Pick 'Em
A game with no favorite (a spread of zero), or a contest where you pick game winners.
"Pick 'em" has two common meanings in sports betting:
- A pick 'em game: a game the sportsbook sees as a coin flip, so the point spread is 0. It is often written as "PK."
- A pick 'em contest or pool: a competition where you pick the winners of a set of games, like an NFL office pool.
There is also a third, newer meaning: pick 'em apps, where you pick whether players go over or under stat projections.
Pick 'Em Games (PK)
When two teams are evenly matched, the sportsbook may post the spread as PK instead of picking a favorite. You just pick the winner, so a pick 'em spread works like a moneyline.
Packers PK (-110) vs. Bears PK (-110)
Bet $110 on either side to win $100. Each side implies 52.4%.
If the game somehow ends in a tie, the bet is a push and your stake is returned.
Pick 'em spreads usually come with -110 on both sides. The moneyline on the same game might be -110 / -110, or slightly different if the book leans one way.
Pick 'Em Pools and Contests
Pick 'em pools are hugely popular during the NFL season:
- Straight-up pools: pick the winner of every game each week. Most correct picks wins.
- Against the spread (ATS) pools: pick winners against the spread.
- Confidence pools: rank your picks by confidence, and score points for each correct pick based on that rank.
- Survivor (eliminator) pools: pick one team to win each week, and you can only use each team once. One wrong pick and you are out.
These are usually run among friends or by sports websites, often for free or a small entry fee.
Pick 'Em Apps
Daily fantasy-style pick 'em apps let you pick two or more players to go over or under a stat projection, with payouts based on how many you get right. They are legal in some states and restricted or banned in others, and the rules change often. Check what is allowed where you live.
Pick 'Em Strategy Tips
- In a PK game, shop for the best price. -105 instead of -110 lowers your breakeven from 52.4% to 51.2%.
- In big pools, picking a few smart underdogs can separate you from the crowd.
- In survivor pools, save the strongest teams for later weeks when good options are scarce.
Key Takeaways
- A pick 'em game has a spread of 0 (PK). You just pick the winner.
- Pick 'em also refers to pools where you pick winners of several games.
- Pick 'em apps based on player stats are legal in some states but not others.
- A PK spread at -110 needs 52.4% to break even.
Examples
- Dolphins PK vs. Jets PK: whichever team wins covers.
- In a confidence pool, you rank 16 games and earn 16 points if your most confident pick wins.
Related Terms
Test Your Knowledge
1 / 4Do you know what Point Spread means?
A handicap applied to a game that forces the favorite to win by a specified margin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does PK mean in betting?
PK stands for pick 'em. The spread is 0, so you only need your team to win.
Is pick 'em the same as a moneyline bet?
Close. A PK spread pays based on picking the winner, just like a moneyline, but it is priced like a spread (usually -110 both ways).