This guide walks through creating a Splash-managed NCAAB Survivor – Round by Round contest.

In this format, entrants select one winning team per round (not per day) and must survive each round to advance.

When creating your contest:

This ensures you are creating the Round-by-Round Survivor format, not the Pick-by-Day version.

Enter the official name of your contest.
Example: 2026 March Madness Survivor – Round by Round

This is the name participants will see when joining.

Use this section to clarify:

Clear descriptions reduce confusion once the tournament begins.

Upload a custom banner to personalize your contest.

Requirements:

While optional, a banner enhances the contest experience.

Entrants make one pick per round, not per day.

You may:

You must include at least 3 slates (rounds) in order to create the contest.

This allows you to:

Select the entry fee for each participant.

With Splash-managed contests:

Entrants review the entry fee before joining.

If you opt in:

This allows you to earn compensation for organizing the contest.

If selected:

If you want Splash to handle payments and payouts, do not select this option. Please review our pricing page (this pricing page is only for self-managed option only)

Select your estimated number of entries.

If your contest does not reach that number:

Invite Only

Only users with your contest link can join.

On or Off

Allows entrants to interact inside the contest.

There are 6 deadline options to choose from.

Example:
​Thursday, Mar 19 @ 12:15 PM ET

Important:
In a Splash-managed contest, entrants cannot join after the entry deadline has passed.

You may choose:

Each Game Start
Picks lock individually at the scheduled start time of the selected game.

First Game of Each Round
All picks for that round lock at the first scheduled tip-off of the round.

Choose one:

1 Pick Per Round

Each entrant selects one team per tournament round to advance.

If their selected team loses:

Choose one:

Straight Up
Advancement is based on picking the outright winner (no spread).

Against the Spread
Advancement is based on covering the point spread.

Options include:

If set to 1 time, once an entrant selects a team, they cannot use that team again in future rounds.

This increases strategy and long-term planning.

If enabled:

You can require double picks in specific rounds.
Entrants must correctly select both teams in that round to advance.

Available rounds:

This increases difficulty and adds strategic depth in later rounds.

If enabled:

Auto-picks may be assigned if an entrant forgets to submit a selection.

Options:

Auto-picks are typically based on available teams and seeding.

This setting helps prevent accidental eliminations.

Disabled by default.

If enabled:

If all remaining entrants are eliminated in the same round:

This prevents the contest from ending without a winner.

If enabled:

Final standings are determined by total seed points.

Higher total seed points win.

This rewards entrants who successfully pick riskier, lower-seeded teams.

Example:
Picking a 12-seed over a 5-seed increases your seed total and improves your tiebreak position.

Default:

Optional:

If additional lives are allowed, entrants can survive incorrect picks until all lives are used.

If enabled:

Eliminated entrants may re-enter the contest before a specified round.

Important:
If buybacks are turned on, entry lives will automatically be set to 1.

Buyback options include:

Buybacks increase engagement and allow participants a second chance.

Make Prize Pool Eligible for Splitting

Turn this setting on to make your contest eligible for unanimous agreements among the remaining entrants to split the prize pool. Learn more

If enabled:

Remaining entrants may unanimously agree to split the prize pool.

If disabled:

Once your settings are finalized: