Frequently asked questions

What's the backstory on this contest?

This contest started as a casual Oscars prediction game among four close friends—Allison, Ellen, Lauren, and Matt—back in 2011 at the University of Minnesota. After more than a decade of spirited rivalry, this 'core four' rivalry remains strong and wants to extend the fun to other friends, family, and colleagues.

How does the contest work?

Does it cost to enter?

What can I win?

You can find the full contest rules directly on the ballot, which is hosted through a Google form. Just click on 'My Ballot' at the top of the page to check out the rules and start filling out your ballot. Ballots are available every year shortly after the nominees are announced.

Do you do anything special during the Oscars?

Yes, I’ll be updating scores and rankings live as the awards are happening. Visit BeatMattsBallot.com when the show starts for a live link to contest results.

Should I wait to submit my ballot until I've seen more movies?

No need to wait! Once you submit your ballot, the Google form lets you come back and edit your predictions anytime. You can make as many changes as you want until the Oscars start, at which point I’ll lock the ballots.

To update your ballot, just return to BeatMattsBallot.com, click 'My Ballot,' and log back into the Google form. Don’t forget to resubmit your ballot each time you make a change!

Can I share this contest with others?

Absolutely! Feel free to spread the word to anyone who might be interested. The more, the merrier.

How can I make solid predictions on my ballot?

Do your research! While I’m not sharing my secret sources, big entertainment publications like Variety, Hollywood Reporter, and Entertainment Weekly often have solid predictions. Also, message boards like Reddit can be a goldmine for tips and insights.

Can I submit more than one ballot?

No, we are keeping it to one per person, but I appreciate your enthusiasm!

How can I share ideas/feedback on the contest?

I would love to hear from you; please send any comments to hauer.matt@gmail.com

Thanks for playing!

-Matt

What is Beat Matt's Ballot?

"Beat Matt's Ballot" is the name of our yearly Oscars contest. Try to predict the winners better than Matt (that's me) for a chance to win prizes and, of course, bragging rights for the entire year.