Use public pools when you want discovery
Public pools are useful when you want friends, coworkers, or a broader community to find the pool without asking for a direct link.
They work best with a clear pool name, a reasonable member limit, and rules that are easy for new players to understand.
Use private pools for tighter control
Private pools are better for family groups, office pools, and invite-only contests. A password gives commissioners more control over who joins.
Send the invite link and password separately when possible. It reduces accidental sharing and makes it easier to close the door before Week 1.
Close invites once the pool starts
A survivor pool should stop accepting new members once its configured start week begins. Late entries can create fairness problems because early risk has already passed.
The cleanest setup is to invite everyone early, open the pool, and let the invite button disappear automatically after the pool starts.