Frequently Asked Questions
What's the latest?
May 8, 2013. After a fire event set back development (way back) of the web-app, work has begun anew on that front. Check out progress at http://playoffcomputeronline.appspot.com/ (currently non-functional). It is hoped that the web-app will be the future of Playoff Computer. Meanwhile, a new Excel-based version is available. It supports more tiebreakers, computes division and wildcard races simultaneously, and has improved "paths-to-clinch" analysis. All this capability does come at a cost, and that is calculation speed. If you had last year's Excel version you'll appreciate the improvements but you'll need Zen like patience to await the results. Also now available is a very simple Java version for downloading.
How does Playoff Computer work?
Playoff Computer computes every possible permutation in a league's remaining schedule and, factoring in current standings and tiebreakers, determines whether each team has clinched a playoff spot (or top seed), been eliminated, or has among several other possible fates. Furthermore, as the season winds down it can list the specific scenarios that would need to happen for particular teams to clinch a playoff spot!
How does Playoff Computer compare to other available "Probability" programs?
Playoff Computer's normal use is to go through every possible permutation of a remaining schedule. Probability programs perform a certain number of random scenarios to give fairly accurate odds for particular teams, but by nature cannot definitively determine if particular teams have clinched or been eliminated. However, probability programs can examine further out from the end of the season. Because of this, Playoff Computer includes a probability feature for use when there are simply too many permutations remaining to work through.
Doesn't my league's website or newspaper already tell me if a team has clinched a playoff spot?
All known fantasy league websites and basic standings analysis only use "magic numbers" in their calculations. They do not use the remaining schedule information to make their determinations, which basically provides incomplete and inaccurate results. The advantage of Playoff Computer is that it looks at the remaining schedule and can determine that some teams have clinched a spot, or been eliminated, that might be missed by just using "magic numbers". More importantly, Playoff Computer is the only program available that can give the "paths-to-clinch" scenarios for teams still fighting!
Why Excel-based?
Excel lends itself nicely to organizing the data of a league (standings, results, points scored, head-to-head info) and provides a fairly easy platform (VBA) for testing theories and programming concepts.
What are some of the problems with Excel-based?
The mathematical calculations that have to be done repetitively take many times longer than a dedicated programming language. In addition, there are many versions of Excel in use, with a million options and preferences for its use, creating not the easiest user experience when problems develop. And with many computers no longer having a "Break" key in combination with Microsoft not providing any other way to stop an Excel-VBA program other than using a "Break" key, it may be necessary if stopping the program is required to either force close the program or even shutting off the computer, neither particularly ideal methods. In addition, there are some very minor glitches associated with the third party software used to protect the program. It is recommended to completely close any other Excel windows in use before using this program.
What types of leagues can Playoff Computer be used for?
Any league (or conference ie NFL) with up to 24 teams that compete for playoff spots based on winning percentage and plays head-to-head games (two participants for each game resulting in a win, loss, or tie for the participants).
Will Playoff Computer work for all sports?
Playoff Computer will work for any sport as long as the league's setup meets the basic paramaters described above. It can even be used on the NFL, certainly one of the more complex leagues. Know the playoff fate of your favorite team before ESPN announces it!
Is there an ideal league set-up?
Playoff Computer was conceived for fantasy sports (ie football) where an average league has 8-14 teams playing a 12-13 week regular season of head-to-head matches between participants each week, and playoff spots are awarded to the top 4-8 teams based on winning percentages. However, any league that meets the parameters described above can be used with Playoff Computer. It can even be used on the NFL!
Why a one year subscription-based purchase?
As a small (microscopic) part-time operation, using an Excel-based program, there is no way to provide software updates, glitch fixes, or much in the way of support. So instead of having a nice glossy professional program for big-time money, we offer an amateurish-looking program that does kick-butt stuff for a couple of bucks. Thus, as it is improved or fixed, nobody (hopefully) will feel slighted at having to pay a few more bucks for the latest version.
Can Playoff Computer handle multiple divisions and wildcards (ie NFL)?
Yes! The biggest improvement with the 2013 version of Playoff Computer is that it will now account for multiple divisions and wildcards simultaneously.
Can Playoff Computer calculate top-teams that earn a "bye" in addition to playoff spots?
Yes. For simpler leagues, this is done by just changing one parameter. For multi-division leagues with complex rules for determining byes, there may be some manual calculations necessary.
How accurate are the results?
The calculations that determine which teams have clinched a playoff spot, been eliminated, etc.. are believed to be 100% accurate as are the paths-to-clinch analysis. However, note that the tiebreaker procedures and calculations used in Playoff Computer may not completely match any particular league's official rules causing slight discrepancies. Also note that due to the sheer number of possible permuations inherent in these calculations, complete testing is an impossibility.
What standings tiebreakers can be accounted for?
Tiebreakers such as division-records, points scored, head-to-head results, conference-records, and common games are supported and can be automatically accounted for and calculated into the results as long as the appropriate data is input and maintained, or full league results are maintained in the "Results" page. There may be other tiebreakers in a particular league that can be accommodated through modifying the points scored section. See tips-and-tricks within the Instructions page. Note the methods of calculating tiebreakers in Playoff Computer may not completely conform to any particular league's tiebreaker rules.
How long does the program take to make its calculations?
This will be largely dependent on the number of permutations that need to be analyzed. For the basic calculations estimate approximately 1000 permutations per second. The paths-to-clinch features has too many variables for any estimate to be given, but it can under complex situations take multiple HOURS.
How far from the end of the season will Playoff Computer calculate results?
The maximum number of remaining games that Playoff Computer can analyze whether teams have definitively clinched (or been eliminated from) a playoff spot (or top seed) is approximately 22. To include ties in the calculations brings the limit down to approximately 14 games out. The paths-to-clinch feature has complete functionality to calculate 16 remaining games without ties, or 10 games with ties. Often certain remaining games can be eliminated from the calculations, see "Tips-and-Tricks".
Will I be able to use my computer while Playoff Computer is running?
It is recommended that the computer be left alone when using the Excel version during its processing so that its internal resources can be dedicated to the calculations. Note that this program requires your computer to perform millions/billions/zillions of repetitive calculations for potentially extended amounts of time. While modern computers should not have any problems, It is up to the user to determine if their computer can handle this type of activity.
What kind of computer, hardware, and software do I need to use Playoff Computer?
A Windows based PC is required with Microsoft Excel installed. Playoff Computer does not provide Excel, it adds the necessary programming codes to a blank Excel document. Program has been tested on Excel 2003, 2007, and 2010. Some basic knowledge of Excel may be helpful, but is not required. This program does repetitive calculations for extended amounts of time. Modern PCs are well suited for this task, but it is the user's responsibility to determine if their computer is completely suitable for this type of activity.
Will the Excel version look like and work like a normal Excel spreadsheet?
For the most part, yes. You enter data, navigate tabs, and click buttons (that activate Macros) like one would for countless other Excel spreadsheets. Thus, it is very important to note that it may be possible to make changes that are normally allowed in Excel (such as deleting a worksheet) that would render the program unusable. For the casual user this should not be an issue as it would normally require intentionally doing so, but there of course could be accidental key-strokes that accomplish the same damage. If you realize you did something unintentional, use the Excel "Undo" feature. Note that this program is protected by XLSafePRO, you will not be able to access some parts of this spreadsheet such as programming code or formulas used. When the spreadsheet is closed, an additional message and "Exit Spreadsheet" button installed by XLSafePRO will need to be pressed.
Will the Excel version of Playoff Computer work on a MAC with Excel?
Limited feedback indicates it does not work on MAC computers.
Will the Excel version Playoff Computer work on OpenOffice (or other spreadsheet programs)?
It is unlikely that it would work on any spreadsheet program other than Excel.
Why do I need Excel already-installed?
The simple answer is that we are not a re-seller of Microsoft products, and cannot provide Excel to users. Essentially by ordering the Excel version the program will take a blank Excel document (thus the requirement to have Excel) on your computer and incorporate all the necessary codes and structure to make Playoff Computer work. Its exactly like having somebody design a complicated spreadsheet program on your computer for you, only for about $100,000 cheaper.
What happens to my personal info?
Any info given to us (name, email, address, etc.) will not be given/sold to anybody else. We don't maintain any mailing or spam lists. We are keeping a simple list of sales so that we can notify users of a still-planned future web-app version (now much delayed by a devastating fire).
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