Draftkings Play Plus
This article is part of our Madden series.
DraftKings Introduces Play+ November 2018: DraftKings is a global sports technology and entertainment company that believes life is more fun with skin in the game. This card is issued by Bank of George MEMBER FDIC pursuant to a license from Discover Network. Discover® and the Discover Acceptance Mark are service marks used by Bank of George under license from Discover Financial Services.
- On the plus side, the trend appears to be DraftKings’ friend. Mostly known for its daily fantasy sports platform, the company has made a huge push.
- PGA play resumes this week with the Tournament of Champions (Plus Other Guys). For the first and perhaps only time, non-winners were invited to Kapalua, giving the annual lid-lifter its largest and strongest field ever, one that includes eight of the top 10 golfers in the OWGR.
DraftKings has drastically expanded its esports competitions in recent days, so much so that the inevitable natural conclusion of this line would be to incorporate simulated sports games such as Madden 20.
The good news is that the scoring is the exact same as traditional NFL games, and with that, the fantasy competition is the same as DraftKings' regular showdown offerings, with users required to select a lineup of five flex players plus a captain, who earns 1.5 times the points of others (that being said, the captain's salary is also 1.5 times higher). All of this should be incredibly familiar to DFS veterans, but that's about where the similarities end. In this article, we'll run through a handful of key figures to factor in when putting together your Madden 20 simulation lineups.
Attributes referenced in this article can be found on the Madden 20 NFL Player Ratings Database; just search for the respective player search feature.
Speed Kills, or Does It?
Anyone who has ever played Madden knows that speed is king. Guys like John Ross, Jakeem Grant or Corey Grant might not be relevant names in the DFS circles, but they are hugely impactful in Madden. Unfortunately, that logic doesn't stretch all the way to these Madden 20 simulations, for a handful of reasons.
First off, each team has designated depth charts which the CPU rarely strays from. Whereas a bad game from David Johnson in real life might have Cardinals head coach Cliff Kingsbury gravitate towards more second-half carries for Kenyan Drake, the CPU will make no such reactionary changes.
If the speedy player is unable to see the field based on the CPU's depth chart alignment, they won't be able to take advantage of the statistical mismatch.
That's made worse by the fact each game consists of six-minute quarters with accelerated clock turned on, meaning almost every play will start with somewhere between 12-15 seconds left in the play clock. As a result, each team will maybe only have three drives to work with in each half, and that's likely being generous. Players locked into Madden-schemed time shares will suffer dramatically from this. And there are …. a lot of situations like that. In fact, Madden 20's scheme-based depth chart allows for a surprisingly realistic depiction of real-life situations. Tarik Cohen and James White inserted into passing downs? Check. Julian Edelman operating as a strict slot receiver despite being a higher overall player than Phillip Dorsett or N'Keal Harry? Count on it.
Alright, back to the speed statistic. We can predict when/if a speed player will get on the field, but we can't predict whether the CPU will call a designated deep pass for a speedy player, so it's likely more important to consider the matchups the speed player might face equal to the opportunities they'll have to break free in a given game.
Take Curtis Samuel, for example. The third-year wideout sits at 95 speed, and at least this year (thanks Robby Anderson), should be in a prominent spot on the depth chart to 'have' opportunities for deep throws. That matters more if he faces say, Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis, who is simply drastically slower (88 speed) than his likely matchup. But that speed advantage is rendered useless against Falcons cornerback Kendall Sheffield, who sports 93 speed.
In short, speed matters to the extent that slower players normally get shut down by faster players. Unless there's an extreme inverse of that idea, a faster player doesn't have a significant advantage over someone who is only slightly slower.
Awareness and Play Recognition Above All Else
Unlike speed, the awareness stat (listed as AWR) and play recognition stat (PRC) are hugely important on the offensive/defensive matchups. Because this simulation is being played on arcade mode, assume every quarterback will make the 'proper' read, i.e., one that will generate yards. Arcade mode also means that just about every catch will be made regardless of the coverage. However, the CPU QB will attempt fewer passes in situations it deems 'less favorable' than other options. Awareness and play recognition are the two primary statistics when determining how a defender plays in coverage. You can assume higher overall defenders will have high awareness and play recognition – in fact it's one of the only statistics Madden developers use to boost a player's overall level.
Awareness and play recognition from an offensive prospect only matter for the quarterback. A low awareness quarterback might take less time to process the 'favorable' choice, losing opportunities for potential positive yardage. They'll also be prone to taking more sacks, which leads me into the final point of strategical advice.
Don't Fade Defenses or Kickers
We already discussed how these games will generally be low scoring. There's simply a finite number of opportunities for the CPU teams to score; a number that reduces when you factor in Madden's horrible coding in relation to sound, red zone strategy.
It's probably not wise to use kickers or defense in the captain spot, but touchdowns will be at a premium in these contests, whereas field goals and sacks will be easy points at a discounted price. About the only strategy I can confidently recommend in a Madden 20 simulation is that mistakes, mess ups and ineptitude will occur, all of which would favor rostering some combinations of defenses and kickers.
Just like the name implies, the DraftKings DFS online platform is the king of the industry. Available across most US states, the website is a source of fun for hundreds of thousands of Americans.
Plus, DraftKings has a nice signup offer for all new customers. Sign up to play DFS at DraftKings and get a deposit bonus up to $500! Plus, this offer is available for both new and existing DraftKings DFS players. To find out what else the site has to offer, keep reading our comprehensive DraftKings DFS review. Interested in online sports betting? Check out DraftKings Sportsbook too!
Eligibility restrictions apply. Min. $5 deposit. Deposit bonus requires a 25x play thru. See draftkings.com for details.
Contents
DraftKings DFS April 2020 Contests
Right now, there are a ton of DFS contests at DraftKings. Even more, there are not only contests for traditional sports, but a bunch of esports DFS competitions too. With the esports industry growing exponentially, betting on esports and esports daily fantasy are growing just as quickly.
Currently, these are the available DFS esports contests.
- Fantasy League of Legends
- Fantasy CS:GO
- Fantasy Rocket League
- Fantasy iRacing
- Fantasy Call of Duty
Visit DraftKings DFS today and play the hottest daily fantasy contests in America.
Deposit Bonus up to $500
Available Sports at DraftKings
One of the best things about DraftKings DFS is the selection of sports and DFS contests. Now, the majority of daily fantasy sports sites focus on the most popular sports, like football, basketball, and baseball.
That said, at DraftKings DFS, we found a plethora of niche sports available!
At the time of writing this review, DraftKings had 13 different fantasy sports to choose from. More importantly, for each sport, there are numerous contests you can enter, and they all come with their own special scoring system.
Once you visit the DraftKings DFS homepage, you’ll see the sports listed below. Since DraftKings also offers a great online sportsbook, these sports are (mostly) available for both sports betting (football betting anyone?) and daily fantasy.
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Football
- Hockey
- Golf
- SOC - Soccer
- TEN - Tennis
- MMA - Mixed Martial Arts
- Auto Racing
- Canadian Football
- LOL - League of Legends
- European Basketball
- CFB - College Football
- CBB - College Basketball
Keep in mind that DraftKings DFS leagues are usually available during the preseason, through the season, and during the end-of-season championship. In other words, as long as there’s action on the field or court, you can find many different contests to participate in them.
DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports in Iowa
Luckily for all Iowa DFS contest fans, as well as Iowa sports betting fans, DraftKings DFS is amongst the first real money website released in the Hawkeye state. The operator launched in late October 2019. Soon after, the mobile application was launched, so IA users can enjoy all the action while on the go.
Within the sports mentioned above, keep in mind that the operator also offers a variety of games to be played across these sports. Some of the following DFS games are available:
- Guaranteed prize pools: By simply paying for a contest entry, you get to compete for a share of the prize pool which is set in advance.
- Qualifiers: perfect for all those who like to keep it simple and like placing bets for smaller amounts of money. Top finishers win a ticket for larger events.
- Head-to-head: this contest is between two players. In case you win, the entire prize pool is yours.
- 50/50: a good choice for all the beginners. Finish in the top half of the field for a payout.
- Leagues: either you join an existing league or you can create your own. Depending on the number of players, there are two different concepts of this game. There is the so-called “Winner takes it all” approach; or, for larger leagues, the top 3 to 5 players get a winning payout.
- Multipliers: high variance tournaments where those that place get a multiple of their buy-in.
- Steps: the reward of steps tournaments is not monetary, but it’s in the shape of a ticket for the following step. That’s how all those who are lucky enough can enter a higher buy-in tournament.
DraftKings DFS Sign Up Bonus
All those who open a new account at DraftKings DFS can claim the operator’s deposit bonus offer. All you need to do is to make a new DFS deposit and you’ll get that deposit matched 20% up to $500! Use this match for any fantasy sports contest. What does this mean?
Eligibility restrictions apply. Min. $5 deposit. Deposit bonus requires a 25x play thru. See draftkings.com for details.
However, keep in mind that to register and claim this offer, you need to be located in one of the states where DraftKings DFS is allowed, and you have to meet the legal age requirement.
Since the brand is legal and regulated in many of the US states, instead of listing them all, it’s much easier to say from which states the site remains inaccessible for the moment. Unfortunately, if you are in the following states, you won't be able to play: Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, and Washington. Free DFS contests are available in all states, however.
The residents of the other 43 states can easily visit DraftKings DFS and become a part of its vast community of satisfied users.
Step-by-Step Guide for DraftKings DFS
Getting started with DraftKings DFS is very easy. Here’s what you should do:
- Open a new account online or download the DraftKings DFS application and register via your mobile device.
- To complete the registration procedure, you need to enter the following required personal information in the right field of the application form: name, date of birth, email, state of residence, phone number.
- Create your username and password and answer a few security questions.
- Confirm that you are over the age of 21 and that you agree to the terms of use and privacy policy.
- Make your first deposit and get the welcome offer.
- Choose a contest you’d like to participate in and draft from all your favourite players.
- Create your daily fantasy strategy and enjoy the action with your daily fantasy picks.
Please keep in mind that the age and location aren’t the only restrictions. For example, employees from specific online casinos or those whose job is related to sporting events can’t join DraftKings sportsbook.
Why do we make a distinction between DraftKings DFS and DraftKings Sportsbook? The answer is that since the operator offers both services of legal sports betting and esports betting, you can link your accounts.
In fact, the DFS and Sportsbook sections share aspects between their wallets, but keep in mind that it’s not exactly the same. Namely, any winnings generated from funds in your DFS account can be used to place bets on sports. However, if you deposit money into your DFS wallet, you must play through that money in DFS contests before using any winnings to bet.
DraftKings Apps
Since being founded in 2012, DraftKings DFS quickly became synonymous with one of the top daily fantasy sites in the US. Then, DraftKings Sportsbook knocked everyone’s socks off by offering a streamlined, online sports betting platform across multiple states.
It doesn’t matter if we are talking about betting on March Madness, esports DFS, or, of course, fantasy football, DraftKings is the leader in both fantasy sports and sports betting.
After exploding onto the national scene, DraftKings has done everything it can to stay on top. As you’d expect, the DraftKings mobile app is further proof that they are committed to giving sports fans what they want.
Specifically, DraftKings was the first operator to notice the importance of a seamless mobile experience. They have launched dedicated mobile apps for both Android and Apple devices.
In fact, the operator offers three different mobile apps for its users, depending on the type of activities the users engage in when visiting the website.
Without further ado, let’s take a quick look at these three applications and say something more about their main features.
DraftKings Daily Fantasy Sports App
With the DraftKings DFS app you don’t have to worry about committing to season-long competitions. Every day you can find different fantasy sports contests. All you have to do is to download the app, sign in to make your first deposit, then choose your sport and start playing with your friends or other users.
The app not only allows you to enter the contests or to follow your score as your team collects points from the players’ real-life performances, but it also allows you to manage your money efficiently right from your mobile device.
At the time of writing this review, the DraftKings DFS app has an impressive 4.9 average rating in the App Store.
DraftKings Sportsbook App
All the fans of mobile sports betting can download the DraftKings Sportsbook app in just a few easy steps. Once you download and install the app, you’ll be able to enter the brand’s sportsbook with just a few clicks. Since the procedure is pretty straightforward and self-explanatory, you don’t need a special betting guide. Create your own betting strategies, find best betting picks and enjoy the flawless betting action.
All these applications have one thing in common - due to Google Play’s policy, they can’t be downloaded from the Play Store. Instead, you should download the Android package file from the operator’s website.
However, before you start, you have to go to the settings of your phone and enable the installation of apps from unknown sources. Once you do this, the download and installation process will run smoothly.
This app is rated 4.8 in the Apple App Store. As you can see, the DraftKings Sportsbook app and DraftKings DFS application are two separate mobile applications. On the website you can easily switch from one section to another. However, when it comes to the mobile app, these two sections are separated.
*21+. NJ/PA/WV/IN/IA/CO only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA & WV), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), or 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), or 1-800-522-4700 (CO).
DraftKings Live
DraftKings Live is an app allowing you to follow games in real-time. Once you install it, you’ll never miss a moment crucial for every DFS fan. It allows you to carefully follow any game and to monitor your players’ performance.
More importantly, you can easily use the filters to set up a customized experience. Just select the “My Players” filter to track your DraftKings lineup live. That’s how you’ll get all the latest updates for your players. Plus, as the first-ever play-by-play mobile application, DraftKings Live allows you to keep track of every play of individual games.
Above all, with this application, you can get immediate news updates and the most comprehensive analyses that are important for your DFS players and your fantasy teams. As you can see, DraftKings Live app has all it takes to deliver impeccable end-to-end fantasy experience.
The current average rating of the DraftKings Live in the Apple App Store is 4.8.
Mobile-Friendly Website
The technological age we live in has come with special requirements for every online sportsbook or daily fantasy sports platform. Maybe before it wasn’t that important, but now it is, since the vast majority of users use their mobile devices to access these sites.
DraftKings is well aware of this fact and that’s why the operator came up with a mobile-friendly website that offers the same experience as the one used from a desktop computer.
If you’re unwilling or unable to download the app, you can enter the DraftKings web address in a browser on your mobile phone. Once you are on the website, you can easily register, or sign in if you already have a DraftKings account as use all the services of the operators as usual.
If you are new to mobile betting, you might want to know what’s the difference between a mobile-friendly site and dedicated mobile apps, or which option is better. Ultimately, it all depends on your personal preferences.
Maybe it’s easier for you to access DK directly from the application. All you need is just one click. On the other hand, the app takes up space on your mobile phone, and generally works best on newer models.
Generally speaking, the app is good for folks who know their way around a mobile device and want a quick insight to their DraftKings account. The desktop browser is a bit friendlier to PC users and anyone looking for more detail in their DK account. All you need to know is that there are two options available and you can choose the one that suits you best.
DraftKings DFS Deposit & Withdrawal Options
We’d like to take this opportunity and say something more about the different payment options available on the operator’s website. In our experience, transactions are easy and headache-free. So, let’s see how you can deposit and withdraw money.
Deposits
For depositing money on the website, you have a few different possibilities. For every new account, the operator sets lower deposit limits. However, you can raise them if you want to.
All you have to do is to contact the customer service and inform them that you’d like to change your deposit limits. They will require you to confirm your identity and then they’ll be able to proceed with your request.
When it comes to available options, you can use one of the following deposit methods for funding your account:
- VISA
- MasterCard
- Discover
- American Express
- PayPal
As you can see all the major options are available and you have enough options to make a choice. Also, keep in mind that you have to use a payment method registered in your name for making deposits. You can’t use anybody else’s; this is one of the brand’s protection measures.
Withdrawals
When it comes to withdrawals, PayPal and check are the only options available. However, these two options are enough to get you your money.
When you make your initial deposit, if there is a need for a refund, the card used to deposit funds will be credited. Any other funds will be delivered to you via a selected option. To make sure that you clearly understand what this means, let’s take a look at the following example.
Let’s say that you deposited $100 and after a while, you’ve made some earnings and you want to withdraw, let’s say, $5000 from your account. The first $100 of that $5000 will be transferred to the credit card you used for making your deposit. The remaining $4900 will be paid to you via PayPal or Check.
When it comes to the processing time, PayPal cash-outs usually take from 2 to 8 business days while you can wait even 2-3 weeks for a check.
Also, please note that you should fill out a W-9 form when requesting a withdrawal. This form is a special kind of form used by DraftKings to report your winnings to the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). As you probably know, you must report winnings on gambling and DFS sites to the IRS. However, that’s a good problem to have.
DraftKings DFS Customer Service
From time to time through your online betting journey, you might find yourself in situations when you’ll need help. Maybe you’ll encounter a problem while using a particular feature, or you might not quite understand the terms and conditions of some promotional offer and you need clarification.
Whatever it might be, expect to hear back from the customer support team as quickly as possible. It’s not just the speed that matters; you’ll naturally want the best possible solution.
Luckily, the DraftKings DFS customer service can provide you with both quick and effective solutions. You can contact them via the contact form found on the website. Use the live chat feature or send an email to support@draftkings.com.
Some common questions are already answered, and you can go through them once you visit the operator’s Frequently Asked Questions page. Try finding an answer there too.
When it comes to the available methods of help, that contact form is probably the easiest method to use. All you have to do is to fill out your basic contact information and write down your request.
The company will email you back as soon as possible. Email support offers pretty much the same thing; detailed requests are best handled through email. Additionally, email support allows you to attach important documents if needed.
The live chat feature is probably the best method to use, especially for urgent situations when you need your answer immediately. You can find a little chat window at the bottom of the page on the left side of your screen.
The chat window will connect you with an agent who’ll answer your questions or help you solve your problem. If you don’t have time to wait at least a couple of hours for your email to be answered, live chat is definitely a good option for you.