submitting my entry?
Entries must be submitted by 3:00PM CT on Thursday, October 30. No changes may be made after that time. Only one entry per person please. (If RatDog adds a show to take place over the several days before October 30, the deadline will be 3:00PM CT on the day of the first show. In other words, if they, ya know, forgot to announce a show for October 28, that's part of the game too.)
Do I submit picks for each show?
No. Your entry stays the same for the entire tour.
Can I pick the same song in more than one category?
No, you may pick each song only once.
What if RatDog plays part only part of a song?
A "Cover Song" is any song that was not written by a member of RatDog or The Grateful Dead. You may choose from among songs in RatDog's repertoire. For "First Time Played," you may choose any song on the list—which includes many Dylan, Dead, solo Weir, and random tunes—that has not been played by RatDog.
How was song selection for "Cover Song" and "First Time Played" determined?
A song is considered "played" if at least some of the song's lyrics are sung. Any song that is only jammed does not count, with the exception of Slipknot! and At a Siding, which count as played if the bulk of the song is played—the 15-second Slipknot! that leads into Franklin's does not count.
What if RatDog plays parts of a song more than once during the show?
If a song is played in more than one slot during the show, the highest possible point total will be awarded, but the song will still only be counted one time during that show. If, for example, you pick Bird Song as the 1st Set Wild Card and it is played in both the 1st and 2nd Sets, you will receive 4 points, the value of a 1st Set Wild Card.
When RatDog plays a one-set show, the show opener will count as 1st Set Opener, and the show closer will count as 2nd Set Closer. All songs in between will count as a 1st Set Wild Card or 2nd Set Wild Card, depending on which gives the player the most points. The Encore always counts as the Encore, naturally.
What if RatDog plays a third set?
In the really unlikely event that RatDog plays a third set, I better be there. As far as Fantasy, both the second and third sets will be treated as "second sets." For example, if you choose Playin as your second set opener and it opens the third set, you will still receive eight points, the value of a 2nd Set Opener.
Any publicly announced RatDog show between October 27 and the first of five consecutive days off in November 25 (i.e. the end of tour) will count in Fantasy standings. An appearance is considered a "show" if the band is on stage continuously for more than 30 minutes.
Will my username be seen by others? How about my e-mail address?
Your username will be listed in the standings. Your e-mail address, however, will not be shared with anyone at all ever. Seriously.
