If you are thinking about running an office, here are a few basic considerations before you start:
1) Decide on the Event/Sport and length of pool
There are many options here but the most popular seem to be:
NFL (regular season or playoffs)
College Football (bowl season)
College Basketball (tournament)
Masters Golf (tournament)
NASCAR
MLB (regular season or playoffs)
Boxing/UFC
2) Decide on the format you will use to run your pool
Pick’em Pool – pick all the games of the regular season or playoffs using the spread or straight up.
Confidence Pool – Pick all the games, assigning a confidence score to each.
Bracket Pool – Pick all the games of a tournament.
Survivor Pool – Pick 1 winner each week or round without using the same team twice.
Squares Pool – Get assigned numbers to compare to the score of the game at certain times.
Blind Draw - Draw teams/players out of a hat
3) Decide on the forum you will use to track your pool.
Pad and Pencil
Excel Spreadsheet
Software
Website
4) Decide on the scoring system and the rules.
Against the Spread or Straight picks
Number of points per round
Keep track of winning streak
Survivor
Tie Breaker process
5) Decide on the entry fee and payout structure.
Number of spots for payout (1,2,3 or more)
Percentage payout or Set amount
6) Decide on entry fee collection and payout structure.
Collect before pool starts or After pool finishes
Cash or check
Online Pool Payout Site
Third Party (League Safe)
7) Decide on how you plan to communicate with participants
Online Pool Website
Face to Face
Standard Mail
Facebook or other Social Networking site
Online Forum site
Decide on how disputes or ties will be settled
Committee
Commish
Coin Flip
Poll or Survey
9) Decide on participants.
Private or Public Pool
Number of participants
10) Decide on how much fun you want have.
