Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about scoring, predictions, and league features.
Getting Started
What is Bench-Bets?
Bench-Bets is a free football prediction game where you compete with friends, family, or colleagues by predicting match scores. It is ad-free forever.
How do I start playing?
Create an account, join a league (or create one), and start placing your match predictions before each kick-off.
How do I join a league?
Use an invite link shared with you by a league owner or an existing league member.
Who is building this?
Bench-Bets is a solo project built for fun. If you enjoy playing, consider supporting the project and helping with hosting and development costs by buying me a coffee.
Predictions & Scoring
When can I update my prediction?
You can update your prediction up to 2 minutes before kick-off. Once predictions are locked, missed picks cannot be entered and will result in 0 points for that match.
Can I see other players predictions?
Yes. Once the match starts all players predictions are visible.
How are points calculated in regular matches?
Exact score gives 6 points. Correct result but wrong score gives 3 points. Wrong result gives 0 points.
Do knockout matches have higher points?
Yes. In tournament knockout rounds (Round of 16 and later), exact score is 14 points and the right result is 7 points.
Are points based on 90 minutes only, or do they include extra-time (120min)?
In knockout matches, if extra-time is played, it is included in the prediction. Penalties are not.
How does Double Down work?
Double Down lets you pick selected matches for double points. You get 10 in the Group Stage and 1 in the Round of 32, and that is all.
How fast are match scores updated?
Scores are updated in near real-time, usually with about a 5-minute delay.
How do Nation's Pride Rankings work?
Each nation gets a score based on the average points of the players who signed up with that nation. You can set your nation in your Profile. The better those players do, the higher their nation climbs.
Bonus & League Features
What are Bonus Picks?
You can predict champion and top scorer. Each correct bonus pick is worth 15 points.
When do bonus picks lock?
Bonus picks lock before the first kick-off of the tournament.
What is the Side Pot?
The Side Pot is an optional one-time buy-in tracker managed by league owners so members can see who has paid. Bench-Bets does not process payments; this is simply a tool for league owners to track external entries.
Are leaderboards live?
Yes. Leaderboards update as matches are played, so rankings shift in real time.
Is there a limit to how many participants a league can have?
No. There is no limit to the number of participants in a league.
How many leagues can one player join?
Each player can join up to 5 leagues.
Can each league have its own scoring system?
No. The scoring system is the same across the app and cannot be customized per league.