What are DFS sites?
Many people who are reading this might roll their eyes at this question. For the experts in the house, itâs like asking Patrick Mahomes how many points a team gets for scoring a touchdown. But you know what? Everyone starts somewhere. People werenât born knowing what a DFS site is, how it works, and why itâs so dang fun, but they can learn today.
So, whatâs the difference between season-long fantasy sports and DFS?
Traditional fantasy sports, such as those seen on
social sportsbook apps, require players to use salary caps to draft an entire team for a season, and then they get points based on each playerâs performance on the team. For example, when a quarterback on the playerâs fantasy team throws a touchdown, the playerâs fantasy team gets a specific number of points. When a userâs defensive fantasy pick makes a tackle, thatâs more points for the userâs team. This goes on all season long, right alongside eating wings and drinking beer.
DFS stands for Daily Fantasy Sports, and itâs a compressed activity where users draft players for a day or a week, rather than for a season. This is a great game for those who like the thrill of sweating through a close game, or getting that adrenaline boost when their player is mopping the floor. No need to wait the entire season, as the user will know the result in one day or one week.
What are Pick âEm games?
Pick âEm games are the perfect format for beginners, which is why many DFS sites offer them. Users donât need to pick a couple players or draft entire teams. Instead, all they have to do is predict whether a playerâs stat for a game is going to be more or less than the target stat. For example, a target stat for an NBA player might be whether a specific player will score more or less than 16 points in a specific game. Another example: will Patrick Mahomesâs passing yards be more or less than 265.5?
Most of the time, Pick âEm players will need to combine at least two players into a slip or entry. The more players added to the slip, the higher the potential payout. All in/power play formats require players to make the correct predictions across the entire slip before they get a payout. Flex play/insurance formats give players some breathing room, as they donât have to get the entire slip 100% right â for example, they can miss one â and theyâll still get a smaller payout. You may laugh at your buddy who can never get a perfect slip, but that dude is still pocketing cash if heâs building flex play slips.
What is micro-social-betting?
This is the rapid-fire machine gun of DFS and social betting sites. Thereâs no need to wait for an entire three-hour game to end to see the results with this format. Instead, players can pick whatâs going to happen in the very next play. Will the batter get a ball, strike, hit or foul? Will the kicker get a field goal? Itâs so fun and intense that it goes beyond sports. E.g. Which part of your order will McDonaldâs screw up this time?
What is social DFS?
Hermits can skip the social DFS events, just as much as they skip crowds in general. But for everyone else, this is a fun way to participate in DFS, as players get to chat with each other, copy each othersâ picks, or âfadeâ (pick the opposite of someone elseâs picks). Then when the game happens, the social chat lights up with players ribbing each other, sweating through the game together, and/or cheering on their picks. This is DFS combined with social media â the only things missing are the high fives and back slaps.
Pulling it all together
Many sites offer some variation of all these activities, while other sites specialize. Players need to figure out what they like, which will help them choose the best DFS sites for them.
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What to look for when choosing the best daily fantasy sports sites
The perfect DFS site exists. Itâs the one that makes players yell, âshut up and take my entry fees!â But that site isnât the same for everyone.
Not that theyâre similar, but what are the certain characteristics these DFS sites and
online betting sites in the US
should definitely possess? Of course. Beyond the minimum requirements, what makes a site âthe bestâ really comes down to personal preference. Even so, good daily fantasy sports sites should ace all these factors:
đ Security and legitimacy
About the last thing players need is a DFS app thatâs a high-tech pickpocket, or one thatâs run by a company that doesnât seem to exist in real life. Thatâs why the only daily fantasy sports apps on this page are backed by real companies that offer advanced levels of security to players. These apps are legit and safe, so players never have to worry about downloading the app, creating an account, or paying for entries.
âïž Fairness
DFS sites are different from online betting sites, in that players arenât playing against the house and shopping for fair, competitive lines. Where fairness comes into play is that the DFS site needs to have fair terms that cover everything from bonuses to redemptions. The big key of course is the redemption process â will the winning players get paid? Or will the site slow-walk the payouts in hopes the player hits his head and just forgets that the site owes him a payout?
đ Decent sports coverage
âDecentâ is subjective, as not every player is interested in all the sports offered, similar to NBA fans not caring about what the best
MLB betting apps
are in the market. Simply put, some may not give a flying fig if the app also carries football, and other major sports. Meanwhile, another player needs a steady supply of a wide variety of sports like a thirsty man needs water. The daily fantasy sports apps on this page cover all the major leagues, such as NHL, NBA, MLB, and NFL. Beyond that, check with each individual app. Many also include college sports, tennis, golf, MMA, and similar. Still others also include the top sports, plus they toss in esports such as League of Legends or Call of Duty. Itâs up to each player to figure out how many sports they need to keep them entertained and satisfied.
Sometimes downloading an app feels like walking into a three-ring circus. Thatâs a bummer. It shouldnât take a week to figure out an app, and players shouldnât need an advanced engineering degree for it to make sense. Thatâs why user-friendly apps with lightning performance can be a make-or-break criteria.
đł Multiple payment options
Players donât need an endless smorgasbord of options here, but a quality daily fantasy sports site should at least offer debit cards and bank transfers for payment. Thatâs the bare minimum in payment options nowadays, anyway. The better sites even toss in other options which may vary by location, such as PayPal, Venmo, and other e-wallets. Including carrier pigeons might be too performative and a bit overboard. Same goes for the options for pulling your winnings out or requesting cash redemptions, as the best DFS sites have multiple options. In many cases, there will be a âclosed loopâ model where payments and redemptions must be through the same payment method. For example, if someone bought site credits using a debit card, then their winnings will go right back to the same card.
đ Compliance
For some people, talking about compliance transforms them into Charlie Brown listening to the teacher talk with mumbled, indecipherable words. But listen up, compliance may not be sexy, but itâs important. If the company thatâs running a DFS site isnât in compliance with the law, then what the players are doing isnât legal either. Thatâs why players should pick compliant sites like the ones featured here. For example, does the site require players to complete an identity verification process? Thatâs not a site thatâs trying to get all up in someone elseâs business. Instead, that daily fantasy sports site is complying with the laws that require these types of platforms to know who their customers are as a way to combat money-laundering and fraud. The next time a site asks for an ID, remember that this act of compliance legally protects everyone.
What are the best daily fantasy sports sites?
Players will find the best DFS sites â the ones that meet all the requirements above â on this page, and especially on the banners. Here are two such sites for players to consider:
Betr: High multiplier pick âem DFS on lightning fast app
Betr takes the traditional DFS platform and puts it on steroids. Certain entries offer up to 10,000x super-charged âmystery multiplierâ payouts, which makes other DFS sites look like theyâre hosting quaint little tea parties. Entries for DFS/Pick âMe events start at $1, and players can buy their entries using debit cards, bank transfers, Venmo, and PayPal. Players can pull their winnings or request redemptions using these same options.
Desktop users will have to sit this one out. Users need to download the app to sign up, play, and request a bonus. Common bonuses include a free $10 after registration, a 50% deposit match, or two âNo Sweatâ entries worth up to $200. Betr has all the major sports covered, including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, UFC/MMA, PGA, and college sports, plus a handful of esports. Players get all this fun on a high-performance app thatâs perfect for rapid-fire entries.
This app is available to players in 34 states, and itâs a great option for those whoâre on the hunt for big payout potential, ongoing discounts and bonuses, a polished app, and a simple format thatâs especially good for beginners.
Payout Duration
instant
Payment Methods
PayPalVisaMastercardACH
Company
Betr Holdings, Inc.
Founded
2023
E-Mail
support@betr.app
States
AKARCAFL+19GAILKSKYMNNENMNCNDOKORRISCSDTXUTVTDCWIWY
Licenses
Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC)Virginia (US) Lottery Board
T&Cs apply, 18+
Dabble: Great DFS choice for social butterflies
This platform has the social DFS element for people who want to network or get into a community. Players who can good-naturedly talk trash to players with opposite picks, or team up with like-minded players, will want to check out this smooth app. Pretty impressive selling point, as even the top
football betting apps
donât prioritize this feature that much. Dabbleâs social DFS is on another level.
Itâs available in 29 states, so it doesnât quite have the more extensive coverage of the Betr app. Its sports coverage also isnât as deep. However, the social features hook players and keep them coming back for more, including the ability to copy picks, track leaderboards, banter with other players, and enjoy a social-media-style feed that gives players a steady supply of sports news and talk.
Just like Betr, there is no desktop version available, but players will appreciate the uncluttered, polished app that makes it easy to jump in, make picks, and join the conversation. New users can claim a sign up bonus, which usually takes the form of $10 in free site credits after registration. The payment methods include debit cards and online banking, with other options available according to location. The site uses bank transfers to send winnings, which takes three to five days, which is slower than similar platforms.
Players who think DFS picks shouldnât be a solitary activity will want to join Dabble and get a chance to win boosted payouts that at times range from 1000x to even 5000x.
Company
Dabble Sports LLC
Founded
2020
E-Mail
support@dabble.com
States
AKARCAFL+23GAILINKSKYMAMNNENHNMNCNDOKORRISCSDTNTXUTVAWVWIWY
Licenses
UKGC - UK Gambling Commission
Website
dabble.com
Hereâs a quick overview comparing these two DFS apps:
Pros and cons of the best fantasy sports betting apps
Pros
+
Most DFS sites offer welcome bonuses.
+
Players can choose all-in or flexible picks.
+
Payout multipliers can boost potential payouts 1000x to 10,000x
Cons
â
Availability varies by location.
Final thoughts on the best DFS sites
There are plenty of awesome daily fantasy sports betting apps floating around the web, like Betr and Dabble. But the right one depends on what gets the motor running, really. For example, those looking for recommendations on the best
NHL betting apps
wonât really care that a platform has the deepest NBA markets online. Same goes with players looking for the perfect DFS site for them. Canât really go wrong with Betr and Dabble at this stage. They both feature major sports and leagues. However, players who like niche sports or esports will need to take a closer look at the apps to see which ones cover the sports that interest them.
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Daily fantasy sports sites FAQ
âïž Are DFS sites legal?
Yes. However, legality and availability vary by state. DFS sites are legal in 45 states except Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Washington. Take note that sites that offer a variety of pick âem and DFS contests may have parts of the site that are unavailable to some players. For example, states like Ohio and Pennsylvania let residents participate in drafting fantasy sports teams, but they restrict pick âem contests. Each siteâs terms of service already have the features based on location.
đȘ What are site credits?
Site credits are the virtual currency players use to pay for entries into contests. For example, $10 would buy $10 in virtual cash/site credits. Some sites require players to play through the site credits at least once before they become redeemable for real cash.
đ° Are these daily fantasy sports sites real-money gambling apps?
No. However,
basketball betting apps
can also be something users look for but in reality, they want daily fantasy sports and pick âem contests about the NBA instead. DFS sites are not real-money gambling sites, as players arenât betting real money on a specific outcome of a sporting event, nor are they playing against the house. Thus, the concept of fantasy sports comes in. Theyâre actually purchasing entries into contests where theyâre competing against other players. Players can win cash if they win the contest, or they can get site credits that are redeemable for real cash, but no real-money bets are involved.
