FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Everything leagues ask before their first season. For the complete rulebook, read how survivor pools work.

Is Outlast Pool really free?

Yes. Creating a pool, joining one, making picks, and automatic grading are all free, for any pool size. If your league plays for money, the entry fees flow directly between players — Outlast Pool just helps track who has paid.

How do survivor pools work?

Each entry picks one team to win each week, straight up — an NFL team in a survivor pool, an NBA team in a knockout pool. A win advances you, a loss eliminates you (or costs a life), and you can never pick the same team twice in a season. The last entry standing wins. See the full rules page for every variation.

Do you run NBA pools too?

Yes. Each pool picks its league when it's created: an NFL survivor pool or an NBA knockout pool. NBA pools play the same way — one team to win each week — over Monday-to-Sunday weeks of the NBA regular season, which starts October 20, 2026.

How do NBA weeks work if teams play several games?

Each NBA pool week runs Monday through Sunday, Eastern time. Since a team plays three or four times in that span, your pick names one specific game, and that game decides whether you survive the week.

Does Outlast Pool handle the money?

No — and that's deliberate. Commissioners set the entry fee and their Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App handle; Outlast Pool tracks who has paid and gives players a pre-filled payment link. The money itself never touches the platform.

When do picks lock?

Your pool chooses one of three styles: each pick locks at its own game's kickoff (the default — you can edit a Sunday pick until Sunday), everything locks when the week's main slate starts (picks on earlier games lock at their own kickoff), or every pick locks at the week's first game, usually Thursday night in the NFL.

What happens if I forget to make a pick?

That's up to your pool's missed-pick rule: elimination (the default), a strike, or an automatic pick. Auto-pick pools assign the strongest available team you haven't used once the week's first game kicks off.

What happens if my team ties?

Pools handle the NFL's rare tied games one of three ways: a tie counts as a loss (most common), a win, or a push where the week simply doesn't count against you. Either way, the team you picked is used for the season.

Can I have more than one entry?

If your commissioner allows it. Pools can cap entries per person (one is the default) and cap total entries. Each entry survives or dies on its own picks.

Can I get back in after I'm eliminated?

Only in pools that allow buybacks. The commissioner sets the buyback window (for example, through week 6), the fee, and how many re-entries each player gets. After the deadline, eliminations are final.

How are results graded?

Automatically. Outlast Pool syncs NFL schedules and scores, locks picks at kickoff, and grades every result — wins, strikes, mulligans, eliminations, standings — with no commissioner spreadsheet work. Results for the week are finalized by Tuesday morning.

How many people do I need for a pool?

There's no minimum or maximum. Survivor pools get more fun with size — eliminations week one are part of the charm — but a six-person pool with two lives each plays great too.

Still have a question? Email support@outlastpool.com.