# Confidence pools and weighted pick'em: how to make later rounds count more

A confidence pool asks each entry to rank its picks by certainty; a weighted pick'em gives later rounds more points. Both reward the same thing, knowing which games you are sure of, and the second is far easier to run at the office.

## Weighted rounds (what the tool does)

- The host sets points per matchup when listing them: 1 for the wild card round, 2 for the divisional, 3 for the championship games, 4 for the final is a common ladder.
- A correct pick scores the matchup's points; the tiebreak stays the final's total.
- Add each round's matchups as they become known, so every pick is between the two teams actually playing.

## Confidence points (the harder way)

- Each entry gives every game a different confidence number, 1 to N; a correct pick scores its number.
- It needs a spreadsheet or a dedicated tool and a rule for ties in confidence; most offices move to weighted rounds after one season.

## Quick answers

**What is a confidence pool?**

A pick'em where each entry ranks its picks by certainty, 1 to N, and a correct pick scores its rank; the most confident correct picks score the most.

**How do I weight playoff rounds in a pick'em?**

Give each round's matchups more points when you list them: 1, 2, 3 and 4 points from the wild card round to the final is a common ladder; the tool scores the matchup's points per correct pick.

Start a pool: https://bikoosh.com/pools/new
Bikoosh Pools is an independent tool, not affiliated with any league, team or broadcaster; team and event names are used to describe the game being followed. Bikoosh Pools never collects, holds or pays out money and never sets stakes: it keeps the grid, the picks and the standings for people who already know each other. Whether a pool carries any stake, and whether that is allowed where you are, is the host's responsibility.