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Q: What are the rules for the Bracket pool?
A: This is the pool format most people are familiar with:
Members pick all 63 games of the NCAA tournament (15 games if you run a Sweet 16 pool).
Points are awarded for each winning pick.
Points values increase as the tournament progresses (points per round are configurable by the Pool Commissioner).
The winning team is the team with the most points at the end of the NCAA Tournament.
Q: Whats the easiest way to setup this pool?
A: Let us show you how easy we make running your College Basketball Tournament pool:
Step 1 - Setup your pool
In less than 5 minutes, you provide us with all the information we need to run your pool for you. Supply us with your contact information, a pool password, and your customized pool settings.
Step 2 - Invite your pool members
After setting up your pool, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from runyourpool.com. This email contains a pre-formatted section that you can simply forward to the people that you'd like to join your pool. It contains a link and all the information they need to join.
Step 3 - Fill out brackets
Your pool members are provided with a bulletproof bracket submission form. No more incomplete or illegible brackets, and absolutely NO work for you, as the Pool commissioner, to do.
Step 4 - Enjoy the Tournament!
We take over from there. Your pool standings and all other reports are updated in near real-time as games conclude
Q: How can I use member groups option?
A: Frequently, pool commissioners want the ability to put members into different groupings or divisions. In an office pool, for example, it might be fun to have a contest between departments. Simply assign members to the correct departement (or whatever grouping works for your pool) and we'll track the statistics and standings of each individual group so you can compare them.
Q: How can I change my entry name that appears in reports?
A: Entry names can be changed on your entries page within the pool. Click on the appropriate pool membership on your Pool Memberships page. Once in the pool, navigate to the 'Your Picks' tab and click the 'rename' link next to the entry you would like to change.
Q: How do I make my bracket picks?
A: Picks for NCAA Tournament pools are made using our bracket pick sheet. The pick sheet is, obviously, only available once the teams have been determined on Selection Sunday
Simply click on the team name to have them advance to the next round. This pick sheet ensures that pool members can not submit a form with picks missing or conflicting game winners.
You can test this functionality by viewing our Sample NCAA Bracket Picksheet.
Q: When will I be able to make my picks?
A: You will be able to submit picks shortly after the teams are announced on 'Selection Sunday'.
Q: When do I pay for my pool?
A: We allow you to run your NCAA Tournament pool for free through the first day of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. Once the first game of day 2 of the tournament is updated, you will be required to make payment in order to continue to use the pool management service.
You can pay for the service anytime before then, also. However, we recommend you pay only AFTER your pool's pick deadline has passed. This will ensure that you are purchasing the correct number of bracket entries, as all (or almost all) your members' pool entries will have been submitted by that time.
If you choose to pay in advance, please make sure to pick the payment tier that is the right size for your needs (which may NOT be the current pricing tier you are in). You may upgrade your service later by purchasing additional bracket entries or paying the price difference to upgrade to the next tier.
A Pay Pool Fee link will be available in the Commissioner Console.
NOTE: Only Pool Commissioners will be allowed to make payment for their pools.
Q: How many bracket entries can I submit?
A: This depends on your pool settings. Commissioners can configure your pool to allow multiple entries or just a single entry. It's always a good idea to check with your Commissioner.
Q: How frequently are tournament results ad my pool's reports updated?
A: The results and reports are updated after each game is completed in real-time, at which point your reports are cached. If you make changes in between games you may need to wait for the next game to be updated before your changes will be reflected in the reports.
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: Is the winner of the "combined points" tie-breaker the person closest to the actual combined score or of the closest without going over?
A: The closest to the actual score, regardless of whether or not their tiebreak value is less than or more than the actual score.
Q: Can I prevent pool members from submitting more than one bracket entry?
A: There is a pool setting that allows you to prevent multiple brackets from the same account. You will go to your commissioner console > pool settings > basic settings > maximum entries per member:
Q: Can I close my pool so nobody can create new entries?
A: Yes, you will go to your commissioner console > pool settings > basic settings > prevent new entries:
Q: Do pool member's pick the "play-in" games?
A: No. The play-in games are not part of a bracket submission. When members are filling out their bracket they will see a placeholder value entitled 'Play-In Winner', which can be picked just like any other team. When the play-in winner has been decided, this will be replaced with the winning team.
Q: Can I add a member's picks 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: Can I customize the pick deadline?
A: No, all picks must be in by the start of the tournament. Your bracket submission deadline can no longer be changed as the tournament is underway. If you still need to submit brackets, you can do so from your administrator account under Commissioner Console -> Member Pick Maintenance.
Q: Can I see my pools standings and results from previous years.
A: Yes. Go to Reports --> Pool History
Q: Can I start a Sweet 16 pool from my current pool?
A: Yes, you will go to your commissioner console > select "Start a sweet 16 pool"
Q: What if I have members that have the same tie-breaker, do you have an additional tie-breaker?
A: If your pool requires additional tiebreak rules, the site will NOT automatically implement them and you will need to communicate them to your members.
Q: What is seed bonus?
A: Bonus points can be awarded in your pool based on the seed (team ranking) of each correct pick a member has.
Q: Do I need to add a seed bonus to my pool?
A: No, we have multiple options you can choose from:
Q: Can I change the points for a win each round?
A: Yes. Go to your commissioner console > pool setting > scoring setting. These values can not be changed after the tournament begins.
Q: Why is my pool locked?
A: Your pool is locked due to you have not paid for your pool by the payment deadline. Once you pay for your pool, you and your members will have access again to the pool.
Q: My members are seeing a message that pool needs to be reset, but my pool is available and active, whats going on?
A: Your member might be viewing the incorrect pool, please make sure they have the correct link to your pool. You can send them a link at any time by going to your commissioner console > invite instructions > new member (works for new & old members) > copy and send link out.
Q: Where can I print my filled out bracket?
A: You will go to "Your Bracket" tab and click the 3 dots > select "Print"
Q: How can I print a EMPTY/BLANK bracket?
A: You will go to "Your Bracket" tab and select "Print blank bracket"
Q: Do you have special reports to help me?
A: Yes, you will go to your "Reports" tab and select the option you are looking for:
Q: How can I view other members picks?
A: You will go to Reports > Leaderboard > click into a members entry to view their bracket:
