Know the format.
First determine whether the contest uses teams once, permits repeats or grades selections against the spread.
Contest Guide
Survivor Contest Rules and Guide
Make Your Pick. Survive. Keep Playing.
What is a Survivor contest?
A Survivor contest, also called a Survivor pool or elimination pool, is a sports prediction competition where players make a qualifying selection in each contest period and try to remain in the competition. A successful selection keeps an entry alive; an unsuccessful selection can eliminate it under the contest rules.
At BracketContest, Survivor contests are primarily based on NFL games and selected college football conferences. Depending on the contest, you may use a team once, repeat teams, or make selections against a point spread.
How does a Survivor contest work?
Choose a contest.
Review the format, eligible games, entry terms, schedule, deadlines, elimination rules and prizes.
Select an eligible team.
Make the required pick for the contest period. In a standard format, players generally pick a team to win. Against the Spread contests use the applicable point spread.
Submit your pick.
Confirm your selection before the stated deadline or game lock time.
Follow the result.
If the selection meets the contest requirements, the entry remains eligible. An unsuccessful selection can eliminate it.
Pick again.
If your entry survives, make another qualifying selection for the next period. Continue according to the contest schedule and rules.
Follow the final result.
The contest rules determine when the competition ends, how remaining or eliminated entries are ranked and how prizes are awarded.
Survivor contest rules at BracketContest.ag
The following sections explain the core formats. The individual contest listing and official rules provide the controlling details, including eligible games, lock times, entry requirements, grading, elimination and prizes.
Make an eligible selection
Select one eligible team for the contest period and submit your pick before the weekly games start. You can change your selection until the start of the weekly games. An entry with a missed pick, including a late entry that missed a required pick, is eliminated.
Survive and advance
A selection that satisfies the contest’s requirement keeps the entry eligible for the next period. In a standard winner-based contest, that generally means selecting a team that wins. In Against the Spread Survivor, the pick must satisfy the designated point spread. An unsuccessful pick can eliminate an entry under the applicable rules.
Team reuse
Classic Survivor requires your team to win and permits each team to be used only once. Repeat Survivor requires your team to win and permits teams to be reused. Against the Spread Survivor requires your team to cover the spread and permits teams to be reused.
Contest end and prizes
The contest rules explain its schedule, when it ends and how final standings and prizes are determined. Tied entries split the applicable prizes. If all remaining entries lose in the same contest period, those entries tie and split the applicable prizes.
Unusual results and missed picks
A missed pick, including a missed pick caused by a late entry, eliminates the entry. Tied games count as losses in winner-based contests, and ATS pushes count as losses. A cancelled game eliminates the entry. A postponed game counts if it is played within the same contest period, usually a week; if it is played after that period, the entry is eliminated.
Three Survivor formats explained
1. Classic Survivor
In a use-a-team-once contest, each entry may select a particular team only once during the competition. If an entry selects Kansas City in Week 1 and survives, Kansas City is no longer available to that entry in a later contest period. The entry must choose another eligible team.
This format requires two decisions: which team gives you a good chance to survive now, and which teams you may want to keep available for future weeks.
The example below is for illustration. Team names and matchups are hypothetical, and actual eligible teams and results depend on the contest.
| Period | Pick | Result in example | Future availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Team A | Wins; entry advances | Team A has been used |
| Week 2 | Team B | Wins; entry advances | Teams A and B have been used |
| Week 3 | Team C | Wins; entry advances | Teams A, B and C have been used |
An entry that survives each period has fewer unused teams available as the contest continues. Saving a strong team for later may be useful, but it also means choosing another team that must succeed now.
2. Repeat Survivor
In a Repeat Survivor contest, players select a team to win and may use the same eligible team more than once. For example, an entry could select Team A in Week 1 and select Team A again in Week 3 if both games are eligible and the contest permits it.
Without a one-use restriction, the focus shifts toward choosing a qualifying team for each period. Reusing a team does not guarantee it will win or satisfy the contest’s selection requirement.
3. Against the Spread Survivor
Against the Spread, or ATS, Survivor requires the selection to cover the contest’s point spread. Teams may be reused. A team can win the game but fail to cover the spread. An ATS push counts as a loss and the entry is eliminated.
Suppose Team A is favored by 7½ points and you select Team A. If Team A wins by 10 points, it covers the spread. If Team A wins by 3 points, it wins the game but does not cover. The applicable contest rules determine the line used, grading and any exceptions.
Suppose Team B is a 7½-point underdog and you select Team B. Team B covers if it wins the game or loses by 7 points or fewer. If it loses by 8 points, it does not cover. A whole-number spread can produce a push; a push counts as a loss and eliminates the entry.
NFL Survivor contests
NFL Survivor contests use eligible NFL games, typically with a weekly selection schedule. Players follow their selected team and try to remain eligible from one contest period to the next. In a use-a-team-once contest, teams already selected by an entry are unavailable for later picks.
Before selecting, check the contest period, eligible games and the time the weekly games start. NFL Survivor offers Classic, ATS and Repeat formats; review the listing for the applicable rules.
College football Survivor contests
College football Survivor contests may use games involving selected conferences. Each contest identifies the eligible teams, games and selection periods. Players should check those details because an attractive matchup may not be included in the contest.
How do you win a Survivor contest?
The goal is to continue making qualifying selections and remain eligible under the contest rules. The contest schedule and rules determine when play ends and final standings are set. Tied entries split the applicable prizes.
If all remaining entries lose in the same contest period, they tie and split the applicable prizes. For example, if three entries are the final survivors and all three lose in the same week, they tie and each receives an equal share of the applicable prizes. The individual contest listing describes the available prizes.
Free-to-play Survivor contests
Free-to-play contests can use Bracket Contest Points (BCP) for entry. A standard free contest entry costs 20 BCP; review each contest for its actual entry cost and prizes. BCP program rules explain how points are earned, purchased and redeemed.
BracketContest.ag offers free-to-play contests. Review the listing for the BCP entry cost, available prizes, eligibility, schedule and contest rules. Availability varies by event and location.
Survivor strategy
Balance this week and future weeks.
In a use-a-team-once contest, consider future matchups before using a team. An entry must still survive the current period for a future plan to matter.
Research matchups.
Review recent performance, injuries, player availability, opponent strength, rest, schedule and weather. No single factor guarantees a result.
Understand popular picks.
A heavily selected favorite can eliminate many entries if it loses. A popular selection may still be reasonable; popularity alone does not determine the result.
Check the line in ATS contests.
Use the line designated by the contest when evaluating your selection. Odds shown elsewhere can change and may differ from the line used for grading.
Verify your submission.
Check that your pick is eligible and has been submitted before the deadline.
There is no guaranteed winning strategy. Sports outcomes are uncertain.
Survivor compared with other contests
Survivor: Make a qualifying selection each contest period and try to avoid elimination. Some formats restrict reuse of teams.
Pick’em: Make selections from a group of games or events and generally earn points for correct picks. An incorrect pick does not necessarily eliminate an entry.
Bracket contest: Predict the progression of an interconnected tournament through the championship, generally completing the bracket before it locks.
Frequently asked questions
What is an NFL Survivor pool?
It is a Survivor contest using eligible NFL games. Entries make selections during designated periods and try to stay alive under the contest rules.
Can I pick the same team twice?
In Classic Survivor, a team can be used only once. Teams may be reused in both ATS and Repeat Survivor.
What is Against the Spread Survivor?
It is a Survivor format in which selections must cover the designated point spread. Teams may be reused, and an ATS push counts as a loss.
What happens if my team loses?
In a standard winner-based Survivor contest, an unsuccessful selection can eliminate your entry. Consult the specific contest rules for grading and exceptions.
What if I miss the deadline?
A missed pick eliminates the entry. This also applies when a late entry has missed a required pick. You may change your pick until the start of the weekly games.
What happens if a game ties or an ATS pick pushes?
A tied game in a winner-based contest and a push in an ATS contest count as losses and eliminate the entry.
What happens if a game is postponed or cancelled?
A postponed game counts if played within the same contest period, usually a week. If it is played after that period, or if it is cancelled, the entry is eliminated.
How long does a Survivor contest last?
The length depends on the contest schedule and ending rules. Some contests can continue for multiple periods.
What happens if players tie?
Tied entries split the applicable prizes. If all remaining entries lose in the same contest period, they tie and split those prizes equally.
Are Survivor contests free?
BracketContest.ag offers free-to-play contests using BCP. A standard free entry costs 20 BCP; check the listing for its terms and eligibility.
Can I play college football Survivor?
Contests may be offered for selected college football conferences. Check the listings for current availability and eligible games.
Ready to play Survivor?
Choose a contest, review the rules and eligible games, and submit your selection before the deadline. Follow the result and see whether your entry advances.