Pool rules
The settings below are read live from the pool, so they cannot drift out of date. The original write-up follows underneath for the parts a setting cannot express.
In force for 2026
- Format
- Pick every game straight up — no point spreads.
- Key picks
- 5 a week, each worth an extra point.
- Scoring
- A correct pick is 1 point, a correct key pick 2. A tie counts half.
- Standings
- Ranked on points, not win-loss record.
- Season
- 18 weeks, regular season only — no playoffs.
- Deadline
- Sunday 10:00 AM Pacific. Games that kick off earlier close at kickoff.
- Autopicks
- If you miss a sheet the computer picks the home team in every game.
- Autopick limit
- 5 a season.
- Forgiveness
- 5 games.
- Tiebreakers
- Wins, then fewest autopicks, then key picks, then the Monday night pick, then season win%.
The Commish can change any of these; this page follows whatever they are set to.
The written rules
Carried over from OfficeFootballPool and maintained by The Commish. Last edited Sep 7, 2026.
POOL FORMAT You must pick the winners of all the NFL games each week, straight-up with no point spread. You also need to choose your "key picks" — the games you are most sure about. Key picks are worth an extra point each. The number of key picks per week is shown at the top of this page. The standings are based on your point total, not your win-loss record. POOL SCHEDULE This pool ends with the regular NFL football season and does not include playoffs. The pick deadline is Sunday morning at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern. If there are early games that week (Thursday or Saturday), you will need to pick those games BEFORE they start. However, the rest of your pick sheet will not be due until Sunday. POINTSPREADS This pool does not use point spreads. Your win-loss record is based on the 'straight-up' outcome of the games. WEEKLY STANDINGS The person with the best point total (not win-loss record) for the week is ranked first in the weekly standings. SEASON STANDINGS The person with the most points (not wins) is ranked first in the season standings. WEEKLY TIEBREAKER The weekly tiebraker rules are as follows: Weekly finish based on number of wins. Tiebreaker #1 - Wins: The most number of correct picks, wins. Tiebreaker #2 - Autopick: If the computer picked for you, you loose the tiebreaker. Tiebreaker #3 - Key Picks: Highest number of keypicks wins. Tiebreaker #4 - MNF Pick: Whoever picked the Monday Night Game right, wins. Tiebreaker #5 - Win%: Whoever has the better season winning percentage wins. Tiebreaker #6 - Coin Toss: The computer will "toss a coin" to see who wins. MISSED WEEK If you miss a week, the computer fills your sheet in. The number of autopicks allowed in a season, and the method used, are set by The Commish and shown at the top of this page. Past that allowance, a missed week scores you nothing. You can choose your own autopick method under Settings. The previous rules for missed weeks are below... Penalties for not turning in your picks are: 1st Time - 50% for the week (7-7 or 8-8) 2nd Time - 50% for the week plus an extra two game penalty (5-9 or 6-10) 3rd Time - 50% for the week plus an extra 4 game penalty (3- 11 or 4-12) 4th Time 0-14 or 0-16 for the week ARBITRATION ARBITRATION There is no whining, crying, or being babies. All protests, concerns and discrepancies will be settled by The Commish. ENTERTAINMENT AND MARKETING ONLY