💀 The Family Death Pool 2025: Final Countdown & 2026 Draft Rules

As the leaves fall and the turkey timer ticks down, so too does the 2025 Family Death Pool season. The final bell tolls at noon on Thanksgiving Day, and with it, the chance to claim eternal (or at least seasonal) bragging rights.

🏆 2025 Leaderboard: Who’s Dying to Win?

The Leto dynasty is at it again. Trevor Leto leads the pack with Dick Cheney (age 84) netting a solid 16 points, while Brad Milsap is hot on his heels with Bob Uecker (age 90) earning 10 points. Will there be a last-minute upset? A surprise obituary? Only time—and fate—will tell. $350 is the take home to the winner!

Dick Cheney served as 46th Vice President from 2001-2009 under President George W. Bush

American professional baseball catcher and sportscaster

🦃 2026 Season: Drafting Your Picks Before the Dead End

With the 2026 season looming, it’s time to sharpen your strategy and submit your picks. Whether you're a seasoned player or a fresh face in the pool, here’s how to enter:

💸 Entry Fee

$5.00 per player
Venmo Laura Zibell @Laura-Zibell anytime before noon on Thanksgiving Day
Or hand off your cash to someone attending the ceremony in person

📝 Pick Submission

Current players keeping their pick: Just pay your fee.
Current players choosing a new pick: Submit 1 primary pick + 2 alternates in priority order and $5.00
New players: Submit 3 picks in priority order and $5.00

Alternate picks are essential due to the randomness of the draft. All picks and payments must be in by Thanksgiving noon—no exceptions, no resurrections.

📜 2026 Official Rules

Celebrity must be famous before death.
No death row inmates.
You cannot kill your pick (seriously).
Pick must be alive at time of submission.
Must be human (no pets, no AI).
No terminal illness diagnoses (AIDS and dementia are considered terminal).
Points = 100 minus age at death.
All entries due by Thanksgiving noon.
Roll-over rule: If you missed last year, pay for both years and get 1 pick.
Must be able to verbalize your pick (no unborns or coma patients).
Must be paid up to win.
Current pick holders have first refusal rights, even posthumously.

Whether you're in it for the points, the legacy, or the morbid camaraderie, the Family Death Pool remains a cherished tradition of dark humor, strategic thinking, and holiday bonding. So sharpen your pencils, scan the tabloids, and get those picks in before the turkey hits the table.

Happy drafting—and may the odds be ever in your favor.