Guide to betting on FedExCup Playoffs responsibly

Editor’s note: Birches Health is the leading national provider of Problem Gambling treatment and Responsible Gaming resources, offering specialized support from the privacy of home, covered by insurance.

When considering betting on any sporting event, it’s critical to make sure you first have a deep understanding of how it is played. It’s worth taking the time to learn the rules, format and any notable differences from the norm. This is especially true with the FedExCup Playoffs, which are comprised of three events that follow a different format than traditional regular season PGA TOUR tournaments.

With the FedExCup Playoffs slated to begin on Thursday with the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, now is a good time to run through the format, some guidance on how to bet on them responsibly and where to turn if you or someone you know may have a problem.

Format and points system

Points earned by players during the regular season carry over into the first two tournaments of the Playoffs, which feature a progressive field reduction. Fields are set at a maximum of 70 players for the FedEx St. Jude Championship, 50 for the BMW Championship and 30 for the TOUR Championship. If an eligible player is unable or elects not to play, no alternates are added, resulting in an even smaller field. It’s also important to note that there are no cuts in FedExCup Playoffs events.

The first two Playoffs events, starting with the FedEx St. Jude Championship, award 750 points to the winner (down from 2,000 last year), matching the distribution used for THE PLAYERS and major championships. Along with last season's format change to the TOUR Championship that removed Starting Strokes, the adjustment in points is designed to reward consistent performance throughout the season while further positioning the TOUR Championship as the hardest tournament for which to qualify.

FedExCup purse

Players compete in the Playoffs for their share of nearly $100 million total in FedExCup bonus money, distributed to the top 125 players in the standings through the BMW Championship. The $40 million purse at the TOUR Championship is considered Official Money and is separate from the FedExCup bonus pool. The winner of the TOUR Championship will receive $10 million, the largest winner’s share on TOUR from the largest purse of the season.

In this week’s FedEx St. Jude Championship, there is a $20 million purse up for grabs.

Betting on the FedExCup Playoffs responsibly

As you can see, the FedExCup Playoffs events are a different beast. Fields are smaller, stakes are higher, and therefore a different approach to betting may be warranted. Let’s run through some best practices for wagering responsibly, since keeping these in mind is even more important for a three-week series of high-stakes play.

Gambling addiction resources and care

If you or someone you know may be dealing with a gambling problem, there are resources and specialized treatment options available. Birches Health offers the top gambling recovery program in the country, with a nationwide team of certified counselors trained to assist individuals who are either at risk of, or actively struggling with, gambling addiction and related behavioral health challenges.

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