Interview with 2011 FFFC Champion Beermakersfan

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Is there a guy hotter in Daily Fantasy sports right now? Chris Prince, aka Beermakersfan, is the #4 Ranked Overall Grinder, he took down over $5,000 in GPPs last week, over $3,000 in GPP winnings the week before that, and he took home $75,000 and the title of 2011 FanDuel Fantasy Football Champion just before that! That’s a ridiculously incredible NFL season…which is kind of scary, because last time I interviewed Chris he told me that his best sport was Baseball. Now, just over a week into NBA season, he already has a $2,500 GPP score in basketball. Stop it already. This guy might just be the best all-around Daily Fantasy Grinder we’ve seen to date. After getting back from Vegas, Chris took some time away from raising his new-born baby to do an interview with us about winning the FFFC, to tell us his best sport really is, and more. Here’s what he had to say:

Interview with Beermakersfan, 2011 FFFC Champion

The Champ is here! Has it hit you yet? You have been to 100% of the FFFC Finals to date, and you just took the title for $75,0000. That’s ridiculous. C’mon, you’re excited right?

Hell yeah I’m excited, can’t even begin to explain what an incredible feeling it was to come out victorious in the finals. It’s been an unbelievable ride and was almost surreal but it really hit home when I took the check to the bank and to actually see that much money in my account was amazing.

As most have heard, your FFFC finals weekend was a real Family affair. You actually didn’t make the trip to Vegas, because you were expecting a baby girl over the weekend of the finals, and your father went on the trip for you. Since then, she’s arrived. Congrats, again! What’s her name?

Her name is Lillyan and she was born on December 13th. It was the most amazing 48 hours I have ever experienced in my life to say the least.

What was it like juggling the FFFC Finals and expecting a child in the same weekend?

It was a very stressful week leading up to the actual event because I really wanted to be in two places at once but knew that was impossible. Once I made the decision to stay home and once my lineup was finally set, all I could was sit back and see what happened next.

Did your wife have any comments about the FFFC during this time period or did you just leave her in the dark?

She was very involved in the whole process because I wanted her input on whether I should go or stay home and she was very supportive of whatever decision I was going to make. At the end of the day everything worked out perfectly!

Beermakersfan Sr. watches intently from the Palazzo Luxury suite in Las Vegas while sporting his Green Bay Packers jersey

I met your dad out in Vegas, and he seemed awesome. He told me you were also in good shape in the finals of another big event. Are you guys the best father/son combo in Fantasy history? Tell us about your dad, and how he has helped you with fantasy sports.

He’s amazing. We have really developed a great relationship that is more like a friend then parent/child. He has always been very supportive of me and he’s fairly new to fantasy sports. But he’s getting better and better and has started playing on various daily sites so the fantasy world better watch out for “buckinah” in 2012

Before we get back to fantasy, the readers are demanding to know more about Beer – I mean you, not the barley and hops version. Give us the rundown on who Chris Prince is.

I was born and raised in Milwaukee and now live in Michigan. I spent 4 years in the US Air Force and actually met my wife in Kandahar, Afghanistan while we were both stationed overseas. I have three little daughters who are my everything; all of them are younger than 4 which keeps me very busy obviously. I work for the US Postal Service as a rural letter carrier and have been there for 4 years. I recently graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Business Administration degree. Huge sports fan that has stayed loyal to my teams from Wisconsin, even though the Brewers and Bucks make it very hard to stay loyal sometimes (as any Lions fan can attest to).

The name Beermakersfan comes from being a lifelong Brewers fan as well as a huge fan of beer, the barley and hops version (I know, who isn’t?). I try and sample as many different types and brands of beer as I can, which is one of my hobbies I suppose. As for other hobbies I enjoy spending time with the girls and my wife, playing/watching various sports, playing a ton of disc golf and I also enjoy long walks on the beach (I couldn’t resist).

How did you get into Daily Fantasy Sports?

I discovered it a few years ago and have been hooked ever since. It’s great mixed in with season long leagues, almost like salt and pepper. As far as I can remember I clicked on an ad for FanDuel, started playing a little bit here and there and now can’t believe how much things have grown in such a short time. Very exciting times to be a part of this growing industry, that’s for sure.

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In 2010 you qualified last minute via a freeroll (a method FanDuel no longer uses as a qualifier). This year you qualified on the very last week. One for the dramatics, eh? What were your qualifying experiences like each year?

The qualifiers are so much fun but can be very stressful. Both years I had a spot all sewn up in like week 4 or 5 and ended up getting beat out at the last second. And both years I ended up redeeming that loss by winning the qualifiers in the last week. Can’t wait to see what next year brings!!

What strategies do you use in the qualifiers? How many entries?

I try and make one solid lineup and build off of that for a few similar, yet different lineups. I also try and make a few lineups that have the boom/bust type plays. In a tournament of that size you have to think outside the box while mixing in the guys that perform week in and week out. Never really paid attention to how many entries I put in each week, generally I would say 5-10. I give a ton of credit to the other finalists that made it in on one entry, that is definitely an incredible accomplishment.

How does the strategy differ from a qualifier to the finals event itself?

In the finals, you are playing against 11 other teams compared to 2,000+ in the qualifiers, so my finals lineup had much less risk/reward players in it and was focused much more on matchups. Tried to look at the finals like any other week, put my best lineup out there and let’s roll.

Is MJD your favorite player of all time after he dropped 4 TDs for you in the FFFC Finals?

Haha, funny you ask because I already have a MJD jersey on order. Never, ever expected that many points out of him, thank you MJD!!!

I’ve pasted your lineup below. Give us the ‘beermaker’ rundown of what your thoughts were on your selections:

QBAaron Rodgers GB v OAK 18.24 – Top fantasy QB in 2011 with a great matchup, figured 30+ was a lock

RBMaurice Jones-Drew JAC v TB 40.60 – Loved the matchup as TB had been a doormat for opposing RBs the last few weeks

RB C.J. Spiller BUF at SD 7.10 – Needed a cheap RB and thought if BUF could keep it close he would get me 10-12 points

WR Percy HarvinMIN at DET 21.90 – He was on fire with no AP I figured he would be heavily involved in the offense

WR Damian WilliamsTEN v NO 7.20 – Counted on this game being a shootout with TEN playing from behind and neede a cheaper WR to fit an expensive TE

WR Chaz SchilensOAK at GB 1.90 – See Williams, Damian

TEAntonio Gates SD v BUF 22.30 – Was actually a last second substitution for Jimmy Graham who was having trouble in warm-ups. BUF gives up a ton of points and TDs to the TE so he was an easy choice as a sub

K Nick NovakSD v BUF 8.00 – He’s been solid and figured they would put up plenty of points plus they’ve had trouble scoring TDs in the RZ

D New York JetsNYJ v KC 13.00 – Two words: Tyler Palko

Total – 140.24

Nigel Eccles, CEO of FanDuel, signs the $75,000 first place check to FFFC Champion Beermakersfan

As a whole, what are your thoughts on the FFFC event and promotion that FanDuel puts on? What did your dad tell you about the trip to Vegas?

I cannot give FanDuel enough credit for this amazing event. It is the best thing going in daily fantasy sports right now and will only continue to grow bigger and better and be the “Main Event” of daily fantasy football for years to come. I had a great time out there last year, and my Dad said it was even better this year. FanDuel does everything first class and each finalist gets the royal treatment for a weekend of fun and football, and did I mention $200,000 in prizes. FanDuel proves once again why they are the unquestioned leader in this industry in my opinion. Can’t wait to see next year’s prize pool and see what else FanDuel and the rest of the industry has up their sleeves for 2012.

We were scrambling around to provide coverage of the event while we were out there, and streamed it live on RotoGrinders.com. Did you get to catch it? How were you tracking the even from back home?

I was watching the games on TV, had the live scoring up on my laptop, and was watching every second of the FFFC coverage, and you guys have definitely made the FFFC even more of an event with the amazing coverage you provided. From the live podcasts to the wall to wall coverage and interviews on Sunday, you guys rocked it!! I have to give HUGE props to Cam, Cal, Dan, and the entire RotoGrinders team, not only for the FFFC, but for everything you guys do and have done for the daily fantasy player out there. Keep up the great work!!

Note: Catch Chris’ post-win podcast interview here

Thanks! Last interview you told us that baseball was your best sport. Can you still make that argument after your FFFC results?

I don’t think so. I think the pendulum has swung, and now I would say football is my best sport although I try and be a very balanced player in football, basketball, and baseball. It’s an incredibly tough industry with an absurd amount of highly skilled players out there so I just try and be consistent, have a little fun and make a little money.

How does life change now with the $75,000? How does Fantasy Sports change for you now?

Nothing changes for me. It is an incredible amount of money for sure and will help my family and I pay off some debt and put some money away for the girls. But it won’t change me as a person, and it won’t change the way I attack daily fantasy sports. Beermakersfan will still be out there grinding away daily because it’s what I love to do!!

Chris, thank you so much for your time! Best of luck in 2012!

About the Author

Cameron
Cameron MacMillan (Cameron)

Cameron MacMillan is an entrepreneur and angel investor, who co-founded RotoGrinders in 2010, alongside Cal Spears and Riley Bryant. Cameron operated as the COO, creating & implementing a multitude of business & content systems for the company over the course of 11 years, before Better Collective completed its acquisition of RG in 2021. In 2022, Cameron stepped back into an Advisory Role.