📯2026/27 Champions League Pool | ⚽️ Discussion | sponsor TBA

[notblox1]

If the majority answer is 'I pick lowest odds to be safe' - not good.
If the majority answer is 'I always pick high odds for their value' - not good.

Decision should not be made only based on majority opinion, because there is a high chance this will be wrong decision.
It is better to listen more to members who gave good explanation and reasoning for their choice.
We cant have everyone being happy in the end, but lets try and make it more fair if possible.

[joker_josue]

The question we should be asking ourselves is 'how do we pick'.

If the majority answer is 'I pick lowest odds to be safe' - not good.
If the majority answer is 'I always pick high odds for their value' - not good.

When the majority answer is 'I spend my time looking for value between the listed options', then that's what we want to keep.
For me, it was always trying to find that value while still trying to survive rounds without penalties.

What I'd maybe do is remove the 1.15 or 1.25 odds entirely - these are the safeties that are not balanced and give a free pass.
Reducing penalties might be an option, I'd also consider a cap on penalties.

But as long as a guy from the bottom can strike lucky in the last 2 rounds and win with yolo bets - that's bad. If you've been shit throughout 14 out of 17 rounds - nope, you don't deserve a chance at all.

But this is not always easy, even when trying to balance the easy option and the balanced option.
I remember that last season, many were penalized for choosing teams that had everything to win, and then lost.

Look, a recent example from the World Cup. Betting that Cape Verde would draw with Argentina after 90 minutes was considered a high-risk bet. But that's what happened. Therefore, everyone who bet on the obvious outcome, an Argentina victory, lost.

Ultimately, whether risking a lot or a little, it all depends on the guesses made and the actual results, which are unpredictable (even when they seem totally predictable).

[dzonikg28]

But this is not always easy, even when trying to balance the easy option and the balanced option.
I remember that last season, many were penalized for choosing teams that had everything to win, and then lost.

Look, a recent example from the World Cup. Betting that Cape Verde would draw with Argentina after 90 minutes was considered a high-risk bet. But that's what happened. Therefore, everyone who bet on the obvious outcome, an Argentina victory, lost.

Ultimately, whether risking a lot or a little, it all depends on the guesses made and the actual results, which are unpredictable (even when they seem totally predictable).

Unpredictability is real and I think the World Cup was a great example again. It is not only the match against Argentina, Cape Verde also got a draw against Spain and Uruguay in the group stage. If you were asked to put those events into one question and guess the odds that Cape Verde would end the three matches against Spain, Uruguay and Argentina without a loss, there are no realistic odds that can express that possibility. If odds of 100,000 would have been offered, some people might have dropped a dollar there. 
Cape Verde didn't lose a single match in regular time and their opponents were Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Argentina. I think that says all about how unpredictable some of the outcomes can be.


Is the new UCL pool in the making and will there be one for sure?

[BABY SHOES]

I heard the format this time is RTG?

So this new format is no rule difference like the road to glory? Actually I have no problem with this format, although it is a bit different from last season, I have seen a lot of debate over penalties... Yeah it all goes back to buwa and the mafia.

@leea-1334 @goodpunt maybe we can unite in one more team.

[cryptofrka]

I heard the format this time is RTG?

It will be, but a separate one. Team based, like it was during the WC.
I hope this format continues in a similar way, I really liked it during the last 2 or 3 years.

Hopefully they both work well in parallel - BTC is cheap, they are quite different so hopefully people play both. Rewards will be attractive

[leea-1334]

I heard the format this time is RTG?

So this new format is no rule difference like the road to glory? Actually I have no problem with this format, although it is a bit different from last season, I have seen a lot of debate over penalties... Yeah it all goes back to buwa and the mafia.

@leea-1334 @goodpunt maybe we can unite in one more team.

I just saw @cryptofrka reply,,, so I am already excited and I want to play both for sure. Like I said,,, I did not like penalties, but I actually like whatever form it became because it really keeps the spirit of simple predictions but also the strategy element with stakes,,, it is a very different kind of mechanism than BSFL without making it a strain on us with 10 pools to play 

I would love to be in the same team too, so if @goodpunt also likes we should definitely do it!

[buwaytress]

I'll put the poll up tomorrow, but just wanted to say here that no, of course the changes (if any) won't necessarily reflect the majority. Frka said to ask something when you vote, and yes, it's to ask yourself if the game is balanced, if you think some or too many players are pushed to do something that throws the rest of the game into an imbalanced situation.

It is important to remember that we didn't just get here by accident, but by adjustments we thought were necessary over the past few seasons. And it's also practical to note that a truly balanced game mechanic is not possible. People change, gamblers behave irrationally, erratically. And perhaps also to note, a majority vote doesn't necessarily determine an outcome, it is simply part of overall feedback we'll take into account.

Just keep all that in mind when you vote.

P.S. Do appreciate that many are giving the time to comment and feedback.
P.P.S. Yes, there will be a pool, and I'd love to try and get it to sync with Cro2's team event!

[BABY SHOES]

It will be, but a separate one. Team based, like it was during the WC.
I hope this format continues in a similar way, I really liked it during the last 2 or 3 years.

I am happy with this format even though it is the first time trying it in the WC, team cohesiveness can also be very influential to advance the team to be better.

Hopefully they both work well in parallel - BTC is cheap, they are quite different so hopefully people play both. Rewards will be attractive

Yeah... BTC is currently still cheap, (maybe) sponsors will be bigger then the prizes will be more enthusiastic for participants.

I would love to be in the same team too, so if @goodpunt also likes we should definitely do it!

If this happens... then use the same name.
But you have to wait for the rules Buwa first.

I'll put the poll up tomorrow, but just wanted to say here that no, of course the changes (if any) won't necessarily reflect the majority. Frka said to ask something when you vote, and yes, it's to ask yourself if the game is balanced, if you think some or too many players are pushed to do something that throws the rest of the game into an imbalanced situation.

Oooo I think this is already a definite format hahaha.
Well anyway you two always hold events with more interesting game rules, even though the majority of suppose do not like in one still have to follow the rules of the most votes.

[Harkorede]

Since I'll be pretty selective with SuperBRU pools if there is any for this season, I should surely be available to provide liquidity for both pools (as the case have been in recent years), and I must say the last 2 edition have been better too the stale edition of just tossing in 2-1, 2-0 and 3-1 all year long, scrapping superBRU all together for this UCL alone would be better, I don't mind EPL and La Liga staying on superBRU since there is Fantasy for EPL, and I won't be nearing fantasy for UCL or La Liga, there is the need for something to keep me interested at the very least.

[dzonikg28]

I think most of the issues come from players that did not read the rules, incurred early penalties and then couldn't recover.

Early penalties are tough to recover from, yes. That does not mean I agree that going safe is the way to go.

Avoiding penalties is crucial and yet in Top 10 we have:

0 penalties - 4 players (1st, 4th, 6th, 7th)
1 penalty - 2 players (2nd, 3rd)
2 penalties - 3 players (5th, 8th, 9th)
4 penalties - 1 player (10th)

Smartvirus in 11th place has 278 points with 2 penalties, leea-1334 has 321 point with 2 penalties.
I have 20 more points with a penalty than Trofo without it and 30 more than LTU_btc who also avoided the penalty.

This clearly shows that the current system works. Whether the community wants to dismantle it or not is another thing.
It is also a good, robust, well analysed system that offers a variety of playstyles.

If we're changing it, so be it. Let's just change it for the better - YOLO swingers are the destruction of every fun contest. It's literally no fun for anybody.

YOLO should definitely not be too rewarding for early risk takers, I agree. After all you can still YOLO when you fall behind for other reasons during a season and try to get back into the paid ranks, but getting an advantage from day 1 that literally carries you through the entire season is bad. I didn't do very well last time and while it is annoying when early penalties haunt you for the whole season, it definitely gets the job done to keep the competition exciting the whole time.

[goodpunt]

@leea-1334 @goodpunt maybe we can unite in one more team.

I would love to be in the same team too, so if @goodpunt also likes we should definitely do it!

Not sure why we must discuss it openly here but since I got tagged - No I'm not interested in reuniting the team but I wish you good luck.

[swogerino]

I think most of the issues come from players that did not read the rules, incurred early penalties and then couldn't recover.

Early penalties are tough to recover from, yes. That does not mean I agree that going safe is the way to go.

Avoiding penalties is crucial and yet in Top 10 we have:

0 penalties - 4 players (1st, 4th, 6th, 7th)
1 penalty - 2 players (2nd, 3rd)
2 penalties - 3 players (5th, 8th, 9th)
4 penalties - 1 player (10th)

Smartvirus in 11th place has 278 points with 2 penalties, leea-1334 has 321 point with 2 penalties.
I have 20 more points with a penalty than Trofo without it and 30 more than LTU_btc who also avoided the penalty.

This clearly shows that the current system works. Whether the community wants to dismantle it or not is another thing.
It is also a good, robust, well analysed system that offers a variety of playstyles.

If we're changing it, so be it. Let's just change it for the better - YOLO swingers are the destruction of every fun contest. It's literally no fun for anybody.

YOLO should definitely not be too rewarding for early risk takers, I agree. After all you can still YOLO when you fall behind for other reasons during a season and try to get back into the paid ranks, but getting an advantage from day 1 that literally carries you through the entire season is bad. I didn't do very well last time and while it is annoying when early penalties haunt you for the whole season, it definitely gets the job done to keep the competition exciting the whole time.

I would love the same format like last season despite penalties made me going down the rabbit hole pretty quickly. That has served as a good lesson to me during that time so I know exactly what to do for this upcoming season which I plan to participate. The best way to end up in prize points is not chasing the biggest odds but being super consistent all the match days.

[leea-1334]

Good luck to everyone who will join this pool and the team function, everything was nice before and despite all discussions,,, I am also feeling that all things were done with careful analysis and we already have a great system. Personal opinions are not so important as I did not feel very strong about changes.

Waiting for the poll now

[dzonikg28]

YOLO should definitely not be too rewarding for early risk takers, I agree. After all you can still YOLO when you fall behind for other reasons during a season and try to get back into the paid ranks, but getting an advantage from day 1 that literally carries you through the entire season is bad. I didn't do very well last time and while it is annoying when early penalties haunt you for the whole season, it definitely gets the job done to keep the competition exciting the whole time.

I would love the same format like last season despite penalties made me going down the rabbit hole pretty quickly. That has served as a good lesson to me during that time so I know exactly what to do for this upcoming season which I plan to participate. The best way to end up in prize points is not chasing the biggest odds but being super consistent all the match days.

I think it really depends, if you read cryptofrka's post again, you will see that penalties are not immediately the end of the world. The goal is that everyone tries to strike a good balance because too high risk or too low risk doesn't pay off for a full season and I think that makes a lot of sense.

Smartvirus in 11th place has 278 points with 2 penalties, leea-1334 has 321 point with 2 penalties.
I have 20 more points with a penalty than Trofo without it and 30 more than LTU_btc who also avoided the penalty.

This explains very well that taking risk is still rewarded and finishing 10th with a total of 4 penalties is crazy as they all stack up. You can still have some sorts of YOLO moments though. If you have a good feeling about a particular match whose outcome you think will go against the odds, your reward if it works out has two elements. Most of the other players will get the penalty and you will get away without a penalty plus the points.

Over time in a season I think that for those who have no penalties for a while, the incentive to avoid it increases and those falling behind have to take more risks, but taking into account that one more penalty could essentially destroy any chances to make it into the top 10.

[buwaytress]

Hello everyone. I hope it's not too much to ask to share your opinion on the current format (specifically, the penalty system, as no other aspect seemed to raise issues). Takes a few seconds, you can share other opinions and/or your username if you wish. Then we really need to get going so we can build the new site, run any possible updates, debug, etc. Important so we can set down proper terms with a sponsor.

https://form.typeform.com/to/KwdbWEkc

Tagging last season's participants. Open until 1 August 2026.

Code:

darxiaomi
LFC_Bitcoin
cryptofrka
Trofo
notblox1
Harkorede
Strongkored
buwaytress
joker_josue
leea-1334
Slaman29
crowolf
KTChampions
icopress
LTU_btc
mv1986
arallmuus
BABYSHOES
Igebotz
Ulven
el che
CryptopreneurBrainboss
swogerino
jeremypwr
Saint-loup
jayce
Hhampuz
CLS63
dittoup
Smartvirus
ILuckyGuyI
xLays
dzonikg28
logfiles

[KTChampions]

~This explains very well that taking risk is still rewarded and finishing 10th with a total of 4 penalties is crazy as they all stack up.~

Hmm... 10th place instead of first. Great reward! 
It is clear that everyone has the right to a subjective opinion regardless of anything, but here it is a question of simple mathematics. I don't want to argue, I'm just curious: is there any math that supports this? I'd be glad if someone could point out the errors in my math (which support the opposite opinion).

Hello everyone. I hope it's not too much to ask to share your opinion on the current format (specifically, the penalty system, as no other aspect seemed to raise issues). Takes a few seconds, you can share other opinions and/or your username if you wish. Then we really need to get going so we can build the new site, run any possible updates, debug, etc. Important so we can set down proper terms with a sponsor.

https://form.typeform.com/to/KwdbWEkc

Tagging last season's participants. Open until 1 August 2026.

Code:

KTChampions

Submitted my answer.
Overall, the format will remain the same? In the sense that if there's an RTG pool, will it be a completely separate pool?
To be honest, I wasn't impressed with my progress in RTG at all, but maybe I'll try again.

[Harkorede]

I voted for the format not to be changed, I won't say I don't like the format because I've not been lucky or good enough to win any of the prizes, I would say it's quite similar to beat the bookie with the stake format except that the markets options are limited here, but still the person(s) who happened to nail the best perspective get's the round.

My only input would be that, the type of markets options and maximum odds available put stakes on should be relatively even across every round, a 20x odds available in round 1 and the maximum of ~10 in round 6-7 won't make it even for those chasing.

[darxiaomi]

I voted an my vote is the same as i express in my previous post. Anyways is good to see how most of us think. Maybe someone comes with some really good new ideas.

About this ""new"" typerform, is good? is better than google forms? or it was only to avoid google? Just asking for curiosity and to know if is a good replacement.  (sorry for the little OT)

[el che]

How would you guys feel with a middle ground?
Either a maximum penalty (say, 2x-5% = -10%), so you can fail 2 rounds and then yolo all the way without a worsening disadvantage).
Or a smaller penalty per round (say 2.% per round so even if you fail 4 rounds you only have -10% penalty).

The penalty system is a tricky one, on one hand I understand why it was introduced, without it YOLO betting on massive longshot odds can let someone luck out and steal the leaderboard at the very end despite terrible consistency. That feels pretty unfair to people grinding out steady calculated points all season. At the same time a flat 5% penalty on total accumulated points for a single bad zero pointer round can feel overly punishing.

Instead of taking a flat 5% off a player's overall cumulative total, which heavily over penalizes whoever is leading late in the season, it would be much fairer to tie any penalty directly to that specific matchday. An alternative would be that if a player finishes with 0 points in the outcome predictions, they simply lose half of the points they earned from their score predictions for that round. This keeps the consequences isolated to the matchday in question, still strongly discouraging wild YOLO bets on crazy odds, without wiping out weeks of hard earned progress across the entire season.

Overall I like that the system tries to reduce degen gambling, but softening the blow slightly would make it less frustrating while still keeping the focus on skill and consistency.

P.S. I’ve updated this contest in the Community Contests Directory, it's now marked as registration open with the updated entry fee.

[igebotz]

I voted an my vote is the same as i express in my previous post. Anyways is good to see how most of us think. Maybe someone comes with some really good new ideas.

About this ""new"" typerform, is good? is better than google forms? or it was only to avoid google? Just asking for curiosity and to know if is a good replacement.  (sorry for the little OT)

It is better for Surveys and has a better UI too ( not free  ) - the link is only for feedbacks as buwaytress explained; he hasn't said anything about " moving" to typeform.

Sent in my vote; as a King of PEN I didn't think much.