To the extent that we can know anything about this event at all, we must rely on the oral testimony of Daniels (1979); such are the limits of the historical method.

We learn from this account that the Devil "was in a bind because he was way behind, and willing to make a deal." It has not come down to us exactly why the Prince of Lies could ever have fallen behind his own schedule, or what schedule that even was in the first place, but certainly this willingness to gamble the souls of men on trivial events is totally in keeping with the character of Old Nick. I might also add that no one ever lost money by assuming that The Deceiver was out there looking for yet another soul to add to his collection...

Though this is not direct evidence, I'd like to reference Walter Hill's 1986 documentary Crossroads. Here, we see the Devil supporting musical duels for the prize of musician's souls. While this is in the case of blues music, it is certainly in the realm of possibility that the Devil could be induced towards similar wagers while he was visiting Georgia.