These General Game Rules apply across GoalPicks unless a specific game clearly shows an additional rule or a custom configuration that overrides part of the default experience.
A game on GoalPicks is a soccer pool built around a supported tournament or league. Players join that game, submit predictions for the included matches, and accumulate points across the life of the competition.
Each game has its own settings, such as public or private visibility, Goal Coins or private cash setup, buy-in amount, scoring format, prize structure, admin fee, and whether the creator participates as a player.
A game only includes the matches assigned to that game's selected tournament or league scope. Some competitions may use a specialized scope, such as split phases or seasonal stages, when shown in the app.
Only the matches attached to the game count for picks, scoring, standings, and payouts.
Public games can be joined instantly by eligible users when the game is open. Private games may use invite links, direct invitations, or join requests depending on the game setup.
Late registration is allowed for games that have already started as long as the game is not finished. If you join late, you simply miss the points that were available before you joined or before you submitted picks.
Public games always use Goal Coins. Private games may use Goal Coins or a private cash arrangement, depending on what the creator selected.
For private cash games, GoalPicks only provides the organizational tools. Players and admins are responsible for collecting payments, confirming paid status, and distributing any winnings outside the platform.
GoalPicks does not process, hold, verify, or distribute private cash buy-ins or payouts unless a future product flow explicitly says otherwise.
A pick can be saved or updated only before the match starts. Once kickoff is reached, that match is locked and the pick can no longer be changed.
If you do not submit a pick before the match locks, that match counts as a missed pick and earns 0 points.
By default, picks are graded using the full-time result for 90 minutes plus stoppage time only.
Extra time and penalty shootouts do not count unless GoalPicks clearly states otherwise for a specific competition or future feature.
The default scoring format is 3 points for an exact score and 1 point for the correct outcome. Some games may use a custom scoring format chosen by the creator.
Each game shows its scoring format clearly. For example, 3/1 means 3 points for an exact score and 1 point for a correct outcome.
A missing pick is treated the same as an unsuccessful pick and earns 0 points.
During matches in progress, GoalPicks may display live leaderboard movement based on temporary live scoring. These live standings are provisional.
Standings become final only after matches are marked finished and the final scoring logic is applied.
Each game has its own leaderboard based on total points earned in that game. Rank is determined by the scoring rules shown for that game.
GoalPicks may show live positions, completed positions, payouts, and player tags such as You or Admin where relevant to the game experience.
If a game uses a buy-in, the prize pool is based on the participating player entries and any configured game rules that affect payouts.
Games can use an automatic prize structure or a custom prize structure set by the creator. The app shows the number of places paid for each game.
When players tie across paid positions, the payout for the affected finishing places is combined and then split evenly among the tied players.
If a game does not pay prizes, tied players simply share the same competitive standing without a payout consequence.
Some games may include an admin fee if that feature is enabled by the creator. The admin fee is deducted before prize payouts are calculated.
Admin fees can be configured as either a fixed amount or a percentage where supported by the selected game currency and creator permissions.
A game creator may participate as a player or may act only as the admin, depending on the setup chosen when the game was created.
In private cash games, player paid status is tracked inside the app for organizational purposes only. GoalPicks does not verify that a real-world payment actually happened.
Private games may accept join requests or use invitations. Admins can approve or deny join requests, and requesters may receive inbox notifications about those decisions.
In private cash games, admins may remove unpaid non-admin players through the Manage tab where that action is available. A confirmation step is shown before removal.
A creator may add Additional Rules or Payment Instructions for a specific game. Those apply only to that game and are shown in the Rules tab.
If an Additional Rule conflicts with platform-level restrictions, security rules, or the visible scoring and payout configuration shown in the app, GoalPicks may limit or disregard that conflicting rule.
GoalPicks may rely on third-party sports data for fixtures, kickoff times, live statuses, results, and related competition information.
If official data is corrected or updated, GoalPicks may update picks, scoring, standings, match status, or related game displays to reflect the corrected information.
GoalPicks may send reminders and inbox notifications for events such as missed picks, game starting soon, game invitations, and join request activity.
These notifications are convenience features only. Players remain responsible for checking their games and submitting picks before deadlines.
Players may not use bots, automation, exploit bugs, collude, abuse duplicate accounts, or interfere with the normal operation of a game.
If GoalPicks reasonably believes that a player or admin has acted unfairly or abusively, we may restrict features, reverse platform-side actions where appropriate, or suspend access.
Game standings, picks, and related records may remain visible as needed to preserve game history, leaderboard integrity, and support review of outcomes.
Display names and avatars may reflect a player's current profile in many parts of the app rather than a historical snapshot.
GoalPicks may correct obvious technical errors, data issues, or display mistakes that affect a game's standings or configuration.
Where a question arises, the game configuration shown in the app, the official match grading rules, and GoalPicks platform policies govern the interpretation of the game.