We've done the hard work for you and worked out what each team has to do to face Victoria in the decider
Sheffield Shield: final round scenarios
Four teams will have their eye on the one available spot in the Sheffield Shield final when the last round of the regular season gets underway this week.
Victoria's win over Western Australia on Saturday means they've already secured their spot in the competition decider, and they will also host it barring some spectacular upset results in the final round.
NSW, Queensland, South Australia and WA are all in contention to take on the Bushrangers in the final and their respective seasons will go on the line from next Thursday.
Quick Single: Pattinson's five secures Vics Shield final berth
The four chasing sides are separated by just 6.35 points on the Shield table, a gap that can easily be made up given an outright victory is worth six points and one or two bonus points is a standard return for a win under the competition's complex points system.
The uncapped nature of the bonus-points system, which was introduced two summers ago, has again helped orchestrate an unpredictable finish to the season with any number of scenarios still possible.
The system sees teams earn a bonus of 0.01 for every run scored above 200 within the first 100 overs of their innings, and a bonus 0.1 for each wicket they take within the first 100 overs.
Quick Single: NSW keep title hopes alive with big win
The most intriguing match of the final round will come in Perth, where the fifth-placed Warriors (on 36.66 points) host the second-placed Blues (on 43.01) in what looms as a winner-takes-all match at the WACA Ground.
The Blues, who head into the round with a lead of 2.56 points over Queensland in third, essentially have their fate in their own hands; a victory in Perth would hand them a minimum of six points, which should be enough to qualify for the final unless one of the Bulls or Redbacks record massive victories and pick up more than three or four bonus points.
But a win to the Warriors in Perth should move them ahead of the Blues on the table and, barring other results, qualify them for the final.
While the two teams in the west will put everything on the line, the Bulls and Redbacks will take on teams with little to play for; the Bulls will host a Bushrangers side who have all but secured hosting rights for the final already, while the Redbacks will head to Hobart to take on a Tasmanian side rooted to the bottom of the table.
The Bulls and Redbacks will play their respective matches while also keeping a close eye on other results. Both teams need either a draw or a WA victory in Perth to jump ahead of the Blues and, if NSW aren't triumphant at the WACA, bonus points will decide who plays in the final.
Queensland and South Australia enter the final round separated by just 0.46 points on the ladder, meaning simply a victory won't guarantee them a spot in the decider.
The Redbacks know as well as any team in the competition just what is possible under the bonus-points system having earned almost nine points – worth one-and-a-half wins – in the final round last season to vault from fourth to first and earn hosting rights for the final.
Every match of the final round of the Sheffield Shield season will be live streamed on cricket.com.au and the CA Live App.
So strap yourself in - and have your calculators handy!
SHEFFIELD SHIELD FINAL SCENARIOS
(The below scenarios are estimates only and are subject to bonus points)
What Victoria need to do
Nothing! They're guaranteed a spot in the final and with a lead of 9.5 points, have all but secured hosting rights as well. A win in Brisbane in the last round would lock in a 'home' final in Alice Springs.
What NSW need to do
Beat Western Australia in Perth and hope that, even if Queensland and South Australia win, the chasing pack don't earn more than 2.56 bonus points.
What Queensland need to do
Beat Victoria in Brisbane and hope that NSW and South Australia don't win. If NSW don't win but South Australia do win, Queensland need to secure no more than 0.45 less bonus points than the Redbacks.
What South Australia need to do
Beat Tasmania in Hobart and hope that NSW and Queensland don't win. If NSW don't win but Queensland do win, South Australia need to secure more bonus points than the Bulls.
What Western Australia need to do
Beat NSW in Perth (and earn 0.36 bonus points more than the Blues) and hope that Queensland and South Australia don't win.
What Tasmania need to do
Play for pride and look forward to next season.