Underdog Fantasy Best Ball: Key Features & Strategies - RotoGrinders
If you think fantasy sports isn’t for you, Underdog’s Best Ball might change your mind. It combines all the best parts of fantasy—a season-long investment without any roster management. And yes, the opportunity to win big prizes.
Though Best Ball at Underdog Fantasy is simple, I know it can be a bit confusing if you’ve never played. I’m here to clear up any confusion and teach you about its format, and rules, along with draft strategies and tips at one of the best DFS apps.
Underdog Best Ball Key Takeaways
Let’s dive into what Underdog Best Ball is all about.
- Underdog Fantasy Best Ball is all about drafting well and letting your team’s performance shine throughout the season, as in-season roster changes aren’t allowed.
- Best Ball Mania is the operator’s top contest, drawing many participants each draft season thanks to easy management and big prizes.
- Effective draft strategies include stacking players from the same team, employing the Zero RB strategy, analyzing player exposure, and selecting key players for the starting lineup.
- Analyzing target share can also provide insights into which players are likely to receive more passing opportunities, further refining your draft strategy.
How Does Underdog Best Ball Work?
In Underdog Fantasy Best Ball, users select players through a snake draft.
In this format, the pick order reverses each round, meaning the user with the first pick in round one will have the last pick in round two and the first pick in round three.
Once the draft is complete, the rosters are set for the duration of the contest period, with no waivers, substitutions, or trades allowed. Each entrant’s team accumulates points based on their players’ performances throughout the contest.
At the end of every week, Underdog automatically picks the entrant’s highest-scoring players at designated positions to be “starters.” I love not having to set my lineup every week, because let’s be honest, I would stress myself over it and spend way too much time on research.
For each paid entry, you can find the following details on the contest’s info page:
- Entry fees
- Roster size
- Prize pook
- Number of entrants
- Number of entries per user
- Scoring system
This transparency ensures participants are well-informed about the specifics of each contest.
At the end of each Best Ball contest, the entrants with the highest scores get prizes based on the prize pool allocation for that specific contest.
Key Features of Underdog Fantasy Best Ball
As one of the most popular contests in the industry, Underdog Fantasy Best Ball, along with Best Ball Mania, attracts thousands of participants each season thanks in large part to these standout features:
User-Friendly Interface
Players can enjoy playing Underdog Fantasy Best Ball on a sleek interface that simplifies the user experience. Whether drafting your team or checking performance stats, the platform has seamless navigation and provides easy access to essential info.
Innovative Draft Features
If you’re busy like me, you’ll appreciate the flexibility live and slow drafts. Access to ADP data and player insights further aids in making strategic picks and refining your draft strategy. There’s also target share data that can help you identify players who are likely to receive more passes.
Engaging Community and Support
Seeing as players can discuss strategies and connect with fellow users, I’ve found Underdog Fantasy to be a great place to talk trash to my friends who also play Best Ball. And if I ever need help with my account, the customer support team provides timely assistance.
Variety of Leagues and Contests
Underdog Fantasy Best Ball provides a diverse selection of leagues and contests. From the competitive Best Ball Mania to more casual leagues, it’s easy to find contests that match your skill level and interest. You’ll also find Best Ball for everything from NFL and NBA to PGA.
Signing Up to Play Underdog Best Ball
Using an Underdog Fantasy promo code
Underdog Fantasy Best Ball Draft Strategies
In Underdog Fantasy Best Ball, drafting a competitive team requires strategic player selection.
Balance
Focus on building a balanced roster by combining dependable performers with high-upside prospects, particularly in the later rounds. This approach ensures your team has the depth and flexibility needed to adapt and thrive throughout the season.
Balancing risk and reward is key to successful player selections. Diversifying your roster with a mix of proven performers and potential breakout stars can yield significant benefits.
By carefully weighing potential risks and rewards, you can construct a team poised for long-term success. Targeting top tight ends like Mark Andrews can be crucial, as the potential to outperform mid-range options can significantly impact your roster construction.
Additionally, try to draft players with high target shares and upside, such as Breece Hall or Tony Pollard.
ADP
Understanding player value and ADP (Average Draft Position) is crucial for making informed draft decisions.
ADP data provides insights into where players are typically selected, allowing you to identify undervalued gems and avoid overpaying for others. Using this information helps with your roster’s overall strength, giving you a competitive edge in Best Ball Mania and other fantasy drafts.
If you need insight on Best Ball rankings, check out our tool!
Quarterbacks
While quarterbacks are arguably the most important players on the field, they don’t carry as much weight in fantasy contests like Best Ball. So, resist the urge to draft a superstar early on.
Though, late-round quarterbacks like Jordan Love can offer potential value, especially if they outperform expectations and benefit from a strong receiving corps.
Running Backs
High-volume running backs like Derrick Henry are prime examples of players who can deliver substantial performance due to their high snap counts and significant roles in their respective offenses.
Employ the Zero RB strategy by prioritizing wide receivers early and targeting running backs in later rounds.
Stacking
Focus also on strategies like stacking players from the same team to boost scoring potential. Of course, this move can also leave you behind if your team has a bad week, but I like the riskiness of this strategy because if it works, it pays off. Go big or go home, right?
Where You Can Play Underdog Best Ball
Underdog’s Best Ball contests are classified under drafts, which are the operator’s least restrictive contests compared to Pick’em and Champions.
Here are the legal states for Underdog Fantasy Best Ball:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- DC
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Try Best Ball at Underdog Today
I highly recommend Underdog’s Best Ball as it lets you participate in season-long fantasy contests without the whole roster management ordeal. And, you can win big prizes, especially if your strategies like stacking pan out.
When compared to other apps, I prefer Underdog thanks to its easy interface, emphasis on community engagement, and helpful customer service. In particular, when comparing PrizePicks vs. Underdog, Underdog comes out on top for me considering that PrizePicks is exclusively pick’em while Underdog has it all.
Underdog Fantasy Best Ball FAQs
Here’s some of the most frequently asked questions about Underdog Fantasy Best Ball:
How does stacking improve my chances in Underdog Best Ball?
Stacking in Underdog Best Ball boosts scoring potential by drafting players from the same team, like quarterbacks and wide receivers, whose performances are correlated. The flip side to the coin is that if your players perform poorly, you’re out of luck.
What is Underdog Fantasy Best Ball Mania?
Best Ball Mania is Underdog Fantasy’s premier contest. Participants draft their teams, focusing on strategic roster construction and selecting top-tier players. With no in-season management, success hinges on the initial draft, as teams compete based on players’ highest weekly scores.
How much does Underdog Best Ball cost?
Entry fees for Underdog Best Ball contests vary, ranging from a few dollars to higher amounts (such as $25) for larger prize pools like Best Ball Mania. This variety allows players to select contests that suit their budget.
What is the payout for Underdog Best Ball?
Payouts for Underdog Best Ball contests, like Best Ball Mania, can be substantial, often reaching millions. Exact amounts vary by contest and entry fee, so check the official website or app for current details.
When do you get paid in Underdog Fantasy Best Ball?
Underdog Fantasy Best Ball pays you when the contest or tournament is over (that is, if you win). Winnings are based on your team’s overall performance throughout the season. Be sure to review the specific contest rules on the operator’s platform for detailed payout info.