UsefulConcept

I entered into the beta test of moola.com last week.  It is an interesting site and concept.  Basically you are in a seriese of games each with a different opponnet.  In each game the two of you play a short graphical game that is part chance part skill.  The winner gets the losers allocated winnings.  So you start with a penny.  If you win, you take their penny and you now have two pennies.  That turns to 4, then 9, then 16, after 17 wins you have $1,310.72.  After 30 wins you have $10,737,418.24.  Yes just over ten million dollars.

You don't actually pay anything.  You get your starting penny by watching a little video ad on their site.  If you lose, you start back at a penny again.  You can cash out at any time.  People have cashed out at $20 and more.

So what is the catch?  It is hard to win consistently.  You have to win a number of times to make it worth cashing out.  Also what are the odds you will find someone at lvl 18 willing to risk just under $3,000?  Once enough people are signed up, I am sure pleanty of people would risk it.  But now probably not as much.

I played the two games they have to offer.  They are short, and somewhat fun.  I thought I figured out the strategy, but for as smart as I think I am, I lose more than win.  I have made it to lvl 6 I think.  No higher.  Essentially your strategy is based in part on your competitors strategy.  And by the time you figure out theirs the game is almost over.  They are simply so short that it is hard to get to know them and their weaknesses.  Is it possible to keep track of them and when you play that same person again react accordingly?  Yes.  But that is a lot of work for a lazy man like me.

So is it worth it?  Will you make bill dollars?  Donno.  It is just as easy as playing solitaire on your computer and killing  a few minutes, and you have that added bonus of possible cash.  But no, odds are you will not be making big dollars.  Its like the lottery.  Fun to think about, but don't start making plans on how to spend all that money just yet.

If you want an invitation to moola, let me know.  I may be able to get you in.  Otherwise fill out the form on their site and they will eventually invite you anyway.

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