Actually the players in the first round did not bet zero, they did not bet anything (which is different then having to bet zero) - if that helps!

So next round, there will be 2 players who HAVE to bet zero and will fall into the pond, so if you bet 1 or more - you should make it into round 3.

Of course they HIGHEST bid will recieve 500 bonus points in case you want to go for that.

Here is what I posted elsewhere that some people found helpful (rules with some examples!):

Here is a quick recap of the rules, and an example game:

Run around the Pond

1) All players start with 20,000 points.

2) During each round, you bet some of your points.

3) The player who uses the LEAST amount of points in the current round “falls into the pond” and is out of the game. If more then 1 player tie with the least amount, then both players will fall into the pond.

4) If a player has no points left, the next bet will be 0 – so making it most likely they will lose in the next round.

5) The player who uses the MOST points in the current round will receive a bonus of 500 points. If more then 1 players tie, no bonus will be given.

6) Since there are NO WEKKENDS, NO VACATIONS, NO HOLIDAYS – if a player does not make a bet before a round deadline, the same amount of points that was bet in the previous round will be used.

7) Every player who does not make the first move in the first round is automatically eliminated from the game.

8) The game is finished with either 1 player stays on the pond side (this player wins), or all players fall into the pond (nobody wins)

Example – 5 players enter a game:

[round 1]

Player A (20,000) – bet 5,000
Player B (20,000) – forgets to make first bet
Player C (20,000) – bet 17,000
Player D (20,000) – bet 20
Player E (20,000) – bet 50

In round 1, Player B is eliminated right away. Player D is also eliminated since he had the lowest bid. Player C received 500 bonus points for having highest bid

[round 2]
Player A (15,000) – (forgets to bet) – so last round bet of 5,000 used
Player C (3,500) – bets 1,000
Player E (19,500) – bets 5,000

In round 2, player C is eliminated since he had the lowest bid. Since both player A and player E had the highest bid, nobody gets the 500 bonus points

[round 3]
Player A (10,000) – bets 10,000
Player E (14,500) – bets 10,001

In round 3, player A is eliminated since he had the lowest bid. Player E is the last standing and is the winner!