Everything you need to know about bidding, funding, withdrawals, and how Calcuttas work on our platform.
A Calcutta is a unique auction-style pool. Instead of picking a winner against a spread or paying a flat entry fee, participants bid on the players, teams, or contestants in an event. The total of every winning bid forms the pot, which is then paid out based on how those teams or players finish.
Each player or team is its own auction item with a countdown. When you place a bid above the current high, you become the new high bidder. If someone outbids you, you're notified instantly. The high bidder when an item's timer hits zero owns that team for the event.
Your bid is released back to your CalcuttaHQ wallet immediately. You can place a new, higher bid on the same item or move your stake to a different player. You only pay if you're the high bidder when the timer ends.
From your wallet, choose Add Funds and pick your method: credit card, ACH, PayPal, Venmo, or Bitcoin. Most methods are instant; ACH typically clears within 1–3 business days.
Open your wallet, select Withdraw, and choose where to send the funds. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours. You'll receive a notification when the funds are on their way.
If a player or team you own finishes in a paying position, your share of the pot is automatically deposited into your CalcuttaHQ wallet within minutes of the event being marked complete. You can withdraw or roll it into your next auction.
Levels indicate the bid range and stakes of an event. Beginner events typically run $10–$30 per item; Intermediate $25–$500; Expert $100–$2,500; Unlimited has no cap and is reserved for the largest pots.
Private events are custom Calcuttas — typically for country clubs, member-guests, fantasy leagues, or office pools. You set the rules and payouts, our team builds the auction, and your group gets a private link to bid.
Each event has an overall auction close time, and each item within an auction has its own staggered close. This keeps the action moving and prevents everything from ending at once.
We use anti-snipe protection. If a new bid is placed in the final 90 seconds of an item's auction, the timer extends by 2 minutes. This ensures every bidder gets a fair chance to respond.