FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

What is Reveal The Winner?

Reveal The Winner is a web app for scoring contests and revealing winners. Perfect for bake-offs, chili cookoffs, BBQ competitions, cookie exchanges, cocktail contests, and any event where you need to collect scores and announce winners.

How does it work?

Create your contest — Set up your event with entries and scoring categories
Invite judges — Share a link or QR code; judges score from their phones
Collect scores — Scores submit automatically as judges complete them
Reveal winners — Hit one button to dramatically display results

Do judges need to create accounts?

No. Judges access your contest via a link or by scanning a QR code. They enter a name or use their assigned judge code—no account required. This means everyone can participate immediately without signup friction.

Is Reveal The Winner free?

Reveal The Winner offers a free tier for basic contests with up to 5 entries and 5 judges. Premium features unlock unlimited entries, unlimited judges, and additional customization options.

Creating Contests

What types of contests work with Reveal The Winner?

Any contest where multiple entries are evaluated by judges works great:

Food competitions: Bake-offs, chili cookoffs, BBQ, desserts, appetizers
Drink competitions: Cocktails, mocktails, coffee, homebrews
Creative competitions: Pumpkin carving, holiday decorating, costume contests
Pet shows: Dog shows, cat shows, pet pageants, car shows
Any judged event: Talent shows, art displays, photography contests

If you can score it, Reveal The Winner can handle it.

Can I customize scoring categories?

Yes. Reveal The Winner includes templates for common contest types (bake-off, chili, BBQ, cocktails) with pre-set categories and weights. You can:

Use templates as-is
Modify template categories
Create completely custom categories
Adjust category weights
Set maximum scores per category

What scoring scale does Reveal The Winner use?

By default, judges score each category on a 1-10 scale. You can customize the maximum score per category when setting up your contest.

How do weighted categories work?

Each category has a weight that determines how much it contributes to the final score. For example, in a bake-off with:

Taste: 40% weight
Texture: 20% weight
Presentation: 20% weight
Creativity: 20% weight

An entry scoring Taste: 9, Texture: 8, Presentation: 7, Creativity: 8 would calculate:

(9 × 0.40) + (8 × 0.20) + (7 × 0.20) + (8 × 0.20) = 3.6 + 1.6 + 1.4 + 1.6 = 8.2 final score

Reveal The Winner calculates this automatically—judges just enter scores.

Can I add entries after the contest starts?

Yes. Hosts can add, edit, or remove entries at any time before revealing results. If judges have already started scoring, new entries will appear for them to score.

Judging

How do judges access the contest?

Three ways:

Magic link: Send judges a personalized link via email; one click and they're in
QR code: Display a QR code; judges scan and enter
Public link: Share your contest URL; judges enter their name to start

Can judges change their scores after submitting?

No. Once a score is submitted their score is locked in.

What if a judge didn't taste all entries?

Judges can mark entries as "Did not taste" rather than guessing at a score. This ensures entries are only scored by judges who actually evaluated them, keeping results fair.

Is judging anonymous?

Host can see which judges have submitted scores and their individual scores. Other judges cannot see each other's scores until results are revealed. Hosts can not see who a judge voted - only if they have voted.

Display entries by number only—don't include creator names on the tasting station. Reveal The Winner tracks entries by name internally but judges see whatever labels you provide. Match numbers to creators only during the reveal.

The Reveal

How does the reveal work?

When all scores are in (or when you're ready to close scoring), hit the "Reveal Winners" button. Results display with:

Winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd place)
Score breakdowns
Optional confetti animation

You control when results become visible. Build suspense, gather everyone together, then reveal.

Can I show results on a TV or projector?

Yes. Open the reveal screen on any device connected to your display. The reveal page is designed for both mobile and large screens.

What if there's a tie?

Reveal The Winner handles ties automatically. The default tiebreaker prioritizes the highest-weighted category (usually taste/flavor). You can view detailed score breakdowns to explain tie resolution.

Can I reveal results gradually?

Yes! You can reveal third place first, then second, then first—building suspense with each announcement. The reveal flow is designed for maximum drama.

After the Contest

Can I export results?

Yes. Download contest results as:
- CSV: Raw scores for every judge, entry, and category
- PDF summary: Winners, final scores, and category breakdowns (formatted for printing or sharing)

Are past contests saved?

Yes. Your contest history lives in your host dashboard. Access past contests to:
- View results
- Export data

What happens to contests after they end?

Contests remain accessible in your dashboard for 7 days after results are revealed, then automatically archive. Archived contests can still be viewed but not modified. This prevents accidental changes to completed events.

Technical Questions

What devices work with Reveal The Winner?

Reveal The Winner is web-based and works on any modern browser:
- Phones: iOS Safari, Android Chrome (recommended for judges)
- Tablets: iPad, Android tablets
- Computers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge

No app download required.

Does Reveal The Winner work offline?

Scoring requires an internet connection to submit. However, the judge interface is designed for spotty connections—scores queue locally and submit when connection returns. If you're hosting in an area with poor service, ensure WiFi is available.

How secure is my contest data?

Contests use secure, randomized URLs. Only people with your contest link can access it. Judge tokens are unique and expire after use. We don't share or sell data.

Pricing & Plans

What's included in the free tier?

Free contests include:
- Up to 5 entries
- Up to 5 judges
- Unlimited scoring categories
- Full reveal features
- Full export options
- Full contest history

What do premium features include?

Premium unlocks:
- Unlimited entries
- Unlimited judges
- Unlimited scoring categories
- Full export options
- Full contest history
- Priority support

How much does premium cost?

Premium pricing is per-contest or annual. Pay only for events that need extra capacity. Check current pricing on our pricing page.

Can I upgrade a contest after creating it?

Yes. If your contest exceeds free tier limits, you'll be prompted to upgrade. Your existing entries, judges, and scores are preserved.

Troubleshooting

Judges say they can't access the contest

Check:
1. Is the contest link correct? (Copy directly from your dashboard)
2. Is the judge using a supported browser?
3. Has scoring been closed?
4. For invited judges: is their email/judge code entered correctly?

Scores aren't appearing in my dashboard

Scores appear after judges submit. Check:
1. Has the judge completed and submitted all scores?
2. Refresh your dashboard
3. Check your internet connection

The reveal isn't showing all entries

Ensure all entries are present in your contest setup. Entries added after some judges scored may show different submission counts.

Contact & Support

How do I get help?

Email: support@Reveal The Winner.com
Documentation: Reveal The Winner.com/guides

I have a feature suggestion

We'd love to hear it! Send feature requests to support@Reveal The Winner.com or use the feedback option in your dashboard.

Can I use Reveal The Winner for a charity event?

Absolutely. Reveal The Winner works great for charity cookoffs, fundraiser competitions, and community events. Contact us about special pricing for nonprofit organizations.

Have a question not answered here? Contact us and we'll help you out.