[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'198505\' date=\'Sep 29 2008, 08:27 PM\']I dunno that it is. I don't think I'd want to become champion just because an outgoing five-day champ decided to fold up the tent.[/quote]But that's not my quibble. My quibble is that Mark called Jay's "dislike" "flawed," and it isn't. Jay gave a reason as to why he doesn't like that, and it passes muster. Frankly, you can say "I like to root for Harvard professors," or "I generally root against red-headed housewives." I might disagree with the conclusion, but the reasoning isn't what I have a problem with.
If I had the choice between $20,000 and the tie, with the return trip that a tie allows, and $2,000 and bus fare home while my opposition wins with $20,001, I want the money. Every single time. Pride won't pay off my car or mortgage.
There's a difference between being in a runaway, and betting to finish in a tie, and betting from the lead so that second wins if he 1) is right and 2) bets the lot. And on that fifth day, you're gone anyhow, right? Why not leave the door open?
I don't even recall the outgoing champion back-door being used until 1998 or so, and it wasn't used regularly until the season before the winnings limit was revoked.