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NFL Pick'em: FAQ's
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Written by Abbey
Updated over 7 months ago

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Q: What is the deadline for pool members to enter picks each week?

A: Commissioners currently have two options on when the pick sheet locks:

1. The first scheduled kickoff of the week (usually Thursday evening).

2. Sundays at 1:00pm Eastern time. This is the option we recommend, as members often forget to pick the early game(s). With this option, they can still pick up any Sunday games.


Q: When can pool members start to enter their picks each week?

A: Members may make their picks as soon as point spreads are entered for a week, which can vary from pool to pool depending on the pool settings.


Q: What game is used for the tie-breaker if there is NO Monday night game or there are two Monday night games?

A: The last scheduled game of the week will be used and indicated on the pick sheet.


Q: How can I change my entry name that appears in the reports/leaderboard?

A: Entry names can be changed on your entries page within the pool, every members has access to do this.

Navigate to the 'Your Picks' tab and click the 3 dots and select 'rename entry' link next to the entry you would like to change.


Q: What happens if a game is cancelled or postponed to a future week?

A: If a game is cancelled or postponed to a future week, it will be removed from the schedule, along with all picks for that game. If you are using confidence points in your pool, all point values will be shifted up to fill in the gap of the cancelled game.


Q: Does the pool deadline change if there is an early game for the week (For example, a Thursday game in week 1)?

A: This depends on your settings.

Commissioners with their deadline set to the first game of the week will have their pick sheet lock all games when the first game starts ... even if it's an early game.

For commissioners with their deadline set to Sundays at 1:00pm ET, members must pick the early games prior to scheduled kickoff. However, they will be able to make changes to later games even after the early games have been played. For example, a member can go in and make a pick change on Saturday for a Sunday game, but would not be able to change a game played on Thursday at that time.

Please note that if your deadline is set to Sundays at 1pm ET, any early Sunday morning games will be treated the same as Thursday games.


Q: I'm trying to pick just the early game(s) for a week, but the pick sheet won't let me. Is this a site error?

A: No, that is the correct behavior for the pick sheet. We require that you completely fill out each week's pick sheet before submitting it. You may, however, go back and modify your picks up until you pool's deadline. At that time, no pick entries or modifications can be made.


Q: My players like to see who everyone has picked going into the weekend. Do you have a report that does this?

A: Yes. Once the weekly pick entry deadline has passed, pool members will be have access to everyone's picks for that week.


Q: What is a pool member forgets to enter their picks for the week?

A: 1. Early game missed
If a member misses an early game (e.g., Thursday or Saturday game), he or she can still make picks for all games not yet played, up until the scheduled kickoff of the first Sunday game. If the commissioner has setup an automatic pick handler, the picksheet will show the automatic pick(s) for the missed games. Note: This does NOT apply to pool's with deadlines of the first game of the week.

OR 2. Post-deadline pick entry
Commissioners can use the 'Player Pick Maintenance' option in the Commissioner Console to enter picks for their members after the deadline.

OR

3. Automatic pick handler
When setting up a pool, Pool Commissioner's have the option to decide how to handle entries with no picks.

They can choose to do nothing and calculate standings without picks made, or choose from several automated pick entry systems in which picks will be automatically made for pool members who do not get them in before the weekly deadline.


Q: When are the Standings (And other reports) updated?

A: Most updates will occur within minutes of the conclusion of each game, however due to the nature of the internet, we make no guarantee about the exact time an update will take place.


Q: When do your point spread pools end?

A: We give you the option to run your pool through the regular season only or all the way through the Super Bowl.

If you choose to run your pool through the post-season, you also have the option to set how many wins each post-season win will count for.


Q: Do I need to enter the point spreads myself for my pool each week?

A: No. In fact, we recommend that you use the site's point spreads.

You have the option to enter your own point spreads or use the point spreads assigned by the web site. The site's point spreads are entered on Tuesdays.


Q: What can I user for a weekly tie-breaker?

A: We have found that the most popular weekly tiebreak, by a wide margin, is the combined point total of both teams on Monday Night Football. Therefore, the Pool Commissioner has the option of requiring his or her pool members to enter this point total each week.

This option is available when setting up your pool, however it can be changed at any time via the 'Edit Pool Settings' link in the Commissioner Console.


Q: When do I pay for my pool?

A: We allow you to run your NFL pool for free through the first week of the NFL season. Once the first game is updated in Week 2, you will be required to make payment in order to continue to use the pool management service. On screen prompts, at that time, will ask you to pay if you have not already done so.

You can pay for your pool at any time, however, we strongly recommend you pay ONLY AFTER ALL YOUR MEMBERS HAVE JOINED. Paying for your pool will cap your member limit, preventing new members from joining when your limit has been reached (unless you decide to upgrade and pay for a block of additional members at a higher per member rate).

Only Pool Commissioners will be allowed to make payment for their pools. The payment link can be found in the Commissioner Console.


Q: What game is used for the Tie-breaker if there is NO Monday night game or there are two Monday night games?

A: The last scheduled game of the week will be used and that is indicated on the pick sheet.


Q: Can I add a members for them after the pick deadline?

A: Yes. To do so, follow these steps:

1. If they did not join yet, click the 'Add a Member' link under Commissioner Console --> Member Management.
2. Click the 'Member Pick Maintenance' link in the Commissioner Console.
3. Follow the instructions on screen.


Q: How does the site determine a winner using the tie-breaker?

A: The site will indicate the player(s) whose tiebreak selection is closest to the combined total of the last game of the week, as indicated on the pick sheet. (NOTE: It is the tiebreak value closest to the actual value, NOT closest without going over)


Q: Does RYP send weekly pick reminders to participants?

A: Your members can opt-in to weekly reminders sent by the RunYourPool service. The option is available at the top of their entries page.

By default, this option is turned off. We do not allow pool commissioners to turn this on for all participants, as that would increase the likelihood of emails from our email address being marked as spam.


Q: The point spread is wrong for a specific NFL game. Why?

A: While it is possible a point spread was entered incorrectly, most often the line has changed since it was entered (usually on Tuesday mornings).

Point spreads, once entered in the system, are not changed. It would not be fair to change them for people who already entered picks for the game.


Q: Can I see my pool standings and results from a previous year?

A: Yes. Go to Reports --> Pool History


Q: How do I change/update my pool name?

A: Go to your commissioner console --> pool settings --> basic settings --> pool name.


Q: Can I edit the "pool duration" of the season?

A: Yes. You can have your pool only go for the regular season or you can have it go through the entire season + playoffs and super bowl. Go to your commissioner console --> pool settings --> format settings --> update pool duration


Q: If I start a pool late, can I still make picks?

A: Yes. Once you start a pool, you will be able to start that specific week or any future week.


Q: What if I only want my members to pick a few games, how can I change that?

A: Go to your commissioner console --> pool settings --> format settings --> change pick requirement to that amount of games you and your members want to pick.


Q: If a member forgets to make picks, can I turn on auto-picks?

A: Yes. Go to your commissioner console --> pool settings --> format settings --> update auto-picks.


Q: How do I change my scoring?

A: You will go to your commissioner console --> pool settings --> scoring settings --> update your points there.

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