What is a Pick'em pool?
A Pick'em pool is a group game where everyone predicts winners for a set of games, usually every NFL game that week. You can play for bragging rights, a small buy-in, or just for fun with friends, family, or coworkers.
- You do: choose teams before kickoff.
- The pool does: track results, points, and standings automatically.
- The season does: give you a fresh shot every week.
Related
Want more strategy? Confidence pools add weighted points to your picks.
Why people love Pick'em
- It makes every game matter. Even a random afternoon matchup becomes something you care about.
- It's beginner-friendly. You do not need to know point spreads, fantasy projections, or advanced stats.
- It's social. Picks spark friendly trash talk, group chats, and weekly debates.
- You can recover. A bad week hurts, but it does not eliminate you for the season.
How it works
Here is the basic loop you will repeat all season:
The 2 most common Pick'em formats
1) Straight Up (Winner Only)
The classic: pick the team that will win the game. Each correct pick is worth 1 point. This is the best format for first-timers.
2) Against the Spread (ATS)
Instead of picking the outright winner, you are picking whether a team will cover the point spread. ATS levels the playing field because favorites are not automatic picks. They have to win by enough.
Want the full version? Read more about how pool spreads work, including why weekly spreads are set once at the beginning of the week and do not change after that.
Quick example
KC -6.5 vs DEN +6.5
If KC wins by 7+, KC covers. If KC wins by 6 or less, or loses, DEN covers.
Beginner tips
- Start simple: Straight Up is the easiest format to learn.
- Respect the deadline: picks are usually due by the first game, but some pools lock before each game's kickoff.
- Do not overthink it: your goal is not perfect picks. It is beating your friends.
Ready to try it with your group?