Thanks for reaching out! We’re happy to help explain how this new pool format works.
👉 For more details, please visit our RYP Knowledge Base Center.
Q: What is an NBA In-Season Tournament pool?
The NBA In-Season Tournament is a new annual event debuting in the 2023–24 season, involving all 30 NBA teams. It features two stages: Group Play and the Knockout Rounds, similar to the format of the FIFA World Cup.
Q: What does Group Play mean?
30 teams are divided into six groups of five
Each team plays every other team in its group (round robin)
At the end of Group Play, the top 8 teams advance to the Knockout Round
Q: What is the Knockout Round?
The final 8 teams compete in a single-elimination bracket, much like the NCAA Basketball tournament’s “Elite Eight.”
Q: How does the In-Season Tournament pool work?
Here are the details:
✅ Pool commissioners can include both Group and Knockout Stages or just the Knockout Stage
✅ In the Group Stage, members predict the finishing positions of each team within their group — points are awarded for each correct prediction
✅ In the Knockout Stage, members pick winners for all 8 bracket games using the actual teams that advanced (NOT their group stage predictions). Brackets are completed after Group Play is over
✅ Point values for both stages are configurable by the commissioner
✅ The member with the most points at the end of the tournament wins
Most pools include the Group Stage to allow for more pick variation.
Q: Where can I turn Group Play on or off?
Go to Commissioner Console → Pool Settings → Scoring Settings → toggle Group Play ON/OFF
Q: Can I edit points awarded in the Knockout Stage?
Yes, go to Commissioner Console → Pool Settings → Scoring Settings → Knockout Stage Section, and enter the desired point values
Q: Is there a tie-breaker option?
Yes! Members can submit a combined score prediction for the championship game. The closest prediction (without worrying about going over) will break the tie.
If you have more questions, feel free to reach out to support@runyourpool.com — we’re here to help!