DraftKings Sportsbook $1,000 Promotion for Tennessee (Upon Launch) DraftKings will also be offering $1,000 in bonuses to new users once betting goes live in November; however, if you create your account pre-launch, don’t worry, you will still get access to the $1,000 on top of your bonus of $50 for simply creating an account pre-launch. Draftkings is now available in these states, but again, you must be at least 21 years old to place real money bets: Iowa, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, New Hampshire, Illinois, West Virginia. If you are using our App, in order to remove an entry from an upcoming contest (you must have a lineup submitted), go to the 'Upcoming' tab and then click on 'Edit Entry'. From there, click on the Information Icon (the lowercase i) and select 'withdraw entry'. If you have any issues withdrawing an entry, please email support@draftkings.com.

DraftKings continues to be one of the hottest daily fantasy sites. Even though it’s slightly smaller in overall size than FanDuel, it’s the site of choice for tens of thousands of fantasy sports fans.

Having said that, it doesn’t matter how popular DraftKings is if you’re unable to win. Whether you’re playing fantasy football, baseball, soccer or golf, it’s the chance to win cash prizes that keeps you playing.

How do you win over the long run? It’s a matter of doing solid research, knowing how to draft good talent, watching your competitors’ lineups and managing your bankroll. It’s more complex than it sounds. Entire books can be written on each of those steps.

For example, bankroll management entails more than just knowing how much money you have in play. It also takes into account how to get through losing streaks, splitting your roll between low-stakes and high-stakes contests, and, of course, paying taxes on your winnings.

I’ll boil down the most important points in this two-part series.

Updated for 2019-2020 NFL season

A Crash course on Winning at DraftKings

The current landing page at DraftKings. Cannot help but notice that you’ll get a free entry with your first deposit!

Since NFL is the hottest fantasy sport by far, I’ll use examples from football. But don’t let that throw you. The 10 points we’ll cover below and in an upcoming post apply whether you’re playing daily fantasy baseball, golf, hockey, basketball or any other sport.

Let’s get on with the first key…

1. Adjust Your Draft Strategy By Contest Format – Cash Game or Tourney

That advice might seem trite. But contest format plays a huge role in how you draft talent. Your priorities will change with the size of the contest and its payout structure.

We’ve talked about this in the past, mostly as it pertains to guaranteed prize pool (GPP) tournaments and 50/50s (cash games). Here’s the gist:

Cash game line-up’s vs GPP Tourney line-ups.

If you’re playing in a large-field tournament, the payout structure is going to be top-heavy. Approximately 10-15% of the field will end up in a cash position, and most of the money will go to the top 10 players. That being the case, you need to take risks to land in a cash position. You need to draft guys who might have a breakout night.

If you’re playing in a 50/50, the payout structure will be flatter. Half of the entrants get paid, and everyone gets paid the same amount. You don’t need to take as many risks because you’re not trying to land in the top 10 of the field. You just need to end up in the 50th percentile.

Here’s one way to think about the draft – the flatter the payout structure, the more guaranteed points you want to log. That includes 50/50s and head-to-heads. The more top-heavy the payout structure, the more breakout performances you need if you hope to cash.

2. Tread Carefully When Drafting Sleepers

Everyone dreams of picking a sleeper who breaks out and has a huge night. The team owner not only cashes, but ends up looking like a fantasy sports master. When it works, it almost seems like magic.

The problem is, most fantasy players find that picking sleepers rarely works to their advantages. They pick speculative talent, hoping for a miracle. But when the dust clears, they find their sleepers still sleeping.

It’s not that picking sleepers is a bad fantasy play. It can work stupendously well if you know what you’re doing.

That’s the key: being selective.

Remember, a low salary doesn’t imply hidden talent. More often than not, it means the player isn’t expected to turn in a major performance that week.

Drafting sleepers can be a great tactic in building a winning roster. But picking players who break out takes research and a fair amount of luck. It’s not just throwing darts at a board. Listen to the talking heads each week but remember that so are thousands of others. Find those guys who aren’t being talked about so much but who look like they might end up with quality playing time due to an injury or opponent or other myriad of factors.

3. Check The Latest Injury Report

This should go without saying. But every day, fantasy players at DraftKings clearly forget to check the injury report before constructing their lineups. When game time arrives, they’re stuck with players who end up missing their games.

For example, according to the latest NFL injury report (at the time of writing), the Falcons’ Jeremy Langford is out with an “undisclosed injury”. Is he going to make their first season game against the New York Jets? Who knows? He’s currently listed as “Questionable”. If he ends up missing training camp or some games, you don’t want him on your roster.

The same goes for Jaelon Acklin, wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens. He’s also dealing with an undisclosed injury and may miss training camp and/or some games. Will he play that first week against the Jaguars? At this point, it’s anybody’s guess. His status is also listed as “Questionable”.

The point is that you should always check the most recent injury report to make sure your lineup is filled with guys who are going to show up. The last thing you want to do is waste your salary cap on players who will add zero points to your score and your chances to win.

4. Learn How To Work DraftKings’ Bonus Points

The scoring system at DraftKings includes a few bonus items that a lot of team owners neglect. If your players hit certain numbers, you’ll earn extra points!

Take a look at the DraftKings’ scoring system for weekly fantasy football. Hidden in the numbers is a 3-point bonus if your QB passes at least 300 yards. You’ll also receive a 3-point bump for logging at least 100 rushing yards. And you’ll receive another 3-point bump for logging 100+ receiving yards.

You want players who can turn in those numbers.

QB Bonus Points
In the QB slot, that means keeping an eye on Ben Roethlisberger, Patrick Mahomes and Matt Ryan for starters heading into the season. They were the head honchos for QBs last year, will they do it again?

Your receivers can bring you a lot of bonus points. You have 3 WR slots to fill at DraftKings, and each one can potentially earn you 3 points by receiving 100+ yards. Julio Jones, DeAndre Hopkins, Mike Evans and Tyreek Hill,lead the pack last season. Each one turned in an average of 100+ yards per game. Again with these gentlemen, will they be able to do it again?

The rushing bonus at DraftKings is tougher to earn. There are two reasons. First, you only have two running back slots to fill at DraftKings. There isn’t as much opportunity in your roster as you have with your three receivers.

Second, there aren’t a lot of RBs who maintain an average of 100+ rushing yards per game (current group).

Bottom line: the bonus points at DraftKings can come in handy, especially when you’re trying to squeak past other team owners in a small league or 50/50. But don’t rely on them. They’re tough to earn.

5. Establish Your Bankroll Metrics

As I mentioned earlier, bankroll management in daily fantasy sports involves more than just keeping track of how much cash you have at risk. You need to start with a plan that gives you control over your daily and weekly spend. Then, you need to figure out how many bets you should have in play at one time.

The most reliable way to do that is to come up with a formula that reflects your results. As you win more contests, your optimal number of bets will change.

Here are a few guidelines I recommend if you’re just getting started in fantasy sports.

• First, limit your daily spend to 10% of your entire bankroll. If you deposit $200, don’t risk more than $20 in entry fees each day.
• Second, track your wins and losses. Make a note of the date, sport, contest format, field size, entry fee, and dollars won or lost. It doesn’t matter if you do this with a legal pad and pencil or on a spreadsheet. I prefer the latter since it allows me to sort the data. The most important thing is that you do it.
• Third, use a formula that takes your results into account to determine how much money you should risk each day (or week for fantasy football). There are several formulas you can use. A lot of veteran fantasy players use the Kelly criterion. We’ll discuss that method, as well as other bankroll management issues, in more detail in the near future.

How Old Do You Have To Be For Draftkings Picks

Those are the basics when it comes to bankroll management. The key is to reach a point where you don’t have to think about how much to play. Your metrics will lay it all out for you.

More Awesome Reading Awaits!

• DraftKings review.

DraftKings DFS platform offers everything a player could want in a fantasy sports site. The selection of sports and massive potential guaranteed prize pool payouts make the platform a must-visit for DFS enthusiasts.

Get Up To $500 At DraftKings DFS

Redirecting to DraftKings...

• Huge variety of sports
• Massive payouts for GPP tournaments
• Available in more than 40 states

DraftKings Promo Code 2020

New players can unlock a 20% deposit match bonus, up to $500. Terms and conditions apply.

DraftKings DFS: Quick Facts

• New players can enjoy a 20% deposit match bonus, up to $500. Terms and conditions apply.
• DFS contests are available for nearly all major sports leagues, including NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, NASCAR, PGA, EPL, and esports.
• Deposit options include debit/credit cards and PayPal.
• DraftKings operates in more than 40 states. About half of those states have explicit laws in place regulating DFS platforms.
• DraftKings DFS is available as a mobile app for iOS and Android devices, as well as a no-download browser-based client.
• Contest types include guaranteed prize pool (GPP), cash games, head-to-head, showdown, leagues, prop bets, and more.
• In states where DraftKings Sportsbook operates, the sports betting platform is also available on the integrated DraftKings site.

Pros

• Can play on integrated sportsbook app in some states
• Massive payouts for GPP tournaments
• Creative bets in all professional sports leagues

Cons

• Only a 20% deposit match bonus
• Lack of different deposit methods

How Old Do You Have To Be To Have A Draftkings Account

What States Does DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports Operate In?

Daily Fantasy Sports operate in a unique legal environment in the US online gambling world. Players in more than 40 US states can legally play on the DraftKings DFS platform. About half of those states have explicit legislation in place to regulate DFS sites.

In states with specific DFS laws, state gaming regulatory agencies oversee licensing and taxation for legal DFS sites. In New Jersey, for instance, the state created a special agency, called the Fantasy Sports Unit, to regulate the DFS industry.

DraftKings DFS operates in several other states with no explicit DFS regulations in place.

California represents the biggest US market for DFS sites like DraftKings. With a population of nearly 40 million and a plethora of professional and college teams, California serves as one of the biggest sports hubs in the US.

DraftKings operates in California despite the state’s lack of explicit DFS regulations. Lawmakers in the Golden State have attempted to pass DFS legislation several times, however, but to no avail.

Much like California, Texas hosts one of the most passionate sports fan bases in the US. With 30 million people and teams in every major sport, Texas stands as one of the most important DFS markets in the US.

The legality of DFS has gone back and forth in the Lone Star State, but DraftKings DFS currently operates without explicit regulations in Texas.

Florida lawmakers take a similar legal stance to Texas on the legality of DFS sites. State lawmakers have proposed regulations on DFS at various times, but no official DFS legislation has ever been passed.

DraftKings does offer its DFS platform in Florida. Like Texas and California, the Sunshine State hosts one of the nation’s most robust sports markets.

Where Does DraftKings Not Operate?

DraftKings DFS blocks players from some US states. This decision stems from factors that vary in each state.

Montana, for example, explicitly declares DFS as an illegal activity. Nevada, on the other hand, doesn’t outlaw DFS, but potential operators are subject to the same approval and licensing process that applies to any gaming entity doing business in the state.

DraftKings currently blocks players from seven US states. The list includes Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, and Washington state.

The situation in any of these states could change in the future. In Louisiana, for example, state voters have approved DFS referendums on multiple occasions, only to see the bills fail to make it through the state legislature.

Full Review Of DraftKings DFS

The DraftKings DFS platform offers just about anything a fantasy sports enthusiast could want. Since debuting in 2012, DraftKings has constantly honed its platform, adding more sports and expanding its appeal.

Fans of virtually every major sport can find daily fantasy sports contests involving their favorite leagues. The NFL reigns supreme as the most popular sport for DFS players, but the DraftKings menu doesn’t stop there. The NCAA, NBA, NHL, MLB, NASCAR, PGA, and EPL make up just some of the overall offerings at DraftKings. Esports fans can find an entire world of DFS contests surrounding esports titles as well.

Key Features Of DraftKings DFS

Types of contests offered: GPP, cash games, head to head, prop bets, leagues, showdowns.

Rewards program: Yes.

Sample sports leagues covered: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, EPL, NASCAR.

Mobile apps: Android and iOS. Browser-based version available.

Deposit methods: Credit cards, PayPal.

Minimum deposit: $5.

Playing limits: Some contests feature buy-ins of $25,000 or more.

Other products available from DFS account:

Professional Sports League Partnerships:

• NFL – DraftKings is the official DFS partner of the National Football League.
• NHL- DraftKings is the official DFS partner of the National Hockey League.
• MLB – DraftKings is the official DFS partner of Major League Baseball.
• NBA – DraftKings is an official partner of several NBA franchises. These teams include the Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, and others.
• PGA – DraftKings is the official DFS partner of the PGA Tour.

Deposits And Cashouts At DraftKings DFS

DraftKings DFS offers credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal as deposit methods.

How Can I Deposit At DraftKings DFS?

All major debit and credit cards are accepted for deposits at DraftKings DFS. PayPal adds another reliable deposit method. New players can deposit up to $2,500 to get started at DraftKings.

My Credit Card Was Declined At DraftKings DFS. What Do I Do?

In the case that a credit or debit card deposit is rejected by the issuing bank, other ways to fund a DraftKings DFS account includes:

• Using PayPal
• Using a different credit or debit card

How Can I Cash Out From DraftKings DFS?

DraftKings DFS withdrawals, by default, are first applied to the original source used to deposit. If you use a Visa credit card to deposit $100, for example, the first $100 you withdraw from DraftKings will be refunded to that Visa card. Further withdrawals can be made using PayPal or check by mail.

How Can You Play At DraftKings DFS?

Common Geolocation Issues With DraftKings DFS

The DraftKings DFS platform utilizes geolocation technology to determine a user’s location.

At the time of entering a contest on DraftKings, players must be located within the borders of a state in which DraftKings legally operates. The geolocation service will not allow contest entries from states in which DraftKings blocks players

This geolocation service can occasionally disallow entries made from near the border of a blocked state. If this happens, moving further inland and away from the border should allow the entry to go through.

What You’ll Probably Like About DraftKings DFS

DraftKings DFS offers an extensive selection of sports.

DraftKings DFS offers an expansive menu of contests involving just about every major sports league.

All major US sports are covered, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA, PGA, and NASCAR. Plenty of contests abound involving international soccer leagues like the EPL as well.

DraftKings also offers esports fantasy sports contests featuring many popular esports titles.

DraftKings GPP contests offer big prizes at low buy-ins.

The dream of turning a small buy-in into a massive payday is alive and well and DraftKings.

The most popular guaranteed prize pool (GPP) contest at DraftKings is the Millionaire Maker contest, which runs most weeks during the NFL regular season. The contest features a grand prize of $1,000,000 (sometimes more), with a buy-in of just $27.

DraftKings offers major prizes for small buy-in tournaments across virtually every other sport as well.

Lots of free contest opportunities

Newcomers to daily fantasy sports contests can find plenty of ways to gain experience and win cash prizes in free entry tournaments.

Filtering the DraftKings contest menu from low to high buy-in amounts brings up numerous $0 buy-in contests.

Why You Might Choose FanDuel Over DraftKings DFS?

FanDuel DFS offers more ways to deposit

DraftKings DFS deposits are limited to debit and credit cards as well as PayPal. These options should allow most players to get started on the platform, but DraftKings loses to FanDuel in the number of deposit options offered.

FanDuel DFS allows credit/debit cards, PayPal, and ACH/eCheck as deposit options.

Customer support is more extensive at FanDuel DFS

FanDuel DFS offers direct customer support by phone, and overall offers a more user-friendly support setup than DraftKings.

DraftKings DFS: Professional Sports League Partnerships

Since debuting as a fantasy sports platform in 2012, the DraftKings brand has become synonymous with American sports. DraftKings expanded into legal sports betting as well in the late 2010s.

The brand operates as a ubiquitous presence in the US sports scene. DraftKings inked a deal to become the official DFS partner of Major League Baseball in 2013, marking the first such agreement between DraftKings and a major sports league.

The NHL entered into a similar deal with DraftKings in 2014. In 2019, DraftKings signed a deal to become the official DFS partner of the NFL.

Other DraftKings partnerships include the PGA Tour and several NBA franchises.

Is DraftKings DFS Right For You?

DraftKings DFS enjoys a well-earned status as one of the world’s most popular fantasy sports sites. DFS enthusiasts won’t find a better selection of fantasy sports contests anywhere.

DraftKings DFS lacks some of the deposit and withdrawal options of its closest competitor, FanDuel DFS. Even with this in mind, players can find plenty of ways to get started at DraftKings DFS. With seven-figure potential paydays, numerous kinds of fantasy sports contests, and an exhaustive selection of sports, DraftKings truly represents the pinnacle of fantasy sports.

DraftKings DFS FAQ

Yes. DraftKings offers its fantasy platform in more than 40 states. About half of these states have passed explicit legislation regulating DFS.

DraftKings DFS is available to players in all US states except Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, and Washington state.

Yes. The DraftKings DFS platform is part of a publicly-traded, multi-billion empire that includes official partnerships with several major US sports leagues.

DraftKings DFS operates with a vested interest in fair games, prompt payouts, and company transparency.

18 or older. The minimum age to register for an account, participate in fantasy sports contests, and win cash prizes at DraftKings is 18. This age applies to players in all states in which DraftKings legally operates.

The DraftKings Millionaire Maker has at times offered a total prize pool of $10 million, with a grand prize of $2 million. Both the grand prize and total prize pool for this GPP tournament ranks among the largest offered at any DFS site.

No. Many states define DFS contests as skill games, which allows platforms like DraftKings DFS to operate in most US states.

Sports betting falls under the category of real-money gambling, and is only legally allowed in a handful of states.

Yes. Only players located in one of the states in which DraftKings legally operates can participate in the platform’s DFS contests.

Geolocation technology used by the DraftKings DFS platform doesn’t allow players from certain blocked states. Those states include Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, and Washington state.

DraftKings DFS withdrawal methods include debit/credit cards, PayPal, and check by mail.

Withdrawals are applied as credit/debit card refunds, up to the initial deposit amount, if a debit/credit card is used to deposit. After the initial deposit amount is cleared, PayPal and check by mail are unlocked as cashout options.

See the “How Do I Cash Out From DraftKings DFS” table above for more information on withdrawal options.

Major debit and credit cards offer convenient and rapid ways to put money on a DraftKings DFS account.

Other deposit methods include PayPal, which takes a few extra security steps but is one of the most reliable ways to deposit.

Yes. New players at DraftKings DFS get $20 in free playing credits after signing up. Other bonuses include a 20% deposit match up to $500. Terms and conditions apply.