LEAGUE FORMATS

Six ways to run
your pool.

Every format runs on the same platform — same commissioner tools, same Grid, same standings. Pick the one that fits your group.

Most Popular

ATS + Confidence

The full skill game.

Pick every NFL game against the spread and assign a unique confidence number (1–16) to each pick. Stack high confidence on your locks, low confidence on coin flips. Points earned = confidence × correct. The best handicappers rise to the top over 18 weeks.

Picks per weekAll games
ScoringConfidence 1–16 per game
SpreadATS (against the spread)
Lock timeEach game at kickoff
Max pts/week136 (1+2+…+16)
TiebreakerMNF combined score
Best for: Groups that know football. Separates the sharps from the squares by week 4.
Casual Friendly

Straight Up + Confidence

All the strategy, no spread knowledge needed.

Pick the outright winner of every game — no point spread. Assign confidence 1–16 exactly like ATS Confidence, so skill differentiation stays high. Great for groups where not everyone follows the betting market.

Picks per weekAll games
ScoringConfidence 1–16 per game
SpreadStraight up (pick the winner)
Lock timeEach game at kickoff
Max pts/week136 (1+2+…+16)
TiebreakerMNF combined score
Best for: Mixed groups — some fans, some casual. Everyone understands who wins a game.
Simple

ATS Only

One point, one game. Pick em ATS.

Pick every game against the spread for one point per correct pick. No confidence assignment — just pick the team. Fastest to fill out each week, but the week winner can change on any late game.

Picks per weekAll games
Scoring1 pt per correct ATS pick
SpreadATS (against the spread)
Lock timeEach game at kickoff
Max pts/week16
TiebreakerMNF combined score
Best for: Leagues that want a quick weekly format. Less individual game weight means more weekly drama.
Easiest

Straight Up Winners

Pick the winner. That's it.

Pick the outright winner of every game, one point for each correct pick, no spread. The simplest format on the platform. Good for very casual groups or as a secondary game within a larger league.

Picks per weekAll games
Scoring1 pt per correct pick
SpreadNone — straight winner
Lock timeEach game at kickoff
Max pts/week16
TiebreakerMNF combined score
Best for: Family pools, office leagues where most people don't follow spreads.
Strategic

Pick 5 — ATS

Five games. Choose wisely.

Pick any 5 games from the week's slate, pick them against the spread. All picks lock Friday before the Thursday night game. 1 point for a win, ½ point for a push, 0 for a loss. Game selection is its own layer of strategy — which 5 matchups do you actually have conviction on?

Picks per weekAny 5 of 16
Scoring1pt win · ½pt push · 0pt loss
SpreadATS (against the spread)
Lock timeFriday before TNF
Max pts/week5.0
TiebreakerNone needed (low ties)
Best for: Bettors and sharp handicappers. Forces conviction — no padding your slate with easy chalk.
Fun

Pick 5 — Straight Up

Five games, pick your spots.

Pick any 5 games from the week's slate, pick the outright winner of each. All picks lock Friday. 1 point for a win, ½ point for a push. Game selection and pick selection both matter — ignore the spreads entirely and bet on what you know.

Picks per weekAny 5 of 16
Scoring1pt win · ½pt push · 0pt loss
SpreadNone — straight winner
Lock timeFriday before TNF
Max pts/week5.0
TiebreakerNone needed (low ties)
Best for: Groups that want flexibility and low time commitment. Five games takes 2 minutes.

Side-by-side comparison

FeatureATS+ConfSU+ConfATSSUP5 ATSP5 SU
Spread required✓ ATS✗ SU✓ ATS✗ SU✓ ATS✗ SU
Confidence scoring✓ 1–16✓ 1–16
Games per weekAllAllAllAllAny 5Any 5
Lock timeKickoffKickoffKickoffKickoffFridayFriday
Push scoring0 pts0 pts0 pts0 pts½ pt½ pt
Time to pick~10 min~10 min~5 min~3 min~3 min~2 min
Skill ceilingHighHighMediumLowVery HighMedium

Ready to run your pool?

Pick your format when you create your league. You can change it in the commissioner panel before the season starts.