Introduction
Football pool, also known as “pick ’em pool” or “survivor pool,” is a type of betting or gambling game in which participants pick the winning team of a series of professional or college football games. The goal of the game is to correctly pick the winning team in each game and earn points based on the accuracy of your picks. The participant with the most points at the end of the season is declared the winner.
Origin of Football Pool
The origins of football pool can be traced back to the early 20th century in the United Kingdom. The game is believed to have first been played in Liverpool, England in the 1920s, where it was known as “Littlewood’s Pools.”
The game was created by John Moores, a business man from Liverpool, who was inspired by the football pools that were popular in the United Kingdom at the time. Pools at that time were a betting game in which players would buy a “coupon” that listed a number of football matches, and players would predict the outcome of those matches. If their predictions were correct, they would win a share of a prize pool that was funded by the sale of the coupons.
In 1923, Moores decided to create a new version of the football pools that would be more accessible to the general public. He set up Littlewood’s Pools, which offered a simpler format that only required players to predict the outcome of a smaller number of football matches each week. The game was a huge success and soon spread throughout the United Kingdom and beyond.
Football pool continued to grow in popularity throughout the 20th century, and it is estimated that by the 1960s, there were more than 28 million players in the United Kingdom. The game also spread to other countries, particularly in Europe and South America, where it is known as “quiniela” or “lottery football.”
Nowadays, there are many different variations of football pool available, from the traditional “straight pool” to the more complex “confidence pool” and even online pools. But the origin of football pool can be traced back to the early 20th century in the United Kingdom, where it was created by John Moores, who set up Littlewood’s Pools in 1923 as a new and simpler version of the football pools that were popular at the time.
Variations of Football Pool
There are several different variations of football pool, but the most common form is the “straight pool,” in which participants simply pick the winning team of each game.
Another popular variation is the “confidence pool,” in which participants rank their picks in order of confidence. In this format, a participant will earn more points for picking a winning team that they have ranked higher in their confidence list.
One important aspect of football pool is the concept of a “spread.” A spread is a point differential used to even out the playing field between two teams. For example, if the New England Patriots are playing the Cleveland Browns and the Patriots are considered the stronger team, the spread may be set at 10 points. This means that in order for a participant in a football pool to correctly pick the Patriots, they must win by more than 10 points. If a participant picks the Browns, they will win the pick if the Browns either win the game or lose by less than 10 points.
Another variation of football pool is the “suicide pool.” In a suicide pool, participants pick one team to win each week, but can only use each team once throughout the season. If a participant’s team loses, they are eliminated from the pool. The last person remaining in the pool is the winner.
In addition to traditional football pools, there are also various online platforms and apps that allow users to participate in football pools. These platforms often have additional features such as live scoring, customizable pool rules, and the ability to join pools with friends or participate in public pools.
Another important thing to consider is to keep track of the record of the team over the time, injuries of the key players, the weather conditions and even the head coach of the team can have an impact on the game. By using this kind of information, you can have a better idea of the outcome of the game.
There are also pools that do not have entry fees, these are called “free pools” and these pools are used mostly by friend and family as a fun way to enjoy the games together.
It’s also important to remember that when participating in any form of gambling, it’s important to set a budget for yourself and stick to it. Gambling should always be done in a responsible manner and never chase losses.
Football pool is a popular and exciting way to enjoy the football season. With various variations such as straight pool, confidence pool, suicide pool, and free pools, there is something for everyone. By understanding the rules and regulations of the pool, tracking the record and conditions of the teams, setting a budget, and also participating on responsible way, you can have a fun and enjoyable experience while also having the chance to win some money.
How does Football Pool work?
In a traditional football pool, participants typically pay an entry fee to enter the game. The collected entry fees are then used as the prize for the winner or winners of the pool. In addition to the entry fee, some pools may also charge an administrative fee to cover the cost of running the pool.
Once the pool is set up, participants will usually receive a list of games that are scheduled for the upcoming football season. They can then make their picks for each game, either by hand or through an online platform. It is important to note that most football pools do not allow participants to change their picks once the games have begun.
Once the games are played, the pool administrator will keep track of the results and update the standings for all the participants. Football pool typically works by having participants pay an entry fee to enter the game, which is then used as the prize for the winner or winners of the pool. Once the pool is set up, participants receive a list of games that are scheduled for the upcoming football season and then make their picks for each game. The pool administrator then keeps track of the results and updates the standings for all the participants. Points are usually awarded for correctly picking the winning team, with additional points being awarded for picking the winning team with higher confidence or fewer picks.
What is Treble Chance?
A treble chance is a type of betting market offered by some bookmakers, particularly in the United Kingdom. In a treble chance, the goal is to correctly predict the outcome of three selected football matches. Instead of betting on the individual match results, you bet on a combination of results, increasing your chances of winning the bet.
The treble chance betting market offers three options for the outcome of the three matches:
- Home win: You predict that the home team will win all three matches.
- Away win: You predict that the away team will win all three matches.
- Draw: You predict that the matches will end in a draw in all three matches.
You place a bet on one of these three outcomes and if the result of the three matches match the outcome you selected, you win the bet.
It is also possible to place a treble chance on a combination of wins, draws and loses, this is sometimes called the “Double chance treble” and the option to bet on a home win or draw, away win or draw, and home or away win. This gives you a greater chance of winning, but the odds will be lower than a traditional treble chance.
Historic wins recorded in Football Pool
There have been many historic wins in the history of football pool, but some of the most notable include:
1. In 1961, Viv Nicholson, a young mother from Castleford, West Yorkshire, won £152,319 (equivalent to over £5 million in today’s money) from the football pools. The win made headlines across the United Kingdom and led to her becoming one of the most well-known figures in the country at the time. She famously declared that she would “spend, spend, spend” the money, but unfortunately, ended up losing the majority of it due to poor financial management.
2. In 1987, Fred and Lesley Higgins, a couple from Scotland, won £3.5 million from the football pools. The win made them the biggest football pool winners in history at the time, and they used the money to pay off their debts and invest in property.
3. In 2011, a group of friends from a Liverpool pub won £45.5 million from the football pools, the biggest ever win in UK pools history. The group had been playing the pools together for over 25 years, and the win allowed them to retire early and make significant investments in their families and communities.
4. In 2014, a man from Leicestershire won £10 million on the football pools and decided to use a portion of the money to help good causes, including donating to a local hospice and a charity for children with cancer.
These are just a few examples of some of the most notable wins in the history of football pool. While it’s rare for one person or group to win such large sums, many people have won substantial amounts of money by correctly predicting the outcomes of football matches.
It’s important to note that while the chance of winning such a large amount of money is low, but the excitement of participating in a football pool can be a great way to enjoy the sport and have fun with friends and family.
Notable events & incidents in Football Pool
One of the most interesting events in the history of football pools was the “Treble Chance” win of 1961. The Treble Chance pools required players to predict the outcomes of three matches, and a group of engineers from West Bromwich, Staffordshire managed to correctly predict all three matches, winning a then-record jackpot of £152,319.
Another interesting incident was in 1978, a group of workers from a printing company in North London known as the “Cantelowes Six”, won a then-record £1.5 million from a football pools win. The win made headlines and led to a change in the way pools were taxed in the UK.
- In more recent times, an online football pools site called “Omg!” went out of business in 2011 after failing to payout £4.4m to winners. This incident caused controversy as it led many people to lose their winnings and also raised questions about the regulation of online pools.
- In 2019, a pool organizer in India, was arrested for cheating hundreds of people out of crores of rupees in a soccer pool. The arrest brought attention to the lack of regulation in this area and the importance of being careful when participating in such activities.
- Furthermore, Football pool operators need to be licensed and their games regulated to ensure the integrity and transparency of the games. In some places, like UK and Canada, the games are regulated by specific bodies to ensure that consumers are protected and that the games are fair.
These are just a few examples of interesting events and incidents that have occurred in the history of football pools. While the game can be a fun and exciting way to enjoy football, it’s important to always participate in a legal and regulated environment and to be aware of the potential risks involved.
Best strategy to win at Football Pool
There is no one “best” way to play football pool, as it depends on personal preference and the specific rules and format of the pool. However, there are some general tips that can help increase your chances of winning:
1. Research the teams: Before making your picks, research the teams that are playing. This includes looking at their record, key players, and any injuries or other factors that may affect the outcome of the game.
2. Keep track of the odds: Bookmakers will often offer odds on the outcome of each game. These odds can be a useful guide to the likelihood of a team winning, and by following the odds, you can gain insight into the likelihood of the potential outcomes.
3. Play the long game: Instead of trying to win big in one week, try to be consistent over the course of the season. By being consistent, you increase your chances of winning eventually.
4. Don’t chase losses: If you have a losing week, don’t try to make up for it by increasing your bets the next week. This is a surefire way to lose more money.
5. Join a group or a pool: Joining a group or pool with friends and family can be a fun and enjoyable way to play. You can share tips, discuss matches and get support from each other.
6. Consider free pools: If you are new to football pools, consider joining a free pool. This way you can learn the ropes and gain experience before deciding to invest money in a paid pool.
7. Responsible gambling: Always remember to play responsibly, gambling should not be used as a way to make money and it’s important to set limits on the money and time you spend.
8. Follow the rules: Make sure you understand the rules and format of the pool you are participating in, this can vary greatly depending on the organizer and country.
9. Football pools can be a fun and exciting way to enjoy the sport, but it’s important to participate in a responsible and safe manner. This includes being aware of the risks involved, setting a budget, and being aware of the laws and regulations of your area. Researching the teams, keeping track of the odds, playing the long game and not chasing losses are also some ways to increase your chances of winning. If you’re new to football pools, consider joining a free pool to gain experience before investing money in a paid pool.
10. It is also important to remember that gambling should never be used as a way to make money and one should be responsible in participating in any gambling activities. If you ever feel that gambling is becoming a problem, it’s important to seek help.
11. As always, I recommend double checking the rules and regulations of the pool you want to join, as it can vary in different places. I hope this information was useful and I wish you the best of luck with your football pool!
Risks involved in Football Pool
There are several risks involved with football pool, including the following:
1. Financial Risk: Football pool is a form of gambling, and there is always a risk of losing money. It’s important to set a budget for yourself and stick to it, and never chase losses.
2. Legal Risk: Football pool is illegal in some places, and participating in an illegal activity can lead to legal problems. It’s important to be aware of the laws and regulations of your area regarding gambling and ensure that you are participating in a legal activity.
3. Addiction Risk: Gambling addiction is a serious problem, and football pool can be addictive for some people. It’s important to be aware of the signs of addiction and to seek help if necessary.
4. Scams: Unfortunately, there have been cases of football pool scams, where people have lost money to fraudulent activities. It’s important to be careful when participating in pools and to ensure that you are participating in a legitimate and regulated activity.
5. Privacy Risk: if you are participating in an online pool, there may be a risk of personal information being shared without your consent or even stolen by malicious third parties. It’s important to ensure the security of personal information by only sharing it with legitimate and trusted sites or organizers.
6. The possibility of biased or fixed matches: There have been instances where the outcome of a game is predetermined, which can make the betting process unfair and can cause a serious financial loss.
It’s important to be aware of these risks and to participate in football pool in a responsible and safe manner. This includes setting a budget, being aware of the laws and regulations of your area, and being cautious of possible scams. It’s also important to remember that gambling should never be used as a way to make money and one should be responsible in participating in any gambling activities.
Reminder: It is important to include a reminder that gambling can be addictive and it is important to gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, it’s important to seek help. Additionally, It’s important to be aware of the laws and regulations of your area regarding gambling, ensure that you are participating in a legal and regulated activity. In some places, gambling is illegal and participating in an illegal activity can lead to legal problems. Also, as a reminder, it is important to set a budget for yourself and stick to it, and never chase losses.
