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Sports Betting vs. DFS - Which is better?

Distinguishing Fantasy Sports from Sports Betting


Sports betting and DFS are two of the most popular forms of gambling worldwide. They are also two of the most rewarding ways to spend your time, but it is essential to know what you are getting into before you dive in.


Sports betting is a gambling form that predicts sporting events' outcomes. The big difference between sports betting and other types of gambling is that a government agency regulates sportsbooks, and they do not take wagers on illegal activities like murder or arson. Sportsbooks can also offer free money to players who sign up with them. The most popular sportsbook now is DraftKings, which offers daily fantasy games and special promotions for new players each week.


DFS stands for Daily Fantasy Sports and refers to an online platform where people can play against each other to win cash prizes based on their predictions about which players will perform well during specific periods (e.g., during a football game or basketball season). DFS players can choose from numerous games with names like "Heads Up Cash Game" or "Double Up Weekly," where they compete against other players who have made similar decisions about player performances during specific periods.


Both sports betting and DFS are prevalent in the United States and Canada. Millions of Americans spend money on these games every year. You can do sports betting at almost any place around the country, including casinos, race tracks, malls, and even your neighborhood bar.


DFS is more prevalent in Europe and Australia than in the US. However, many players in both countries enjoy playing DFS and sports betting at online sites like FanDuel or DraftKings, where they can compete against others from around the world.


Types of Bets in Sports Betting


This industry is huge, and there are many ways to bet on sports. The most common types of bets are:


1. Single bet – a single bet is the most straightforward bet. It is simply a wager on whether two teams will win or lose a game. A single chance can be made in any sport and will not affect the outcome of any other game.

2. Parlay – a parlay is when you make multiple single bets for the same event, but in reverse order (so instead of betting on two teams winning, you would create different chances of each team losing). This increases your odds of winning because you combine multiple small wins into one big win.

3. Totals – totals are made up of multiple different types of bets that have been combined into one single wager; for example, if you wanted to make an entire parlay using only three teams, then you would create three individual bets for each team separately with one total being your entire parlay payout.

4. Straight Bet: A straight bet predicts one specific result from a group of outcomes—for example, predicting that Team A will win at a particular time. A straightforward chance is generally considered the least risky way for an individual to get involved with sports betting.

5. Parlay Bets: Parlay bets involve multiple wagers on multiple teams and outcomes in an attempt to get more money than would otherwise be possible by betting on each team separately; this increases the potential winnings if everything goes right, but it also increases the risk if something goes wrong with any one of your wagers.

6. Teaser Bets: Teaser bets are similar to parlay bets in method, but they only require so many wagers or outcomes before deciding whether they want to take advantage of them.


Types of games in DFS


Cash Game: Cash games are the most popular in DFS because they offer the player the highest payouts. You can play these games with a small buy-in or without, but you typically have to bet at least $1.


Tournament Game: Tournament games are where you can win a large prize pool by entering a tournament with other players. Companies that have donated prizes for their winners usually sponsor these tournaments.


Guaranteed Prize Pool (GPP): This is where you play for a guaranteed prize pool instead of betting on player performance and winning less than what you put in. This type of game is popular among beginners who want to play without wasting money or time if they do not win big.


Large-field games: These are the big leagues where the action is intense. In these games, you can find the most popular players in DFS, such as LeBron James and Michael Jordan. You will also find many similar players—the top 20 fantasy players have an average of about 25 percent similarity.


Small-field games: There are fewer players to choose from in smaller-field games, so it is essential to understand when you can use a player more than others might use them in your lineup. An example is taking a chance on Ryan Howard this week, but he's been getting injured recently; it makes sense not to take him too early in your lineup because he may not be available when you need him most—that's why it's essential to wait until closer to game time to make your final decision on who will start at first base for your fantasy team.


Tight matchups: If only two teams are left in your league after all of the games have been played, then those two teams will have huge implications on who wins or loses each match-up that week for their respective teams.


Pros & Cons of DFS vs Sports Betting


Pros:


  • In the US, sports betting is legal and can be done online at sites like [site name].

  • Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is not illegal, but it is against the law to engage in real sports betting.

  • You can get free or discounted subscriptions to DFS sites from most major media companies.

  • DFS is a lot of fun, and you can enjoy it with friends or family.


Cons:


  • DFS takes a lot of time to learn and master. You may lose your money on the site if you do not know what you are doing.

  • DFS is not a game for everyone because it requires skill and strategy for you to win consistently.


Sports Betting vs DFS


Sports betting and daily fantasy sports are games of chance, but the similarities end there.


Unlike daily fantasy sports, sports betting is a legal form of gambling. Players can also place bets on games that are not currently taking place. Sports betting offers various types of wagers: from money lines to prop bets to futures bets. In daily fantasy sports, players can only choose from currently active players in their respective leagues.


Sports betting often has different payouts than daily fantasy sports. While most DFS contests offer cash prizes, some sportsbooks offer prizes with no cash value. Sports bettors also cannot access live streaming or video replays like DFS players.


Conclusion on Sports Betting vs DFS


As you can see, sports betting and daily fantasy sports are very different. While they both involve the same basic idea—playing a game based on the results of an event—they are different in many ways.


Some of these differences are obvious, such as how their prizes are distributed. In DFS, the prize is based on how much money you have won for your team; sports betting is based on what your team wins in the actual game.


However, other differences make DFS more appealing to some people than sports betting. For example, while sports betting requires players to place a bet before competing, DFS requires no such thing—players can compete at any time during the day without worrying about placing a chance first.


Another difference is that sports betting requires players to pick their teams based on specific criteria. DFS allows players to choose their teams and set their standards for winning money instead of basing them on a statistical analysis of player performance over time, like most traditional forms of gambling do.


FAQs


What types of sports bets can you wager?

Prop, parlay, teaser, futures, and moneylines bets. You can also wager on live betting, where you place bets.


What is the most predictable sport to bet on?

The three most accessible, predictable sports to wager on are soccer, tennis, and basketball.


What does DFS mean in full?

DFS means daily fantasy sports.


How can you win at DFS?

Maximize your business, adopt a bankroll strategy and embrace variance.


Is DFS gambling?

Legally, fantasy sports are not considered gambling. This is because it is a game of skill rather than chance.


What is the meaning of DFS?

DFS is a subset of fantasy sports games that have faced much criticism; it resembles sports betting.


What is the best DFS site?

The top DFS sites include Fanduel and Draftkings.