What site / software do you use for your pool?
For years I was hosting my own pool using my own developed solution. Over the years it evolved from a excel spreadsheet that people printed out, to a spreadsheet that had dropdowns that eliminated misspellings. Eventually there was code that allowed them to submit it to a SQL database hosted on the web. I had built a VB script to move all the data into a single sheet, and then a master sheet that kept track of points for everyone in the pool.
The last few years I started using/modifying open source code:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/tourney/forums/forum/1092265
I dont have time to stand up web hosting space, register a domain name, enter all the tourney teams, etc this year.
So I'm gonna open an ESPN bracket and hope everyone forgives me.
The question is this: Which sites have better feature sets. The major things ESPN / CBS used to lack (and may still, I don't know) were:
- the ability to be able to see what everyone else had picked
- the ability to predict who would win given a scenario
- the ability to determine which possible scenarios exist that each participant could finish in the top X (where you get paid.)
Is there a free site that makes this available? Is one site better than the others? Thoughts?
March 19th, 2013 at 12:50 PM ^
Pocket Bracket App. I start a pool, and depending on how many people you have (or how much you trust them) you can either enter all the brackets for everyone, or let them "join" if you give them the password (though they can modify it then...though it shows WHEN you modified it). Easy to enter, you just tap on the names, and then you can landscape it to see your whole bracket (and they'll mark off there who won and lost). Used to have only the standard 1-2-4-6-8-10 scoring, but now you can choose from a bunch or make your own. It'll also keep track how your bracket and pool is doing vs. everyone else at their site (as long as you haven't modified after the games start...then you're disqualified, but it will still keep track for you). And for those that don't have something that uses an App, they can actually check the website and find your pool and then their picks in it as well as the standings.
As for figuring out who is going to win if X happens....isn't looking at it and figuring it out part of the fun? I guess not if your pool has 300 people in it.
I just downloaded that app and signed up. How do I join a pool? Is there a spot available in yours? /self-invite
March 19th, 2013 at 12:54 PM ^
As you touched on, volume makes it difficult. I'm guessing major sites don't include the functionality as it often lets the majority of people know they have little to know chance of actually winnning after the round of 32. Causes a little loss of interest for some.
I find the opposite though, people care ALOT more when they know there are only 2 possible scenarios where they can win.. Suddenly whether or not middle yukon state community college beats western penn state technical college is very important.
but I think CBS may be a better fit for you given your last two questions.
You can see what everyone else has picked in almost all sites once the tournament starts and the picks are locked in.
I'm just thankful someone posted something earlier letting us know that you can fill out brackets!!!!
I've used CBS bracket app as well the past 5-6 years. Assuming it's in working order, I'll be using it again this year.
I personally enjoy Yahoo!'s bracket. I haven't tried another one. But I have no complaints or reasons to try others. So that is a good thing I think?
In years past yahoo has had a tool where it let you predict the outcome of games, and it would show the standings of the whole group. Thats the only one I ever use. Also I believe after the first tip off you can see who everyone picked.
I run a big pool every year through Yahoo and I've never had a problem. Has a nice scenario generator that is easy to use, most people already have yahoo usernames, and it's all-around user-friendly.
I've run a pool for about the last 8 years using printed brackets filled out by hand (and paid for in cash). I would post the brackets up on a wall, grade them after each round, and email updates to the group. It was pure. Sadly, after graduating and moving out of MI it's become too difficult, so I will no longer be running a pool.
I run my pool with runyourpool.com. There are a lot of great features, but there is a fee depending on how many members are in your pool.
The website generates many reports for your pool including: standings, who to root for, possible outcomes, final four predictions and team-by-team predictions.
It's a great site and I use it for March Madness and my NCAA Bowl pool. I have zero complaints and it compiles many cool stats for you. However, the only downside is the fee that it costs to run it. It's not that big a deal to me though because I just take out the extra money out of the winnings and in the grand scheme of things it doesn't take much out of the overall pot.
I personally use the benefits administration software for brokers developed by Tabulera. Very convenient design, and most importantly, all my necessary requirements were taken into account by the developers. I advise you to go to the official website of this company and learn more about their services.