Survivor Pool FAQ: Everything You Need to Know

A survivor pool (also called an elimination pool, knockout pool, or last man standing pool) is a popular NFL betting game where participants select one team each week that they believe will win their game. The key rules that make survivor pools unique:

• If your selected team wins, you "survive" and advance to the next week
• If your selected team loses or ties, you're eliminated from the pool
• You can only pick each team once during the entire season
• The last participant(s) standing wins the pool

Survivor pools typically run for the entire NFL regular season (18 weeks), though many don't make it that far as participants get eliminated. The simplicity combined with the strategic depth makes survivor pools one of the most popular NFL pool formats for both casual and serious fans.

Basic Rules

• Weekly Picks: Each week, you select one NFL team you believe will win their game.
• Survival Requirement: If your team wins, you continue to the next week. If they lose or tie, you're eliminated.
• One-Time Use: You can only use each team once during the season. This forces strategic planning rather than simply picking the biggest favorite each week.
• Winner Determination: The last player(s) remaining wins the pot. If all remaining players are eliminated in the same week, most pools either split the pot among those players or have specific tiebreaker rules.

Common Variations

While the basic concept remains the same, survivor pools may have these variations:

• Multiple Picks: Some pools require selecting two or more teams each week, especially in larger pools to accelerate eliminations.
• Strike Pools: Instead of immediate elimination, you get one or two "strikes" before you're out.
• Elimination Pools: The reverse of survivor pools - you pick a team that will LOSE each week (and can only use each team once).
• Playoffs Extension: If multiple players survive the regular season, the pool continues into the playoffs.
• Buybacks: Some pools allow eliminated players to re-enter for an additional fee, usually at specific points in the season.

Finding a Pool

• Office/Friend Pools: Many workplace or friend groups organize survivor pools as a fun way to engage with the NFL season.
• Online Platforms: Websites like Yahoo, ESPN, and CBS Sports offer survivor pool options, both free and paid varieties.
• Dedicated Apps: Several apps, including Spreadwise, provide specialized tools for managing and optimizing your survivor pool experience.

What to Know Before Joining

• Entry Fee: Know how much it costs to enter and what percentage goes to the prize pool.
• Payout Structure: Understand how winnings are distributed (winner-take-all or tiered prizes).
• Specific Rules: Confirm the exact rules, including how ties are handled, deadline for picks, and any unique variations.
• Pool Size: Larger pools offer bigger prizes but lower odds of winning. Smaller pools give you better winning chances but smaller payouts.

Key Strategic Concepts

• Don't Just Pick the Biggest Favorite: Since you can only use each team once, saving powerhouse teams for later can be crucial.
• Consider Future Value: Top teams are valuable resources to save for tough weeks later in the season.
• Home Field Advantage: Home teams typically have a slight edge, especially in evenly matched games.
• Public Percentages: Understanding which teams are popular picks each week can inform contrarian strategies.
• Week-to-Week Planning: Look at least 2-3 weeks ahead to optimize your selection pathway.

• Saving Teams Too Long: Waiting for the "perfect" week to use a strong team can backfire if you get eliminated before using them.
• Ignoring Matchups: Even weaker teams can be good picks against particularly bad opponents.
• Overlooking Divisional Games: Divisional matchups are often more competitive than the teams' records suggest.
• Getting Too Cute: Sometimes picking the obvious favorite is the right move, especially in early weeks.

Understanding Pool Dynamics

• Pool Size Impact: In larger pools, contrarian picks can offer strategic advantages as the season progresses.
• Leveraging Game Theory: If you know which teams others are likely to pick, you can gain an edge by differentiating when appropriate.
• Risk vs. Reward Balance: Early in the season, prioritize survival; as the field narrows, calculated risks may become necessary.

Using Data and Tools

• Betting Lines: Vegas spreads provide valuable information about game expectations.
• Algorithmic Approaches: Mathematical models can help optimize your pick sequence through the season.
• Injury Reports: Stay updated on key player injuries that might impact game outcomes.

In most survivor pools, a tie counts as an elimination, just like a loss. However, some pools have special rules for ties, so always check your specific pool's regulations before joining.

Teams rarely tie in the NFL since the introduction of modified overtime rules, but it does happen occasionally – making this a crucial rule to understand before making your picks.

While both are popular NFL betting pools, they have significant differences:

Survivor Pools

• Pick one team per week to win (no point spread)
• Can only use each team once per season
• You're eliminated if your pick loses
• Goal is to be the last person remaining

Pick'em Pools

• Pick winners for every game each week (sometimes against the spread)
• Can pick the same teams repeatedly throughout the season
• Points accumulate throughout the season
• Winner is determined by highest point total at season's end

Survivor pools typically require more long-term strategy because of the one-time-use rule, while pick'em pools focus more on weekly analysis of all matchups. Pick'em pools also allow you to remain competitive all season regardless of individual bad weeks, whereas one bad pick in a survivor pool ends your run.