MadSquares!
Beat the Spread Pool - Rules
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There is a maximum of 64 players/teams. The play-in games do not count.
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Each entry costs $100
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Entries cannot be saved or reserved. They are sold as first come, first serve.
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Each entry must be registered through the Sign-Up page
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Each entry will be randomly assigned to a Region and Seed. The Selection Committee will fill it in with a team on Selection Sunday (if full at that time).
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If you purchase multiple entries, I will place them in different regions, alternating sides of the bracket as they are drawn, to prevent your teams from playing each other
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The spreads will lock before the day's first game (Source for spreads: ESPN). At that time, I will fill in the Bracket on this website, so you can see every game's spread. The spread will not change. The spread for the current game will be located on the following round (see In-Progress Bracket example below).
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The time in which the spreads lock will vary depending on my availability to update the website.
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Your team must beat the spread to move forward in the bracket (see Scenarios below).
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If there is a push (where a game ends exactly on the spread). The person who owns the winning team will move forward with their team.
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Your payout will be determined on which round you are eliminated (ex. In the Elite 8, your team loses the game and does not cover the Spread, you would get paid $250 and be eliminated).
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$200 from pot is removed for Web/Admin fees
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Payouts will be dispersed at the end of the tournament.
SCENARIOS
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You win the game and cover the Spread: You move forward with your team
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You lose the game, but you cover the Spread: You move forward with your opponent's team
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You win the game, but you don't cover the Spread: You are eliminated and your opponent moves forward with your team
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You lose the game and you don't cover the Spread: You are eliminated and your opponent moves forward with their team
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You win the game, but land exactly on the Spread: Your opponent is eliminated and you move forward with your team. Tie goes to winning team
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You lose the game, but land exactly on the Spread: You are eliminated and your opponent moves forward with their team. Tie goes to winning team
In-Progress Bracket example of how it works
In the example below... games were currently in the Sweet 16. The East and West Regions were completed, the South and Midwest we're being played that day.
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In the South Region, Houston is favored to beat Duke by 4.5 points. If Houston wins by 5 or more, SAJP2025 2 would move forward to the Elite 8 with Houston. If Houston wins
by 4 or less, JCBP 2 would move forward with Houston. If Duke wins, JCBP 2 would move forward with Duke.
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In the East Region, Illinois had covered the spread vs Iowa State, meaning Hatchy moved on to the Elite 8 with Illinois. Lottery Lovers (with Iowa State) has been highlighted green
which indicates they have been eliminated, but have won the value of that round ($150 in this example).
Payouts (If all 64 teams are filled) - Official Payouts to be determined
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Sweet 16: $150 - 8 winners
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Elite Eight: $250 - 4 winners
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Final Four: $500 - 2 winners
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Runner-Up: $1,000 - 1 winner
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Champion: $2,000 - 1 winner