How to Make a Football Game Pool

Football game pools can be fun for serious fans and casual observers alike. Predicting sports results is not an exact science, and having a vast knowledge of the sport does not necessarily guarantee success. Essentially, everyone has an equal shot. Oftentimes, the pool winner is the person in the office who has no clue about the intricacies of the match-ups. There are numerous pool options, from complex betting procedures to simple "predict the winner" games.

Instructions

    • 1

      Gauge the interest level among your friends and co-workers. How seriously everyone follows the sport will factor in to which type of competition you opt for. For example, if you are in the company of lifelong fans, you may want to consider a higher stakes pool where complicated point spreads are factored in and educated guesses can be rewarded. On the flip side, casual observers who are just interested in the fun of the competition may prefer a simpler format, such as guessing the score or merely picking the results.

    • 2

      Ensure that the pool is legal in both the office and your state. Most jurisdictions allow a pool if all of the proceeds are paid back to the participants. If the pool is based in a work environment, be sure that your employer has approved the competition.

    • 3

      Decide on the rules of the pool. Establish a points system and tie-breaking procedure. Map out playoff qualifications, if applicable. All of the details need to be clearly written and easily understood to avoid any confusion at the end of the season. Decide on the entry fee. When you have the total number of participants, determine a payout scale.

    • 4

      Send out invitations with the rules and a deadline for submission. Late arrivals tend to complicate the scoring process so stick to the deadline.

    • 5

      Maintain everyone's excitement by ensuring that everyone has a legitimate chance of winning something. One way to do this is to offer weekly prizes as well as the end-of-the-season payouts. Football pools lose their luster when only one or two people are interested. Be mindful to keep it competitive, but not too much so.