> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://picks.gitbook.io/picks/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://picks.gitbook.io/picks/core-concepts/ice-and-lit-difficulty-levels.md).

# ICE & LIT Difficulty Levels

### ICE 🧊  & LIT 🔥  Difficulty Levels

ICE and LIT are difficulty tiers that allow users to adjust risk within a lineup.

They do not change the rules of the game.\
They change the **difficulty of the Pick**, and the multiplier adjusts accordingly.

***

#### What ICE Means

**ICE** represents an easier performance line.

* Higher probability of hitting
* Lower risk
* Lower impact on the lineup multiplier

ICE is designed for users who prefer a more conservative approach or want to reduce overall lineup volatility.

***

#### What LIT Means

**LIT** represents a harder performance line.

* Lower probability of hitting
* Higher risk
* Higher impact on the lineup multiplier

LIT is designed for users who want to take on more difficulty in exchange for higher potential rewards.

***

#### Same Player. Same Stat. Different Difficulty

ICE and LIT apply to the same player and the same performance metric.

What changes is the difficulty of the line, not the structure of the Pick.

You still choose:

* More or Less
* on a fixed metric
* with a binary outcome

Only the difficulty level differs.

***

#### How ICE & LIT Affect Multipliers

Multipliers automatically adjust based on the difficulty of the Picks included in a lineup.

* ICE Picks reduce overall lineup difficulty → multiplier decreases
* LIT Picks increase overall lineup difficulty → multiplier increases

All adjustments are applied **before confirmation** and are fully visible.

Once a lineup is confirmed:

* the multiplier is locked
* the difficulty is locked
* nothing changes during execution

***

#### Multiplier Calculation

Final payout is calculated using the lineup base multiplier combined with all pick difficulty multipliers.

**Formula**

`final payout = entry × base multiplier × pick multipliers`

Rules:

* minimum lineup size is 2 picks
* default picks use `1x`
* ICE picks use `0.82x`
* LIT picks use `1.27x`
* pushed picks are excluded from the calculation

Example:

A 6 pick Powerplay lineup has a base multiplier of `30x`

* all default picks\
  `30 × 1 × 1 × 1 × 1 × 1 × 1 = 30x`
* one LIT pick\
  `30 × 1.27 = 38.1x`
* one ICE pick\
  `30 × 0.82 = 24.6x`

***

#### Not a Promotion

ICE and LIT are not bonuses or limited-time offers.

They are permanent difficulty tiers built into the system to give users control over risk and reward.

There is no advantage hidden in the difficulty choice.\
Risk is always reflected in the multiplier shown before execution.

***

#### Designed for Control

ICE & LIT allow users to:

* fine-tune lineup risk
* balance conservative and aggressive Picks
* build lineups that match their conviction level

All within a fixed, transparent framework.