How to Win an NCAA March Madness Pool

Every year, millions of people start the NCAA March Madness tournament with the hope they will win it all in their local pools. In each tournament there seem to be several spoilers who mess up brackets for participants. The "anything can happen" aspect of the March Madness tournament is one of the things that makes it so much fun. Unfortunately, there are no foolproof secrets to winning the big pool of cash available, but there are some tactics you can use.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Do your homework early. In January, start paying attention to all of the winning teams in the NCAA.

2. Make notes on the teams you watch and check stats during January and February.

3. Look for teams having a break-out year or those that have a superstar player, an incredible coach or an effective defense.

4. Follow the perennial favorites who seem to have great years every year. Don't get stuck on these teams, but pay attention to how hot they are as the tournament approaches.

5. Pay attention to key injuries just before the tournament begins. The loss of a key player or two can end a team's chances to advance deep into the tournament.

6. Create a list of the top tier teams in the tournament and a second tier in each bracket.

7. Make a list of the teams barely making it into the tournament and teams you feel are overrated.

8. Look over the individual games between the top teams and consider the key match-ups in each game.

9. Look for hot teams ranked low that are playing against higher-ranked teams on a bit of a slide. Compare match-ups again.

10. Pick the winning teams where the match-ups significantly favor one team over the other.

11. Consider the teams in evenly matched games next and determine which team has a hot player. If one team has significantly less experience, chances are it will lose. Predict these winners next.

12. Fill out the bracket by using your notes and comparisons and then cross your fingers for the win in your NCAA March Madness pool.

Tips & Warnings

• The more people in the tournament, the harder it is to win but the greater the prizes. Play with a dozen or fewer people to increase the odds of winning.
• Play in several different pools at once to increase the odds of winning. If you win one of several pools, you can make back all of the money you have spent in entry fees and then some.
• Remember games are made up of individual match-ups, so look at whom each player will be up against in a game to win your pool.

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