Underdog Champions: Top Strategies for Peer-to-Peer Pick 'em

by Chris Altman (Caltman) Last Updated 2024-12-31T19:23:06

Underdog Champions is one of the several contests available on the Underdog Fantasy app.

I know the different DFS formats can get confusing, especially if you’re new to fantasy sports, so I’m deep diving into what Champions is and how can you perfect your strategy in this peer-to-peer pick’em game.

What Is Underdog Champions?

Underdog Fantasy can’t legally offer traditional pick’em games everywhere due to state regulations—that’s where Champions comes in.

Champions is basically Underdog’s pick’em game, but instead of playing against the house, users play against other users. The peer-to-peer format complies with many states that ban traditional pick’em games, so if you don’t have access to Underdog Pick’em, there’s a good chance you can play Champions.

The concept of Champions is simple—build lineups of 2-8 athletes by indicating whether they’ll get HIGHER or LOWER for projected stats. You’ll be entered in a tournament against other players, and for each correct pick, you’ll get Champions Points.

The user with the most Champions Points at the end of the tournament is the winner. Not surprisingly, entry fees and the number of picks on each entry influence payouts.

In some states (like is the case with Underdog Fantasy CA), only pick’em contests are available and not peer-to-peer Champions.

Getting Started with Underdog Champions

Here’s how to get started with Underdog Champions:

• Verify that you’re in a legal Champions state (see next section).
• Ensure you’re of legal age (18+ in most states, though 19+ or 21+ in some).
• Click our links and download the Underdog app for iOS or Android.
• Fill out the registration form with details like your name, email address, phone number, etc.
• Use our Underdog Fantasy promo code during signup.

Once you sign up, you can start entering tournaments by creating entries with 2 to 8 players.

Where You Can Play Underdog Champions

Underdog Champions is legal in these states:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• DC
• Florida
• Illinois
• Kansas
• Massachusetts
• Missouri
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

If you don’t live in one of the above, you might be able to play Underdog Drafts, Best Ball, or Pick’em. Be sure to check the terms before signing up and entering contests as rules vary by state.

If Champions isn’t available where you live, check out our guide on PrizePicks vs. Underdog to see if the PrizePicks peer-to-peer Arena game is available.

Understanding Underdog Champions Rules

In Underdog Pick ’em Champions, crafting a well-thought-out lineup to complete a Streak is essential for success.

Your lineup can consist of anywhere from 2 to 8 athletes, and how much you win is influenced by the amount you pay to enter and the number of athletes you choose. This design allows players to customize their approach based on how much risk they’re willing to take versus the reward they aim for.

The prize distribution in Underdog Pick ’em Champions varies with each game and is significantly impacted by your entry fees. By opting for higher stakes through increased entry costs, you stand a chance at more fantastic winnings. Several actions, such as adjusting your entry fees and selecting the optimal number of athletes, can significantly influence the prize distribution.

Another intriguing element within Underdog Champions is its treatment of scenarios where several participants achieve perfect lineups. In the Underdog Champions format, the total payout is divided amongst all such victorious players. This shared outcome heightens the thrill and encourages constant strategic refinement among competitors eager to outdo one another.

Maximizing Value in Underdog Champions

Here are some tips for optimizing your performance in Champions:

Use the RotoGrinders’ Picks Tool

One of the easiest things I’ve done to maximize my time on Champions? Taking advantage of the Underdog picks tool from RotoGrinders.

This tool tells you whether to take HIGHER or LOWER on every pick on the app. While it’s technically a paid tool, you can see a few free picks every day, which I definitely recommend looking at to see if you can get any value from it.

With the tool, you can sift through picks based on various filters such as sport, date, team, and projection type to align your selections with your best interests.

Compare Underdog to Sportsbooks

As someone who lives in a state without legal sports betting apps, I usually don’t give sportsbooks much thought. But, I’d highly recommend comparing Underdog’s lines against those from conventional sportsbooks.

I’ve found that this analysis might uncover significant differences, providing an opportunity for +EV bets. For instance, odds for Chet Holmgren may be more appealing on Underdog than other traditional sportsbook operators, allowing you to score a deal by picking HIGHER or LOWER for Holmgren.

Use Two-Pick Entries Sparingly

There’s nothing wrong with playing it safe—as a more conservative DFS user myself, I love my two-pick lineups.

But, you should realize that there’s actually more expected value in entries with 3+ picks. And obviously, the more picks you have in an entry, the more risk but more outright reward there is.

Mix Pick’ems and Rivals

Rivals are a variation where you pit two players against each other in a stat category like passing yards, three-pointers, etc.

To keep things fun, you can actually combine normal pick’ems and Rivals picks in a Champions contest. So, mix in HIGHER/LOWER picks with head-to-head matchups for an exciting lineup.

Personally, I love Rivals because it can be a great alternative to LOWER picks. I find it more exciting to root for a certain player to beat another player rather than just one player to do poorly. Unless it’s Aaron Rodgers, of course—I love taking LOWER on him.

Use Promos

Champions is chock full of promos like insurance policies, which guarantee payouts even when some picks don’t hit the mark to enhance the security of your lineup.

Contests might also provide injury protection, which refunds entry fees if any player gets injured after halftime—conditional upon all other correct picks—to reduce risk exposure while playing.

If you opt for Scorchers, you can increase the multiplier of your potential payout.

Stacking Entries on Underdog Champions

When you play Underdog Champions, you can’t make an entry that consists of all Chiefs players.

The rules require you to pick at least two players from different teams—this strategy prevents people from capitalizing on, say, the dynamic duo that is Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown. Because if they both have an on day as they often do, Underdog would lose big on payouts.

That being said, you can still stack entries to your advantage. If you pick Hurts and Brown HIGHER for your entry, you’ll need to add a player from another team. I’d stay away from any defense who are playing against the Eagles as their success would only hinder Hurts and Brown from getting HIGHER.

Instead, you might go for players on other teams. You might even opt for Hurts and Brown LOWER and then the defense they’re going against HIGHER.

Underdog Champions Summary

If you want to play against your friends and other users rather than the house, Underdog Champions is the way to go. It’s not only perfect as a more social based game but also serves as a legal alternative to traditional pick’em games and even online sports betting in several states.

Just create an entry of anywhere from 2 to 8 players, as long as at least 2 of those players are from different teams. And by employing an expert picks tool, strategically building your entries based on player performance, and implementing my other recommended strategies, you can find as much success as possible on one of the best DFS apps around.

For more contests like Underdog Champions, check out our guide on apps like PrizePicks.

Underdog Champions FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Underdog Champions:

What is the minimum age requirement to participate in Underdog Fantasy Champions?

Underdog Fantasy Champions players must be at least 18 in most states, although some states may require you to be 19 or older. Check your specific state’s regulations.

How does the prize structure work in Underdog Champions?

The prize structure in Underdog Champions depends on entry fees and your lineup’s athletes. If multiple winners have perfect lineups, the payout will be divided among them.

What are some common mistakes to avoid in Underdog Champions?

To succeed in Underdog Champions, avoid overlooking portfolio EV strategies and ensure that advanced strategy aligns with your personal risk tolerance and betting style. This will enhance your overall performance and decision-making.

How can I mitigate risk when participating in Underdog Fantasy?

To optimize success in Underdog Fantasy, consider adopting insurance measures that secure payouts even when predictions fail and ensure injury protection during gameplay. Employing this strategy not only helps shield your stakes but also improves the enjoyment of your experience.