Use this before invites go out
Need a set of survivor pool rules you can send to your group? Use this template as-is or customize it for your pool.
The most important thing is to make the rules clear before players join. Once picks start, changing rules can create trust problems fast.
Basic rules
Each participant selects one NFL team to win its game each week. If the selected team wins, that entry advances to the next week.
If the selected team loses, that entry uses a mulligan when one remains or is eliminated when none remain. Teams may only be used once during the regular season. The last remaining alive entry wins the pool.
Pick deadlines
All picks must be submitted before the weekly deadline. Commissioners can choose fixed weekly deadlines, such as Sunday at 1:00 PM ET, or rolling kickoff locks where each game locks at kickoff.
Late picks should not be accepted unless your rules clearly say otherwise. The cleaner rule is to decide the deadline format up front and apply it the same way for every entry.
Tie games
Commissioners choose before the season whether an official NFL tie counts as a win or a loss. That choice applies to every entry for the full season.
Tie rules seem minor until one actually happens. Put the rule in writing before Week 1 so there is no argument later.
Multiple entries and double-pick weeks
If your pool allows multiple entries, each participant may have up to the number of entries set by the commissioner. Each entry should be treated independently with its own picks, standings position, and elimination status.
During designated double-pick weeks, each alive entry must submit two different teams. Each pick is graded separately, so each loss uses a mulligan or moves the entry toward elimination.
Missed picks and winner rules
If an entry has no pick at the deadline, Survive Sunday grades it as a loss. That loss uses a mulligan when one remains or eliminates the entry when none remain.
The last remaining alive entry is declared the winner. If every remaining entry loses in the same week, they all stay alive for the following week and their losing teams still count as used.
Make the rules easier to enforce
Want these rules enforced automatically? Create your pool on Survive Sunday and let the platform handle locks, standings, used teams, and elimination tracking.