PrizePicks is a dynamic daily fantasy sports (DFS) platform based in Atlanta, launched in 2018. It operates in 30 US states and specializes in user-friendly games played against the house, offering potential payouts up to 25 times the initial stake. Participants select 2 to 6 athletes and predict whether these players will surpass or fall short of their projected statistics.
How PrizePicks Works?
At PrizePicks, you can choose between 2 to 6 player stats from a variety of sports and leagues. The goal is to decide whether each player’s performance will be better or worse than the platform’s projected stats.
Game Modes
Power Play
Power Play is all about high risk and high reward. This all-or-nothing approach means that you need to get every pick right to win, but the payouts are significantly higher. For instance, a 4-pick game can yield a 10x return.
Flex Play
Flex Play offers a more forgiving structure. Even if one or two of your picks are incorrect, you’ll still receive a payout, making it a safer option with a lower risk-reward ratio.
Entry Sizes
The minimum entry size on PrizePicks is typically $5, but it can drop to $1 during weekly Happy Hours. Once you’ve set your entry amount, the platform calculates the potential payout, allowing you to adjust your entry if needed.
Types of Games
Fantasy Score
In Fantasy Score contests, you’ll predict if selected athletes will reach or exceed a set fantasy points total. This score is a combination of various performance metrics, each weighted differently. For instance:
- Each point scored = 1 point
- Each rebound = 1.2 points
- Each assist = 1.5 points
Single Stat
Single Stat games focus on one specific statistical category for each athlete. You can include 2 to 6 athletes in your ticket and make picks based on stats like points, assists, home runs, or touchdowns. This format offers a straightforward, stats-focused DFS experience.
How Is PrizePicks Not Considered Sports Betting?
PrizePicks is no ordinary game; it’s a test of skill. To excel in Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), participants need to analyze a wealth of data—player statistics, injury reports, coaching strategies, and even weather forecasts. This level of complexity and strategic planning underscores that DFS is driven more by skill than by chance.
This isn’t just a theoretical distinction; it has been proven in practice. For instance, a 2018 MIT study revealed that fantasy football indeed rewards those with superior skills.
Legally, there’s also a clear difference between fantasy sports and gambling. States are often tasked with determining whether an activity is skill-based or a form of betting. By 2020, 21 states had regulations acknowledging fantasy sports as games of skill.
Additionally, federal law supports this distinction. The 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act specifically exempts fantasy sports, recognizing them as skill-intensive activities. Consequently, platforms like PrizePicks are not categorized as sports betting like FanDuel Sportsbook; they are recognized as skill-based games.
How to Play Prizepicks?
Although Prizepicks is not a sports betting app, it is not available everywhere. Only 30 states have officially allowed their residents to play. How to play Prizepicks for the rest of us? You need a VPN for Prizepicks, which will allow you to change your virtual location to another region. After that, you will be able to play the games. VPN also allows you to secure your Prizepicks account, so it is a double-win deal. You will be able to play safely even on public Wi-Fi networks.
PrizePicks Pros & Cons
If you’re looking to introduce someone to daily fantasy sports, PrizePicks is an excellent starting point. They’ve taken a popular format and refined it to attract a new audience. Here are some of the standout features:
Easy-to-Play Games for Beginners
PrizePicks offers games that are not only simple to understand but also budget-friendly. Compared to other major DFS platforms, setting up on PrizePicks is quicker and more cost-effective.
User-Friendly Design
Both the website and the mobile app boast a sleek, minimalist design that complements the simplified gameplay options perfectly. Both the app and the website can be launched using the VeePN service. You just need to change the region and you can play freely – let this be an additional reminder.
Legal Sports Betting Alternative
PrizePicks offers a unique model that closely mimics legal sports betting without actually being classified as such. You can place Over/Under bets and parlays, making it an attractive option in regions where sports wagering is prohibited.
Wide Accessibility
Currently available in over half of the United States, PrizePicks is more accessible than many leading sports betting sites. Plans for further expansion are already in the works.
Attractive Bonuses
The welcome bonus and ‘Refer a Friend’ promotion are straightforward and beneficial, offering easily claimable rewards that are accessible to everyone.
Conclusion
PrizePicks pays consistently and offers a fair deal with a real chance to win money. After that, it’s all up to you and your luck. Of course, you shouldn’t neglect sports analytics, security measures and risk management. In this case, PrizePicks will be great entertainment or even a source of income.