But pity the poor soul who has to run the pool. Having to keep track of who entered, figure out who won, and make it fun for the players.
American Computational offers a simple solution: QuikPool. This DOS program requires a minimum of computer resources (including disk space) and simplifies all aspects of running a pool. While it can be run from within Windows (3.1 or 95) as easily as from DOS, it does not use a windows interface. Instead, it provides easy screens to walk you through the entry of game information, player entries, and automatically determines the winner.
QuikPool allows for a pool with multiple winners. For example, some pools give prizes for first place and last place, thereby keeping early losers interested. QuikPool supports that.
Tie breakers can come in many flavors. Most pools use the final score of the last game as a tie breaker, and QuikPool does that automatically. But it also provides for two additional tie breakers, which the user specifies. Want to make it the total passing yards by your favorite quarterback? Assists by a guard? No problem, with QuikPool.
Perhaps its most attractive feature is its ability to generate a "compiled listing" of entrants. With this feature, you can print out a columnar list of every player's picks, which you can hand out to the entrants. This allows players to track how they're doing as the games progress. No more guesswork like "Well, I have 12 winners, I should be doing pretty well." only to learn do your disappointment that someone did slightly better. Or even worse, "I only have 9 so far, no point in paying attention any more" so you don't watch the critical game which decides your fate. With a compiled listing, you know how you and every other player is doing. It greatly increases the fun.
For those of you who, for reasons of your own, really want a windows-based version, we will be introducing one in the near future. It will have the same features but use windows components to control how you interact with the program.
For more information, or for a demonstration copy of the program, send mail to Mike Miedlar or give him a call at 937-667-4884.