How to Win Your March Madness Survivor Contest

March Madness Survivor contests are one of the most exciting ways to enjoy the NCAA Tournament. The rules are simple: pick a team to win each day, but you can’t pick the same team twice. If your team wins, you advance. If they lose, you’re out. The last person standing wins the entire prize. But with upsets happening every year, how do you maximize your chances of surviving and winning it all? Follow these key strategies to come out on top.

Be Different

One of the biggest mistakes people make is following the crowd. Last year, two of the most popular picks—BYU and Kentucky—lost on the first Thursday, eliminating a large portion of contest entries right away. If you want to win, you need to differentiate yourself. That doesn’t mean picking a double-digit underdog, but it does mean being strategic about avoiding the most obvious picks that everyone else is taking.

Pro Tip: Research public betting percentages and Survivor contest trends to identify which teams are most popular. Consider choosing a similarly strong team that fewer people are picking to give yourself an edge.

Don’t Get Cute

It’s tempting to save top teams for later rounds, but history shows that high seeds consistently perform well. Over 60% of Final Four teams are a No. 1 or No. 2 seed, meaning there will be at least two left when the Final Four begins. If you pass on a strong favorite early and get eliminated because you gambled on a riskier pick, it won’t matter that you saved a powerhouse for later.

Pro Tip: Take top seeds when they have favorable matchups, especially in the first round when they’re overwhelming favorites. Survivor contests are about surviving - don’t overcomplicate it. 

Be Creative After the First Weekend

If you make it past the opening rounds, the competition tightens, and it’s time to think more strategically. Last year, lower seeds went 14-2 in the Round of 32, showing how chaotic the tournament can be after the first weekend. At this stage, you’ll need to start picking teams that others might overlook to give yourself an advantage.

Pro Tip: Study matchups closely in the Sweet 16 and beyond. Look for teams with strong defensive efficiency and veteran leadership, as they tend to perform well in high-pressure situations.

Use Multiple Entries to Spread Risk

If your contest allows multiple entries, take advantage of it. Spreading your risk by making different picks in different areas of the tournament increases your chances of at least one of your entries making it deep into the contest.

Pro Tip: With multiple entries, use different strategies—one with a conservative approach (picking favorites) and another with more aggressive picks (choosing lower seeds in favorable matchups). This diversification helps you avoid getting wiped out early.

Final Thoughts

Winning a March Madness Survivor contest requires a balance of strategy, risk management, and a little bit of luck. By avoiding the most popular picks, playing it smart with top seeds, getting creative after the first weekend, and spreading your risk with multiple entries, you’ll put yourself in the best position to take home the prize.

Good luck, and may your picks survive the madness!