An NFL Survivor League or Pool is one of the most exciting ways to experience the thrills and spills of the pro football season.
Survivor is an alternative to traditional fantasy games, and they are growing in popularity with NFL fans and bettors alike with every season that passes.
Also known as NFL Eliminator pool, NFL Knockout pool, or NFL Suicide pool, it is a great way to get more out of an NFL betting experience and compete with friends and colleagues.
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How do NFL Survivor pools work?
There is one general rule behind NFL Survivor Pools. Each week, players in the pool will choose one team to win their game.
If their choice wins, they are ‘Survivors’, and will proceed to the next week. But should it lose, they will face elimination and cannot compete for the rest of the Pool. While there are variations, with some Pools operating a multiple defeat ‘strike’ system, most run on the principle of instant elimination after a loss.
As a further twist, in most competitions any single team can only be selected once by a player for the entire year. For example, if you back the might Kansas City Chiefs to win on the first weekend, you will not be able to pick them for the rest of the season. The game may seem simple, but even skilled players can be eliminated early with an unlucky result.
Various variations can also be added to spice up the Survivor pool, including:
- Against the Spread
- Double Elimination
- Multiple Entries
- Flexible Start Weeks
What to know about NFL Survivor rules
When starting out in NFL Survivor, it is useful to have a solid grasp of the rules of the game.
NFL Survivor rules are relatively straightforward, but you can still get caught out. The most basic rule is that each player must pick one winning team each week, and will be eliminated if that team does not win.
Different pools and variations of the game will also have their own house rules, which are important to incorporate. These may include a limit on the amount of times you can pick a single team or how many unsuccessful picks it takes to be eliminated.
NFL Survivor strategies
There are several strategies for beginners and experienced players alike that can increase your chances for success in NFL Survivor.
A common pitfall is to start out blindly backing the best teams in the league. While this may see you through the start of the season, you may find yourself backed into a corner with your picks.
Players who also take into consideration peripheral factors – home field advantage, weather conditions, historical head-to-heads, and the like – are more likely to reach the decisive stages of a pool with strong picks still in their hand. Backing whoever is playing the league’s worst team is a handy shortcut to increasing your chances of a successful pick.
How to succeed in NFL Survivor pools
Historical data and trends will also help you gain an advantage in evaluating seemingly even matchups, as will the following tips:
- Plan Ahead: Map out the season and identify weeks where strong teams have favorable matchups. Save these teams for later weeks when options may be more limited.
- Avoid Over-Reliance on Top Teams: Don’t pick top teams too early in the season. Use them strategically to ensure you have strong picks in critical later weeks.
- Consider Undervalued Teams: Look for teams that are strong but may not be considered elite. These teams can provide value picks without sacrificing your best teams early on.
- Monitor Injuries and News: Stay updated on team news, injuries, and other factors that can impact game outcomes. This information can help you make more informed picks.
- Analyze Opponents’ Strategies: Consider the picks your pool opponents are likely to make. Avoid popular picks if possible to differentiate your strategy and reduce shared risk.
- Use Home-Field Advantage: Favor home teams, especially when they’re playing against weaker opponents. Home-field advantage can often be a deciding factor in tight games.
- Be Cautious with Divisional Games: Divisional games can be unpredictable due to rivalries and familiarity between teams. Avoid using top picks in these matchups if possible.
- Track Weather Conditions: Weather can significantly impact game outcomes. Be mindful of weather forecasts, especially for outdoor games in colder climates later in the season.
- Avoid Risky Picks: Don’t take unnecessary risks by picking underdogs. Focus on selecting the most likely winners each week to increase your chances of advancing.
- Use Your Picks Strategically: If you’re in a double elimination or multiple entries pool, manage your picks carefully across your entries. Diversify your picks to increase the likelihood of at least one entry surviving each week.
- Remember To Play: This may seem bizarre to include, but don’t forget to lock in your selection(s) each week! Don’t lose because you didn’t play.
How can you play?
Participating in an NFL Survivor League is much like placing a Moneyline wager, in that you are rewarding for picking outright winners each week.
The difference is that you can only pick a team once in the season, adding further nuance to your betting strategy.
Many top NFL betting sites also offer Survivor Leagues of their own and are among the most popular venues for this kind of game.
NFL Survivor FAQs
How to use a survivor grid or matrix?
Most pool operators will compile a survivor pool grid, matrix, or sheet each week, which shows each team’s win probability and the pick percentage in your pool.
These grids can help you quickly sort teams still available for selection, compare win probability and find picks with a higher expected value based on pick percentages in your pool.
Can you pick a team more than once?
While rules can vary from pool to pool, most run on the principle that players can only pick each team once over the course of the season.
Are there free NFL survivor pools?
There are many free NFL Survivor Pools available. The free pool at FanDuel offers a $100,000 prize to the winner.
