On top of the regular sports betting options and markets, DraftKings Sportsbook now also offers sports betting pools, a fun new pari-mutuel way of betting on your favorite teams.
Unlike normal betting, pools allow you to bet against other players by making picks within a given pool and competing in prediction accuracy against the other participants.
Sports betting pools at DraftKings Sportsbook are super simple to take part in, but also extremely fun and exciting.
If you are looking to win at sports betting by outwitting other bettors then pools are the way to go. Keep reading to find out just how they work, what types of pools are offered, and how you can take part.
How Do DraftKings Betting Pools Work?
Before you can take part in sports betting pools at DraftKings Sportsbook, you need to understand exactly how these work.
The operator offers a set of pre-made betting pools which you can enter. Several types of pools are offered including:
- Pick’em Pools
- Survivor Pools
- Squares Pools
- Brackets Pools
With pools being a relatively new concept, you can mostly play Pick’em Pools right now, with the other types expected in a larger number in the future.
It is important to note that the DraftKings pools are only available to players in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming, and you must be physically present in one of these states to participate.
On top of the existing pools at DraftKings, you can also create your own pool, designed specifically for you and your friends.
Once you enter a pool, whether pre-made or self-made, you will need to make your picks on several sports betting markets, usually within a given game or a competition.
Once all the picks are submitted and the events start, all you need to do is sit back, enjoy the action, and hope your picks do better than your competitors.
It’s also important to note that sports betting pools at DraftKings Sportsbook work similarly to poker tournaments, with multiple players getting paid based on their performance in a pool.
How to Place a DraftKings Betting Pool Wager
If you are still not quite clear on how betting pools work, the step-by-step instructions detailed below will help you place your first wager in a DraftKings Betting Pool.
Once you are logged into your DraftKings account, make your way to the Pools section, and follow these steps to play in a betting pool:
- Pick a Pool: There will be multiple betting pools available. Pick the pool you want to play in based on the sport or event in question. Football, basketball, hockey, and other pools are on the schedule. Also, make sure you find one within your desired buy-in range, or play a free-to-enter pool.
- Make Your Picks: Once you have found the pool you want to play in, enter it and make your picks. You will be asked to predict various markets, such as a moneyline, spread, or prop bet within the given games.
- Confirm Your Picks: Once you have made your picks, confirm them to enter the contest. Remember that you can change your picks until the event starts, but cannot cancel your participation, due to the pari-mutuel nature of betting pools.
- Enjoy the Action: All that’s left to do now is sit back and enjoy the action. Watch your favorite sports events and see if your picks do better than your opponents’, capitalizing on your understanding of the game and intuition.
DraftKings Betting Pools FAQ
What are betting pools at DraftKings?
Betting pools are pari-mutuel betting competitions organized by DraftKings Sportsbook. You can enter the competition and make picks on given sports games, and then, after the event concludes, the players with the best picks are paid out a portion of the overall prize pool.
Who can play in the DraftKings Sportsbook pools?
All registered players of legal gambling age who are playing within the states of Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming can participate in the pools.
Are betting pools played for real money?
Yes! Most pools have an entry fee and a guaranteed prize pool. However, some pools are free to enter, but they still offer a prize pool for the winners as well, which is offered by a sponsor of the competition.
Are betting pools the same as fantasy sports?
No! Betting pools are based on traditional sports betting markets such as moneylines, spread bets, and others. You will be making traditional betting predictions and competing against other bettors to see who can get the best accuracy.
Can I edit my picks in a betting pool at DraftKings?
Yes! You can edit your picks in a pool you have entered until the event starts. This allows you a chance to react to new information such as player injuries or other important information.
Can I cancel my entry into a betting pool?
No! Because pools are pari-mutuel betting, you are not allowed to cancel your entry into a pool once you are in it, so choose which pools you enter wisely.
