Christopher Day 
This partnership review will give an in-depth look at what DraftKings, one of the premier Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) providers, has to offer. Through an advanced lineup structure, DraftKings allows for both amateur and professional Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) players to differentiate their lineups from others, just as DraftKings did from other Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) platforms with their unique style and vast contest selection.
The Basics
Founded in 2012, DraftKings is constantly evolving into bigger and better things. Like all Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) sites, DraftKings offers all major sports and more: NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, PGA, NCAAB, CFB, NASCAR, Soccer, MMA, and more recently, eSports, all of which can be seen on both their website under “Lobby” and the front page of their mobile application.
After choosing which sport to play,the decision is then which of two contest types to enter: cash games or GuaranteedPrize Pools (GPPs). Cash games are made up of 50/50s and multipliers(double ups, triple ups, etc.) where approximately half of the field will win; sometimesless, depending on the contest. GPPs are contests with a much larger number ofcontestants and is where DraftKings thrives with its enormous prize pools; thenumber of entrants in the available tournaments vary from fields as small as 10entrants, to over contests with over 100,000 people. With a quarter or less ofthe field taking home winnings in Guaranteed Prize Pools (GPPs), there is somerisk to them, but DraftKings makes it worth your while with their infamousmillion-dollar contests and more.
Contest Types
Full Roster
DraftKings’s lineup construction not only differentiates them from other sites, it is what makes their Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contests so fun to play in. The endless amount of lineup possibilities on DraftKings prevents the likelihood of duplicate lineups, albeit it is, of course, still possible. DraftKings offers full roster contests for every sport available, with each one having their own DraftKings twist to it. For example, NBA contests are wildly unpredictable because of players’ eligibility for multiple positions, making for an immense number of lineup possibilities by switching one player from one position to another. Full roster formats on DraftKings have the biggest payouts compared to other contests, specifically in major sports’ Guaranteed Prize Pools (GPPs). DraftKings’ full roster format is similar to other Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) providers in the industry, with some differences in addition to their multi-position eligibility for NBA players: there are two required starting pitchers in MLB contests, whereas others only require 1, the minimum amount of teams used in lineups in eSports is two, whereas other sites require three, NHL lineups have a “utility” spot where you can select a player of any position other than a goalie, while NFL lineup construction remains the same across major Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) sites.
Showdown Captain Mode
DraftKings’s single game contests, the Showdown Captain Mode, is a popular format across all sports. Whether it may be in the NBA, NFL, or other sports, there is plenty of money to be won in DraftKings’ Showdown Captain Mode and make for an interesting alternative to full roster format contests. Each DraftKings Showdown Captain Mode contest requires 6 players to be chosen, with the “MVP” position scoring 1.5x the points of a player in a “Flex” position. This is similar to other sites’ format, however DraftKings puts their own spin to it; the “MVP” in your lineup does not have the same salary should they be played in the “FLEX” slot, rather they cost 1.5x as much since they score 1.5x the points. This makes lineup construction rather challenging, in a good way, since you cannot simply play the top player on the slate without potentially sacrificing the quality of the remaining players in your lineup.
Tiers
A DraftKings contest suitable forboth entry-level and professional Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) players, Tiers issimplistic and fun to play. There are no salaries in this contest type. Instead,you choose players from six different “tiers” independent from one another.There is a strong possibility of duplicate lineups given the absence of salary constraints,however that is the challenging part: making your lineup different to beateveryone! Players on a given slate are typically distributed into theirrespective “tiers” by a combination of fantasy points per game (FPPG) and theirsalary in the full roster format, and possibly the matchup on that given night.
Lineup Construction
DraftKings’ lineup construction is adifferent challenge every night, making it a premier Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)destination. The most useful tool available is DraftKings’ famous “Late Swap”, whichallows for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contestants to swap players, who have notplayed yet, in and out of their lineup, barring position eligibility from thereplacement(s). In addition, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) contestants can clickon the player’s picture to see statistics pictured below, including recent gamelogs, season statistics, and more.
Contest Selection
DraftKings has a plethora of contests available to Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) players on a nightly basis. There is also a simpler way to choose a contest amongst the thousands available thanks to DraftKings’ detailed website and mobile application; any way you wish to filter your contests, DraftKings offers it. Whether on the website itself or using the mobile application, DraftKings has filters to choose contests sorted by sport, entry fee, contest type, and more advanced filters such as field size and entry fee payment options under their “Lobby”. Once you find the right contest for you, there is more information available when clicking on the tournament’s title, such as a brief summary of the contest itself, the entrants and their level of experience, prize payouts based on standings, and contest rules and scoring.
Mobile Application
DraftKings’ support to its customerbase extends to when you are on the go with their mobile application. DraftKings’mobile application is far and beyond the best in the industry, with almostevery feature imaginable available. When opening the application, you are immediatelyshown the “Lobby” with every sport having a designated picture to help youchoose your contest by sorting by sport, if you choose. In addition, DailyFantasy Sports (DFS) players are able to see live, upcoming, and recent contests,edit lineups directly through the application, view and change account informationsuch as your profile or deposit/withdrawal options, and inviting friends toplay a particular contest by having a shareable link. In support to theirprimary mobile application, DraftKings offers “DraftKings Live”, where you areable to get play-by-play updates on the players in your lineups, the topperformers of the night, player and team news updates, and more. DraftKings’ mobileapplications are only getting better every day and are one of the Daily FantasySports (DFS) provider’s strongest assets.
Special Events
DraftKings has plenty of specialevents throughout the calendar year, both in the form of live and onlinefinals. For almost every sport, including basketball (NBA), baseball (MLB), football(NFL), hockey (NHL), NASCAR, eSports, and even sports betting, DraftKings givesDaily Fantasy Sports (DFS) players, and sports bettors alike, the opportunityto attend an exclusive event. Contestants get the chance to partake in one ofthe finals by winning a ticket in contests during seasons of the respectivesport. With the largest prize pools known in the Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)industry, live finals are an extravagant trip where leisure meets our love forthe game.
Fantasy Football World Championship (WWFC)
What better way to celebrate theholidays than in Miami, FL for the chance to win $2M? DraftKings held itsannual WWFC this past year in the sunshine state with $10M in prizes, including$2M to first and $1M to the runner-up. WinDaily was represented at the event byDaily Fantasy Sports (DFS) professional Javi Prellezo, who had one ticket inthe 180-man contest.
Fantasy Baseball World Championship (FBBWC)
Chicago, IL was the location for DraftKings’past FBBWC with a total of $4M in prizes up for grabs, including $500K to the first-placewinner! All 100 contestants came away from with some sort of prize money, with WinDailybeing represented by Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) professionals Javi Prellezo andDavid Jones at this past year’s tournament.
Fantasy Basketball World Championship (FBWC)
This year’s FBWC is still beingcontemplated due to the pandemic, but DraftKings had planned for 100 contestantsto partake in the event in New Jersey for a chance at a share of $4M in prizepool money, including $500K to first. When the event will be held, WinDailywill be represented by Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) professional Javi Prellezo.
DraftKings also has a sportsbookfor those interested in betting and to allow for its Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)players and sports bettors to share a common platform. DraftKings Sportsbookhas its own mobile application and has the common features found on the mostpopular sportsbooks, including moneyline betting, spreads, over/under betting,futures, live/in-game betting, and more. The website itself is well organizedand simple to navigate, just as the mobile application is. There are dailypromotions for new accounts, in addition to DraftKings offering bonuses whenopening a new account and making a deposit of a specific amount.
