HOW TO PLAY
The goal of each contest in the Series is to earn the largest bankroll (ROI) in the designated contest races for each tournament. In this contest, players purchase an entry ticket(s) and select one primary horse to place a mythical $2 Win/Place bet for each designated contest race. Each entry begins with a mythical starting bankroll. For each correct selection a player will earn the $2 Win and/or Place mutual payoff. The maximum return on any single race is $42 for Win and $22 for Place. The player with the highest accumulated bankroll (ROI) will be the Winner. The bankroll is based on mythical $2 Win and Place wagers on mandatory races.
CONTEST DEADLINES
Deadline to Purchase Entry Tickets on Day of each Contest is approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled post time of the first race. Mandatory races will be posted, including race numbers, post times, and time zones by 6 p.m. ET the day prior to the event.
Deadline to Submit Designated Contest Race Selections is the Official post time of each race.
SELECTIONS
The selection format of the contest is real time to allow players to modify/change their selections up until post time. Players will have until the official post time of each race to make selections. NOTE: It is strongly recommended that players submit all their selections prior to the first race and no changes may be made after each race’s post time. TwinSpires will not be responsible for any player’s inability to submit selections due to Internet outages, technical difficulties, etc.
Players will select horses by name and official program number. As with real wagering, coupled entries serve as one betting interest for the purpose of this contest. Selections can be made as early as the day prior to the contest, as soon as the contest selection process is opened which is anticipated to be early afternoon the day prior to the contest.
Scratches:
If a horse is scratched prior to the start of the race, that horse will be removed from the list of horses available to be selected, but will not be removed from already-submitted contest entry tickets. If a horse selected is scratched and a participant is unable to change/modify their selection before post time, the participant will be given the post time favorite as a substitute selection.
TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE
SATELLITE CONTESTS (DECEMBER 26 – JANUARY 1)
In the Tournament Satellite contests, players have the opportunity to qualify for the Tournament Final without having to pay the full $250 Tournament Final Entry Fee. Entry fees for the Tournament Satellites range from $15 to $40 per entry. To play, simply purchase a contest entry ticket for the contest day(s) you wish to participate.
Players may purchase up to three entries per contest. All Satellites and the Tournament Final are limited to 150 total entries. The schedule of Satellite contests, with respective Buy Ins and prizes, is listed below.
| Date | Day | Type | Buy In | Player Cap | Entry Cap | Advance to Jan. 16 |
| 6-Jan | Wednesday | Satellite | $20 | 3 | 150 | Top 10 |
| 7-Jan | Thursday | Satellite | $20 | 3 | 150 | Top 10 |
| 8-Jan | Friday | Satellite | $35 | 3 | 150 | Top 20 |
| 9-Jan | Saturday | Satellite | $50 | 3 | 150 | Top 30 |
| 10-Jan | Sunday | Satellite | $35 | 3 | 150 | Top 20 |
| 11-Jan | Monday | Satellite | $20 | 3 | 150 | Top 10 |
| 12-Jan | Tuesday | Satellite | $20 | 3 | 150 | Top 10 |
| 13-Jan | Wednesday | Satellite | $35 | 3 | 150 | Top 20 |
| 14-Jan | Thursday | Satellite | $35 | 3 | 150 | Top 20 |
| 15-Jan | Friday | Satellite | $50 | 3 | 150 | Top 30 |
| 16-Jan | Saturday | Final | $250 | 3 | 250 | 180 Qualifiers |
TOURNAMENT FINAL (SATURDAY, JANUARY 16)
Players who do not advance through the Satellites may buy in to the Tournament Final on Saturday, January 16 for $250 per entry (a maximum of 3 tickets are allowed in the Tournament Final). Whether awarded or purchased, the $250 Tournament Final is limited to a maximum of 250 entries. The Guaranteed Prizes for the Tournament Final are as follows:
1st and 2nd Place (KDBC Seat)
- Full Entry Fee ($20,000) to the TwinSpires.com Kentucky Derby Betting Championship, to be held at Churchill Downs, May 6-7, 2016.
- A three-night hotel stay in Louisville, Kentucky (May 5-7, 2016).
- Tickets for two to Churchill Downs on May 6 and 7, 2016.
- $1,000 travel credit, to be deposited to the wagering account of the winner.
3rd – 5th Place Prizes (HPWS Seat)
- $1,500 Entry Fee to the 2016 Horse Player World Series, to be held at The Orleans Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, March 31 – April 2, 2016.
- A four-night stay at The Orleans (March 30 – April 2, 2016)
- $500 travel credit to be deposited to the wagering account of each winner.