Wow, how clever! What should I do?

Should I reward clever rule-bending? Or does this change the nature of the experiment?

I need to think about this... But I like how you think, @Scroogey!

Edit: Lol @ Gemini's analysis:

The Game Becomes a Cesspool of Confusion and Resentment
If this strategy becomes common, the social experiment will degrade into a frustrating experience for all involved:

For regular players: The game becomes impossible to win. They follow the rules as written, but a hidden, retroactive winner appears out of nowhere, making them feel foolish and cheated.

For players using the strategy: The game becomes an anxiety-ridden high-stakes race where you are blind to your competitors' moves. You're constantly checking your profile, paranoid that another hidden player is about to pull the rug out from under you.

For you, the host: The game's integrity is shattered. You are left to arbitrate disputes and explain a bizarre, meta-level of play that most participants don't even know exists. Your experiment, which was supposed to be simple and transparent, becomes opaque and confusing.

Wait, so comments that aren't paid not expire? @ek

If this is how you're going to play then I'll just comment more frequently and nobody will ever win. At this point, nobody will win with your automated comments and trickery anyway.

I always wondered how the timing works on posts or comments that are delayed.

I suppose we do need clarification on which of these times counts as comment creation.