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How ChalkPicks Works

You already know standard bracket pools. Here is the twist: instead of picking every game, you draft teams, then earn points for every win they get.

What is different from normal bracket pools?

  • You do not submit one full bracket.
  • You take turns drafting real teams in a snake draft.
  • Only one player can own a team.
  • Underdogs score more per win than top seeds.
  • The leaderboard updates live as games finish.

Step-by-step

  1. 1. Create or join a pool. Pool owners can choose March Madness or a conference tournament format.
  2. 2. Fill the pool. Invite friends (up to 4 total players) or make your pool public.
  3. 3. Draft teams snake style. Order goes 1-2-3-4, then 4-3-2-1, and repeats until drafting ends.
  4. 4. Watch games and earn points. Every win by one of your drafted teams adds to your total.
  5. 5. Highest score wins. No re-drafting and no substitutions. Draft strategy matters.

How scoring works

Simple formula

Points for a win = seed value × round multiplier

Seed value: 1-4 seeds = 2, 5-8 = 4, 9-12 = 8, 13+ = 16

Round multiplier: Round 1 = 1x, then doubles each round (2x, 4x, 8x...)

Play-in games: 11-seed win = 2 pts, 16-seed win = 4 pts

Example A

Round 1 comparison

#1 seed win: 2 pts

#11 seed win: 8 pts

#14 seed win: 16 pts

Example B

Same team, deeper run

#11 wins R1: 8 pts

#11 wins R2: 16 pts

#11 wins Sweet 16: 32 pts

Subtotal: 56 pts

Example C

Underdog upside

#1 seed wins R1 + R2 = 2 + 4 = 6 pts

#12 seed wins R1 = 8 pts

One upset can outscore chalk.

Ready to get started?

Create a pool, draft your teams, and see who can build the best run.

Create Free PoolJoin a Pool