$1,000,000 in 1 Day: Interview with DK Champ BundaFever
History was made last Sunday when BundaFever was awarded the first ever $1,000,000 prize in an online Daily Fantasy Sports contest. BundaFever goes by James Tran in the real world, and James just had one of the more exciting finishes in DFS history. ‘Bunda’ watched live from a DraftKings-sponsored bar in LA while his player, “”(player-popup #frank-gore)Frank Gore”:/players/frank-gore-11670(player-profile)”:/players/Frank_Gore-11670 , traded fantasy blow-for-blow with AlSmizzle’s , Michael Crabtree, for the $1,000,000 first prize. When Monday Night Football time had expired, BundaFever walked out with a narrow 0.8 point margin of victory over RotoGrinders’ own AlSmizzle (2nd, $350,000). You can watch live video of the event from the bar in LA here and check out the final scoreboard & standings here… but first check out an awesome interview with Daily Fantasy’s newest millionaire, and a great guy.
Interview with $1 Million Dollar Man, BundaFever
Congratulations! You’re a millionaire. How did it feel when you first saw seven digits in your DraftKings account balance?
It still had not hit me until the actual confirmation of funds transferred [into my account]. It especially hit me when I was paying off debts and writing charity donations checks. It was then, “Wow, (we) are blessed now that we are able to give more!”
What does the name “BundaFever” mean? And how did you get into Daily Fantasy Sports?
“Bunda” is a Brazilian Portuguese word for ‘booty’. Any red-blooded male having been to Brazil would understand why “bundafever”! My apology if this is offensive or sounds sexist to our female players/counterparts, but on the other hand I don’t complain about not having six-packs and would be indifferent to someone with a screen name like “6packlover”! I got into DFS because traditional fantasy football leagues are restrictive with a single team.
How many total entries did you have in the Fantasy Millionaire finals and what was your general strategy as you approached the event?
There was one entry I won via a Qualifier and I had bought an additional 3 entries. The 4th was last minute with the goal to potentially hedge the first 3 with the Sunday night game, just in case I was ahead in the first 3. I ended up placing top 300 with the 1st 3-entries, respectively 1st, 125th, 273rd.
My general strategy on the 1st entry (1st place winner) was to stick with my math model & predictions. The 2nd & 3rd were more ‘risk takers’ (risk-reward balance) examples using “”(player-popup #matt-schaub)Matt Schaub”:/players/matt-schaub-11616(player-profile)”:/players/Matt_Schaub-11616 on the 2nd entry and Greg Little on 3rd entry. Neither players paid dividends but the combined teams did!
How long have you played Daily Fantasy on DraftKings? What skill level would you consider yourself?
This is my 2nd year with DK. Last year believe I came in a little later in the season.
You handcuffed [Andy] Dalton with both AJ Green and Jermaine Gresham. Gresham had just a 0.1% usage rate. What were your thought processes behind using these two in tandem with “”(player-popup #andy-dalton)Andy Dalton”:/players/andy-dalton-11633(player-profile)”:/players/Andy_Dalton-11633, and behind being one of the rare Gresham owners?
AJ Green is a given, and at home Dalton is a different, better QB. Playing against a weak pass-D [Vikings], Dalton is better valued than say P.Manning.
There were multiple reasons with Gresham but less giving away all secrets, I will share the obvious points: (1) on average Minnesota gives up 2.3 passing TDs per game, 90% of which goes to the TE position; (2) Gresham costs 3.1k and (I’d) projected to have 3 catches, 27 yards and 1 td, totaling 11.7 FPs, or ~3.8 FPs per 1k-value. This is relatively high and makes him very good value.
Gresham ended with 3 catches, 49 yards, 1 td, 1 fumble, and totaled 11.9 FPs. Like Agent 86 used to say, “missed it by that much”!
The Patriots defense came through clutch for you with two exciting TDs late in the game. – What was your thought process in taking the Patriots vs. the Ravens in Baltimore?
The difference in using Baltimore vs New England was a “give-me”: Due to injury issues, I didn’t think Flacco and Rice wold be able to score much against NE. I’d estimated one pick-6 with Flacco going into the game not full-strength. I do admit worrying down to the last 3 minutes when the pick-6 did not happen. Then the fumble-recovery for a NE defensive TD lifted my tension. I’d thought it was good enough until the final pick-6 which I’d waited for the entire game. This is when I knew I would place high since I still had 2 key running backs going into Sunday night and Monday night games!
Tell us about watching MNF live in Los Angeles: What were your general thoughts on the event DraftKings put together last minute for you and AlSmizzle? How did they approach you about the event, and were you excited to invite your friends to it?
DK contacted me Monday morning and told me they projected the 1st & 2nd place winners were likely Al_Smizzle and BundaFever. Moreover, they said we were both in the Los Angeles area. DK wanted the two leaders in one location, so they may be able to present the ‘checks’ right after the game. My dream has always been to have a photograph holding a big check so I was happy and excited to meet up at the arranged sports-bar/restaurant. Luckily, I was able to invite some friends for support with last minute planning.
Were you nervous with the cameras pointed at you all night while $1 Million was on the line?
I almost gave up half-way through 4th Quarter when Al_Smizzle was 9+ FPs ahead. But when “”(player-popup #frank-gore)Frank Gore”:/players/frank-gore-11670(player-profile)”:/players/Frank_Gore-11670 was getting the ball, it was getting really crazy, and “nervousness” would be an understatement.
What thoughts went through your mind when Kendall Hunter fell at the five yard line, then “”(player-popup #frank-gore)Frank Gore”:/players/frank-gore-11670(player-profile)”:/players/Frank_Gore-11670 subsequently pounded the rock in for the TD that would give you the eventual win?
Had Hunter ran it for the TD, I knew it would have been over. So when he fell short inside 5-yd line, I had a good feeling I would catch up very close to Al with a Gore rushing TD! And a $650,000 touchdown it was!!!
What was it like hanging out with AlSmizzle while you two competed for a $650,000 payout difference? – Had you heard of Al ‘s reputation as a top Daily Fantasy Sports ‘Grinder’ prior to meeting him in LA?
I was not aware of Al’s good reputation but when I saw his line-up after Sunday’s games, I knew Al is a pro, or at least, he knew much of what he was doing. It’s like a chess or poker match when you know how good your opponent is! – Al is a class act as I’d acknowledged, and I thanked and congratulated him after the game.
Lastly, now what?! What do you plan to do with the $1,000,000?
Already cutting checks for donations and charities! This was right after paying off some debt! Next up is planning for savings/college education funds for the kids, then finally some work on the house and investments for the future.
What can we expect to see out of you in Daily Fantasy in 2014? – Will we be seeing “BundaFever” at the top of the RotoGrinders TPOY Standings next season (Note – AlSmizzle is currently in 1st place of the 2013 TPOY standings with the help of his 2nd place finish in the event)?
Believe it or not, I’m not even sure what TPOY stands for! I do know I will have bragging rights for a very long time! Wasn’t easy to become the ‘first’ and will hope and play for a repeat?
Any final comments from the $1,000,000 Champion?
Thank you Draftkings for such a great opportunity. You’ve managed to put together an on-line game of skills in daily fantasy sports where all sport-fans can unite and battle against each other.
The 2013 championship night will be highly memorable with lead changes and down to the last few plays of the game! This was just perfect for the 1st Draftkings Million Dollar Fantasy Football Contest!