Survivor Articles: Strategy Tips To Help Win Your Pool

Featured Articles

Survivor Pool Advice for Subscribers in 2023 NFL Playoff Pools

Picks, strategy, and analysis for 2022-23 NFL playoffs survivor pools, from the Wild Card round all the way through the Super Bowl.

How to Win NFL Playoffs Survivor Pools & Knockout Pools

Our strategy guide for winning NFL playoff survivor pools walks you through key topics and insights that maximize your edge.

Survivor Pool Strategy

How to Win NFL Playoffs Survivor Pools & Knockout Pools

Our strategy guide for winning NFL playoff survivor pools walks you through key topics and insights that maximize your edge.

Survivor Strategy Guide: How to Win NFL Survivor Pools & Knockout Pools

Our strategy guide for winning NFL survivor pools walks you through key topics and insights that maximize your edge.

How to Play DraftKings Pro Football Millionaire Survivor Contest

Pick advice and strategy tips for the $1 million grand prize DraftKings Pro Football Millionaire Survivor contest in 2022.

Setting Realistic Expectations For Winning NFL Survivor Pools

To have success in survivor pools, you need to have the right approach and mentality, and understand what expectations should be.

Want To Win Your NFL Survivor Pool? Don't Just Try To Survive

It may seem obvious to say that the goal of survivor is to win the pool, but many entries do not actually play with optimal strategy.

The Holy Trinity Of Survivor Pick Strategy Data

If you want to make the best survivor picks possible, you must keep three key pieces of information in mind.

Expected Value: What It Is & Why It Matters For Survivor Pool Picks

Expected Value is the measure by which we determine how valuable each survivor pick is, looking at just that week's info.

Future Value: What It Is & Why It Matters For Survivor Pool Picks

To win at survivor pools, you have to account for the future value of each potential team to know which ones are worth saving.

Balancing Expected Value And Future Value When Making NFL Survivor Picks

We go through some examples of situations involving Future Value and Expected Value and how our recommendations were made on those factors.

Why The Size Of Your NFL Survivor Pool Should Influence Your Picks

The size of your pool, and how many entries are left, are key strategic drivers when it comes to making optimal survivor decisions.

How The Rules Of NFL Survivor Pools Affect Optimal Pick Strategy

There are many different rules variations used in NFL survivor pools, and each variation brings with it different strategy wrinkles for maximizing your edge.

Playing Multiple Entries In NFL Survivor Pools: Implications & Strategy

If you have the opportunity, we recommend playing more than one survivor entry. We explain some strategy with multiple entries.

NFL Survivor Research

How Long Is Your NFL Survivor Pool Expected To Last?

What are the odds that you will need to survive all the way to the end of the season to win your NFL survivor pool? Here's what to expect based on historical data.

How Often Does The Safest NFL Survivor Pick Of The Week Lose?

Here's when taking the safest possible NFL survivor pick each week knocked you out of survivor pools in recent years. You may be surprised.

When Should You Pick a Popular Team In A Survivor Pool?

Sometimes, we recommend taking a popular favorite, and other teams we avoid them. Here are some reasons that could be the case.

2022 Pick Analysis

Survivor Pool Advice for Subscribers in 2023 NFL Playoff Pools

Picks, strategy, and analysis for 2022-23 NFL playoffs survivor pools, from the Wild Card round all the way through the Super Bowl.

Week 18 Survivor Pick Strategy & Advice (2022)

Week 18 brings us to the end of the regular season, with lots of matchups that could impact survivor pools in 2022.

VIDEO: Week 18 Most Popular Survivor Picks (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius breaks down the five most popular picks so far in survivor pools for NFL Week 18.

Week 17 Survivor Pick Strategy & Advice (2022)

Week 17 for 2022 NFL survivor pools has us moving toward a New Year, but running low on team options.

VIDEO: Week 17 Most Popular Survivor Picks (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius breaks down the five most popular picks so far in survivor pools for NFL Week 17.

Week 16 Survivor Pick Strategy & Advice (2022)

Week 16 for 2022 NFL survivor pools brings us to Christmas week and some sweating to go along with the cold weather.

Circa Survivor Contest Week 16 and Christmas Games (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius dives into the Circa Survivor contest and looks at Week 15 options.

VIDEO: Week 16 Most Popular Survivor Picks (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius breaks down the five most popular picks so far in survivor pools for NFL Week 16.

Week 15 Survivor Pick Strategy & Advice (2022)

Week 15 for 2022 NFL survivor pools has a lot of question marks and tough choices, while Kansas City leads the way.

VIDEO: Week 15 Most Popular Survivor Picks (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius breaks down the five most popular picks so far in survivor pools for NFL Week 15.

Week 14 Survivor Pick Strategy & Advice (2022)

Week 14 of the 2022 NFL season in survivor pools gIves us a heavily favored Dallas Cowboys team, and lots of riskier options.

VIDEO: Week 14 Most Popular Survivor Picks (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius breaks down the five most popular picks so far in survivor pools for NFL Week 14.

Week 13 Survivor Pick Strategy & Advice (2022)

Week 13 of the 2022 NFL season in survivor pools gets Cleveland facing Houston in Deshaun Watson's first game in nearly two years.

VIDEO: Week 13 Most Popular Survivor Picks (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius breaks down the five most popular picks so far in survivor pools for NFL Week 13.

Week 12 Survivor Pick Strategy & Advice (2022)

Week 12 of the 2022 NFL season in survivor pools has Miami leading the way, but several teams are favored by more than a touchdown this week.

Circa Survivor Contest Thanksgiving + Week 12 (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius dives into Thanksgiving week and the two picks needed in the Circa Survivor contest.

VIDEO: Week 12 Most Popular Survivor Picks (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius breaks down the five most popular picks so far in survivor pools for NFL Week 12.

VIDEO: Week 11 Survivor Sunday Breakdown (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through the survivor outlook as of Sunday morning heading into the Week 11 kickoffs.

Week 11 Survivor Pick Strategy & Advice (2022)

Week 11 of the 2022 NFL season in survivor pools has Baltimore as the most popular pick, and many decisions to be made besides the Ravens.

Circa Survivor Contest Week 11 (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius reviews the results so far in the 2022 Circa Survivor contest, provides value estimates, and projects Week 11.

VIDEO: Week 10 Survivor Sunday Breakdown (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through the survivor outlook as of Sunday morning heading into the Week 10 kickoffs.

Week 10 Survivor Pick Strategy & Advice (2022)

Week 10 of the 2022 NFL season in survivor pools gives us a new survivor team in the New York Giants, along with the Chiefs and Eagles.

Circa Survivor Contest Week 10 (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius reviews the results so far in the 2022 Circa Survivor contest, provides value estimates, and projects Week 10.

VIDEO: Week 10 Friday Survivor Outlook (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through the survivor outlook as of Friday, November 11th heading to Week 10.

VIDEO: Week 10 Most Popular Survivor Picks (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius breaks down the five most popular picks so far in survivor pools for NFL Week 10.

VIDEO: Week 9 Survivor Sunday Breakdown (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through the survivor outlook as of Sunday morning heading into the Week 9 kickoffs.

Week 9 Survivor Pick Strategy & Advice (2022)

Week 9 of the 2022 NFL season in survivor pools features two familiar faces in Philadelphia and Buffalo, and the re-emergence of Kansas City.

Circa Survivor Contest Week 9 (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius reviews the results so far in the 2022 Circa Survivor contest, provides value estimates, and projects Week 9.

VIDEO: Week 9 Friday Survivor Outlook (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through the survivor outlook as of Friday, November 4th heading to Week 9.

VIDEO: Week 9 Most Popular Survivor Picks (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius breaks down the five most popular picks so far in survivor pools for NFL Week 9.

VIDEO: Week 8 Survivor Sunday Breakdown (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through the survivor outlook as of Sunday morning heading into the Week 8 kickoffs.

Week 8 Survivor Pick Strategy & Advice (2022)

Week 8 of the 2022 NFL season in survivor pools is a tight one, with heavy hitters Buffalo, Dallas, and Philadelphia moving to the fore.

Circa Survivor Contest Week 8 (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius reviews the results so far in the 2022 Circa Survivor contest, provides value estimates, and projects Week 8.

VIDEO: Week 8 Friday Survivor Outlook (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through the survivor outlook as of Friday, October 28th heading to Week 8.

VIDEO: Week 8 Most Popular Survivor Picks (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius breaks down the five most popular picks so far in survivor pools for NFL Week 8.

Week 7 Survivor Pick Strategy & Advice (2022)

Week 7 of the 2022 NFL season in survivor pools has multiple teams to consider, including the Patriots and Raiders emerging as survivor picks for the first time.

Circa Survivor Contest Week 7 (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius reviews the results so far in the 2022 Circa Survivor contest, provides value estimates, and projects Week 7.

VIDEO: Week 7 Most Popular Survivor Picks (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius breaks down the five most popular picks so far in survivor pools for NFL Week 7.

VIDEO: Week 6 Survivor Sunday Breakdown (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through the survivor outlook as of Sunday morning heading into the Week 6 kickoffs.

Week 6 Survivor Pick Strategy & Advice (2022)

Week 6 of the 2022 NFL season in survivor pools has a couple of popular options, starting with the Rams against the Panthers.

VIDEO: Week 6 Friday Survivor Outlook (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through the survivor outlook as of Friday, October 14th heading to Week 6.

VIDEO: Circa Survivor Contest Week 6 (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius reviews the results so far in the 2022 Circa Survivor contest, and looks ahead with predictions on Week 6 pick rates.

VIDEO: Los Angeles Rams and Week 6 Survivor (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius breaks down the Los Angeles Rams as a survivor pick in Week 6, breaking down the pros and cons.

VIDEO: Week 6 Most Popular Survivor Picks (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius breaks down the five most popular picks so far in survivor pools for NFL Week 6.

VIDEO: Week 5 Survivor Recap (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through the Week 5 results and where it leaves us in survivor pools going forward.

VIDEO: Week 5 Survivor Sunday Breakdown (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through the survivor outlook as of Sunday morning heading into the Week 5 kickoffs.

VIDEO: Circa Survivor Contest Week 5 (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius reviews the results so far in the 2022 Circa Survivor contest, and looks ahead with predictions on Week 5 pick rates.

VIDEO: Week 5 Friday Survivor Outlook (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through the survivor outlook as of Friday, October 7th for Week 5, including some key QB updates.

Week 5 Survivor Pick Strategy & Advice (2022)

Week 5 of the 2022 NFL season in survivor pools is one where the Buffalo Bills will be popular. But should you save them?

VIDEO: Buffalo Bills and Survivor Future Value (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius breaks down the Buffalo Bills as a survivor pick in Week 4, and shows their future value.

VIDEO: Week 5 Most Popular Survivor Picks (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius breaks down the five most popular picks so far in survivor pools for NFL Week 5.

VIDEO: Week 4 Survivor Recap (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through the Week 4 results and where it leaves us in survivor pools going forward.

Week 4 Survivor Pick Strategy & Advice (2022)

Week 4 of the 2022 NFL season in survivor pools comes down to a big question: Green Bay or someone else?

VIDEO: Week 4 Survivor Sunday Breakdown (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through the survivor outlook as of Sunday morning heading into the Week 4 kickoffs.

VIDEO: Circa Survivor Contest Week 4 (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius reviews the results so far in the 2022 Circa Survivor contest, and looks ahead with predictions on Week 4 pick rates.

VIDEO: Week 4 Friday Survivor Outlook (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius discusses the Bengals' result and goes through the Week 4 survivor outlook as of Friday, September 30th.

VIDEO: Green Bay Packers Week 4 Survivor Breakdown (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius breaks down the Packers as a survivor pick in Week 4, other options, and why you should think about more than this week.

VIDEO: Week 4 Most Popular Survivor Picks (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius breaks down the five most popular picks so far in survivor pools for NFL Week 4.

VIDEO: Week 3 Survivor Recap (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through the Week 3 results and where it leaves us in survivor pools going forward.

VIDEO: Week 3 Survivor Sunday Breakdown (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through the survivor outlook as of Sunday morning heading into the Week 3 kickoffs.

Week 3 Survivor Pick Strategy & Advice (2022)

Week 3 of the 2022 NFL season presents some unique challenges, as there are no clear survivor options or massive favorites. Who should you pick?

VIDEO: Circa Survivor Contest Week 3 (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius reviews the results so far in the 2022 Circa Survivor contest, and looks ahead with predictions on Week 3 pick rates.

VIDEO: Herbert News + Week 3 Friday Survivor Outlook (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through the survivor outlook as of Friday, September 23rd including big Chargers news.

VIDEO: Cleveland Browns Week 3 Survivor Breakdown (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes into what makes the Browns an interesting option to open Week 3 on Thursday Night Football.

VIDEO: Week 3 Most Popular Survivor Picks (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius breaks down the five most popular picks so far in survivor pools for NFL Week 3.

VIDEO: Week 2 Survivor Recap (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through the Week 2 results and where it leaves us in survivor pools going forward.

VIDEO: Week 2 Survivor Sunday Breakdown (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through the survivor outlook as of Sunday morning heading into the Week 2 kickoffs.

Week 2 Survivor Pick Strategy & Advice (2022)

Week 2 of the 2022 NFL season has some values available in survivor pools. Which teams should you be looking at after a wild opening week?

VIDEO: Circa Survivor Contest Week 2 (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius reviews the results so far in the 2022 Circa Survivor contest, and looks ahead with predictions on Week 2 pick rates.

VIDEO: Week 2 Survivor Friday Strategy Breakdown (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through the current pick recommendations as of Friday, September 16th and discusses the rationale for each.

VIDEO: San Francisco Week 2 Survivor Breakdown (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius breaks down the five most popular picks so far in survivor pools for NFL Week 2.

VIDEO: Week 2 Most Popular Survivor Picks (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius breaks down the five most popular picks so far in survivor pools for NFL Week 2.

VIDEO: Week 1 Survivor Recap (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through all the craziness of Week 1 and where it leaves us in survivor pools going forward.

Week 1 Survivor Pick Strategy & Advice (2022)

Making NFL Week 1 survivor picks in 2022 won't be easy with no big favorites and road teams in the mix. We evaluate the strategy.

VIDEO: Week 1 Sunday Survivor Summary (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius goes through all the Sunday morning data updates and discusses current survivor pick recommendations for subscribers.

VIDEO: Circa Survivor Contest Overview & Strategy Thoughts (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius gives a detailed breakdown of the 2022 Circa Survivor contest, including rules, strategy, and planning future picks.

VIDEO: Week 1 Survivor Pool Risk and Narrative Breakdown (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius sets expectations for a very risky Week 1 in NFL survivor pools, and identifies some contrarian pick opportunities.

VIDEO: NFL Week 1 Initial Survivor Pool Pick Analysis (2022)

Jason from PoolGenius covers early NFL Week 1 survivor pick data, the Data Grid feature, and how to get customized pick recommendations.

Survivor Myths

Survivor Pool Myth #1: Never Pick Division Rivalry Games

Some survivor players avoid taking division games for fear of rivalry upsets. The actual data, though, does not support that approach.

Survivor Pool Myth #2: Never Pick Road Teams / Away Teams

Plenty of survivor players will avoid picking road teams if possible. The evidence does not support that strategy.

Survivor Pool Myth #3: Just Survive The Early Season, Then Figure It Out

In survivor, you cannot just fall for the notion that winning this week is all that matters. You have to think about the entire season.

Survivor Pool Myth #4: I Have to Pick This Team This Week!

Don't fall into a trap of thinking you have to use a particular team. There are always other options to consider in survivor.