Lock Windows

A "lock window" is the period when you can edit your picks. Once it closes, those picks are frozen.

What Locks When

The exact lock times depend on the prediction mode your pool uses. In the default (lock each round independently) mode:

In lock everything at the start mode, all of the above collapse to a single lock at Round 1 first kickoff. In lock groups, then lock knockout, the group window locks at Round 1 first kickoff and the knockout window opens once all 12 groups finish, closing at R32 first kickoff.

Lock Times Come from the Real Calendar

Lock times track the official tournament fixture calendar. If a match is rescheduled, the lock window updates with it — no manual fix needed.

Fail-Closed on Clock Skew

If your device clock is wrong, ahead, or unreachable, the app treats the window as locked rather than trusting your local time. This stops anyone from manipulating their device clock to sneak picks in after the real kickoff.

The server is the source of truth — your picks are validated against server time, not your phone's clock. In the rare case the lock-status check itself fails, the app errs on the side of locking the window.

Pre-Lock Decision Aid: Market Consensus

Before a knockout round locks, you'll see a thin Market consensus bar inside each matchup sheet. It shows implied probability — the market's read on how likely each side is to advance. This bar disappears once the round locks (it's a decision aid, not a results display).

The bar shows percentages only. We never expose raw odds, bookmaker names, or any monetary information.

Post-Lock Insight: Crowd Consensus

After a window closes, you'll see how the rest of the pool voted ("78% picked Argentina · You picked Argentina") inside the matchup sheet, and a full Consensus tab on the pool page. This is hidden pre-lock — no peeking at how others voted before you submit.

Read Next

• Prediction modes
• Auto-result sync — when results show up after lock
• Leaderboard