NBA Pick'Em: How It Works and How to Run Your Own Pool
NBA pick'em in one minute
NBA pick em is a prediction game. You pick the winner of each game, correct picks earn points, and the leaderboard decides who wins.
There are two ways to play. You can enter a public game run by a league or a sports site, which has its own rules. Or you can run a private pool with friends or coworkers. For a public game, check that game's own site for its rules and cost. To compete for bragging rights against people you actually know, jump to the private pool comparison or go straight to a free NBA pick'em pool.
Public NBA pick'em games vs a private pool with friends
A public game puts you in a big crowd of strangers. That suits you if you want to see how your picks rank against everyone. Rules, formats and cost are set by whoever runs the game, so read them before you sign up. We can't speak for how any other game works.
A private pool is a different thing. You pick the group. You see exactly who you beat. And the person you beat is the one who sits near you at work.
| Public NBA pick'em game | Private pool on Trofeo.live | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Fans who want to play in a big open crowd | Friend groups, office groups, team events |
| Who you compete against | Whoever else enters | The people you invite |
| Who runs it | The league or site behind it | You, as the organizer |
| What it costs | Set by that game - check its rules | Free up to 10 players per pool, one-time fee per pool for larger groups |
| Your own group | Check that game's rules | Yes, share one link |
Neither is better in every case. They answer different questions. A public game asks how you rank against everyone. A private pool asks who in your group chat is actually good.
How an NBA pick'em pool works
Trofeo.live is the free sports prediction game for friends and coworkers: create a pool, predict winners and scores, and watch the live leaderboard decide who gets bragging rights.
The format is plain:
- Pick winners. In pick'em, you pick every game's winner. One point per correct pick.
- Add scores, sometimes. Some formats add score predictions, depending on the Pool format.
- Lock before the action. Picks are submitted before the action starts and are public. A kickoff lock stops late changes.
- Auto-grading. Picks are graded for you. Scoring uses prediction points (PP).
- Live leaderboard. Standings update automatically as results come in.
That means nobody keeps a spreadsheet. Nobody argues about who said what. Public picks mean the receipts are already there.
For the NBA specifics, see the free NBA pick'em pool page. For the general format across sports, see the pick'em pool maker.
How to run an NBA pick'em pool in a few steps
- Create a pool. Sign up as the organizer and choose the pick'em format. The free NBA pick'em pool page shows what is on offer for basketball.
- Share one link. There is no app to install. It runs in the browser. Players tap the link, set a name and join. They need no account.
- Let players make picks. Picks go in before the lock. The platform grades them.
- Watch the leaderboard. It updates live, with no manual scoring.
- Turn on notifications. Updates can go to WhatsApp, Slack, Teams, Telegram and email.
On the Friends plan you can also set custom colors and fonts, so the pool can look like your group instead of a generic form.
What it costs (and who pays)
Every pool is free up to 10 players. The cap applies per pool. Players never pay. The organizer covers the pool.
Larger groups pay once per pool. There is no subscription and no auto-renewal. Checkout is via Stripe.
| Player limit | One-time price per pool |
|---|---|
| Up to 10 | Free |
| Up to 15 | $10 |
| Up to 25 | $15 |
| Up to 50 | $25 |
| Up to 100 | $50 |
| Up to 1,000 | $100 |
| Up to 5,000 | $250 |
| Up to 10,000 | $500 |
The Business plan adds your own logo (replacing Trofeo.live) and removes the "Powered by Trofeo.live" badge. You can raise the player limit any time. Brands and custom needs go through a quote, and there is no public price. The Brands plan adds a custom domain, white-label, more than 10,000 players and priority support.
Full details are on the one-time per-pool pricing page.
Bragging rights, not betting
Trofeo.live is about bragging rights, not betting. The platform handles no money at all.
That suits workplaces. An office NBA pool can run without the platform touching money, and without HR wondering what they signed off on. Friends get the same thing: they play for bragging rights, and Trofeo.live handles no money.
The prize is simple. The winner gets to be insufferable in the group chat until the next tournament.
NBA Cup, playoffs and other basketball you can predict
Pick'em is not only a regular-season thing. A few places to start:
- NBA Cup is on the site as a tournament.
- NBA Playoffs 2025-26 is completed. You can still see how it played out.
- WNBA Playoffs are listed too.
- Printing a bracket? Use the free printable NBA playoff bracket. It needs no login.
Don't see your event? Unlisted events can be requested through /contact. Custom tournaments are quoted per request.
How Trofeo.live compares with other pool hosts
There are plenty of hosts for private pools. RunYourPool, OfficePoolStop and Playoff Pick'Ems are three names you will run into when you search. Formats, limits and pricing change, so check each site for current details before you commit.
Here is where others win:
- RunYourPool has a long history and a wide range of formats.
- OfficePoolStop offers free hosting for pick'em, survivor and bracket pools.
- Playoff Pick'Ems also offers up to 10 players free.
Here is what Trofeo.live is going for:
- One link to join, and no app.
- Players never pay.
- Pay once per pool, with no subscription.
- Any sport or tournament, not just the NFL.
For a broader look, see the best free pick'em pool apps comparison.
FAQ
What is NBA pick'em?
NBA pick'em is a game where you pick the winner of each game. Correct picks earn points, and a leaderboard shows who is ahead. You can enter a public game or run a private pool with your own group.
Is NBA pick'em free?
Public games set their own rules and costs, so check the game you want to enter. On Trofeo.live, every pool is free up to 10 players, and players never pay.
How do I play NBA pick'em with friends or coworkers?
Create a pool, choose the pick'em format and share one link. Players set a name to join. Picks are graded automatically and the leaderboard updates live.
What is the difference between the official NBA pick'em and a private pool?
A game run by a league or site has its own rules, and you compete against whoever enters. A private pool is run by you, and you compete against the group you invite.
How does scoring work in an NBA pick'em pool?
In pick'em you pick every game's winner and earn one point per correct pick. Scoring uses prediction points (PP). Some formats add score predictions, depending on the Pool format.
Do my friends need an app or an account to join?
No. Trofeo.live runs in the browser with nothing to install. Players tap the shared link and set a name to join.
How many players can join a free NBA pick'em pool?
Up to 10 players per pool. The cap applies to every pool you create. Larger groups can pay a one-time fee per pool.
Can I run an NBA pick'em pool at work without betting?
Yes. Trofeo.live is a game of bragging rights, and the platform handles no money. That keeps an office pool simple.
Can I pick NBA Cup or playoff games in a pool?
The NBA Cup is on the site. The NBA Playoffs 2025-26 pool is completed, and WNBA Playoffs are listed. If your event is not listed, request it through the contact page.
How much does a bigger pool cost, and does each player pay?
Players never pay. The organizer pays once per pool: $10 for up to 15 players, $15 for 25, $25 for 50, $50 for 100, $100 for 1,000, $250 for 5,000 and $500 for 10,000. There is no subscription.
Start your pool
Spin up a free NBA pick'em pool, share one link in the group chat, and let the live leaderboard sort out who has bragging rights. Free up to 10 players, no app, players never pay.
Trofeo.live is from Common Ninja.