Skip to main content

NCAA March Madness Bracket Pool: FAQ

Abbey avatar
Written by Abbey
Updated today

Q: What are the rules for a Bracket Pool?

  • Members pick all 63 games of the NCAA Tournament (or 15 games if you run a Sweet 16 pool).

  • Points are awarded for each correct pick, with values increasing each round.

  • The pool commissioner can customize point values by round.

  • The entry with the most points at the end of the tournament wins.


Q: How do I set up a Bracket Pool?
Step 1: Create your pool on RYP in under 5 minutes with your settings.
Step 2: Invite members using the link provided in your confirmation email.
Step 3: Members fill out their bracket using our user-friendly pick sheet.
Step 4: Enjoy the tournament! RYP will handle scoring, reporting, and standings in real-time.


Q: How do members make their bracket picks?

  • Log in to your account

  • Click on your pool

  • Go to Your Bracket

  • Use the interactive pick sheet (available after Selection Sunday)


Q: Where can I print my bracket?

  • Go to Your Bracket

  • Click the three-dot menu

  • Select Print

Q: How can I print a blank bracket?

  • Go to Your Bracket

  • Select Print Blank Entry


Q: Can I group members into departments/divisions?
Yes! Go to Commissioner Console > Member Groups to set up groupings. Results will display for each group in reports.


Q: Where is the leaderboard?
Go to Reports > Leaderboard.


Q: Do you have a scenario generator?
Yes — Reports > Scenario Generator.


Q: How can I view other members’ brackets?
Reports > Leaderboard > click on an entry.


Q: Can I export the leaderboard?
Yes. Go to Reports > Leaderboard > Export.


Q: How do I invite members?
Commissioner Console > Invite Instructions > New Member > copy link and send.


Q: Can I limit members to one entry?
Yes. Go to Commissioner Console > Pool Settings > Basic Settings > Max Entries Per Member.


Q: Can I change the pick deadline?
No, you cannot set the pick deadline after the first Thursday game of the tournament.


Q: Can I manually enter picks for a member who missed the deadline?
Yes, under Commissioner Console > Member Pick Maintenance.


Q: Is there a tie-breaker?
Yes — the combined points of the championship game. Enable or disable it under Pool Settings > Pick Settings > Tie-Breaker.


Q: Can I move a member’s bracket to another pool?
No. Have the member join the correct pool, or the commissioner can add their picks if before the pick deadline.


Q: Can I customize scoring?
Yes. Go to Pool Settings > Scoring Settings.


Q: Can I add seed bonuses?
Yes. Go to Pool Settings > Scoring Settings > Seed Bonus.


Q: When and how do I pay?
Payment is due after the first day of tournament play. Pay anytime before then in the Commissioner Console > Pay Pool Fee.


Q: Can I start a Sweet 16 pool from my current bracket pool?
Yes, free of charge, via Commissioner Console > Start Sweet 16 Pool.


Q: Can I prevent duplicate entries?
You can limit entries per account, but cannot stop people from creating multiple accounts.


Q: Are play-in games picked?
No. Members choose “play-in winner” placeholders for those spots.


Q: When can I make picks?
Shortly after Selection Sunday.


Q: How many bracket entries can I have?
It depends on your pool’s settings.


Q: How often are results updated?
In near real-time after each game.


Q: Is the tie-breaker closest to the actual score or closest without going over?
Closest to the actual score, regardless of going over.


Q: Can I close my pool to new entries?
Yes — Pool Settings > Basic Settings > Prevent New Entries.


Q: Can I see past pool results?
Yes — Reports > Pool History.


Q: Why is my pool locked?
You have not paid by the deadline. Pay to unlock.


Q: Members see a message that the pool needs resetting, but it’s active — what’s wrong?
They may be viewing an old pool. Send them your current pool link again.


Q: How do I view other members' picks?
Reports > Leaderboard > Click on their entry.

Did this answer your question?