What is DraftKings Pick6? How to play the newest Pick'em game on the market.

DraftKings Pick6 is a new peer-to-peer fantasy sports variant. It uses individual player statistics and asks fantasy players to answer a simple “more or less” question when making picks and building out a Pick Set for their Pick6 entries. After finishing their Pick Set, users then chose to enter their roster of picks into a contest where the players who land the most correct answers win prizes. 

The product is a peer-to-peer fantasy sport offering, but is meant to rival player prop-based products already offered by other pick’em operators such as Underdog Fantasy and PrizePicks.

Below we’ll go through the basics of how Pick6 works and some of the strategies you can use to be a profitable Pick6 player. 

What is DraftKings Pick6?

DraftKings Fantasy launched Pick6 in December 2023 in an effort to expand its already robust roster of daily fantasy offerings.

Much like DraftKings’ regular, salary-based, daily fantasy sports (DFS) offerings, Pick6 is a Peer-to-Peer game that pits users against each other. 

Unlike salary-based DFS, Pick6 is a pick’em variant where users make Pick Sets by answering more or less questions regarding player statistics - much like one would when betting a player prop on a regular sportsbook.

In the above example, Pick6 users are answering questions about the number of points specific players will score in their upcoming game. Choosing more (e.g. higher, or over) on Kevin Durant’s point total of 26.5 means that for your Durant pick to be graded as a win in your Pick Set, he will need to score 27 or more points in the indicated game.

In contrast, by selecting the less (lower or under) on Nikola Jokic, users would need him to score 29.0 points, or less, for their Jokic pick to be graded as a win.

Generally, users would need to have all of their player prop picks graded as winners to be able to profit from their Pick Set, but users who enter Pick Sets with 4/5 or 5/6 correct picks may still be able to partake in some of the winnings (note: we cover how prizes and prize pools work below). 

How does DraftKings Pick6 work?

Your goal when entering a DraftKings Fantasy Pick6 contest is for your Pick Set (entry) to end with more correct picks than the other participants in the contests you have entered.

If you are successful, then your winning Pick Set will receive a share of the available prizes with all of the other Pick Sets who also managed the same feat.

When you are making a Pick6 entry, users can make Pick Sets ranging between 2 to 6 picks in size. In making your Pick Set you can also choose between an array of sports and multi-sport Pick Sets (a Pick Set using picks from two or more sports) are allowed. The only requirement is that at least two of your picks must play for different teams – so, for example, you could not make a Pick-3 entry with three players from the same team.

Regardless of what size you make your Pick Set, once you enter, your Pick Set will then be pitted against other Pick Sets using the same number of picks. So, if you entered a Pick-3 Pick Set (a Pick Set with 3 picks) you would only be up against other Pick-3 Pick Sets.

How do I make Picks in a Pick6 contest?

Go to DraftKings Fantasy Pick6 and select what sport and statistical category you would like to use to make picks. Select a group of picks to answer the more or less question for each choice. 

After you are done building out your Pick Set, you then decide the total amount of entry fees you'd like to play for using this specific Pick Set.

When you are ready to play you then click continue and head to the final screen to review the contests you are being entered in – and the estimated prize amounts – before finalizing and completing your submission.

What are the rules for DraftKings Pick6?

DraftKings Fantasy uses official statistics from the respective sporting leagues to grade entries and resolve disputes. Hence, your prop will be graded using the official statistics from the respective league from which the pick was chosen.

DraftKings does have a full subset of rules based on contingencies for suspended or canceled games. A quick overview of the rules can be found below:

• Players who receive a “DNP” (did not play) will be scored as a loss, regardless of whether or not you selected "More" or "Less" for the pick. DraftKings has minimum play requirements for players to avoid DNP tags for each sport. 
• Injured players who start the game or match (and meet the minimum play requirements) but leave early will have their stats count regardless of whether they were a more or less pick. 
• If a game is “suspended” (SSPD) then the stats generated before the game is SSPD will count. Any stats generated on a later date would not be included.

How do payouts work for DraftKings Pick6?

Payouts for DraftKings Fantasy Pick6 contests work in a very unique manner compared to regular salary-based contests. In a salary-based DFS contest the payouts would be preset:

Example of hypothetical salary-based DFS payout: 

1. $20,000
2. $10,000
3. $5,000

In a salary-based DFS contest the payouts are predetermined and don’t change based on the number of entrants (although the contests do have max entrants). 

In a Pick6 contest, the percentage of payout that each winner gets is determined by the number of winning Pick Sets. Each Pick6 contest has a pre-determined portion of the prize pool assigned to entries who have reached a certain threshold of correct picks in their entry. 

Each contest will then show a “prize table” which shows the share of the prize pool that each winning entry will receive. Since only winning entries with a certain number of correct picks get to share in the prize pool, the fewer winning tickets there are the larger the payouts will be for each actual winning entry.

Example: If a 5-pick (Pick Sets that used 5 picks in their entry) NFL contest had a $20,000 prize pool then the split of the prize pool could have a prize structure that looks like this:

• 5/5 Correct Splits $16,000 (80% of the prize pool)
• 4/5 Correct Splits $4,000 (20% of the prize pool)

In the above example, the majority of the prize pool would be awarded to the people who got 5/5 picks correct in their Pick Set.

However, players who got 4/5 picks correct would still get some kind of prize back when the contest ended, but they would only share in 20% ($4,000) of the overall prize pool.

Additionally, since getting 4/5 picks correct is significantly easier than getting 5/5 correct, the 4/5 winners would be sharing with a larger number of overall winners – making their percentage of the $4,000 pool less than the percentage of the $20,000 prize pool that Pick Sets who got 5/5 correct would get.  

Example: If the above contest ended with 100 entries having 5/5 correct, each 5/5 entry would win $160 ($16,000 / 100 = $160).

If the same contest ended with 300 people getting 4/5 correct then each 4/5 entry would receive $13.33 ($4,000 / 300 = $13.33).

What is the estimated prizing for DraftKings Pick6?

In layman's terms, estimated prizing is a number that DraftKings provides you to give you an “estimated return” of what your winnings might be IF you get all of your entries correct. 

In the above example, our Pick6 entry shows us that if we were to get all three of our picks correct, then our estimated return on a $10.00 entry (10 $1.00 contests) would be $47.00

It’s important to remember a few things about estimated prizing.

Firstly, it’s just an estimate. Every Pick 6 contest will differ in regards to how many winning lineups are entered, which means that the return for getting all of your picks correct can still vary wildly from contest to contest. 

For example, if you managed to get 3/3 correct in a Pick6 contest and in that same contest only 10 other people managed to do the same, your return would be vastly bigger than if you entered that lineup in a contest where 100 other people managed to get 3/3 correct.

That’s because in the first contest, you would be sharing the prize pool with just 10 people, whereas in the second contest, you would be sharing the prize pool with 100 other people. 

DraftKings Fantasy's official statement on estimated prizing is below:

“Estimated Prizing is an approximation calculated using the average percentage of entries from contests of the same type that finished in prize positions over a given historical period (“Average Win Rate”), applying the Average Win Rate to the contest prize structure and multiplying by your Entry Fees. This calculation represents the average results for each prize position for a participant with your Entry Fees, assuming that every contest you enter will reach its maximum entry capacity by the contest start time.”

“Please note that Estimated Prizing amounts are not a promise of future results or the minimum prizes. Actual prizes awarded are based on contest results.”

Are the prize pools guaranteed in a DraftKings Pick6 contest?

Yes. As the DraftKings Pick6 website explains in its rules and regulations, prize pools in each Pick6 contest are predetermined and guaranteed.

“Pick6 prizes are guaranteed and are established and made known to participants in advance of all contests. Winning entries receive an even share of the prizes as described in each contest’s prize table.”

After you have entered a Pick6 contest, DraftKings also provides a live estimated payout chart where you can see what the estimated winnings from landing a winning entry (e.g. a 3/3 entry in a Pick 3 contest) would be.

Contest Selection & Entry Fees in DraftKings Pick 6 contests

Entering contests in DraftKings Pick6 is a lot different than entering contests in traditional salary-based DFS contests or in regular pick ’em-based contests.

In DraftKings Pick6, a user DOES NOT need to select contests from a lobby. Instead, once you have finalized your entry and are ready to submit it into paid contests, you simply select how much money you would like to invest in the entry fee row at the bottom of your Pick6 entry.

Your entry is then distributed into separate $1.00 contests until your maximum entry fee is reached. 

In the above example, we have selected to enter this 3-pick lineup into $50.00 worth of contests (DraftKings has also given us the estimated prizing for entering $50.00 worth of contests). If we added more entry fees, our estimated prizing would rise as well. 

When you are done setting your lineup and entry fees your Pick6 entry is then taken by DraftKings and divided into separate $1 entries – which are then distributed across eligible contests. 

How does DraftKings distribute Pick6 entries?

DraftKings Fantasy distributes Pick6 entries as follows: 

1. Contests where you have no entries.

In all cases, DraftKings prioritizes placing your entry in a contest where you don’t already have an entry added. 

1. Contests where you have no entries of the current lineup being entered, but have entries of other Pick Set(s).

If there are not enough contests to fulfill your entry fee amount, DraftKings will next place your entries in contests where you have a Pick6 entry added, but not of the same variety (e.g. an entry with different picks than the one you are currently entering).

1. Contests where you already have entries of the current Pick Set being entered.

If no other contests exist that fulfill the first two parameters above, DraftKings will enter your Pick6 ticket into contests where you have entered a Pick Set with the same picks, essentially giving you two or more entries of the same lineup in one contest. 

What is the maximum number of entries I can enter for a Pick6 lineup?

Pick6 contests have a Maximum Entry Limit of 150 entries.

According to DraftKings, the maximum number of times you can submit a Pick Set into one Pick6 contest is 150x.

What states is DraftKings Pick6 available in?

DraftKings Pick6 is a newer daily fantasy variation so the list of eligible states is sure to change rapidly as they expand.

The current list of DraftKings Fantasy Pick6 eligible states is below (as of January 26, 2024):

• Alaska
• New Mexico
• Arkansas
• North Dakota
• California
• Oklahoma
• Delaware
• Rhode Island
• District of Columbia
• South Carolina
• Georgia
• South Dakota
• Indiana
• Tennessee
• Minnesota
• Utah
• Missouri
• West Virginia
• Nebraska
• Wisconsin
• New Hampshire

DraftKings Pick6 Promotions & Offers

DraftKings has a new customer offer for their Pick6 contest. All new customers who play $5 in Pick6 entries will get $50 in Pick6 Credits, instantly. 

“New Pick6 customers only: play $5+ on your first ever pick set to receive $50 in Pick6 Credits instantly! Pick6 Credits are awarded when your first-ever pick set is submitted for $5 or more. Awarded Pick6 Credits are valid for one year after receipt.*”

Additionally, DraftKings has a Refer-A-Friend bonus that users can take advantage of. 

In a refer-a-friend bonus, if a new customer signs up for DraftKings Pick6 through one of your links then both the new customer & you BOTH get a 100% bonus (of your Friend's Deposit Matched, up to $50 in Pick6 Credits! Min $25 deposit required.*)

1) The invited friend must be first-time DraftKings users (people with eligible DraftKings Sportsbook accounts or DraftKings accounts won’t be eligible)

2) The first deposit must be $25, or more.

If these two conditions are met the user and referrer will be eligible for bonuses of up to $50.00.

DraftKings Pick6 FAQ Questions 

Is there late swap in DraftKings Pick6?

Any Pick may be edited at any time before the starting time (of their game or match). Picks become  “locked” at the scheduled start time of their team’s game. 

A locked player can’t be edited or removed. You will be able to see if a player is locked or not in your “my picks” tab.

Can you repeat entries in DraftKings Pick6?

Yes. However, the maximum number of times you can submit one entry into a single Pick 6 contest is 150.

How many plays should you include in your pick set for DraftKings Pick6?

You must include a minimum of 2-picks in your pick set and a maximum of six picks.

Your entry also must include players from at least two different teams.

Example: you could not make a Pick-2 entry with only two players from the Kansas City Chiefs. However, you could make a Pick-3 entry with two players from the Kansas City Chiefs and one player from the Buffalo Bills.

How does the entry distribution work in DraftKings Pick6?

DraftKings distributes Pick6 entries as follows:

1. Contests where you have no entries;
2. Contests where you have no entries of the current lineup being entered, but have entries of other Pick Set(s).
3. Contests where you already have entries of the current Pick Set being entered.

What happens if a game gets canceled in my Pick6 Pick Set?

If a game gets canceled and is not completed within the original scoring period then the game would be dismayed from the Pick Group and the Picks used from that game would be graded as a loss.

DraftKings' full policies on canceled games can be viewed here.

What happens if a player gets injured in my Pick6 Pick Set?

Injured players who start the game or match (and meet the minimum play requirements) but leave early will have their stats count regardless of whether they were a more or less pick.

How are voided bets treated in a Pick6 Pick Set?

Players who receive a “DNP” (did not play) will be scored as a loss, regardless of selecting "More" or "Less" for the pick. DraftKings has minimum play requirements for players to avoid DNP tags for each sport.

If a game is “suspended” (SSPD) then the stats generated before the game is SSPD will count. Any stats generated on a later date would not be included.

DraftKings Pick6 Strategy

Pick6 Game Theory

Since Pick6 is a contest that pits user vs user, and also increases payouts if there are fewer overall winning tickets, it’s important to consider which picks for any given day or slate will be popular. 

Having sharp picks and getting the most picks correct in your Pick Set is the main goal but recognizing when certain picks will be very popular will be important too.

If there is a slate or night where you think there will be lots of duplicated entries or picks (Pick Sets with the same or similar picks) then looking to be contrarian and go against the field may be optimal due to the bigger payouts that you could share in if the popular plays (aka the chalk) busts. 

Pick6 Correlation

General pick’em and parlay strategy applies to Pick6 strategy.

Picks that correlate well with each other (like QB yards and WR yards) should be put in entries together whenever possible. Additionally, looking to fade popular correlations (or looking for less obvious correlations) can also be important for game theory purposes, as mentioned above.

Pick6 Late Scratches & DNP policy (and Pick6 edit feature)

DraftKings Pick6 contests are unique in that they do not void players in your lineup who are scratched or do not play (regardless of whether you took them for less or more in your pick). Those players who do not meet the minimum play requirements are simply graded as losers – even if those players are ruled out last minute or were expected to play.

This means that being vigilant, especially in sports like the NBA where there are a ton of late scratches, can provide users who pay attention to the breaking news, with a massive edge.