I was first introduced to this reindeer game back in the early 90s shortly after I graduated from college. My buddy's dad ran the game at the time. His buddies and a bunch of us youngsters would meet at a sports bar and watch the games that would finish off the round of 32 and finalize the Sweet 16.

The year was 1997. Games are done and we start picking teams out of a hat for $20. The first $20 I get in, I pick Arizona and some other spare team. The second $20 I get in, I pick Arizona and some other spare team. Wait until the $50s start hoping my luck will change. Nope. I pick Arizona and some other spare team. Didn't have the disposable income back then that I do now, so kept my powder dry to fire a $100. Yep, you guessed it, I pull Arizona, BUT (drumroll please) I finally snag a #1 seed in Kentucky!

I was a bit dejected as Arizona was a #4 seed. So I figured $90 was flushed down the drain, but I had Kentucky in the other side of my $100 to give me some solace. However, the rest of the #1 seeds were still alive including Kansas, North Carolina and Minnesota along with two #2 seeds in Utah and UCLA. And to crush any dreams I had about Arizona going on a Cinderella run, they had to face #1 Kansas in their first game, who was the overwhelming favorite that year.

Sometimes Dreams Do Come True
But also sprinkled into this sun run was their Elite 8 matchup against #10 Providence that they won in OT 96-92. I remember watching that game curled up on my couch in the fetal position praying for the miracle run to continue. They then make it past North Carolina in the Final 4, and wouldn't you know it, we get Arizona and Kentucky in the championship game.

Back then, we would all meet back up at the sports bar to watch the game and collect money or drown our sorrows. Felt pretty good walking up to my buddy's dad with my hand out knowing I had an $800 win locked up in my $100 before the game even started. But I still had a nice sweat in my two $20s and my $50. Sure, I had at least the consolation prizes locked up, but an improbable win would cap off bragging rights for the next year. Took OT in a thriller, but they managed to win 84-79.

In for $190 - Out for $1250
Tidy profit of $1060