Side Games - User Guide

Learn how to add competitive betting games to your golf rounds.

What Are Side Games?

Side games are competitive betting formats that run alongside your main scorecard. They add excitement and strategy to your round with automatic calculation of winners and payouts based on your scores.

Available Games (11):

Nassau - Three separate bets (Front 9, Back 9, Total 18) — 2+ players
Match Play - Hole-by-hole competition (1v1 or 2v2 teams) — exactly 2 or 4 players
Skins - Winner-take-all on each hole — 2+ players
Wolf - Rotating partnerships with strategic choices — exactly 4 players
Banker - High-action rotating banker game with multipliers — 3–5 players
Nines (5-3-1) - Point distribution game — exactly 3 players
Snake - Three-putt penalty game where last holder loses — 2+ players
Sixes - Rotating team partnerships every 6 holes — exactly 4 players
Vegas - Team game (2v2) where scores pair into 2-digit numbers — exactly 4 players
Bingo Bango Bongo - Three event-based awards per hole (first on green, closest to pin, first to hole out) — 2–4 players
Train - Streak-based point accumulation; board with a par, derail on two bogeys or any double — 2+ players

Key Features:

Automatic calculation of results
USGA-compliant handicap support (most games — BBB is event-based with no handicap)
Real-time leaderboards during your round
Multiple games can run simultaneously
Customizable betting amounts, variants, and rules

Nassau

What It Is: Three independent bets - one for the front 9, one for the back 9, and one for the total 18 holes.

How to Play

Set betting units (e.g., $5 per bet)
Choose scoring mode:
- GROSS - Raw scores only
- NET - Handicap-adjusted scores

Scoring Example

Each bet is settled against every other player, not against the field as a whole. You collect (or pay) the unit once per opponent, per bet.

Heads-up ($5 unit, 2 players):

Front 9: Winner gets $5
Back 9: Winner gets $5
Total 18: Winner gets $5
Maximum win/loss: $15

Foursome ($5 unit, 4 players):

Win the front 9 outright: $5 from each of 3 opponents = $15
Win the back 9 outright: another $15
Win the total 18 outright: another $15
Sweep all three bets: +$45, and each of the other three players is -$15

Strategy Tips

Front 9 and Back 9 bets settle independently
Total 18 bet adds drama to the final holes
In a bigger group the stakes multiply — a $5 unit in a foursome is a $45 swing if someone sweeps

Match Play

What It Is: Hole-by-hole competition where you win, lose, or tie (halve) each hole. Match ends when one player/team is up by more holes than remain.

How to Play

Individual Match Play (1v1):

Select your opponent
Choose GROSS or NET scoring
Play each hole head-to-head

Team Match Play (2v2):

Create two teams of 2 players each
Each team uses best ball (lower score per hole)
Compete team vs team

Match Terminology

All Square (A/S) - Match is tied
2 UP - Leading by 2 holes
3&2 - Won by 3 holes with 2 holes remaining (match over)
DORMIE - Up by number of holes remaining (e.g., 2 up with 2 to play)
Halved - Hole ended in a tie

Handicap Allowances & Pops

When using NET scoring:

Individual (1v1): 100% of the difference between the two players' Course Handicaps. The lower-handicap player plays off scratch; the higher-handicap player receives that many "pops" (handicap strokes) on the hardest holes (stroke index 1…N).
Team (2v2): 90% of Course Handicap, "stroke off the low ball" (best ball format).

Seeing your pops: In the live Side Games results, the Match Play card shows a Pops summary — who gets how many strokes and on which holes — and marks each hole where a stroke applies with a dot (•) next to that player's score. Scores in the Hole Results grid are shown net (pops already applied). If you play GROSS (handicaps off), no pops are shown and scores are gross.

Example

You're 2 UP through 16 holes with 2 holes remaining (DORMIE):

If you halve hole 17: You win 2&1
If opponent wins hole 17: Match goes to hole 18 (1 UP)
If you win hole 17: You win 3&1

Skins

What It Is: Each hole has a "skin" (monetary value). Lowest score on a hole wins the skin. Tied holes carry over to the next hole, building the pot.

How to Play

Set skin value (e.g., $5 per skin)
Choose scoring mode (GROSS or NET)
Enable carryover (recommended)
- Tied holes add their value to the next hole
- Creates bigger pots as the round progresses

Scoring Example

With Carryover:

Hole 1: Player A wins (4) vs Player B (5) - $5 to A
Hole 2: Tie (both score 4) - No winner, $5 carries over
Hole 3: Player B wins (3) vs Player A (4) - $10 to B ($5 original + $5 carryover)
Hole 4: Three-way tie - $5 carries over
Hole 5: Player C wins - $10 to C ($5 original + $5 carryover)

Without Carryover:

Tied holes: No payout, money is "lost"
Only outright winners claim skins

Strategy

Carryover mode makes late-round holes more valuable
Aggressive play can win big pots on carryover holes
Even if you're behind in total score, you can win skins with individual great holes

Wolf

What It Is: A 4-player rotating partnership game where the "Wolf" makes strategic decisions each hole - pick a partner or go solo (Lone Wolf).

Requirement: Exactly 4 players

How to Play

Rotation System:

Wolf rotates every hole
Each player is the Wolf every 4th hole
Typical rotation order: Player A (holes 1,5,9,13,17), Player B (2,6,10,14,18), Player C (3,7,11,15), Player D (4,8,12,16)

Wolf's Decision (each hole):

Option 1: Pick a Partner

Choose one of the other 3 players as your partner
It's now you + partner (2-player team) vs the other 2 players
Points awarded to winning team

Option 2: Go Lone Wolf

Play 1 vs 3 (you against all other players)
Higher risk, higher reward
Double points if you win

Option 3: Blind Wolf (Optional rule)

Declare Lone Wolf BEFORE anyone tees off
Even higher multiplier (typically 2× or 3×)

Point Scoring

Standard Points:

Partner mode: Winning team earns 2 points — not split. The Wolf and the partner EACH receive the full 2 points
Lone Wolf wins: Wolf earns 4 points (double the partner-mode award)
Lone Wolf loses: Opponents each earn 1 point

Example with $1 per point:

Partner mode wins: Wolf and partner each get 2 points ($2 each)
Lone Wolf wins: Wolf gets 4 points ($4)
Lone Wolf loses: Each opponent gets 1 point ($1 × 3 = $3 total)

Configuration Options

Point Value: Dollar amount per point (default: $1)
Use Handicap (NET): Apply handicap strokes. Default: ON (NET). Wolf is traditionally played GROSS, so switch this off if your group plays it the traditional way.
Blind Wolf Multiplier: Point multiplier when Wolf declares blind (before anyone tees off). Default 2×.
Double Points on Par 3s: Doubles all points awarded on par 3 holes (default: off)

Strategy

As the Wolf:
- Pick strong players as partners when you need help
- Go Lone Wolf when you're feeling confident or on easy holes
- Watch others tee off to gauge who's playing well
As an Opponent:
- Play solid golf to avoid giving Wolf easy pickings
- Hope Wolf goes Lone Wolf so you have 3vs1 advantage

Banker

What It Is: A high-action rotating game where one player is the "Banker" each hole and takes bets from all other players. Players wager against the Banker individually with optional multipliers for exciting swings.

Requirement: 3-5 players

How to Play

Who Is the Banker:

Earn the Bank (default) — whoever posts the lowest score on the previous hole is the Banker on the next hole. The hole 1 Banker is chosen up front.
Fixed Rotation (alternative) — the Banker role rotates in a preset order instead. With 4 players: Player A (holes 1,5,9,13,17), Player B (2,6,10,14,18), Player C (3,7,11,15), Player D (4,8,12,16)
Either way, the Banker plays against ALL other players individually on their hole

4-Phase Betting Flow

Each hole has a structured betting flow:

Phase 1: Declarations (Before Tee Shots)

Each non-banker player declares their wager (minimum = base stake)
Players can optionally pre-double their bet (2× their declaration)
Example: Base stake $1, player declares $2, with pre-double = $4

Phase 2: Post-Tee (After Seeing Tee Shots)

After everyone has teed off, any non-banker player may triple their current bet
This is a per-hole, per-player choice, and it's controlled by the Allow Triple setting (default: on). Turn Allow Triple off and this phase disappears.

Phase 3: Auto-Multipliers (Automatic)

Birdie Auto-Double: If enabled, a birdie doubles that player's own bet only — it is applied per player, off that player's own GROSS score. Your birdie does not touch anyone else's bet, and the Banker making a birdie doubles nothing.
Eagle Auto-Triple: If enabled, works the same way — an eagle triples that player's own bet only, again read off their own GROSS score.
Because these read GROSS, a NET birdie (one you only make after your handicap stroke) does not trigger the multiplier.

Phase 4: Banker Action (After Seeing Tee Shots)

The Banker sees all declarations and can choose:
- Do Nothing (✋) - Accept bets as-is
- Double All (💥) - Double every player's bet
- Double One Player (🎯) - Target one specific player to double
- Triple (⚡) - Available only when the Banker Can Triple setting is on (default: off)

Scoring

On Each Hole:

Each player competes against the Banker individually
Lower NET score (with handicaps) or GROSS score wins
Player beats Banker: Player wins their bet amount from Banker
Banker beats Player: Banker wins player's bet amount
Tie (Push): No money changes hands

Configuration Options

Base Stake: Minimum wager amount per hole (default: $1)
Banker Rotation: How the banker is determined each hole
- Earn the Bank (default) — The player with the lowest score on the previous hole is the banker on the next hole. Banker on hole 1 is chosen up front.
- Fixed Rotation — Banker rotates in snake order through the field (preset by the group).
Use Handicap (NET): Apply handicap strokes for fair NET scoring (default: on)
Allow Triple: Lets non-banker players triple their own bet after seeing the tee shots (default: on). Turn it off to remove the post-tee phase entirely.
Banker Can Triple: Adds a Triple option to the Banker's action menu (default: off)
Auto-Birdie Double: A player's own bet doubles when that player makes a birdie, read off their GROSS score (default: on). It applies per player — one player's birdie never doubles anyone else's bet, and a Banker birdie doubles nothing.
Auto-Eagle Triple: Same rule for eagles — a player's own bet triples on their own GROSS eagle (default: off)

Tee Box Order

You can set player order either:

During round creation: Drag players to set the banker rotation
At the tee box: Select "Set at Tee Box" and order will be determined when you tap "Begin Round" - perfect for flipping a tee!

Scoring Example

4-Player Game - Hole 1 (Chad is Banker):

Kendall declares $2 (no pre-double) → bets $2
Golf Buddie declares $4 (with pre-double) → bets $8
Apple Tester declares $1 (no pre-double) → bets $1
Chad (Banker) chooses "Double All" → all bets doubled

Final Bets: Kendall $4, Golf Buddie $16, Apple Tester $2

Results:

Kendall (NET 4) beats Chad (NET 5) → Kendall wins $4 from Chad
Golf Buddie (NET 5) ties Chad (NET 5) → Push, no exchange
Apple Tester (NET 6) loses to Chad (NET 5) → Chad wins $2 from Apple Tester

Chad's Hole Result: -$4 + $0 + $2 = -$2

During Your Round

Banker Indicator (💰):

The 💰 emoji appears next to the current Banker's name
Changes each hole as the Banker rotates
Example: Chad 💰 means Chad is the Banker this hole

Place Bets Banner:

A yellow "Place Bets" banner appears before each hole starts
Tap the button to open the betting modal
Score entry is disabled until all bets are placed

Scorecard View:

View a grid showing each player's results per hole
Yellow highlighted cells show when that player was Banker
Running totals at the end

Strategy

As the Banker:

You're playing 1 vs Many - be prepared for variance
Consider "Double One Player" to target someone who declared high
Watch the tee shots to gauge confidence before deciding

As a Player:

Declare higher when you're feeling confident
Pre-double if you like your matchup against the Banker
Save triple for holes where your tee shot is great

General Tips:

Banker is high-variance - big swings are normal
With handicaps, NET scoring keeps it fair
The Banker advantage is seeing everyone's declarations before acting

Common Questions

Q: What if I don't want to bet much on a hole?

A: Declare the minimum (base stake). You can always play conservatively.

Q: Can the Banker refuse bets?

A: No. The Banker must accept all bets but can influence them with their action (double all, double one, or do nothing).

Q: What happens if we don't finish betting before teeing off?

A: Score entry is disabled until bets are placed. Complete betting to continue.

Q: How do handicaps work?

A: Each player's NET score is calculated using stroke allocation. Player vs Banker is head-to-head comparison.

Nines (5-3-1)

What It Is: A point-based game where 9 points are distributed on each hole. Best score gets 5 points, second gets 3 points, third gets 1 point. Points can also be split on ties.

Requirement: 3 players (exactly)

How to Play

Point Distribution:

Best Score: 5 points
Second Best: 3 points
Third Best: 1 point
Total per hole: Always 9 points

Tie Handling:

3-way tie: 3 points each (9 ÷ 3)
2-way tie for best: 4 points each (8 ÷ 2), third gets 1 point
2-way tie for second: Best gets 5 points, tied players get 2 points each (4 ÷ 2)

Scoring Example

Hole 1:

Player A: 4 strokes → 5 points (best)
Player B: 5 strokes → 3 points (second)
Player C: 6 strokes → 1 point (third)

Hole 2 (Tie for best):

Player A: 4 strokes → 4 points (tied best)
Player B: 4 strokes → 4 points (tied best)
Player C: 5 strokes → 1 point (third)

Hole 3 (3-way tie):

All players: 4 strokes → 3 points each

Point Value

Set a dollar value per point (e.g., $0.25 per point)
After 18 holes: 162 total points distributed (9 × 18)
Each player should average 54 points
Settlement is pairwise: you settle separately with each of the other two players, on the point difference between just the two of you. There is no "difference from average" calculation.

Settlement Example

After 18 holes with $0.25/point:

Player A: 72 points
Player B: 54 points
Player C: 36 points

Settle each pair on its own point difference:

A vs B: 72 − 54 = 18 points → B pays A $4.50
A vs C: 72 − 36 = 36 points → C pays A $9.00
B vs C: 54 − 36 = 18 points → C pays B $4.50

Net result:

Player A: +$4.50 + $9.00 = +$13.50
Player B: -$4.50 + $4.50 = $0.00
Player C: -$9.00 - $4.50 = -$13.50

Note how the pairwise method makes the spread three times bigger than a naive "points above average" calculation would suggest — the runaway leader collects from everyone.

Configuration Options

Point Value: Dollar amount per point (default: $1)
Handicaps: Enable NET scoring for fair play
Blitz Rule (optional): When the low score beats the middle score by 2 or more strokes, that player sweeps the hole 9-0-0 instead of 5-3-1 (default: off)
Birdies Double Points (optional): On any hole where someone makes a gross birdie, all 9 points on that hole are doubled to 18 (default: off)
Players: Exactly 3 players required

Strategy

Every hole matters equally (always 9 points available)
Avoid being third - the gap from 3 to 1 point is significant
Ties benefit the lower scorers (split dilutes the winner)
Consistent play beats occasional great holes with blow-ups

Common Questions

Q: Why exactly 3 players?

A: The 5-3-1 point system is designed for 3-player games. More players would need different point values.

Q: What if someone picks up (no score)?

A: The whole hole is skipped. Nobody scores 5, 3 or 1 — no points are awarded to anyone for that hole. Nines needs all three scores to divide the 9 points, so an incomplete hole simply doesn't count.

Q: Can we play Nines with handicaps?

A: Yes! Enable NET scoring and points are awarded based on handicap-adjusted scores.

Snake

What It Is: A putting-focused penalty game where players pass the "Snake" each time someone three-putts. The last player holding the Snake at the end of the round loses and pays everyone else.

Works with: 2+ players (no maximum)

How to Play

Basic Rules:

First Three-Putt: First player to three-putt gets the Snake 🐍
Snake Transfers: Each subsequent three-putt transfers the Snake to that player
Last Holder Loses: Player holding the Snake after hole 18 pays all other players

Configuration:

Bet Amount: Dollar amount the loser pays to each player (e.g., $10)
Bet Structure: Fixed (Phase 1 only - additional structures planned)

Scoring Example

4-player game with $10 bet:

Hole 3: Player A three-putts → Gets the Snake 🐍
Hole 7: Player C three-putts → Snake transfers to Player C 🐍
Hole 12: Player C three-putts again → Still has the Snake 🐍
Hole 15: Player B three-putts → Snake transfers to Player B 🐍
Result: Player B holds Snake after hole 18
Payout: Player B pays $10 to each of 3 players = $30 total loss
Winners: Players A, C, and D each receive $10

Multiple Three-Putts on Same Hole

When multiple players three-putt the same hole, the last player to hole out gets the Snake.

Step-by-Step: What Happens

Enter scores: You enter scores for all players on the hole
Save scores: Tap "Save All" button - scores are saved immediately to the app
Modal appears: If 2+ players three-putted, a yellow modal pops up automatically
Question shown: "Who holed out last?"
See your options: All players who three-putted are listed with buttons
Default highlighted: The last player in scorecard order is highlighted in yellow
Choose action:
- Option A: Tap the correct player's button (the one who actually holed out last)
- Option B: Tap "Keep Default (Scorecard Order)" if the default is correct
Modal closes: Your choice is saved and the Snake transfers to the correct player
Continue playing: You advance to the next hole

Visual Example:

Modal Title: "Multiple Three-Putts on Hole 5"

Message: "3 players three-putted this hole. Who holed out last?"
         (Snake transfers to the last player to hole out)

Buttons:
┌─────────────────────────┐
│ 🐍 Chad                 │  (White button - tap to select)
└─────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────┐
│ 🐍 John                 │  (Yellow button - DEFAULT)
└─────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────┐
│ 🐍 Mike                 │  (White button - tap to select)
└─────────────────────────┘

Bottom button:
┌───────────────────────────────────┐
│ Keep Default (Scorecard Order)    │
└───────────────────────────────────┘

Important Notes:

Snake rules specify the last player to hole out gets the penalty
Since you enter scores in scorecard order (not hole-out order), this modal lets you correct it
The yellow highlighted button shows who will get the Snake if you don't change it
You only see this modal when 2 or more players three-putt the same hole (rare)
If only 1 player three-putts, the Snake automatically goes to them (no modal)

During Your Round

Real-Time Tracking:

Snake Holder Indicator (🐍):

The 🐍 emoji appears next to the player's name who currently holds the Snake
Where to see it: Look at the player names at the top of each score card
When it updates: Immediately after you save scores for a hole where someone three-putted

Example:

John Smith 🐍  ← Currently holding the Snake
Sarah Jones
Mike Wilson

Wolf Indicator (🐺) (if playing Wolf game):

The 🐺 emoji appears next to the player's name who is the Wolf for the current hole
Where to see it: Look at the player names at the top of each score card
Changes every hole: The Wolf rotates to a different player each hole

Example:

John Smith
Sarah Jones 🐺  ← Wolf for this hole
Mike Wilson

Playing Both Snake and Wolf?

You might see both emojis next to the same player:

John Smith 🐍 🐺  ← Holding Snake AND Wolf for this hole

View Full Results:

Tap the Side Games floating button (circular button on the screen)
See complete transfer history (which holes Snake changed hands)
View three-putt statistics for each player
Check current Snake holder
See how much money each player is up or down

Strategy Tips

Playing Snake:

Adds pressure to every putt (especially lag putts)
Can run alongside other side games
No handicap advantage - everyone's putting skill matters
Creates drama on the final holes if Snake changes hands late

Smart Play:

Take your time on lag putts (distance control is key)
Don't be too aggressive from 30+ feet
The Snake can change hands multiple times - stay focused
Even great players three-putt occasionally

What Makes It Unique

Unlike other side games that reward scoring:

Putting-focused: Only putts matter
Penalty-based: You're trying to avoid the Snake, not win points
Constant pressure: Every green matters equally
Late drama: A single three-putt on 18 can change everything
Simple tracking: Just watch for three-putts

Snake - Common Questions

Q: How do I know who has the Snake right now?

A: Look for the 🐍 emoji next to a player's name at the top of their score card. That player currently holds the Snake.

Q: What happens if I three-putt?

A: The Snake automatically transfers to you. You'll see the 🐍 emoji appear next to your name after you save the hole scores.

Q: What if two players three-putt on the same hole?

A: A yellow modal will pop up asking "Who holed out last?" You tap the button for the player who actually finished putting last. The Snake goes to that player.

Q: What if I don't remember who holed out last?

A: Tap "Keep Default (Scorecard Order)" in the modal. The app will give the Snake to the last player in the scorecard order (usually the person whose scores you entered last).

Q: Can the Snake transfer multiple times in a round?

A: Yes! Every time someone three-putts, the Snake transfers to them. The only thing that matters is who has it after hole 18.

Q: What if nobody three-putts?

A: Nobody gets the Snake, nobody pays anything. The bet is void.

Q: What if someone three-putts on hole 18?

A: They get the Snake and they're the loser. They pay all other players the bet amount.

Q: Can I play Snake with other side games?

A: Yes! Snake works alongside Nassau, Skins, Match Play, and Wolf. You can play all of them at the same time if you want.

Q: Do handicaps matter for Snake?

A: No. Snake only cares about putts, not scores or handicaps. It's purely a putting skill game.

Q: What if I forget to enter my putts?

A: The app will prevent you from saving scores if putts are missing. You'll see an error message like: "Snake game requires putts for all players. Missing putts for: John Smith. Please enter putts before saving." You must enter putts for all players before you can save the hole.

Sixes (Round Robin)

What It Is: A 4-player team game where you rotate partners every 6 holes, ensuring every player partners with everyone else exactly once. Also known as "Round Robin" or "Hollywood."

Requirement: Exactly 4 players

How to Play

Partnership Rotation (C.O.D. Method):

The round is split into three 6-hole segments with different team pairings:

Segment	Holes	Team 1	Team 2
1 (Cart)	1-6	A + B	C + D
2 (Opposites)	7-12	A + C	B + D
3 (Drivers)	13-18	A + D	B + C

Each player partners with every other player once and competes against each player twice.

Scoring per Segment:

Teams play Best Ball format (lower score of the two partners counts)
Count how many holes each team wins in the 6-hole segment
Team with more holes won takes the segment
Tied segments can push (no payout) or carry over to next segment

Scoring Example

Segment 1 (Holes 1-6, A+B vs C+D) at $5/segment:

Hole 1: A scores 5, B scores 4 (team = 4). C scores 5, D scores 6 (team = 5). A+B wins
Hole 2: A+B team = 5, C+D team = 4. C+D wins
...After 6 holes: A+B wins 4 holes, C+D wins 2
Result: A+B each win $5, C+D each lose $5

Settlement Example

After all 3 segments at $5/segment:

Player A: Won 2 segments, lost 1 → +$5
Player B: Won 1 segment, lost 2 → -$5
Player C: Won 2 segments, lost 1 → +$5
Player D: Won 1 segment, lost 2 → -$5

Configuration Options

Segment Stake: Dollar amount wagered per 6-hole segment (default: $5)
Scoring Format: Best Ball (lower score counts) or Aggregate (add both scores)
Handicaps: Enable NET scoring for fair play. Sixes uses the handicap strokes from the round itself — no format allowance is applied, so you play off the full strokes your round is set up with (100% by default).
Carryover Ties (optional): Carries tied value forward at two levels:
- Hole level — a tied hole inside a segment carries its value onto the next hole. A hole that follows two ties is worth three holes.
- Segment level — a tied segment carries its stake into the next segment.

Tee Box Order

Set player order either:

During round creation: Drag players to set the order
At the tee box: Select "Set at Tee Box" and order will be determined when you tap "Begin Round"

Strategy

Best Ball Safety: Your partner can cover a bad hole, so take calculated risks
Observe Partners: Each segment is a fresh start with a new partner
Match Play Mindset: Think in holes won, not total strokes
Consistency Wins: Avoid blow-up holes that waste your partner's good score

Common Questions

Q: Why exactly 4 players?

A: The C.O.D. rotation system requires 4 players to ensure everyone partners with everyone once.

Q: What if we tie a segment?

A: With carryover enabled, the $5 stake adds to the next segment ($10 possible payout). Without carryover, it's a push.

Q: What happens when we tie a single hole?

A: With carryover enabled, that hole's value rolls onto the next hole — so a hole that follows two halved holes is worth three. Without carryover, a tied hole simply counts for nobody.

Q: Can we use Aggregate instead of Best Ball?

A: Yes! Aggregate adds both partners' scores. It rewards consistency from both players.

Vegas (Las Vegas)

What It Is: A high-action 4-player team game (2v2) where individual scores are paired to form 2-digit numbers. The difference between team numbers determines points won or lost each hole.

Requirement: Exactly 4 players (2 teams of 2)

How to Play

Paired Score System: Instead of adding scores, you combine them into a 2-digit number:

Player scores 4 and 5 → Team number is 45 (lower digit first)
Player scores 3 and 7 → Team number is 37
Compare team numbers: lower number wins the hole

Point Calculation:

Points = difference between the two team numbers
Points multiplied by point value (e.g., $0.25/point) = dollars

Scoring Examples

Basic Example:

Team 1: Scores 4 and 5 → 45
Team 2: Scores 6 and 7 → 67
Difference: 67 - 45 = 22 points to Team 1
At $0.25/point = $5.50 to Team 1

Birdie Flip (Key Rule): When the winning team makes a birdie, they can flip the opponent's digits (higher first):

Team 1: 34 (with birdie) vs Team 2: 46
Without flip: 46 - 34 = 12 points
With flip: Team 2 becomes 64 → 64 - 34 = 30 points!

Double Birdie Bonus: Both players on winning team make birdie = flip AND double points:

Team 1: 33 (both birdies) vs Team 2: 47
Flip: 47 becomes 74 → 74 - 33 = 41 → doubled = 82 points!

10+ Protection: Scores of 10+ put the higher digit first to minimize damage:

Scores 4 and 10 = 104 (not 410)
Prevents catastrophic swings on blow-up holes

Configuration Options

Point Value: Dollar amount per point difference (default: $0.25)
Enable Birdie Flip: Winning team with birdie flips opponent's score (default: on)
Double Birdie Bonus: Both players birdie = flip + double points (default: on)
Eagle Bonus: Eagle triggers flip and multiplier - None, Double, or Triple (default: Double)
10+ Protection: High scores put larger digit first (default: on)
Handicaps: Enable NET scoring for fair play

Team Assignment

Set teams either:

During round creation: Drag players to assign teams
At the tee box: Select "Set at Tee Box" and assign teams before your first hole

Strategy

Every Shot Matters: One bad hole can create massive point swings
Birdie Power: Making birdie to activate the flip is huge - worth playing aggressively
Team Chemistry: Both players' scores combine directly, so support each other
Avoid Double Digits: A score of 10+ gets protection but still hurts (e.g., 104 vs 45 = 59 points)

Recommended Stakes

Point Value	Risk Level	Typical 18-Hole Range
$0.10/point	Casual	$5-$15
$0.25/point	Friendly	$15-$40
$0.50/point	Competitive	$30-$75

Common Questions

Q: What if both teams have the same number?

A: It's a tie - 0 points, move to the next hole.

Q: Can we play without the flip rule?

A: Yes! Disable "Enable Birdie Flip" in the settings. Points are purely based on paired score difference.

Q: How do handicaps work in Vegas?

A: Each player's NET score (after handicap strokes) is used to form the paired team number.

Q: What's the biggest possible swing?

A: With double birdie bonus and eagle bonus enabled, swings of 100+ points are possible on a single hole.

Bingo Bango Bongo

What It Is: A point-based game with three awards per hole (54 max over 18 holes). Awards reward physical events — first ball on the green, closest to the pin, first to hole out — instead of total strokes.

Requirement: 2–4 players

How to Play

Each hole has three points up for grabs:

🎯 Bingo — first player on the green (farthest hits first, so a recovery shot from the rough or sand often steals it)
🚩 Bango — closest to the pin once all balls are on the green
🥤 Bongo — first player to hole out (farthest putts first, so long putts and chip-ins shine)

Player with the most points at the end wins.

After Each Hole

Once everyone enters their score, the app pops up an award modal. Tap who earned each award:

Bingo opens first — tap the player who got there first
The modal auto-advances to Bango — tap the closest-to-pin player
Then Bongo — tap whoever holed out first
Hit Save

A category that didn't resolve (everyone hit the green on the same shot, gimmes were given before anyone holed out, etc.) can be skipped — the other two still count.

Scoring Examples

Standard hole:

Tom hits a recovery shot from the trees that lands first on the green → Bingo: Tom +1
Jim's wedge from the fairway sticks closest to the pin → Bango: Jim +1
Tom drains a 30-footer first → Bongo: Tom +1
Result: Tom +2, Jim +1

Same player wins all three:

Sam hits the green first, sticks it closest, drains the putt first
Sam +3 on the hole

Skipped category:

All four players miss the green and chip on at the same time → no clear "first on"
Skip Bingo
Bango and Bongo still award normally

Configuration Options

Point Value: Dollar amount per point (default: $1)
No Bingo on Par 3s (optional): Skip the "first on green" award on par 3 holes. Recommended for groups that want a fairness adjustment — on par 3s, everyone tees onto the green so the player teeing first has a structural edge. With this on, the award modal hides the Bingo section automatically on par 3s.
Sweep Bonus (optional): Reward a player who wins every award on a single hole. Choose None (3 pts, standard), Double (6 pts), or +1 Bonus (4 pts). Default is None.
No handicap option — awards are physical events, not score-derived

Strategy

Get on the green first — even an ugly approach from a bad lie wins Bingo if it's first to land
Wedge play matters — Bango rewards the player who can stick the green close, not just hit it
Don't lag — Bongo goes to whoever drains it first, so confident long putts swing points
Watch the order — farthest from the hole hits first, both for approaches and putts

Recommended Stakes

Point Value	Risk Level	Typical 18-Hole Range
$0.25/point	Casual	$5–$15 swing
$1/point	Friendly	$20–$50 swing
$5/point	Competitive	$100–$250 swing

Common Questions

Q: What happens on a par 3 where everyone tees off onto the green?

A: Whoever's ball lands on the green first earns Bingo, then Bango goes to whoever's closest. Skip Bingo if it's truly simultaneous.

Q: What if two balls are equidistant for Bango?

A: The group decides. If you can't agree, skip Bango.

Q: Do I have to use real money?

A: No — set point value to $0 if you just want bragging rights. The leaderboard still shows points.

Q: Can I edit awards for a hole after the fact?

A: Not from the active scoring screen. The awards are set when you tap Save on the modal.

Train

What It Is: A streak-based game where you board the train with a par, earn points each hole you stay on, and lose everything if you derail. The drama is in protecting what you've built — one bad hole can wipe out a great front nine.

Requirement: 2+ players

How to Play

Board the train — make a net par or better and you're on (simple on-ramp). Strict mode requires a net birdie or two consecutive net pars.
Earn points each hole you stay on the train: par = 1, birdie = 2, eagle+ = 5 (defaults)
A bogey is free once — single bogey scores 0 but you stay on the train (marked)
Don't derail — two bogeys in a row OR a double bogey on any hole wipes all your points to zero
Re-board — make another par after derailing and start a fresh streak

Most points at the end of the round wins. Points × the configured dollar value = your settlement.

Scoring Example

Default settings (NET scoring), 7-hole stretch:

Hole	Score	Train State	Points	Running Total
1	Par	🚂 boards	+1	1
2	Birdie	on train	+2	3
3	Bogey	marked	0	3
4	Par	recovered	+1	4
5	Bogey	marked	0	4
6	Bogey	💥 DERAIL	wipe to 0	0
7	Par	🚂 re-boarded	+1	1

The streak survives a single bogey — but not two in a row.

Configuration Options

On-Ramp: Simple (any par boards) or Strict (birdie or two consecutive pars boards). Default: Simple.
Scoring: NET (handicap applied) or GROSS. Default: NET.
Point Table: Customize bogey (0–1), par (0–5), birdie (0–10), eagle (0–15). Defaults 0/1/2/5.
Streak Bonus (optional): Each on-train par/birdie/eagle earns base + streak length. Long streaks pay quadratically more. Capped at 5 by default (range 1–20) so perfect rounds don't snowball. Bogey-on-train earns no bonus but the streak counter still advances.
Derail Penalty (optional): After a derail wipes you to 0, subtract an extra 0–10 points. Total points are floored at −10 cumulative so one bad hole can't take you out of the game.
Albatross / Hole-in-One Bonus (optional): Rare-shot tax-the-table. Scorer +value, every other player with a score this hole −value (default value 10, range 0–25). HIO takes precedence on a par-4 ace.
Point Value: Dollar amount per point (default: $0.25)

Strategy

Play for bogey after a bogey — once you're marked, the second bogey is the killer. After a bogey, prioritize ball-in-play over heroic recovery — a par saves the streak.
Avoid the double at all costs — a single double bogey wipes everything regardless of context. Layup, take medicine, get on the green.
Press early when you're hot — early-round momentum compounds, especially with Streak Bonus on. Every par adds to the streak you'll protect later.
A derailed player is dangerous — at 0 points with nothing to protect, opponents can swing aggressively. Don't assume a derailed rival is out.

Score Indicator During the Round

When playing Train, you'll see a 🚂 next to a player's name in the score entry view and the spectator view whenever they're currently on the train — same pattern as Wolf's 🐺, Snake's 🐍, and Banker's 💰. Watch it disappear in real-time when someone derails.

Recommended Stakes

Point Value	Risk Level	Typical 18-Hole Range
$0.10/point	Casual	$2–$15 swing
$0.25/point	Friendly (default)	$5–$40 swing
$1/point	Competitive	$20–$150 swing

(Higher swings possible if Streak Bonus is on — long-streak rounds can score 5x flat.)

Common Questions

Q: Why didn't I get on the train when I made a par?

A: You're in a Strict on-ramp round. Strict requires a birdie OR two consecutive pars. Your first par alone won't board you — make another par next hole and you're on.

Q: I made an eagle but didn't board the train. Why?

A: You should have. Check that your score is being recorded as eagle (gross 2 strokes under par on a par 4, etc.) and that NET scoring isn't unexpectedly classifying the eagle as something else.

Q: I made an albatross AND a hole-in-one on a par 4. Why did the others only lose points once?

A: HIO takes precedence when both would qualify (an albatross-from-the-tee on a par 4 is also an ace). Only one tax fires per hole.

Q: With Streak Bonus on and a long streak, can the bonus exceed the cap?

A: No — bonus per hole is capped at the configured maximum (default 5). Your streak counter keeps climbing, but the bonus plateaus.

Q: Does the train transfer between players?

A: No — Train is individual. Each player has their own streak. (You may be thinking of a different "ownership" Train variant played in some clubs; we use the more common streak-based version.)

How to Add Side Games to Your Round

During Round Creation

Side games are for group rounds, so the Side Games card only appears when you've added at least one buddy or guest. On a multi-player round it sits right after the Handicap section, highlighted in green with a "Recommended for groups" tag so it's easy to spot.

Create a round and add your playing buddies/guests
Find the green Side Games card (right after Handicap)
Quick add: tap a chip — Nassau, Skins, Wolf, or Match Play — to add that game in one tap
- A chip is grayed out when your group size doesn't fit the game (Wolf needs exactly 4 players; Match Play needs 2 or 4). Tap it again to remove it.
More options: tap "More games…" to open the full list (Banker, Nines, Snake, Sixes, Vegas, Bingo Bango Bongo, Train) and fine-tune any game's settings (betting amounts, rules, participants)
For Match Play teams: Assign players to teams
Save and start your round

Adding or Changing Games Later

Side games can only be added, changed, or removed while your round is still planned — that is, before scoring starts.

While the round is planned, open it and edit the Side Games card freely: add a game, change its settings, or remove one by deselecting it.
Once you start the round and it becomes active, the side games selector is locked. You cannot add a game, remove a game, or swap one for another for the rest of the round.
There is no "Add Side Game" button on an active round.

So agree on your games on the first tee, before anyone posts a score. If you realize on hole 4 that you wanted Skins too, you'll have to settle it by hand — the app can't add it to the round.

Viewing Results

During Your Round (Live Results)

Results update automatically as you enter scores
See current standings after each hole
View who's leading and by how much
Check pending decisions (Wolf game)

After Completing Your Round

View final results with complete breakdown
See total money won/lost per player
Review hole-by-hole details
Share results with playing partners

Using Handicaps

Side games support USGA-compliant handicap calculations for fair competition among players of different skill levels.

When to Use Handicaps

Recommended:

Players have different skill levels
You want competitive balance
Playing for meaningful stakes

Not Needed:

All players are similar skill level
Playing casual rounds
Prefer raw score competition

How Handicaps Work

Handicap indexes come from the round, not from the side game — each player's index is read from their profile (or the handicap set for them on the round). There is no handicap field in the side-game setup itself.
System automatically calculates:
- Course handicap (based on course difficulty)
- Playing handicap (based on game format)
- Stroke allocation (which holes you get strokes on)
NET scores calculate automatically:
- Your gross score minus handicap strokes
- Fair competition across skill levels

The Round Setting Wins

If the round itself is set to GROSS, every side game plays GROSS — regardless of that game's own handicap setting. A game switched to NET inside a GROSS round will still settle on gross scores. If you want NET side games, set the round to NET.

Handicap Allowances by Game

Nassau: Full handicap difference
Match Play (1v1): 100% of handicap difference
Match Play (2v2): 90% of handicap (best ball format)
Skins: Full handicap with proper stroke allocation
Wolf: Default is NET (full handicap). Traditionally played GROSS — switch it off if that's your group's rule.
Banker: Full handicap for NET scoring
Nines: Full handicap for NET scoring
Snake: No handicap — putting-only, three-putt penalty
Sixes: Full handicap as set up on the round — no format allowance is applied
Vegas: Full handicap applied to individual NET scores
Bingo Bango Bongo: No handicap option — awards are event-based (first on green, closest pin, first to hole out), not score-derived
Train: Configurable per round — choose NET (full handicap) or GROSS at setup

Tips for Best Experience

Before Starting

Set up games before teeing off - Required, not just convenient. Once the round goes active, side games are locked.
Agree on rules - Make sure everyone understands scoring
Verify participants - Ensure all players are added to each game
Enter accurate handicaps - Required for NET scoring fairness

During the Round

Save scores promptly - Results update automatically
Check live standings - Stay engaged with current match status
Make Wolf decisions - Don't forget to pick partner or go Lone Wolf
Have fun! - Side games add excitement, not stress

After the Round

Review final results - Check accuracy of calculations
Settle bets - Pay up or collect winnings
Share results - Show off your wins to your buddies
Learn for next time - Analyze what strategies worked

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play multiple side games at once?

Yes! You can run Nassau, Skins, and Match Play simultaneously on the same round.

What if we want to play for fun without money?

Absolutely! Set betting units to $0 or just keep track of "units won" for bragging rights.

Can I add a side game after starting my round?

No. Side games must be set up while the round is still planned, before scoring starts. Once the round is active the side games selector is locked for the rest of the round.

How do ties work?

Nassau: Tied bet = push (no money changes hands)
Match Play: Tied hole = halved (no one wins the hole)
Skins: Tied hole = carryover to next hole (if enabled)
Wolf: Tied hole = no points awarded
Banker: Tied score = push (no money changes hands)
Nines: Tied scores = points split equally among tied players
Sixes: Tied segment = push (or carryover if enabled)
Vegas: Same team number = 0 points, move to next hole

What if a player doesn't have a handicap?

There's no per-game handicap field, so you can't type one in at side-game setup. A player with no handicap on file is given a default index of 18, and the setup screen warns you when that happens. To avoid it, add a real handicap to that player's profile before the round — or play GROSS scoring so handicaps don't matter.

Can I remove a side game mid-round?

No. While the round is still planned you can remove a game by simply deselecting it. Once the round is active, nothing can be added or removed — you can ignore the results or adjust them by hand after completing the round.

Do side games work with guest players?

Yes! Guest players (non-registered users) can participate in side games.

Troubleshooting

Results not updating

Make sure you've saved all hole scores
Refresh the page to force recalculation
Check that all players have scores entered

Wrong player showing as winner

Verify scoring mode (GROSS vs NET)
Check handicap entries are correct
Review handicap allowances for the game type

Wolf decisions not saving

Ensure you're the Wolf for that hole
Check that you selected a valid partner
Refresh if the decision doesn't appear

Can't add game to round

Verify the round is still in "planned" status. An active round is exactly what blocks this — once scoring has started, side games are locked and cannot be added, changed or removed.
Check that the player count fits the game:
- Wolf: Exactly 4 players
- Banker: 3–5 players
- Nines: Exactly 3 players
- Sixes: Exactly 4 players
- Vegas: Exactly 4 players
- Match Play: Exactly 2 or 4 players (a threesome is blocked)
- Bingo Bango Bongo: 2–4 players
- Nassau / Skins / Snake / Train: 2+ players (no maximum)
Ensure you have permission to modify the round

Side Games - User Guide

Learn how to add competitive betting games to your golf rounds.

What Are Side Games?

Available Games (11):

Nassau - Three separate bets (Front 9, Back 9, Total 18) — 2+ players
Match Play - Hole-by-hole competition (1v1 or 2v2 teams) — exactly 2 or 4 players
Skins - Winner-take-all on each hole — 2+ players
Wolf - Rotating partnerships with strategic choices — exactly 4 players
Banker - High-action rotating banker game with multipliers — 3–5 players
Nines (5-3-1) - Point distribution game — exactly 3 players
Snake - Three-putt penalty game where last holder loses — 2+ players
Sixes - Rotating team partnerships every 6 holes — exactly 4 players
Vegas - Team game (2v2) where scores pair into 2-digit numbers — exactly 4 players
Bingo Bango Bongo - Three event-based awards per hole (first on green, closest to pin, first to hole out) — 2–4 players
Train - Streak-based point accumulation; board with a par, derail on two bogeys or any double — 2+ players

Key Features:

Automatic calculation of results
USGA-compliant handicap support (most games — BBB is event-based with no handicap)
Real-time leaderboards during your round
Multiple games can run simultaneously
Customizable betting amounts, variants, and rules

Nassau

What It Is: Three independent bets - one for the front 9, one for the back 9, and one for the total 18 holes.

How to Play

Set betting units (e.g., $5 per bet)
Choose scoring mode:
- GROSS - Raw scores only
- NET - Handicap-adjusted scores

Scoring Example

Each bet is settled against every other player, not against the field as a whole. You collect (or pay) the unit once per opponent, per bet.

Heads-up ($5 unit, 2 players):

Front 9: Winner gets $5
Back 9: Winner gets $5
Total 18: Winner gets $5
Maximum win/loss: $15

Foursome ($5 unit, 4 players):

Win the front 9 outright: $5 from each of 3 opponents = $15
Win the back 9 outright: another $15
Win the total 18 outright: another $15
Sweep all three bets: +$45, and each of the other three players is -$15

Strategy Tips

Front 9 and Back 9 bets settle independently
Total 18 bet adds drama to the final holes
In a bigger group the stakes multiply — a $5 unit in a foursome is a $45 swing if someone sweeps

Match Play

What It Is: Hole-by-hole competition where you win, lose, or tie (halve) each hole. Match ends when one player/team is up by more holes than remain.

How to Play

Individual Match Play (1v1):

Select your opponent
Choose GROSS or NET scoring
Play each hole head-to-head

Team Match Play (2v2):

Create two teams of 2 players each
Each team uses best ball (lower score per hole)
Compete team vs team

Match Terminology

All Square (A/S) - Match is tied
2 UP - Leading by 2 holes
3&2 - Won by 3 holes with 2 holes remaining (match over)
DORMIE - Up by number of holes remaining (e.g., 2 up with 2 to play)
Halved - Hole ended in a tie

Handicap Allowances & Pops

When using NET scoring:

Individual (1v1): 100% of the difference between the two players' Course Handicaps. The lower-handicap player plays off scratch; the higher-handicap player receives that many "pops" (handicap strokes) on the hardest holes (stroke index 1…N).
Team (2v2): 90% of Course Handicap, "stroke off the low ball" (best ball format).

Example

You're 2 UP through 16 holes with 2 holes remaining (DORMIE):

If you halve hole 17: You win 2&1
If opponent wins hole 17: Match goes to hole 18 (1 UP)
If you win hole 17: You win 3&1

Skins

What It Is: Each hole has a "skin" (monetary value). Lowest score on a hole wins the skin. Tied holes carry over to the next hole, building the pot.

How to Play

Set skin value (e.g., $5 per skin)
Choose scoring mode (GROSS or NET)
Enable carryover (recommended)
- Tied holes add their value to the next hole
- Creates bigger pots as the round progresses

Scoring Example

With Carryover:

Hole 1: Player A wins (4) vs Player B (5) - $5 to A
Hole 2: Tie (both score 4) - No winner, $5 carries over
Hole 3: Player B wins (3) vs Player A (4) - $10 to B ($5 original + $5 carryover)
Hole 4: Three-way tie - $5 carries over
Hole 5: Player C wins - $10 to C ($5 original + $5 carryover)

Without Carryover:

Tied holes: No payout, money is "lost"
Only outright winners claim skins

Strategy

Carryover mode makes late-round holes more valuable
Aggressive play can win big pots on carryover holes
Even if you're behind in total score, you can win skins with individual great holes

Wolf

What It Is: A 4-player rotating partnership game where the "Wolf" makes strategic decisions each hole - pick a partner or go solo (Lone Wolf).

Requirement: Exactly 4 players

How to Play

Rotation System:

Wolf rotates every hole
Each player is the Wolf every 4th hole
Typical rotation order: Player A (holes 1,5,9,13,17), Player B (2,6,10,14,18), Player C (3,7,11,15), Player D (4,8,12,16)

Wolf's Decision (each hole):

Option 1: Pick a Partner

Choose one of the other 3 players as your partner
It's now you + partner (2-player team) vs the other 2 players
Points awarded to winning team

Option 2: Go Lone Wolf

Play 1 vs 3 (you against all other players)
Higher risk, higher reward
Double points if you win

Option 3: Blind Wolf (Optional rule)

Declare Lone Wolf BEFORE anyone tees off
Even higher multiplier (typically 2× or 3×)

Point Scoring

Standard Points:

Partner mode: Winning team earns 2 points — not split. The Wolf and the partner EACH receive the full 2 points
Lone Wolf wins: Wolf earns 4 points (double the partner-mode award)
Lone Wolf loses: Opponents each earn 1 point

Example with $1 per point:

Partner mode wins: Wolf and partner each get 2 points ($2 each)
Lone Wolf wins: Wolf gets 4 points ($4)
Lone Wolf loses: Each opponent gets 1 point ($1 × 3 = $3 total)

Configuration Options

Point Value: Dollar amount per point (default: $1)
Use Handicap (NET): Apply handicap strokes. Default: ON (NET). Wolf is traditionally played GROSS, so switch this off if your group plays it the traditional way.
Blind Wolf Multiplier: Point multiplier when Wolf declares blind (before anyone tees off). Default 2×.
Double Points on Par 3s: Doubles all points awarded on par 3 holes (default: off)

Strategy

As the Wolf:
- Pick strong players as partners when you need help
- Go Lone Wolf when you're feeling confident or on easy holes
- Watch others tee off to gauge who's playing well
As an Opponent:
- Play solid golf to avoid giving Wolf easy pickings
- Hope Wolf goes Lone Wolf so you have 3vs1 advantage

Banker

Requirement: 3-5 players

How to Play

Who Is the Banker:

Earn the Bank (default) — whoever posts the lowest score on the previous hole is the Banker on the next hole. The hole 1 Banker is chosen up front.
Fixed Rotation (alternative) — the Banker role rotates in a preset order instead. With 4 players: Player A (holes 1,5,9,13,17), Player B (2,6,10,14,18), Player C (3,7,11,15), Player D (4,8,12,16)
Either way, the Banker plays against ALL other players individually on their hole

4-Phase Betting Flow

Each hole has a structured betting flow:

Phase 1: Declarations (Before Tee Shots)

Each non-banker player declares their wager (minimum = base stake)
Players can optionally pre-double their bet (2× their declaration)
Example: Base stake $1, player declares $2, with pre-double = $4

Phase 2: Post-Tee (After Seeing Tee Shots)

After everyone has teed off, any non-banker player may triple their current bet
This is a per-hole, per-player choice, and it's controlled by the Allow Triple setting (default: on). Turn Allow Triple off and this phase disappears.

Phase 3: Auto-Multipliers (Automatic)

Birdie Auto-Double: If enabled, a birdie doubles that player's own bet only — it is applied per player, off that player's own GROSS score. Your birdie does not touch anyone else's bet, and the Banker making a birdie doubles nothing.
Eagle Auto-Triple: If enabled, works the same way — an eagle triples that player's own bet only, again read off their own GROSS score.
Because these read GROSS, a NET birdie (one you only make after your handicap stroke) does not trigger the multiplier.

Phase 4: Banker Action (After Seeing Tee Shots)

The Banker sees all declarations and can choose:
- Do Nothing (✋) - Accept bets as-is
- Double All (💥) - Double every player's bet
- Double One Player (🎯) - Target one specific player to double
- Triple (⚡) - Available only when the Banker Can Triple setting is on (default: off)

Scoring

On Each Hole:

Each player competes against the Banker individually
Lower NET score (with handicaps) or GROSS score wins
Player beats Banker: Player wins their bet amount from Banker
Banker beats Player: Banker wins player's bet amount
Tie (Push): No money changes hands

Configuration Options

Base Stake: Minimum wager amount per hole (default: $1)
Banker Rotation: How the banker is determined each hole
- Earn the Bank (default) — The player with the lowest score on the previous hole is the banker on the next hole. Banker on hole 1 is chosen up front.
- Fixed Rotation — Banker rotates in snake order through the field (preset by the group).
Use Handicap (NET): Apply handicap strokes for fair NET scoring (default: on)
Allow Triple: Lets non-banker players triple their own bet after seeing the tee shots (default: on). Turn it off to remove the post-tee phase entirely.
Banker Can Triple: Adds a Triple option to the Banker's action menu (default: off)
Auto-Birdie Double: A player's own bet doubles when that player makes a birdie, read off their GROSS score (default: on). It applies per player — one player's birdie never doubles anyone else's bet, and a Banker birdie doubles nothing.
Auto-Eagle Triple: Same rule for eagles — a player's own bet triples on their own GROSS eagle (default: off)

Tee Box Order

You can set player order either:

During round creation: Drag players to set the banker rotation
At the tee box: Select "Set at Tee Box" and order will be determined when you tap "Begin Round" - perfect for flipping a tee!

Scoring Example

4-Player Game - Hole 1 (Chad is Banker):

Kendall declares $2 (no pre-double) → bets $2
Golf Buddie declares $4 (with pre-double) → bets $8
Apple Tester declares $1 (no pre-double) → bets $1
Chad (Banker) chooses "Double All" → all bets doubled

Final Bets: Kendall $4, Golf Buddie $16, Apple Tester $2

Results:

Kendall (NET 4) beats Chad (NET 5) → Kendall wins $4 from Chad
Golf Buddie (NET 5) ties Chad (NET 5) → Push, no exchange
Apple Tester (NET 6) loses to Chad (NET 5) → Chad wins $2 from Apple Tester

Chad's Hole Result: -$4 + $0 + $2 = -$2

During Your Round

Banker Indicator (💰):

The 💰 emoji appears next to the current Banker's name
Changes each hole as the Banker rotates
Example: Chad 💰 means Chad is the Banker this hole

Place Bets Banner:

A yellow "Place Bets" banner appears before each hole starts
Tap the button to open the betting modal
Score entry is disabled until all bets are placed

Scorecard View:

View a grid showing each player's results per hole
Yellow highlighted cells show when that player was Banker
Running totals at the end

Strategy

As the Banker:

You're playing 1 vs Many - be prepared for variance
Consider "Double One Player" to target someone who declared high
Watch the tee shots to gauge confidence before deciding

As a Player:

Declare higher when you're feeling confident
Pre-double if you like your matchup against the Banker
Save triple for holes where your tee shot is great

General Tips:

Banker is high-variance - big swings are normal
With handicaps, NET scoring keeps it fair
The Banker advantage is seeing everyone's declarations before acting

Common Questions

Q: What if I don't want to bet much on a hole?

A: Declare the minimum (base stake). You can always play conservatively.

Q: Can the Banker refuse bets?

A: No. The Banker must accept all bets but can influence them with their action (double all, double one, or do nothing).

Q: What happens if we don't finish betting before teeing off?

A: Score entry is disabled until bets are placed. Complete betting to continue.

Q: How do handicaps work?

A: Each player's NET score is calculated using stroke allocation. Player vs Banker is head-to-head comparison.

Nines (5-3-1)

What It Is: A point-based game where 9 points are distributed on each hole. Best score gets 5 points, second gets 3 points, third gets 1 point. Points can also be split on ties.

Requirement: 3 players (exactly)

How to Play

Point Distribution:

Best Score: 5 points
Second Best: 3 points
Third Best: 1 point
Total per hole: Always 9 points

Tie Handling:

3-way tie: 3 points each (9 ÷ 3)
2-way tie for best: 4 points each (8 ÷ 2), third gets 1 point
2-way tie for second: Best gets 5 points, tied players get 2 points each (4 ÷ 2)

Scoring Example

Hole 1:

Player A: 4 strokes → 5 points (best)
Player B: 5 strokes → 3 points (second)
Player C: 6 strokes → 1 point (third)

Hole 2 (Tie for best):

Player A: 4 strokes → 4 points (tied best)
Player B: 4 strokes → 4 points (tied best)
Player C: 5 strokes → 1 point (third)

Hole 3 (3-way tie):

All players: 4 strokes → 3 points each

Point Value

Set a dollar value per point (e.g., $0.25 per point)
After 18 holes: 162 total points distributed (9 × 18)
Each player should average 54 points
Settlement is pairwise: you settle separately with each of the other two players, on the point difference between just the two of you. There is no "difference from average" calculation.

Settlement Example

After 18 holes with $0.25/point:

Player A: 72 points
Player B: 54 points
Player C: 36 points

Settle each pair on its own point difference:

A vs B: 72 − 54 = 18 points → B pays A $4.50
A vs C: 72 − 36 = 36 points → C pays A $9.00
B vs C: 54 − 36 = 18 points → C pays B $4.50

Net result:

Player A: +$4.50 + $9.00 = +$13.50
Player B: -$4.50 + $4.50 = $0.00
Player C: -$9.00 - $4.50 = -$13.50

Note how the pairwise method makes the spread three times bigger than a naive "points above average" calculation would suggest — the runaway leader collects from everyone.

Configuration Options

Point Value: Dollar amount per point (default: $1)
Handicaps: Enable NET scoring for fair play
Blitz Rule (optional): When the low score beats the middle score by 2 or more strokes, that player sweeps the hole 9-0-0 instead of 5-3-1 (default: off)
Birdies Double Points (optional): On any hole where someone makes a gross birdie, all 9 points on that hole are doubled to 18 (default: off)
Players: Exactly 3 players required

Strategy

Every hole matters equally (always 9 points available)
Avoid being third - the gap from 3 to 1 point is significant
Ties benefit the lower scorers (split dilutes the winner)
Consistent play beats occasional great holes with blow-ups

Common Questions

Q: Why exactly 3 players?

A: The 5-3-1 point system is designed for 3-player games. More players would need different point values.

Q: What if someone picks up (no score)?

A: The whole hole is skipped. Nobody scores 5, 3 or 1 — no points are awarded to anyone for that hole. Nines needs all three scores to divide the 9 points, so an incomplete hole simply doesn't count.

Q: Can we play Nines with handicaps?

A: Yes! Enable NET scoring and points are awarded based on handicap-adjusted scores.

Snake

What It Is: A putting-focused penalty game where players pass the "Snake" each time someone three-putts. The last player holding the Snake at the end of the round loses and pays everyone else.

Works with: 2+ players (no maximum)

How to Play

Basic Rules:

First Three-Putt: First player to three-putt gets the Snake 🐍
Snake Transfers: Each subsequent three-putt transfers the Snake to that player
Last Holder Loses: Player holding the Snake after hole 18 pays all other players

Configuration:

Bet Amount: Dollar amount the loser pays to each player (e.g., $10)
Bet Structure: Fixed (Phase 1 only - additional structures planned)

Scoring Example

4-player game with $10 bet:

Hole 3: Player A three-putts → Gets the Snake 🐍
Hole 7: Player C three-putts → Snake transfers to Player C 🐍
Hole 12: Player C three-putts again → Still has the Snake 🐍
Hole 15: Player B three-putts → Snake transfers to Player B 🐍
Result: Player B holds Snake after hole 18
Payout: Player B pays $10 to each of 3 players = $30 total loss
Winners: Players A, C, and D each receive $10

Multiple Three-Putts on Same Hole

When multiple players three-putt the same hole, the last player to hole out gets the Snake.

Step-by-Step: What Happens

Enter scores: You enter scores for all players on the hole
Save scores: Tap "Save All" button - scores are saved immediately to the app
Modal appears: If 2+ players three-putted, a yellow modal pops up automatically
Question shown: "Who holed out last?"
See your options: All players who three-putted are listed with buttons
Default highlighted: The last player in scorecard order is highlighted in yellow
Choose action:
- Option A: Tap the correct player's button (the one who actually holed out last)
- Option B: Tap "Keep Default (Scorecard Order)" if the default is correct
Modal closes: Your choice is saved and the Snake transfers to the correct player
Continue playing: You advance to the next hole

Visual Example:

Modal Title: "Multiple Three-Putts on Hole 5"

Message: "3 players three-putted this hole. Who holed out last?"
         (Snake transfers to the last player to hole out)

Buttons:
┌─────────────────────────┐
│ 🐍 Chad                 │  (White button - tap to select)
└─────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────┐
│ 🐍 John                 │  (Yellow button - DEFAULT)
└─────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────┐
│ 🐍 Mike                 │  (White button - tap to select)
└─────────────────────────┘

Bottom button:
┌───────────────────────────────────┐
│ Keep Default (Scorecard Order)    │
└───────────────────────────────────┘

Important Notes:

Snake rules specify the last player to hole out gets the penalty
Since you enter scores in scorecard order (not hole-out order), this modal lets you correct it
The yellow highlighted button shows who will get the Snake if you don't change it
You only see this modal when 2 or more players three-putt the same hole (rare)
If only 1 player three-putts, the Snake automatically goes to them (no modal)

During Your Round

Real-Time Tracking:

Snake Holder Indicator (🐍):

The 🐍 emoji appears next to the player's name who currently holds the Snake
Where to see it: Look at the player names at the top of each score card
When it updates: Immediately after you save scores for a hole where someone three-putted

Example:

John Smith 🐍  ← Currently holding the Snake
Sarah Jones
Mike Wilson

Wolf Indicator (🐺) (if playing Wolf game):

The 🐺 emoji appears next to the player's name who is the Wolf for the current hole
Where to see it: Look at the player names at the top of each score card
Changes every hole: The Wolf rotates to a different player each hole

Example:

John Smith
Sarah Jones 🐺  ← Wolf for this hole
Mike Wilson

Playing Both Snake and Wolf?

You might see both emojis next to the same player:

John Smith 🐍 🐺  ← Holding Snake AND Wolf for this hole

View Full Results:

Tap the Side Games floating button (circular button on the screen)
See complete transfer history (which holes Snake changed hands)
View three-putt statistics for each player
Check current Snake holder
See how much money each player is up or down

Strategy Tips

Playing Snake:

Adds pressure to every putt (especially lag putts)
Can run alongside other side games
No handicap advantage - everyone's putting skill matters
Creates drama on the final holes if Snake changes hands late

Smart Play:

Take your time on lag putts (distance control is key)
Don't be too aggressive from 30+ feet
The Snake can change hands multiple times - stay focused
Even great players three-putt occasionally

What Makes It Unique

Unlike other side games that reward scoring:

Putting-focused: Only putts matter
Penalty-based: You're trying to avoid the Snake, not win points
Constant pressure: Every green matters equally
Late drama: A single three-putt on 18 can change everything
Simple tracking: Just watch for three-putts

Snake - Common Questions

Q: How do I know who has the Snake right now?

A: Look for the 🐍 emoji next to a player's name at the top of their score card. That player currently holds the Snake.

Q: What happens if I three-putt?

A: The Snake automatically transfers to you. You'll see the 🐍 emoji appear next to your name after you save the hole scores.

Q: What if two players three-putt on the same hole?

A: A yellow modal will pop up asking "Who holed out last?" You tap the button for the player who actually finished putting last. The Snake goes to that player.

Q: What if I don't remember who holed out last?

A: Tap "Keep Default (Scorecard Order)" in the modal. The app will give the Snake to the last player in the scorecard order (usually the person whose scores you entered last).

Q: Can the Snake transfer multiple times in a round?

A: Yes! Every time someone three-putts, the Snake transfers to them. The only thing that matters is who has it after hole 18.

Q: What if nobody three-putts?

A: Nobody gets the Snake, nobody pays anything. The bet is void.

Q: What if someone three-putts on hole 18?

A: They get the Snake and they're the loser. They pay all other players the bet amount.

Q: Can I play Snake with other side games?

A: Yes! Snake works alongside Nassau, Skins, Match Play, and Wolf. You can play all of them at the same time if you want.

Q: Do handicaps matter for Snake?

A: No. Snake only cares about putts, not scores or handicaps. It's purely a putting skill game.

Q: What if I forget to enter my putts?

A: The app will prevent you from saving scores if putts are missing. You'll see an error message like: "Snake game requires putts for all players. Missing putts for: John Smith. Please enter putts before saving." You must enter putts for all players before you can save the hole.

Sixes (Round Robin)

What It Is: A 4-player team game where you rotate partners every 6 holes, ensuring every player partners with everyone else exactly once. Also known as "Round Robin" or "Hollywood."

Requirement: Exactly 4 players

How to Play

Partnership Rotation (C.O.D. Method):

The round is split into three 6-hole segments with different team pairings:

Segment	Holes	Team 1	Team 2
1 (Cart)	1-6	A + B	C + D
2 (Opposites)	7-12	A + C	B + D
3 (Drivers)	13-18	A + D	B + C

Each player partners with every other player once and competes against each player twice.

Scoring per Segment:

Teams play Best Ball format (lower score of the two partners counts)
Count how many holes each team wins in the 6-hole segment
Team with more holes won takes the segment
Tied segments can push (no payout) or carry over to next segment

Scoring Example

Segment 1 (Holes 1-6, A+B vs C+D) at $5/segment:

Hole 1: A scores 5, B scores 4 (team = 4). C scores 5, D scores 6 (team = 5). A+B wins
Hole 2: A+B team = 5, C+D team = 4. C+D wins
...After 6 holes: A+B wins 4 holes, C+D wins 2
Result: A+B each win $5, C+D each lose $5

Settlement Example

After all 3 segments at $5/segment:

Player A: Won 2 segments, lost 1 → +$5
Player B: Won 1 segment, lost 2 → -$5
Player C: Won 2 segments, lost 1 → +$5
Player D: Won 1 segment, lost 2 → -$5

Configuration Options

Segment Stake: Dollar amount wagered per 6-hole segment (default: $5)
Scoring Format: Best Ball (lower score counts) or Aggregate (add both scores)
Handicaps: Enable NET scoring for fair play. Sixes uses the handicap strokes from the round itself — no format allowance is applied, so you play off the full strokes your round is set up with (100% by default).
Carryover Ties (optional): Carries tied value forward at two levels:
- Hole level — a tied hole inside a segment carries its value onto the next hole. A hole that follows two ties is worth three holes.
- Segment level — a tied segment carries its stake into the next segment.

Tee Box Order

Set player order either:

During round creation: Drag players to set the order
At the tee box: Select "Set at Tee Box" and order will be determined when you tap "Begin Round"

Strategy

Best Ball Safety: Your partner can cover a bad hole, so take calculated risks
Observe Partners: Each segment is a fresh start with a new partner
Match Play Mindset: Think in holes won, not total strokes
Consistency Wins: Avoid blow-up holes that waste your partner's good score

Common Questions

Q: Why exactly 4 players?

A: The C.O.D. rotation system requires 4 players to ensure everyone partners with everyone once.

Q: What if we tie a segment?

A: With carryover enabled, the $5 stake adds to the next segment ($10 possible payout). Without carryover, it's a push.

Q: What happens when we tie a single hole?

A: With carryover enabled, that hole's value rolls onto the next hole — so a hole that follows two halved holes is worth three. Without carryover, a tied hole simply counts for nobody.

Q: Can we use Aggregate instead of Best Ball?

A: Yes! Aggregate adds both partners' scores. It rewards consistency from both players.

Vegas (Las Vegas)

What It Is: A high-action 4-player team game (2v2) where individual scores are paired to form 2-digit numbers. The difference between team numbers determines points won or lost each hole.

Requirement: Exactly 4 players (2 teams of 2)

How to Play

Paired Score System: Instead of adding scores, you combine them into a 2-digit number:

Player scores 4 and 5 → Team number is 45 (lower digit first)
Player scores 3 and 7 → Team number is 37
Compare team numbers: lower number wins the hole

Point Calculation:

Points = difference between the two team numbers
Points multiplied by point value (e.g., $0.25/point) = dollars

Scoring Examples

Basic Example:

Team 1: Scores 4 and 5 → 45
Team 2: Scores 6 and 7 → 67
Difference: 67 - 45 = 22 points to Team 1
At $0.25/point = $5.50 to Team 1

Birdie Flip (Key Rule): When the winning team makes a birdie, they can flip the opponent's digits (higher first):

Team 1: 34 (with birdie) vs Team 2: 46
Without flip: 46 - 34 = 12 points
With flip: Team 2 becomes 64 → 64 - 34 = 30 points!

Double Birdie Bonus: Both players on winning team make birdie = flip AND double points:

Team 1: 33 (both birdies) vs Team 2: 47
Flip: 47 becomes 74 → 74 - 33 = 41 → doubled = 82 points!

10+ Protection: Scores of 10+ put the higher digit first to minimize damage:

Scores 4 and 10 = 104 (not 410)
Prevents catastrophic swings on blow-up holes

Configuration Options

Point Value: Dollar amount per point difference (default: $0.25)
Enable Birdie Flip: Winning team with birdie flips opponent's score (default: on)
Double Birdie Bonus: Both players birdie = flip + double points (default: on)
Eagle Bonus: Eagle triggers flip and multiplier - None, Double, or Triple (default: Double)
10+ Protection: High scores put larger digit first (default: on)
Handicaps: Enable NET scoring for fair play

Team Assignment

Set teams either:

During round creation: Drag players to assign teams
At the tee box: Select "Set at Tee Box" and assign teams before your first hole

Strategy

Every Shot Matters: One bad hole can create massive point swings
Birdie Power: Making birdie to activate the flip is huge - worth playing aggressively
Team Chemistry: Both players' scores combine directly, so support each other
Avoid Double Digits: A score of 10+ gets protection but still hurts (e.g., 104 vs 45 = 59 points)

Recommended Stakes

Point Value	Risk Level	Typical 18-Hole Range
$0.10/point	Casual	$5-$15
$0.25/point	Friendly	$15-$40
$0.50/point	Competitive	$30-$75

Common Questions

Q: What if both teams have the same number?

A: It's a tie - 0 points, move to the next hole.

Q: Can we play without the flip rule?

A: Yes! Disable "Enable Birdie Flip" in the settings. Points are purely based on paired score difference.

Q: How do handicaps work in Vegas?

A: Each player's NET score (after handicap strokes) is used to form the paired team number.

Q: What's the biggest possible swing?

A: With double birdie bonus and eagle bonus enabled, swings of 100+ points are possible on a single hole.

Bingo Bango Bongo

Requirement: 2–4 players

How to Play

Each hole has three points up for grabs:

🎯 Bingo — first player on the green (farthest hits first, so a recovery shot from the rough or sand often steals it)
🚩 Bango — closest to the pin once all balls are on the green
🥤 Bongo — first player to hole out (farthest putts first, so long putts and chip-ins shine)

Player with the most points at the end wins.

After Each Hole

Once everyone enters their score, the app pops up an award modal. Tap who earned each award:

Bingo opens first — tap the player who got there first
The modal auto-advances to Bango — tap the closest-to-pin player
Then Bongo — tap whoever holed out first
Hit Save

A category that didn't resolve (everyone hit the green on the same shot, gimmes were given before anyone holed out, etc.) can be skipped — the other two still count.

Scoring Examples

Standard hole:

Tom hits a recovery shot from the trees that lands first on the green → Bingo: Tom +1
Jim's wedge from the fairway sticks closest to the pin → Bango: Jim +1
Tom drains a 30-footer first → Bongo: Tom +1
Result: Tom +2, Jim +1

Same player wins all three:

Sam hits the green first, sticks it closest, drains the putt first
Sam +3 on the hole

Skipped category:

All four players miss the green and chip on at the same time → no clear "first on"
Skip Bingo
Bango and Bongo still award normally

Configuration Options

Point Value: Dollar amount per point (default: $1)
No Bingo on Par 3s (optional): Skip the "first on green" award on par 3 holes. Recommended for groups that want a fairness adjustment — on par 3s, everyone tees onto the green so the player teeing first has a structural edge. With this on, the award modal hides the Bingo section automatically on par 3s.
Sweep Bonus (optional): Reward a player who wins every award on a single hole. Choose None (3 pts, standard), Double (6 pts), or +1 Bonus (4 pts). Default is None.
No handicap option — awards are physical events, not score-derived

Strategy

Get on the green first — even an ugly approach from a bad lie wins Bingo if it's first to land
Wedge play matters — Bango rewards the player who can stick the green close, not just hit it
Don't lag — Bongo goes to whoever drains it first, so confident long putts swing points
Watch the order — farthest from the hole hits first, both for approaches and putts

Recommended Stakes

Point Value	Risk Level	Typical 18-Hole Range
$0.25/point	Casual	$5–$15 swing
$1/point	Friendly	$20–$50 swing
$5/point	Competitive	$100–$250 swing

Common Questions

Q: What happens on a par 3 where everyone tees off onto the green?

A: Whoever's ball lands on the green first earns Bingo, then Bango goes to whoever's closest. Skip Bingo if it's truly simultaneous.

Q: What if two balls are equidistant for Bango?

A: The group decides. If you can't agree, skip Bango.

Q: Do I have to use real money?

A: No — set point value to $0 if you just want bragging rights. The leaderboard still shows points.

Q: Can I edit awards for a hole after the fact?

A: Not from the active scoring screen. The awards are set when you tap Save on the modal.

Train

Requirement: 2+ players

How to Play

Board the train — make a net par or better and you're on (simple on-ramp). Strict mode requires a net birdie or two consecutive net pars.
Earn points each hole you stay on the train: par = 1, birdie = 2, eagle+ = 5 (defaults)
A bogey is free once — single bogey scores 0 but you stay on the train (marked)
Don't derail — two bogeys in a row OR a double bogey on any hole wipes all your points to zero
Re-board — make another par after derailing and start a fresh streak

Most points at the end of the round wins. Points × the configured dollar value = your settlement.

Scoring Example

Default settings (NET scoring), 7-hole stretch:

Hole	Score	Train State	Points	Running Total
1	Par	🚂 boards	+1	1
2	Birdie	on train	+2	3
3	Bogey	marked	0	3
4	Par	recovered	+1	4
5	Bogey	marked	0	4
6	Bogey	💥 DERAIL	wipe to 0	0
7	Par	🚂 re-boarded	+1	1

The streak survives a single bogey — but not two in a row.

Configuration Options

On-Ramp: Simple (any par boards) or Strict (birdie or two consecutive pars boards). Default: Simple.
Scoring: NET (handicap applied) or GROSS. Default: NET.
Point Table: Customize bogey (0–1), par (0–5), birdie (0–10), eagle (0–15). Defaults 0/1/2/5.
Streak Bonus (optional): Each on-train par/birdie/eagle earns base + streak length. Long streaks pay quadratically more. Capped at 5 by default (range 1–20) so perfect rounds don't snowball. Bogey-on-train earns no bonus but the streak counter still advances.
Derail Penalty (optional): After a derail wipes you to 0, subtract an extra 0–10 points. Total points are floored at −10 cumulative so one bad hole can't take you out of the game.
Albatross / Hole-in-One Bonus (optional): Rare-shot tax-the-table. Scorer +value, every other player with a score this hole −value (default value 10, range 0–25). HIO takes precedence on a par-4 ace.
Point Value: Dollar amount per point (default: $0.25)

Strategy

Play for bogey after a bogey — once you're marked, the second bogey is the killer. After a bogey, prioritize ball-in-play over heroic recovery — a par saves the streak.
Avoid the double at all costs — a single double bogey wipes everything regardless of context. Layup, take medicine, get on the green.
Press early when you're hot — early-round momentum compounds, especially with Streak Bonus on. Every par adds to the streak you'll protect later.
A derailed player is dangerous — at 0 points with nothing to protect, opponents can swing aggressively. Don't assume a derailed rival is out.

Score Indicator During the Round

Recommended Stakes

Point Value	Risk Level	Typical 18-Hole Range
$0.10/point	Casual	$2–$15 swing
$0.25/point	Friendly (default)	$5–$40 swing
$1/point	Competitive	$20–$150 swing

(Higher swings possible if Streak Bonus is on — long-streak rounds can score 5x flat.)

Common Questions

Q: Why didn't I get on the train when I made a par?

A: You're in a Strict on-ramp round. Strict requires a birdie OR two consecutive pars. Your first par alone won't board you — make another par next hole and you're on.

Q: I made an eagle but didn't board the train. Why?

A: You should have. Check that your score is being recorded as eagle (gross 2 strokes under par on a par 4, etc.) and that NET scoring isn't unexpectedly classifying the eagle as something else.

Q: I made an albatross AND a hole-in-one on a par 4. Why did the others only lose points once?

A: HIO takes precedence when both would qualify (an albatross-from-the-tee on a par 4 is also an ace). Only one tax fires per hole.

Q: With Streak Bonus on and a long streak, can the bonus exceed the cap?

A: No — bonus per hole is capped at the configured maximum (default 5). Your streak counter keeps climbing, but the bonus plateaus.

Q: Does the train transfer between players?

A: No — Train is individual. Each player has their own streak. (You may be thinking of a different "ownership" Train variant played in some clubs; we use the more common streak-based version.)

How to Add Side Games to Your Round

During Round Creation

Create a round and add your playing buddies/guests
Find the green Side Games card (right after Handicap)
Quick add: tap a chip — Nassau, Skins, Wolf, or Match Play — to add that game in one tap
- A chip is grayed out when your group size doesn't fit the game (Wolf needs exactly 4 players; Match Play needs 2 or 4). Tap it again to remove it.
More options: tap "More games…" to open the full list (Banker, Nines, Snake, Sixes, Vegas, Bingo Bango Bongo, Train) and fine-tune any game's settings (betting amounts, rules, participants)
For Match Play teams: Assign players to teams
Save and start your round

Adding or Changing Games Later

Side games can only be added, changed, or removed while your round is still planned — that is, before scoring starts.

While the round is planned, open it and edit the Side Games card freely: add a game, change its settings, or remove one by deselecting it.
Once you start the round and it becomes active, the side games selector is locked. You cannot add a game, remove a game, or swap one for another for the rest of the round.
There is no "Add Side Game" button on an active round.

So agree on your games on the first tee, before anyone posts a score. If you realize on hole 4 that you wanted Skins too, you'll have to settle it by hand — the app can't add it to the round.

Viewing Results

During Your Round (Live Results)

Results update automatically as you enter scores
See current standings after each hole
View who's leading and by how much
Check pending decisions (Wolf game)

After Completing Your Round

View final results with complete breakdown
See total money won/lost per player
Review hole-by-hole details
Share results with playing partners

Using Handicaps

Side games support USGA-compliant handicap calculations for fair competition among players of different skill levels.

When to Use Handicaps

Recommended:

Players have different skill levels
You want competitive balance
Playing for meaningful stakes

Not Needed:

All players are similar skill level
Playing casual rounds
Prefer raw score competition

How Handicaps Work

Handicap indexes come from the round, not from the side game — each player's index is read from their profile (or the handicap set for them on the round). There is no handicap field in the side-game setup itself.
System automatically calculates:
- Course handicap (based on course difficulty)
- Playing handicap (based on game format)
- Stroke allocation (which holes you get strokes on)
NET scores calculate automatically:
- Your gross score minus handicap strokes
- Fair competition across skill levels

The Round Setting Wins

Handicap Allowances by Game

Nassau: Full handicap difference
Match Play (1v1): 100% of handicap difference
Match Play (2v2): 90% of handicap (best ball format)
Skins: Full handicap with proper stroke allocation
Wolf: Default is NET (full handicap). Traditionally played GROSS — switch it off if that's your group's rule.
Banker: Full handicap for NET scoring
Nines: Full handicap for NET scoring
Snake: No handicap — putting-only, three-putt penalty
Sixes: Full handicap as set up on the round — no format allowance is applied
Vegas: Full handicap applied to individual NET scores
Bingo Bango Bongo: No handicap option — awards are event-based (first on green, closest pin, first to hole out), not score-derived
Train: Configurable per round — choose NET (full handicap) or GROSS at setup

Tips for Best Experience

Before Starting

Set up games before teeing off - Required, not just convenient. Once the round goes active, side games are locked.
Agree on rules - Make sure everyone understands scoring
Verify participants - Ensure all players are added to each game
Enter accurate handicaps - Required for NET scoring fairness

During the Round

Save scores promptly - Results update automatically
Check live standings - Stay engaged with current match status
Make Wolf decisions - Don't forget to pick partner or go Lone Wolf
Have fun! - Side games add excitement, not stress

After the Round

Review final results - Check accuracy of calculations
Settle bets - Pay up or collect winnings
Share results - Show off your wins to your buddies
Learn for next time - Analyze what strategies worked

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play multiple side games at once?

Yes! You can run Nassau, Skins, and Match Play simultaneously on the same round.

What if we want to play for fun without money?

Absolutely! Set betting units to $0 or just keep track of "units won" for bragging rights.

Can I add a side game after starting my round?

No. Side games must be set up while the round is still planned, before scoring starts. Once the round is active the side games selector is locked for the rest of the round.

How do ties work?

Nassau: Tied bet = push (no money changes hands)
Match Play: Tied hole = halved (no one wins the hole)
Skins: Tied hole = carryover to next hole (if enabled)
Wolf: Tied hole = no points awarded
Banker: Tied score = push (no money changes hands)
Nines: Tied scores = points split equally among tied players
Sixes: Tied segment = push (or carryover if enabled)
Vegas: Same team number = 0 points, move to next hole

What if a player doesn't have a handicap?

Can I remove a side game mid-round?

Do side games work with guest players?

Yes! Guest players (non-registered users) can participate in side games.

Troubleshooting

Results not updating

Make sure you've saved all hole scores
Refresh the page to force recalculation
Check that all players have scores entered

Wrong player showing as winner

Verify scoring mode (GROSS vs NET)
Check handicap entries are correct
Review handicap allowances for the game type

Wolf decisions not saving

Ensure you're the Wolf for that hole
Check that you selected a valid partner
Refresh if the decision doesn't appear

Can't add game to round

Verify the round is still in "planned" status. An active round is exactly what blocks this — once scoring has started, side games are locked and cannot be added, changed or removed.
Check that the player count fits the game:
- Wolf: Exactly 4 players
- Banker: 3–5 players
- Nines: Exactly 3 players
- Sixes: Exactly 4 players
- Vegas: Exactly 4 players
- Match Play: Exactly 2 or 4 players (a threesome is blocked)
- Bingo Bango Bongo: 2–4 players
- Nassau / Skins / Snake / Train: 2+ players (no maximum)
Ensure you have permission to modify the round