Poach Playoffs

Spin a year, take a first-round winner, and poach a player from every team you beat. Out-point poached opponents all the way to the title.

Difficult Mode — you and every opponent poach as they advance.

YEAR

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TEAM

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Your starting five

Spin a year and take a team to begin.

— Playoff Bracket

Poach Mode

Spin a year and take a first-round winner to reveal the bracket.

What is Poach Mode?

Poach Mode is a playoff run where you take one first-round winner and rob the rosters of every team you beat. Each win lets you steal a player, so your starting five grows stronger the deeper you go.

How do I start a run?

Spin a random playoff year, then spin (or take) one of that year’s eight first-round winners. That team becomes your squad and the full bracket is revealed on the right.

How does poaching work?

After every win you may steal one player from the team you just beat. The poached player replaces your starter at the same position (a poached point guard swaps in for your point guard). A green “+” shows how much they upgrade that spot. You can also Skip and keep your current five.

How is each matchup decided?

Every round is settled on Team Points — the combined rating of your five versus your opponent’s five. Higher total advances. If the totals tie, the better (lower) seed wins.

What does OVR mean?

OVR is a single rating that sums up a player’s scoring, playmaking, rebounding and defensive impact — a quick way to compare who upgrades your lineup. Higher is better.

Do my opponents poach too?

Yes. The rest of the bracket is simulated with the same rule — every team strengthens itself as it advances — so the squad waiting in the Finals has been poaching its way up just like you.

How do I win?

Win every round from your first matchup through the NBA Finals to be crowned champion. Lose once and your run ends — you’re eliminated in that round.

Is the same year always the same?

The bracket and the opponents you face are deterministic for a given year and team, but which players you poach is up to you — so your choices are what decide whether you lift the trophy.