In DFS, the platform you choose can play a big role in your success. Let's dive into two well-known providers, Underdog and PrizePicks, to explore game features, contest options, payout structures and more.
Before you get started making Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) investments, it's imperative to make sure you choose the platform that will best suit your needs and level of experience. While sustainable long-term bankroll growth is essential, understanding the differences between all platforms is arguably the most pivotal component.
In this article, we dive into Underdog and PrizePicks, two popular platforms in the world of fantasy sports.
In case you missed it: Sleeper vs. PrizePicks
Underdog vs. PrizePicks: Which Platform Is Best for You?
DFS is becoming more popular than traditional, season-long fantasy sports due to the stress of dealing with season-ending injuries coupled with the gratification of winning money in a more expedited period of time.
The desire to get in on fantasy and player proposition action has led to sports fans to sign up for Sleeper Picks, as well as other platforms like Underdog and PrizePicks.
What Is Underdog?
The Underdog Fantasy app offers daily, weekly and season-long fantasy contests.
The allure of large cash prizes, coupled with in-season roster management, makes the Best Ball Mania tournament the platform's most popular offering.
While the platform utilizes traditional daily snake drafts to conduct its leagues, Pick’em contests are also popular with users. Pick’em contests involve selecting multiple players and then choosing whether those players will post more or less than their projected output in a statistical category.
What Are the Odds?
The more selections that perform correctly, the greater the payout odds.
As you will notice in the payout odds image above, there's a listing for what are called “Scorchers” multipliers. On Underdog, Scorcher picks can greatly boost potential maximum payouts. Any player marked with a “pepper icon” next to their projection on the app has Scorcher eligibility.
Unlike a traditional player proposition where if you get one selection wrong you lose your stake, Underdog’s “Flex” option affords you the opportunity to receive a reduced payout despite getting one or two legs wrong.
One important stipulation to highlight is that in order to win the Scorcher multiplier boost, that pick must be correct — even in Flex entries.
What Is PrizePicks?
While Underdog’s most popular option is arguably their massive BestBall Mania contest, PrizePicks is more focused on the player proposition through its Pick’em game offerings. As highlighted above, Pick'em contests involve correctly deciding whether multiple players will post more or less than the listed projection for a specific statistic.
What Are The Odds?
The more selections that perform correctly, the greater your payout odds on PrizePicks.
Users will find two ways of entering Pick’em lineups: Flex Play or Power Play. If you hold strong convictions that your selections will all win, then Power Play is a better investment due to higher payouts. However, if you hold reservations that all of the plays will win, then choosing the Flex option is the best way to invest, as it will still offer payout options with one or two incorrect picks.
On the PrizePicks platform, you can find a unique contest called Pick'em Arena. In this offering, participants can select between the over or under on two to six projections for players. You will then be placed into groups depending on the amount of selections you make. (With four-pick lineups, you'll be placed into groups of 70 total members; with five-pick lineups, you'll be placed in groups of 100 total members; with six-pick lineups, you'll be placed in groups of 250 total members). The goal is to gain more points for your selections than your opponents in your group. If you pick a perfect Arena lineup, the payouts are as follows: six correct picks = 25x your entry fee, five correct picks = 15x, four correct picks = 10x, three correct picks = 5x, two correct picks = 3x.
See also: What Is GPP in DFS?
Underdog vs. PrizePicks: Sports Coverage
Underdog Fantasy and PrizePicks both offer investment opportunities involving: NBA, NCAA Basketball, NFL, NCAA Football, XFL, USFL, MLB, KBO, NPB, NHL, EPL, LaLiga, MLS, Champions League, Bundesliga, PGA, UFC, ATP and WTA Tennis, NASCAR, F1 Racing, Esports (LoL, Dota, CoD, CS:GO, Valorant) as well as Boxing.
While all of the mainstream American leagues, as well as some highlighted international leagues can be found on both platforms, PrizePicks may be a better choice if you're a fan of lesser-followed sports. For example, if you desire betting opportunities involving lacrosse, frisbee golf, jai alai or even competitive eating contests then PrizePicks has a wider selection.
Underdog vs. PrizePicks: Welcome Offers
Before you commence playing on any DFS or pick'em platform it's always beneficial to take full advantage of sign-up offers. Don't pass up the opportunity to build your bankroll via free promotions.
Underdog Fantasy offers a 100% Deposit Match Bonus of up to $1,000 to all new users who sign up and use promo code “UDPROMO.”
PrizePicks will also match the amount you deposit up to a predetermined limit. However, not listing the deposit match maximum amount is disappointing. In addition, Prize Picks offers a signup bonus of $50 in promotional funds after you submit your first $5 lineup, which is a nice initial bankroll starter for novice DFS players.
If both platforms are available in the state in which you reside, signing up for both is something you should certainly capitalize on.
Learn More: Sleeper Official Promos
Where Is Underdog & PrizePicks Legal To Play?
Underdog Fantasy is currently available in 40 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Pick’em contests are available to residents in: AL, AK, AZ, AK, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MN, MO, NE, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV, WI, WY.
You must be 18+ to play except in Alabama (19+), Arizona (21+), Nebraska (19+) or Massachusetts (21+)
PrizePicks is currently available in 43 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana), Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Pick 'Em Arena contests are available to residents aged 18 and older in: AK, DE, FL, KS, KY, MO, NH, OR, TN, WV, & WY. 19+ in AL, CO. 21+ in AZ and MA
Streak (Free to Play): Available to residents aged 19 and older in CT, IA, LA, MI, MS, NJ, NY OH, PA
See also: Where is DFS Legal?
Final Call: Prizepicks vs Underdog: Edge Underdog
As a numbers guy living in Las Vegas, I'm always in search of value. While both app interfaces are user friendly in my opinion, there are two valuable offerings that give Underdog a slight edge for DFS users:
- The substantial prizes in Best Ball Mania
- The Scorcher multiplier in Pick’em contests
The opportunity to win up to anywhere from 75x to 325x your stake sets the two platforms apart in Pick’em contests.
How Sleeper Picks Stacks Up
As enticing as both Underdog and PrizePicks are, getting the best “bang for your buck” should always reign supreme.
This is where Sleeper Picks is in a class of its own.
While Underdog and PrizePicks have “fixed odds” for pick’em payouts, Sleeper’s multipliers are adjusted based upon action seen on a projection. This means there is a wide range of potential payouts based on the difficulty and risk involved in any contest entry. In addition, Sleeper’s max payout of 100x odds if you hit all eight selections is the highest offered among all three platforms.
Player prop contests, which are the heart of picks contests, have generated a strong Sleeper Picks community of fantasy enthusiasts due to the daily interactions that last all year round. Sleeper is the only platform that offers the bonding social feature of live chats, taking the fantasy experience to the next level.
Don’t miss out!
Join Sleeper today by signing up via the website or downloading the app. Find out WHY users rank Sleeper the No. 1 platform in the fantasy business!
