Pick 'em Pools
The simplest way to compete — pick winners straight-up or against the spread and climb the leaderboard.
How It Works
A Pick 'em Pool is the most straightforward fantasy format. Each week, you pick the winner of every game on the schedule. Get it right, you earn a win. Get it wrong, you take a loss. The pool member with the best record at the end of the season (or contest period) wins.
Commissioners can configure the pool to use straight-up picks (just pick the winner) or point spread picks (the favorite must win by more than the spread). Point spread pools add a layer of difficulty and tend to tighten the leaderboard.
Pick 'em Pools are perfect for casual fans and hardcore analysts alike — easy to understand, difficult to master over a full season.
Format Types
Straight-Up
Simply pick which team will win each game. No point spreads, no handicaps. The team that scores more points wins, and you earn a correct pick.
Against the Spread
Pick winners with the point spread applied. If a team is favored by 7, they must win by more than 7 for your pick to count. Levels the playing field and rewards sharper analysis.
Commissioner Settings
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Pick Type | Straight-up (pick the winner) or Against the Spread (pick with point spread applied). Default: Straight-up. |
| Lock Picks | When picks lock — at the start of the first game, a designated day/time, or individually per game kickoff. Default: individual game lock. |
| Hide Picks | Controls when pool members can see others' picks. Options: after last game starts, or after each game locks. |
| Weekly Picks Optional | Allows members to skip weeks. Default: mandatory. |
| Number of Picks Per Week | How many games require picks each week. Default: all games. |
| Max Autopicks | How many times Atlas will auto-submit picks for members who miss the deadline. Default: 0. |
| Maximum Double Plays | Number of games per week that can be flagged as Double Plays for 2× credit. Default: 0. |
| Drop Weeks | Number of worst weeks to drop from the overall record. Default: 0. |
| Extend Into Playoffs | Whether the pool continues through the playoffs. Default: regular season only. |
| Tie-handling | How to handle tied games. Options: award all a win, all a loss, or count as half. Default: award all a win. |
Strategy Tips
- 1Respect the spread. In ATS pools, public favorites often have inflated lines. Look for value in underdogs getting too many points.
- 2Track your hit rate. Over a full season, 60%+ accuracy in ATS pools is elite. Don't chase perfection — chase consistency.
- 3Use Double Plays wisely. If your pool allows them, save Double Plays for games where you have the highest conviction — not just the biggest favorite.