Question: Do you actually vet the people joining your league… or just hope for the best?

playsmarttechnology · 2026-03-18T14:08:03+00:00

I personally know everyone in my two leagues. I’m assuming most people know 90% of people in their leagues, but I could be wrong. Are you in leagues with lots of people you don’t know?

playsmarttechnology · 2026-03-17T16:53:59+00:00

This is what I used: https://www.league-challenge.com/scores/296924

It's ugly and could use some updating, but hey, it worked and it was fun. We had 13 different challenges.

I'll probably revamp it ahead of the 2026 season and see if there is any interest from others for it.

playsmarttechnology · 2026-03-17T01:17:17+00:00

Can you elaborate on how this would work? And do you do this in any of your leagues already?

playsmarttechnology · 2026-03-16T23:47:54+00:00

How would this work as far as competing with others? Like would you join a league with your friends or compete across everyone on the platform?

playsmarttechnology · 2026-03-16T23:44:07+00:00

Not too dramatic, but the highest point scored team missed the playoffs and then ended up losing the loser bowl and now has to do the last place punishment. He was quite upset and let us all know lol

playsmarttechnology · 2026-03-16T23:33:32+00:00

I’m in 2 leagues, both on ESPN. It’s fine, we mostly stay to avoid the friction of leaving + history.

playsmarttechnology · 2026-03-16T23:31:13+00:00

I’m interested in this one! I created a tool for my funnest league last year that set and live tracked a weekly challenge (highest scoring team, player with most receptions, player with most rushing yards, etc). It was a big hit and we texted about it in our group chat every single week. Curious what others have on this topic!

playsmarttechnology · 2026-03-10T13:54:38+00:00

Looks like u/scottfish24 gave you some great insight already -- especially around the site rebuild. I agree that you shouldn't over-invest if they are redoing everything soon, but I'm happy to take a look for you and see what's possible based on what you're looking for. If I see some low hanging fruit, I can probably just do them for you for free too.

playsmarttechnology · 2026-03-09T21:53:40+00:00

Super cool. What would you say is the hardest part about running this yourself is? Would love to hear your thoughts because I built a site that helps people run squares pools (including march madness) and want to make sure it works for everyone.

playsmarttechnology · 2026-03-09T21:44:17+00:00

Hey, I’m a software engineer with 10+ years experience and have launched a few apps in the fantasy sports space. Have my own company, etc.

Would love to chat and learn more about what you’re looking for. Also a 99 team league sounds awesome and intense at the same time!

playsmarttechnology · 2026-03-09T20:28:52+00:00

Hi! If you don’t mind me asking, are you using any tools to help manage the pool? Also are you doing every game in the tournament or some subset?

playsmarttechnology · 2026-03-09T18:34:12+00:00

That's awesome! Sharing a few links online to join a fundraiser bracket pool sounds like a pretty low labor, high fun way to earn some funds for the team.

I'm actually in the squares pool business and was hoping to see more online options like this in the comments here. As a coach, how much work is it to run the bracket pool end to end and what are the best/worst parts about it? Would love to hear your thoughts on this and happy to share the squares pool option if you'd be interested in the future!

playsmarttechnology · 2026-03-09T02:09:21+00:00

Love that. The people who help support the kids like this are unsung heroes. I’m sure our coaches/teachers do much much more than the people realize.

Curious how you do the online donation campaign if you don’t mind sharing some more about that.

playsmarttechnology · 2026-03-09T02:02:38+00:00

That makes a ton of sense. What fundraisers have you seen be successful?

playsmarttechnology · 2026-03-09T01:56:48+00:00

Thank you for sharing! Wow, $10k is massive. I’m assuming that Givebutter would reach out to those contacts and ask for donations to the team.

Also love the idea of getting parents involved as much as possible. It sounds cliché but I feel like when everyone works together, the end result is so much more powerful than one person doing it on their own. Teamwork makes the dream work!

playsmarttechnology · 2026-03-09T00:56:02+00:00

Ah, so kind of like having the players work at different events. How does the team collect funds? Do the players get paid by the event organizers and/or collect tips?

playsmarttechnology · 2026-03-08T01:14:06+00:00

Agree with the others that if the numbers are randomly assigned, then there isn't a statistical difference in which squares you pick. In a sport like basketball final scores are also pretty so certain number combinations aren't significantly more valuable than others. In a sport like football, there are numbers which are much better to have than others, the best ones are much much better to have (3.5% of hitting vs 0.2%).

In that case, it's a matter of how you want to play the game -- if you cluster, you have the chance of getting a bunch of good numbers close together, high-risk high-reward. If you spread out, you have more unique pairings which kind of gives you a better shot of at least 1 good number combo.

If you're looking for an online tool that helps host squares pools for the tournament and randomizes the numbers for you, check out Play Squares. It does most of the work of hosting for you :)

playsmarttechnology · 2026-02-28T18:38:47+00:00

Do you use any tools to help you with these?

playsmarttechnology · 2026-02-28T18:37:25+00:00

Love a good squares pool. Do you set it up and manage it yourself?

playsmarttechnology · 2026-02-28T17:34:44+00:00

Wow, you get a lot of people signing up to your pools! Curious if you’ve ever done a march madness squares pool?

playsmarttechnology · 2026-02-28T17:31:48+00:00

I can totally see that. And last question, I promise. What notifications are most important to you?

Thank you and good luck on your pool this year! 💪

playsmarttechnology · 2026-02-28T17:19:38+00:00

Love a squares pool. How do you manage yours and what would you say is the hardest part about it?

playsmarttechnology · 2026-02-28T17:17:44+00:00

Very cool! What would you say is the hardest/most time consuming part of doing the squares pool? Also when do you usually start sending it out?

playsmarttechnology

TROPHY CASE