Office pools can build a sense of community inside of the workplace. However, not everyone is up to the administrative task of keeping track of the numbers. Some groups might consider using a pool host platform instead of spending time figuring out who’s going to manage the group’s Excel spreadsheet. Simplify these tasks, and keep the focus on having fun.
Overview of Free Online Pool Hosting Platforms
Why not choose an online platform to host your next office pool? This is an important decision; it can affect the experience for your group. You’re probably looking for a user-friendly site that provides everything you need with a minimal amount of effort. So, we decided to create a quick guide to get you familiar with the core features at Poolhost.com.
What is PoolHost.com?
PoolHost is a platform that we founded in 2000, and it’s located in Southern California. The platform is designed to make it easy for users to manage office pools for a variety of games and sports. The most popular sports include professional football, college basketball, MLB, college bowl, world cup and more. Once you join the PoolHost platform, you can create a new pool with a single click!
What are the services offered?
This site offers one key service; it takes the pain out of managing an office pool. This leaves you with more time to enjoy the many ways that hosting an office pool can make the workplace a bit more fun. Make sure to check out the other support services available to help you create a seamless experience for your next office pool.
How to join or create a new pool?
At PoolHost, the core features are found in the tabs. This area gives users the ability to instantly join or create a pool. Options for the type of pools are listed right as soon as you join the site. There is a Create New button below each pool option.
Starting a new pool will make you the administrator for that group. This gives you one point of contact for entering all the information about each player’s pick for the current week. You can see all previous picks from the same location.
Anyone already involved in an office pool will appreciate the services found in the Menu tab:
Join a public pool: Just click on the Pool Tools tab; join a public pool. All the available pools will appear in list form with a Join Now button right next to each one.
Join a private pool: The private pools are protected by a password to ensure optimal security.
Create a pool: Start a new pool anytime you wish; the maximum number allowed is four pools per person.
Examples of existing pools include NFL Pick’em, Confidence Pools, Survivor Pools, College Bracket Pools, Super Bowl Squares, NFL Playoff Ranking, College Bowl Pick’em and others. Each pool lists all of the options that are relevant to that particular group. Some pools allow you to start at any time even if it’s in the middle of the season, for example. Other options listed might include bonuses, point spreads, deadline enforcement and other details.
Are there support services?
Yes. There is a range of support services that keep you informed and updated. Support tools help you to manage the pool and keep everyone on the same page. There is a message board that can be used by pool members. News items, casual conversations and even spicy exchanges may show up here.
How does it work?
After you register for an account, you will be instantly taken to the Home page. The first thing you will notice is a panel of three tabs that allows you to create, join or manage your pools. The simple layout allows you to quickly feel right at home.
The first thing you’ll see is a news bulletin with any hot items of interest for the day. This is the area where you might find the announcement of a new championship victory, for example.
Scroll down a little, and you can submit a vote on your favorite pick based on polling results. A message board becomes visible when you scroll down the page a little more. This comment section has the familiar layout of any social media site.
On the top right side of the page, you will see the familiar Menu tab. This opens up a drop-down menu where you can see the simplicity of this site at work. You can select the My Pools, Pool Tools or Schedule/Scores/Stats tab.
The tab for My Pools will simply show you all the pools that you’ve joined. The Pool Tools tab gives you access to more options. This is the place where you can create a pool or join an existing pool. The public and private pools are listed here. You can also leave or delete a pool from this tab.
The last tab in the menu gives you a complete set of stats, scores and schedules. This is the information panel you need to manage every aspect of the pool. Compare different teams, review past NCAA champions, or review the point spreads; all this information is accessible with a single click.
Just the FAQs, man
Topics like live scoring, round weights, bonuses and important site rules can all be found in the FAQs section of the website. We understand that not everyone is savvy on the details of how an office pool works, but this shouldn’t deter you from hosting your first pool today. We break it all down for you, so you can run your next office pool like a pro. All you have to do is jump in feet first, and get started.
How much does it cost?
PoolHost.com is absolutely free! We do encourage potential users to make an account to see how simple and easy the site is to use. If you wish to make a donation to support the website, the ads will disappear as a courtesy; this will create a more enjoyable online environment, but it’s not required.
How to get started?
It’s totally easy to get started. Just sign up with a valid email address. The site is very simple and easy to navigate. In fact, it was built with simplicity and ease of use in mind. That’s why we added a Help menu. If you have any questions, always check the FAQs first.
You might want to know how many people are allowed into a pool. The FAQs page answers the question; up to 200 people can join a pool, for example. You can also learn how to manage your message box, pool settings, edit user information, transfer an existing pool from another site and much more.
Final thoughts on joining PoolHost.com
Take your time getting familiar with the site before adding people to your pool. Being relaxed can really make your newest members feel more comfortable joining. But don’t worry, everything on the site is really easy to use. Knowing the problems in managing an office pool enabled us to build an intuitive website that reduces the load on you. After all, even pool managers deserve to enjoy a bit of fun after hours. Create your account today; it’s free and easy to use.
