How to Run a Handicap Hockey Pool*

* Thanks to long-time TheHockeyPool-ers, Carol and Stephan!

Pools often lose their competitive edge early on, with the winner frequently becoming apparent within the first couple of months. By the time New Year rolls around, the outcome is usually a foregone conclusion, leading to waning interest and apathy among participants. To keep things engaging throughout the season, they suggest this half-way mark Handicap System:

1. Introduction of a Handicap System:

Here is an example of a 10-member pool at the half-way mark of the season. At exactly the halfway point of the season (use your method of determining this - majority of the teams having 41 games played? date mid-point?), the standings are assessed. Let's say on Jan 9th, Ron leads with 200 points and Carol trails with 100 points. (Season starts Oct 4, 2024, and ends April 17, 2025. The halfway point is January 9th.)

Half-way point example:

Poolie	Points
Ron	200 points
Stephan	194 points
Brad	180 points
Michel	175 points
Lorna	165 points
Tony	150 points
Dave	140 points
John	123 points
Ryan	123 points
Carol	100 points

Because of the 100 point spread between Carol and Ron the leader, Carol is entitled to 100 points worth of picks.
Any number of additional un-drafted players can be selected by Carol provided they have not currently earned more than a combined total of 100 points.
AND, for EACH player selected, Carol must add $5 to the winning pot (or some amount that your pool can decide).

These extra players do not replace any players on Carol's team, they are added to Carol's team.
They do not start with any points but instead grant him additional players who have the potential to earn significant points in the second half of the season.
That is to say, they all start on January 9 with 0 points, and only gain points based on games played on and after January 9th.

Examples of Player Selections:

• The point spread between the current Poolie and the leader is the determining factor for all participants.
• Ryan and John, each with 123 points, are 77 points behind the leader, Ron.
• They are allowed to pick 77 points worth of players. Again, they do not get the points, they only get the earning potential of their picks which could be 77 points in the last half of the season if you expect them to continue to score at their current rate.
• Participants Ryan and John cannot select players whose combined halfway point total exceeds the point spread. (77 points for the two teams in this example)
• This rule encourages strategic decision-making while ensuring that selections align with the designated point threshold

A further example:

• Stephan, in second place at only 6 points behind Ron, is also eligible to make a pick for the point difference.
• He could pick a player who is currently in 649th place with 6 points. But, at $5 dollars per pick, will he?

Enacting the Handicap draft:

• A second draft meeting is not required.
• The pool administrator should notify the Poolies a few days prior.
• Eligible participants can email the pool administrator their desired players.
• Unique player selections will be maintained to preserve the integrity of the pool.
• If two participants express interest for the same player, the higher ranked participant gets priority.
• Some groups may prefer to have the lower ranked player have priority. Choose pity over merit perhaps? In a tie such as Ryan and John, a coin toss or more goals scored can decide?
• Once any conflicts are resolved, the impacted Poolies who did not get thier picks can adjust their selections, and this continues until no conflicts remain.
• Or, your pool could decide on any other style of draft in order to avoid conflicts. (perhaps a higher dollar value bids to break ties to see who wants/values that player more?)

Handicap picks can be traded, although with a caveat:

• Say that Brad used the handicap system to select a player with 20 points on Jan. 9.
• Unfortunately, a month later, his handicap pick suffered a season-ending injury.
• Brad can replace the injured player, but the new player must not have had more than 20 points on January 9th.
• This rule prevents unfair trades where one could swap a lower-point player for a higher-point one later.

On TheHockeyPool.com, you can draft these new players as CustomA players, and change their displayed position type to HDCP (or any other unique type of player) in order to identify them and help your pool administrator enforce these trading rules.

In terms of strategy, yes, Carol with a big point gap, could load up on just-called-up Rookies or stars returning from injury, but with a cost-per-player they're making a bigger bet compared to everyone else.
Not many pools have tried a Handicap pool yet, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out. (as of February 2025)

2. Recognition and Reward for the Mid-Season Leader:

• At the halfway mark, the individual in first place deserves acknowledgment for their astuteness, hockey acumen, fine taste, moral character, and distinguished countenance in the form of monetary compensation!
• BUT, instead of an immediate reward, 50% of the first place prize at the season’s end will be given to the mid-season leader, ensuring continued motivation and competition.
• In our example Ron has guaranteed himself 50% of the first place winnings at the end of the season for being the mid-season leader.
• However, of course, the prize payout should be determined by all the poolies at the start of the draft.

3. Fees for Trades and Handicap Picks:

You can implement something like a $5 fee per-trade or per-handicap pick, or some additional cost that the poolies agree upon to help sweeten the pot.

4. Benefits of the Handicap System:

The introduction of handicap picks not only revitalizes the competition but also rewards participants like Ron for their strong start to the season.

Conversely, it serves as a reminder that poor initial picks, as seen with Carol, come with a cost, and a cost not just in shame, but financially as well.

In summary, these proposed changes aim to breathe new life into your hockey pool, fostering excitement and engagement throughout the entire season.
By recognizing mid-season leader(s) and implementing a handicap system, you can pave the way for thrilling comebacks and ensure that every participant remains invested until the very end.