I originally said that there would be no interim trading, but based on popular demand (a suggestion from a loyal reader) there will be one interim trade allowed.

Your chances of winning that nice bottle of wine are still good; I have received picks from only three contestants so far, with at least one more coming. And for a *very* simple way to participate (no math or wily strategy necessary), see comment #5 fom the last entry.

Back to the new rule: only *one* transaction allowed, anytime before the official nomination. And you don't *have* to do a transaction; you can simply hold your original picks.

New rule example: suppose you go long Obama now and he goes to 80 in six months....but you think he's going to flame out, so you sell and lock in your gains.

Same idea on the short side, suppose you are short McCain and he flames out in six months. You can then cover your short to lock your gains and avoid comeback risk.

Or, you have the same ability to close out one position (only limiting your losses instead of locking your gains) if a long or short goes against you. Remember, it's *one* trade only; you can't trade out of one position and into another.

Tomorrow at 5:00pm pacific is the deadline for picks.
If you already got your picks in and this new rule changes your strategy, of course feel free to change.