Bracket pools, explained
Everyone picks every game. The tournament does the grading.
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How does a bracket pool work?
The commissioner sets up a single-elimination bracket — 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64 teams, any tournament. Before the first game, every player fills out a complete bracket: tap a team to advance it, round after round, all the way to a champion. When the commissioner locks the pool, everyone's picks are frozen and the real games take over.
How is it scored?
A correct first-round pick is worth 1 point, doubling every round — 2 in the second round, 4 in the quarterfinals and so on. In an 8-team bracket the championship pick alone is worth 4; in a 64-team bracket it's worth 32. Late rounds decide bracket pools, which is why a busted first round never kills you — and why everyone watches the final like their name is on it.
What if my champion gets knocked out early?
You keep every point you've already earned, and the standings show your max possible — the points your surviving picks can still reach. Watching your max-possible column melt while your rival's holds is the authentic bracket-pool experience.
Who advances the real winners?
The commissioner taps the real winner of each game as the tournament plays out — every bracket in the pool rescored instantly. Tapping the wrong team? Tap again to undo. Works for any tournament, televised or not: pro playoffs, college tournaments, the office foosball bracket.
How do you join?
Open the pool link, type your name, fill your bracket. Add your email if you want your private bracket link sent to you. No app, no account — a full 64-team bracket takes about three minutes.
What do winners get?
Bragging rights and the crown. KickoffPools never collects, holds, or pays out money and never awards prizes — it keeps score, that's it.
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