In the event of two or more Tipsters ending in a draw, (on equal points), there are several stages that must be followed in order to eliminate drawn tipsters down to one champion. These are the qualifying factors that apply...

1. The Final is obviously the most important game in the NPC, therefore the Tipster who tips this game correctly is automatically ranked higher than a Tipster on equal points who tipped it incorrectly.  Another way to look at this is as if the Final is worth 8.1 points.

2. Whichever Tipster has less Yellow Cards.

3.  At this point the margin tips are compared.  For the final, all Tipsters will have tipped a margin that their chosen team will win by (no negative margins allowed).  

4. If this does not result in a clear winner, because they have the same margins or the margin difference is equal, then it is the Tipster who has the highest "Pure Score" (the score not counting Wild Card or Clean Sweep points).

5. Which Tipster had the highest "Pure Score" at the end of the Home And Away.

6. Still equal... we'll count through the all the points for and against the teams tipped by each Tipster and the winner wil be the Tipster with a higher points-for-and-against ratio.

7. Should a clear winner still be uncertain, a one-on-one rugby game between the Tipsters will be held. This match will comprise of two 40 minute halves and the rules will be the same as those used in 2001 NPC final. The match will be refereed by available members of the Tipmeister Board or Tipping Tribunal. Referee decisions will be reached democratically. The match will be held at the home town of the Tipster who has more Pink Jacket Tipping Experience or assigned democratically by the Tribunal. Travel costs are to be met by the individual. In the case of more than two Tipsters having reached this point a round-robin/finals format will be used.

8. Should there still be no winner after 48 hours of rugby, the Right to Wear The Jacket will be shared evenly by both the Tipsters for the duration of their dual reign. Both their names will be in The Jacket, and both of them will come up with a better tie- breaker system than this one.