Whether you’re a fervent Football fan or a rambunctious Rugby enthusiast, you will have heard of the game ‘Last Man Standing’. This exciting competition intertwines sports and strategy, serving as a fun challenge for friends, family and colleagues.
In this post, we’ll learn how to set up a LMS (Last Man Standing) league, strategies for beating the competition and discover some great tips to enhance your team picks.
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Understanding the Game
Last Man Standing, also called Survivor, King of the Hill, or Suicide, is a straightforward but strategic game that involves predicting the outcome of sports matches.
The name ‘Last Man Standing‘ depicts the ultimate aim of the game – to be the final participant remaining after all others have been eliminated and claim the prize pool.
At the start, each participant selects a team they predict will win in the upcoming round of matches. If their chosen team wins, they advance to the next round.
However, there’s a catch: once a team has been selected by a participant in a round, it cannot be chosen again by that player for the remainder of the competition.
This rule forces participants to think strategically about their picks, considering not just the current round but also their future options.
If your pick loses, you will be eliminated from the competition. The Last Man Standing is the final participant with a winning selection, and they take home the prize pool!
Social Impact and Engagement
Last Man Standing offers more than just a platform for friendly competition; it adds an additional layer of excitement to every match. The game also fosters social connections and camaraderie among players.
Moreover, it is a perfect way for friends to stay connected even when they are not physically together, allowing for a unique virtual social experience.
Additionally, Last Man Standing can create an opportunity for casual bettors who may be intimidated by traditional sports betting. Stakes for LMS (Last Man Standing) competitions tend to be low (between £2 and £10), creating an atmosphere of fun and camaraderie rather than aggressive competition.
Embracing the Challenge
The magic of Last Man Standing lies in its potent blend of simplicity and complexity. On the surface, the task is easy – pick a team to win. Yet, it becomes a challenge with the restriction of not repeating teams and the unpredictable nature of sports.
Participants must weigh their choices carefully, considering the strength of teams, their current form, upcoming fixtures, and other factors such as injuries or team morale. This strategic thinking, coupled with the inherent unpredictability of sports, makes the game incredibly engaging.
Introducing Hunch app: The Game-Changer
Managing a Last Man Standing competition can be a hassle, with numerous predictions to track and validate.
That’s where ‘Hunch’ app comes in. Available on both Apple and Google Play, Hunch allows you to set up your private game effortlessly. Choose your game, decide on the entry stake, and share it with your friends. The rest is taken care of by the app, allowing you to enjoy the sport.
Hunch’s utility doesn’t stop at making game management easy. It also offers a fantastic feature for grassroots clubs or charities. You can use Hunch to easily raise funds for your cause. Just set your game, decide the entry stake and the percentage of the pot to go to your cause, invite your team, and Hunch will handle the rest. It’s a fun and engaging way to support causes you care about.
Doing Your Own Last Man Standing
Here are the general steps you’ll need to follow to set up an LMS game.
- Choose Your Sport and Season: First, decide on the sport and season for your LMS game. This could be a football season, a rugby tournament, or even a cricket league.
- Invite Participants: Next, invite your friends, colleagues, or club members to participate. You can do this via email, social media, or any other communication platform. Clearly state the game’s rules and any stake or entrance fee.
- Define Rules: Lay down the rules of the game. In a classic Last Man Standing game, participants must choose one team to win each round. If their chosen team wins, they proceed to the next round. However, they can’t pick the same team more than once during the season.
- Set Up a Tracking System: You’ll need a system to track the picks and progress of each participant. This could be as simple as a shared spreadsheet or a dedicated app. An app like ‘Hunch’ simplifies this process by taking care of the game setup, tracking and even allows for easy fundraising if you want to support a cause.
- Weekly Reminders: Before each round, remind participants to make their picks. After each round, update the standings and notify the participants.
- Declare the Winner: The game continues until only one person remains – the ‘last man standing.’ This person is declared the winner. If the season ends with more than one participant remaining, you can declare multiple winners, or you can have a tiebreaker based on some predefined criteria.
LMS Tips
Last Man Standing isn’t just about luck—it also involves strategic thinking and foresight. Here are some strategies to consider:
Save Strong Teams for Later:
One common strategy is to save the strongest teams for later rounds, where you might need a guaranteed win. Early in the competition, you can take more risks by picking teams that aren’t favoured but still have a reasonable chance of winning. This strategy allows you to have a ‘safe’ pick in the later rounds when choices are scarce.
Consider the Underdogs:
Don’t always opt for the obvious winner. Sometimes, an underdog can pull off an unexpected win. This strategy can pay off, especially in the early rounds where you want to save strong teams for later.
Monitor Team Form:
Always keep an eye on the current form of the teams. A team that has been performing well recently is likely to continue its good run, while a team on a losing streak might struggle to turn things around.
Home Advantage:
Home advantage is a significant factor in many sports. Teams generally perform better when playing at home rather than away. When stuck between choosing two teams, it might be safer to go with the one playing at home.
Injuries and Player Availability:
Player injuries, suspensions, or other availability issues can greatly impact a team’s performance. Keep an eye on team news before making your picks.
Don’t Follow the Crowd:
In large pools, it can be beneficial to pick a different team than the crowd. If the majority’s team loses, you could find yourself jumping ahead of many players, even if your chosen team isn’t a sure bet.
Remember, while these strategies can help, the unpredictable nature of sports makes Last Man Standing so exciting. A strategic approach, along with a bit of luck, is the key to outlasting your competition.
