SPORTS PICKERThe Sports Picker blog
Tips for running a pool, strategy for every format, and the occasional strong opinion about tiebreakers.
How to Run an NFL Pick'em Pool: A Commissioner's Checklist
Everything a first-time commissioner needs: choosing a format, setting lock times, handling late picks, tiebreakers, prizes and keeping the group chat fun.
Strategy · 5 minSurvivor Pool Strategy: When to Use the Best Teams
How to think about a survivor pool: saving strong teams, avoiding the most popular pick, planning ahead with the schedule, and what changes with strikes and double-pick weeks.
Formats · 4 minConfidence Pool vs. Straight Pick'em: Which Should Your Group Run?
The difference between a confidence pool and a straight pick'em pool, how each one scores, and which kind of group each one suits.
Formats · 4 minAgainst the Spread Pick'em Explained (No Betting Required)
What a point spread is, how covering and pushes work, how over/under picks are graded, and how to run an against-the-spread pool with friends without anyone placing a bet.
Formats · 5 minMarch Madness Bracket Scoring: Which System Is Fairest?
Common March Madness bracket pool scoring systems compared: doubling points per round, upset bonuses and flat scoring, with the tradeoffs of each.
College football · 4 minRunning a College Football Pick'em Pool: Top 25, Rivalry Week and Bowls
How to run a college football pick'em pool: which games to include, handling a huge Saturday slate, rivalry week, bowl season and the College Football Playoff.
NBA · 4 minHow to Run an NBA Pick'em Pool When There Are Games Every Night
Tips for an NBA pick'em pool: grouping games into weeks, letting players skip games, handling rest days and turning the playoffs into a bracket.
NHL · 3 minNHL Pick'em Pool Tips: Overtime, Back-to-Backs and the Stanley Cup Bracket
How to run an NHL pick'em pool: weekly picks, why upsets are common in hockey, the puck line, and running a Stanley Cup playoff bracket.
MLB · 4 minHow to Run an MLB Pick'em Pool That Lasts All Summer
Tips for a baseball pick'em pool: weekly picks over a long season, starting pitchers, rainouts, a second-half pool, and picking every October series.
Soccer · 4 minSoccer Prediction Pools: Picking Draws, Predicting Scores and Running a World Cup Pool
How to run a soccer prediction pool for the Premier League, MLS, Champions League or the World Cup, including how to handle draws and score predictions.
Golf · 4 minGolf Pool Formats Explained: Pick One Golfer, Tiers and One-and-Done
The three most popular golf pool formats compared: pick one golfer per tournament, tier pools, and one-and-done, plus tips for the majors.
NASCAR & F1 · 3 minNASCAR and F1 Pools: How to Pick a Driver Every Race
How a racing pool works for NASCAR and Formula 1: points by finish, one-and-done strategy, track types, and keeping a long season interesting.
Your own league · 3 minHow to Run a Pick'em Pool for Your Rec League or Local Team
Run a pick'em pool for a league ESPN does not cover: a rec league, a high school, a club team or a new pro league. Getting the schedule in and keeping scores up to date.