HOW SPORTSBALL WORKS
What Jelly Beans Are
Points for the leaderboard—not a pot, not a payout.
At a glance
Jelly beans are bragging-rights points with no cash value. Host fees pay for software, not a pot. How public prizes and private leagues work on Sportsball.
In This Guide
2. Host fees pay for software
3. Public games vs private leagues
4. Age
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Points, not currency
Jelly beans are how Sportsball keeps score. Correct picks, hitting squares, and winning props add beans to a leaderboard. Ranks and streaks sit next to the bean count so the group can trash-talk with a number attached.
What beans are not:
- Not cashBeans have no cash value. You cannot buy them, sell them, or redeem them.
- Not a stakeA bean is not a chip, a buy-in, or a prize purse. The leaderboard is the prize.
- Not a pot we holdSportsball does not collect player-to-player stakes or pay wagers. Host fees are separate—see below.
For how underdog picks pay more beans, read underdog jelly bean scoring. The full product rules are in our Terms of Service.
Host fees pay for software
Playing is free. Some private games show a one-time host fee in the create flow—publishing a squares board, launching an NFL pick'em slate, and similar software features. That charge is not an entry into a wager, pool, or betting contest.
Sportsball does not authorize using games, scores, or rosters to settle cash, Venmo, or other real-money bets. If a group does that off the app, they do it without our permission. Hosts of private games also agree to the Host Terms.
Public games vs private leagues
- Public global challengesJoin with a display name—no account. Live leaderboards. Some events offer merchandise prizes; those follow Prize Rules on the game and at Prize Rules.
- Guest squares on the webTap a link, pick a display name, claim squares. The native app requires sign-in.
- Private leagues and private gamesPlayers need a Sportsball account. The host may see signed-in roster emails in the app (copy/CSV) for league operations. Guests without accounts have no email. Scoring is jelly beans and bragging rights.
Merchandise prize claims are covered by Prize Rules. They are not a sportsbook payout.
Age
You must be at least 13 years old to create a Sportsball account. Hosting a private game and claiming a Sportsball-sponsored prize require you to be at least 18.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do jelly beans have cash value?
No. Jelly beans, ranks, and leaderboards are entertainment and bragging rights. They cannot be bought, sold, or redeemed for money.
Why does creating a game cost money?
When a host fee is shown, it pays for software features such as publishing a private game or launching a league slate. It is not an entry fee into a wager or a pot Sportsball holds.
Can I win prizes on Sportsball?
Some public global challenges offer merchandise prizes. Those are event-specific and follow Prize Rules. Private leagues are scored in jelly beans and bragging rights. Sportsball does not pay wagers.
Do players need an account?
Public global challenges and guest squares on the web join with a display name. Private leagues and the native app require a Sportsball account. Hosts of private games may see signed-in player emails on the in-app roster; guests without accounts have no email.
How old do I have to be?
You must be at least 13 to create an account. Hosting a private game and claiming a Sportsball-sponsored prize require you to be at least 18.
Ready to keep score?
Create a private NFL pick em league for your crew, or join a public game and play for beans.
Leaderboards, not a house vig.