FanDuel Announces FanDuel Points (FDPs)
Yesterday, FanDuel sent out an email announcing their newest feature: FanDuel Points! FanDuel Points are FanDuel’s first step towards a Player Loyalty program, and could mean big benefits for you, the Grinder, moving forward. You have seen similar programs in the industry before in the form of DailyJoust’s Badge System, the DraftStreet Store, and SportsGeek’s GeekStore, but when FanDuel does something like this, it is always exciting, because when FD does a promotion, they usually do it BIG (see FFFC 2011). Here’s the rundown of what you can expect immediately from your FDPs and some speculation on what could be coming in the future.
What are FanDuel Points?
FanDuel Points are FanDuel’s player reward program. Those in the poker industry might be familiar with the concept from PokerStarts VPP program or Full Tilt’s FTP program. Essentially, for every raked contest you enter, you earn FDPs, win or lose. You have two balances for your FDPs: All-Time and Monthly. These FDPs become a second, separate currency of sorts that you can use on FanDuel. Long-term there may be other options, but when released in August, the amount of FDPs you accumulate determine what
The Freerolls
Each month FanDuel is going to have certain levels of freerolls that you can gain access to, based on the number FDPs you accumulate. Since the FDP began in the middle of August, the prizes are slightly half of the standard amount that they will be for August than they will be monthly moving forward. The FDP threshold required will also vary each month. Here are the FDP Freeroll Thresholds for August:
| Level | PrizePool | FDPs Required |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | $100 MLB | 500 FDPs |
| Silver | $150 MLB | 2,500 FDPs |
| Gold | $250 MLB | 7,500 FDPs |
| Platinum | $375 MLB | 25,000 FDPs |
| FDP Ratio | Every $1 Put in Play = 10 FDPs |
|---|
While the prizepools aren’t initially mind-blowing initially, let’s keep in mind that they will actually range from $200 to $750 moving forward. Taking a closer look, it’s also good to keep in mind that as you move up tiers of freerolls, your value goes up based on the prizepool amount, but your EV (expected value) will also be larger because there will be less qualifying players. Additionally, if you earn 25,000 FDPs this month then you get access to ALL of the freeroll! So you are actually earning access to $875 in August Freeroll Prizes, and at least $1,750 in Freeroll prizes moving forward if you reach the top tier.
The FDP freerolls just appeared in the FanDuel Lobby today. You can check your FDP total in the top-right of your player page, near your ‘Add Funds’ button. At the moment, you receive 50 points for a $5 entry, as a frame of reference for how many games you need to play to qualify.
FDPs in the Future
I recently spoke with Cameron Boal, Head of Affiliates at FanDuel, and he told me that FDPs “have been a lot of work and a long time coming.” He also told RotoGrinders that this is the “first phase of FDPs” and that they “plan to add lost more to it.”
Well, that’s exciting news! At the moment, FDPs can only be used on FanDuel for the monthly freerolls. However, if other sites are any frame of reference, I think we can expect more from FanDuel moving forward. Let’s take a look at what other rewards currently exist in Daily Fantasy loyalty programs, as some frame of reference as to what we can expect moving forward:
DraftStreet Store
Though the DraftStreet Pen is infamously teased in the forums and the chat boxes, DraftStreet has great offerings in their StreetCred store ranging from Footballs to Hoodies to Tournament buy-in Tickets.
DailyJoust Badges
DailyJoust recently announced their badge system. Instead of earning badges in respect to your buy-in amount like FDPs, you earn them for a variety of accomplishments throughout playing on their site. Based on the number of badges you earn, you can then get access to a variety of freerolls.
SportsGeek – Geek Store
SportsGeek’s GeekStore allows you to earn Geek Points as you play, similar to FDPs, then you can exchange them for a variety of goods including: Shot Glasses, T-Shirts, Waste Baskets, Tournament Tickets and more!
Cameron MacMillan
RotoGrinders.com Fantasy Content Manager