Underdog fantasy review
Equipped with an impressive first deposit bonus and recurring promotions, the platform strikes a solid balance between risk, reward, and entertainment. Whether you prefer quick and simple Pick’em contests or more strategic Best Ball drafts, there’s something for everyone.
From its gameplay formats to its promotions and licenses, this Underdog Fantasy Sports review aims to find out once and for all whether or not Underdog is legit. They say everybody loves an underdog, and this review puts that idea to the test.
- Generous payouts up to 5,000x
- Wide variety of game types
- Unlimited withdrawal limits
- Limited payment options
- Payout structure lacks clarity
- Short 14-day promo expiry
Editor's note
Data and analysis below are accurate at the time of publishing, but may be subject to change.
Expert verdict
Underdog feels like a platform that genuinely cares for its audience. From its intuitive layout and diverse game modes to its fair 1x wagering bonuses and unlimited withdrawal limits, Underdog’s features appeal to both high-stakes and low-stakes players.
Available on both iOS and Android devices, its betting app does an excellent job of mirroring the desktop experience. The setup makes it easy to play, wager, and switch between game types.
However, the confusing payout structure, while well-developed, could benefit from clearer explanations. Plus, when it comes to payment providers, the platform lacks variety.
Still, Underdog stands out as one of the most complete and rewarding DFS platforms available today. It’s flexible, ambitious, and built for all player types.
Where is Underdog legal?
Underdog’s homepage on its website states that its platform is available in 41 jurisdictions. This includes 40 U.S. states and the country’s capital, Washington D.C.
However, the extent of Underdog’s accessibility across state lines depends on the type of game being offered: Pick’em, Champions, Drafts, and Predictions. The following table details what players can access according to their location:
| Allowed game types | Jurisdictions |
|---|---|
| Predictions, Pick’em, and Drafts | Alaska, Georgia, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin |
| Predictions, Champions, and Drafts | Alabama, Arkansas, and California |
| Champions and Drafts | Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and Wyoming |
| Pick’em and Drafts | Indiana and Oregon |
| Drafts only | Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania |
Underdog Fantasy Sports bonuses
Underdog offers a varied bonus system built around simplicity and value, with promotions available for both new and existing players.
From first deposit bonuses to rotating cashbacks and other recurring betting promotions, there’s something to suit every preference.
Bonus facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | Play $5 Get $50 |
| Bonus code | TIME2PLAY |
| Wagering requirements | 1x |
| Minimum qualifying bet | $5 |
| VIP rewards | N/A |
| Other bonuses | Deposit bonuses, Pick’em and Champions promos, refer-a-friend |
First deposit match bonus
If you use the promo code TIME2PLAY during registration, Underdog offers a 50% match on your first deposit up to $1,000.
With a minimum deposit requirement of $10, the deposit amount and bonus funds come with a 1x rollover. This wagering restriction must be met within 14 days.
The minimum deposit requirement sits at $10, and both the deposit and bonus funds come with a 1x rollover, which must be met within 14 days of being credited to your account.
The bonus funds themselves are considered non-withdrawable, though any winnings earned from the promotion can be cashed out so long as the wagering requirements are met within the validation period.
The bonus can be used on all fantasy contest game types, including Pick’em, Drafts, and Champions. However, Predictions – which are treated as event contracts traded on NADEX/Crypto.com – are not eligible.
Play and Get
In addition to its sign-up bonus, Underdog also runs recurring Play and Get promotions that reward players for wagering $5 or more on eligible entries.
Eligible on all fantasy contests, the amount of bonus funds rewarded or free entries is not strictly specified within the terms and as such may vary accordingly.
All Play and Get rewards come with a 1x playthrough requirement and must be used within 14 days of being credited, or else they expire.
Pick’em and Champions promos
Aside from the sign-up bonus, Underdog regularly cycles through a variety of rotating promotions that apply to Pick’em and Champions game types. These limited-time offers vary in value and include the following:
/list
- Free Pick / Gimme Pick / Max Discount: Guarantees a win on one selection by reducing its projection to 0.5.
- No Sweat Promo: Refunds your entry fee in bonus funds if your Pick’em entry loses.
- Boost Promo: Increases your payout potential by a specified percentage or multiplier. Player Multiplier Boosts specifically apply to Pick’em contests, where a 5-pick entry that normally pays 20x your wager might be boosted to 50x.
- Discount Promo: Lowers a player’s projection to make it easier to hit.
- Boost Entry Promo: Lets you submit a contest entry with no deposit required, allowing you to keep all the profits if you win.
- Unlock Promo: Completing one entry unlocks a reward that may consist of a Gimme, No Sweat, or Discount token.
- Split the Pot Promo: Shared prize pool for users who correctly pick the best-performing athlete.
- Play and Get Promo: Grants a specified amount of promotional credit after submitting an eligible Pick’em or Champions entry.
- Slash the State Promo: Completing a contest grants an extra token that may appear as a Gimme, No Sweat, Discount, or Boost Promo.
As highlighted within the official terms, all promotion types are only available during the stated promotion period, as shown on the Underdog platform and within any advertising for the promotion.
Refer-a-Friend
As the name implies, Underdog’s Refer-a-Friend is an ongoing promotion that rewards existing users for bringing in new players.
To get started, log into your account and click the gift icon to open up the promotions available. Under the Refer-a-Friend section, copy the unique referral link and share it with your buddy.
Once your friend registers an account and makes a minimum deposit of $10, you’ll receive $10 in bonus funds to be used on eligible fantasy contests. Plus, there’s no limit to how many friends can be referred.
After the funds enter your account, you’ll have 14 days to meet the 1x wagering requirement before you can withdraw any winnings. Furthermore, your referred friends will still be eligible for Underdog’s First Deposit Bonus of 50% up to $1,000 in bonus funds.
Bonus rating
- Multiple recurring promos
- Low wagering requirements
- Validation term just 14 days
- Some promos lack upfront clarity
The promotions on offer at Underdog are packed with value. Its first deposit bonus in particular stands out for its generous terms and simplicity.
Bonuses come with fair 1x wagering, and the platform is also well complemented by the steady flow of recurring promotions for Predictions and Champions contests.
This flexibility and dynamism keeps player engagement high, as you never quite know when Underdog might switch it up with another recurring offer. However, depending on preference, this strength can also be seen as a weakness by those who might prefer a clearer week-by-week structure.
Regardless, the biggest and perhaps only real drawback is the 14-day validation period to clear the bonus and withdraw any winnings. While this timeframe should be more than sufficient for most players, other platforms like Betr offer a more lenient 30-day clearance window.
Underdog sports and markets
This Underdog fantasy review identified 18 different sports, covering everything from major U.S. leagues to top international competitions.
Staples such as football, basketball, baseball, and hockey are well-represented by the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL respectively. Football fans can also explore college football, while baseball enthusiasts can dive into South Korea’s KBO League and Japan’s Nippon League.
Sports facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of sports | 18 |
| Betting markets — Baseball | N/A |
| Betting markets — Basketball | N/A |
| Betting markets — Football | N/A |
| Esports | Available |
| Other markets (politics/event betting) | Available |
The soccer market is substantial and includes any FIFA-affiliated competitions like World Cup Qualifiers as well as multiple domestic and continental leagues from Europe, such as the UEFA Champions League.
Motorsports fans aren’t left out either, with coverage extending to Formula 1, NASCAR, High Limit Racing, World of Outlaws, and USAC racing. Combat sports are represented by boxing and MMA, while other entries include tennis and golf.
If you are looking for something a little more niche, Underdog also has cricket, jai alai, and lacrosse available. Completing the lineup is esports, with its own gaming categories like Counter-Strike, among others.
Featured betting markets
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Football
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Basketball
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Soccer
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Esports
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Baseball
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Hockey
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Golf
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Tennis
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Boxing
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MMA
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Lacrosse
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Cricket
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Jai Alai
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Motorsports
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Formula 1
Sports and markets rating
- Plenty of football markets
- Includes niche sports
- Could have more basketball markets
- Esports can be more developed
The sports markets available at Underdog make a fantastic showing, with wide coverage across U.S. leagues.
Football, and the NFL in particular, stand out for their range of markets and prop-style options. There’s terrific value across soccer and motorsports, while niche entries like jai alai add great depth.
This section could benefit from greater variety in esports betting options, and basketball lacks a strong presence in the European market. Regardless, the sports markets here are a nicely balanced lineup and form an integral part of Underdog’s overall offerings.
Underdog betting features
As a DFS platform, Underdog follows the standard prop-style format where players have to predict whether an athlete will perform higher or lower than the projected stat.
For instance, a player card may consist of several projections, such as NFL athlete Ladd McConkey of the Los Angeles Chargers receiving 55.5 yards in one game. From here, you simply select whether you think he’ll record higher or lower receiving yards than the projected stat. This counts as one pick.
With up to eight picks allowed per entry, the number of picks you make determines your multiplier and ultimately, your potential payout. Players can choose between two main formats: Standard and Flex.
In Standard, every pick in your entry must be correct to win the payout. Get one wrong and your entry counts as a loss. However, Flex affords more leeway, allowing you to get one or two picks wrong at a lower multiplier and, therefore, a reduced payout.
Some higher/lower choices may come with their own attached multipliers of varying value. When this happens, those specific multipliers are factored into the total number of picks in your entry.
Feature facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Bet Builder | Available |
| Cash Out | N/A |
| Live betting | N/A |
| Live streaming | N/A |
| Virtual betting | Available |
In addition to its Pick’em style setup, Underdog also features Drafts, a more competitive fantasy format that pits players directly against one another.
The idea is to build a lineup of athletes from a chosen sport, with your score determined by their real-life performance. Drafts can cover a single game or span an entire season, with entry fees contributing to a shared prize pool.
Aside from this, Underdog also features two additional modes, Predictions and Champions. The Champions format works similarly to Pick’em, except you’re competing against other users rather than the house.
Users create higher or lower lineups of up to eight athletes, with prizes awarded based on overall performance. It also supports a Flex option, allowing smaller payouts even if one or two picks miss out.
Predictions, meanwhile, operates separately from Underdog’s fantasy contests and is powered by NADEX and Crypto.com. It functions more like an event trading system, where users can buy or sell outcomes.
Betting features rating
- Fixed multipliers
- Up to eight picks per entry
- Drafts mode tricky to master
- Different betting features leads to confusion
With so many components and different game types, I was impressed by how neatly Underdog has everything laid out. The icons at the top of the screen make it easy to switch between game types, each with its own set of betting features that create a sense of depth and variety.
The Pick’em format is typical of DFS platforms and draws strong comparisons to DraftKings and Betr. All three platforms use higher/lower projections with progressive multipliers that increase with each added pick.
That said, Underdog allows up to eight selections per entry, while DraftKings and Betr cap entries at six and five respectively. This gives Underdog a clear edge for players who enjoy balancing higher risk with higher rewards.
The Drafts mode offers a completely different kind of experience and can be a bit harder to wrap your head around. However, once you get the hang of it, you realize it’s one of the most skill-driven modes available.
Elsewhere, the Champions and Predictions modes do a good job of rounding off Underdog’s offerings, ensuring gameplay stays fresh and engaging.
The main criticism is that the contrast between its various game types and betting features can feel a bit jarring at first, making it less intuitive for new players to get to grips with.
Underdog odds
Unlike a traditional sportsbook that uses odds to calculate the likelihood of an outcome, Underdog’s Pick’em format relies on multipliers.
Standard entries deliver the highest potential returns but require 100% of your picks to be correct. A Standard eight-pick entry pays 120x your wager, while a Flex entry with all picks correct pays 80x.
Flex entries also allow room for error at reduced multipliers, paying 3x for one miss and 1x for two misses when selecting eight picks.
The following table outlines your payout potential according to the most common outcomes:
| Number of Picks | Standard Payout (All must be correct) | Flex Payout (0 misses) | Flex Payout (1 miss) | Flex Payout (2 misses) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3x | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 3 | 6x | 3x | 1x | N/A |
| 4 | 10x | 6x | 1.50x | N/A |
| 5 | 20x | 10x | 2.50x | N/A |
| 6 | 35x | 25x | 2.60x | 0.25x |
| 7 | 65x | 40x | 2.75x | 0.50x |
| 8 | 120x | 80x | 3x | 1x |
It’s important to bear in mind that the above table reflects Underdog’s base payout structure. It excludes any boosted or individual multipliers attached to certain picks. In practice, the maximum potential payout for an entry sits at 5,000x.
Odds facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Average payout | N/A |
| Boosted odds | Available |
| Parlay boosts | Available |
| Line movement | N/A |
As for Drafts, payouts aren’t based on multipliers but rather depend on shared prize pools, with winnings distributed to the top-ranked lineups.
Odds rating
- Up to 5,000x max payout
- Up to 120x base payout
- Confusing to learn
- Visual payout display hard to find
Underdog’s payout system offers huge potential with plenty of ways to win. For those who don’t mind taking high-risk chances, Standard entries are ideal for players chasing big wins.
On the other hand, Flex entries are great for more cautious players, especially for those working with a tighter budget. The inclusion of individual boosted multipliers adds an interesting dynamic to gameplay and keeps things engaging.
That said, one main criticism is that the payout structure can be confusing to wrap your head around, especially for beginners trying to keep track of everything. A clearer and more readily accessible visual guide would make the whole process much easier to grasp.
Payment methods at Underog
Underdog provides players with seven primary transaction methods, most of which are available for deposits and withdrawals.
Deposit options mainly consist of digital payment systems such as Trustly, PayPal, and Apple Pay. It’s also worth noting that through Apple Pay, you can also use prepaid sources like Cash App, Apple Cash, and Chime.
With a minimum deposit requirement of $10 across the board, you can also fund your account using Mastercard or Visa credit card payments.
For most states where Underdog operates, the platform imposes a soft deposit limit of $2,500 every 30 days. The same limit applies to people in Tennessee, except the cap resets every 31 days instead of 30.
Elsewhere, residents in Massachusetts are limited to a maximum of $1,000 every 31 days, while people from Maryland enjoy a higher limit of $5,000 every 31 days. All deposit options are processed instantly.
Payment facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of payment methods | 7 |
| Popular payment | PayPal |
| Minimum deposit | $10 |
| Maximum deposit | $2,500 |
| Average deposit time | Instant |
| Minimum withdrawal | $10 |
| Maximum withdrawal | Unlimited |
| Average withdrawal time | 24-48hr |
| Deposit fees | N/A |
| Withdrawal fees | N/A |
Moving on to withdrawals, only PayPal, Trustly, and Paysafe are accepted. The minimum transaction cap also sits at $10. However, if your account falls below that amount, Underdog allows you to take out whatever is left remaining.
Information on maximum withdrawal caps were not readily accessible on the site, but customer support confirmed that there’s no limit on the amount you can take out.
Withdrawals made through Trustly take 1-3 business days to process, while Paypal payments can be cashed out and completed within 24 hours.
Paysafe follows a similar pattern, with requests typically processed within 48 to 72 hours before being approved.
Underdog do not charge transaction fees, although credit card payments may incur fees from the issuer.
Payments rating
- Instant deposits
- No max withdrawal limit
- Lacking variety
- Lacking transparency
The absence of popular payment methods such as Skrill, Neteller, Discover, and Paysafecard is a huge miss. However, while limited in variety, Underdog still offers some excellent and trustworthy options like Trustly and PayPal, with the latter especially praised for its 24-hour withdrawal time.
The $10 minimum transaction cap for deposits and withdrawals keeps things simple and accessible for all players, especially for those on a strict budget. Plus, the ability to withdraw any remaining balance below $10 is very reasonable.
Barring a few exceptions, especially Maryland, maximum deposit limits are largely consistent across most states, striking a nice balance between responsible gaming control and player freedom.
One major plus is that Underdog imposes no maximum withdrawal limit, giving high-stakes players much more flexibility. That said, it would have been helpful to have this kind of essential information displayed more clearly on the site.
Security and player protection at Underdog
To keep your data and transactions secure, Underdog runs on ECDSA technology, with 256-bit encryption. The site itself performs smoothly, with only minor loading delays that don’t affect gameplay or wagering.
Aside from state-mandated deposit caps, Underdog allows players to set their own limits in line with responsible gaming protocols. These self-service tools include the following:
- Deposit Limits: Controls how much money goes into your account on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
- Time Limits: Places a cap on how long you can spend on the site each day, week, and month.
- Spending Limits: Restricts the total amount of money you can use from your account balance.
- Individual Spending Limit: Caps the amount you can wager on a single entry.
- Contest Entry Limit: Caps how many contests you can enter in a given time frame, regardless of the entry fee.
Safety facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Auditing seals | N/A |
| Responsible gambling seals | National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) |
| Licenses | N/A |
| SSL encryption | 256-bit |
| Two-factor authentication | Available |
| Ever blacklisted? | N/A |
| Deposit, wager, time, and loss limits | Available |
| Self-exclusion | Available |
| Cooling-off period | Available |
The above tools all follow the same rules. Once enacted, they cannot be increased or removed for 90 days. However, during that period, you can still choose to lower the limits even further.
Alternatively, you can also set deposit alerts without any 90-day restriction. This serves as a gentle reminder when your deposits have gone above your designated threshold.
Beyond these measures, cool-off periods offer temporary breaks that can span from as little as 3 days up to 9 months. For something more permanent, the self-exclusion option locks you out of your account for one, three, five, or even 10 years. A lifetime ban is also possible. Once activated, these options cannot be reversed.
Elsewhere, Underdog’s Help Center provides multiple articles discussing its responsible gaming tools. However, this Underdog review found no evidence of activity trackers to monitor your playing time.
Underdog’s page dedicated to responsible gaming is filled with tips and advice on knowing when to stop and take a break. It also lists state-specific resources along with nationwide organizations like the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG).
Safety rating
- Wide range of self-service tools
- Super specific limits
- Strong encryption
- No activity tracker
Convenient, versatile, and reliable, the responsible gaming standards at Underdog are second to none. Beyond the standard deposit caps and time limits that many are accustomed to, the platform lets you set super-specific restrictions that help manage your bankroll and playing time.
The 90-day restriction does a good job of preventing impulsive behavior, striking a fine balance between flexibility and control. Plus, for those who prefer more leniency, the inclusion of deposit alerts is a great touch. Elsewhere, information on cool-off and self-exclusion tools is well-structured.
In terms of external support, Underdog provides sufficient information on state-specific resources as well as information on the NCPG’s free 24/7 hotline.
Finally, the platform’s encryption technology reinforces confidence as it demonstrates a genuine commitment to protecting players’ personal and financial information to the highest degree.
Along with no activity tracker, one minor criticism is that its responsible gaming resources are spread across multiple Help Center articles. This can make it a little tricky for beginners to know where to start. That said, it’s a very small inconvenience in an otherwise excellent setup.
Customer support at Underdog
With two lines of communication, the customer support at Underdog consists of a live chat feature and email service, both of which run 24/7.
The customer support icon is a widget located on the bottom right-hand corner of your screen. From here, you can send a message directly or browse Underdog’s Help Center, where you can use the search bar to look for an article that may answer your query.
Support facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Customer support availability | 24/7 |
| Live chat | Available |
| [email protected] | |
| Contact number | N/A |
| On-page support | FAQs and Help Center |
For live chat, users can access the feature by clicking the ‘Get Started’ button within the customer support widget. The chat initially connects you to an AI assistant, which will do its best to answer your query.
After responding, the AI bot will present two options. You can either select ‘Issue Resolved’ or ‘Still Need Help’. The latter option will direct you to a human customer support (CS) agent.
Response times typically range from five to 10 minutes. That said, some replies can take just a few seconds to arrive, while others can take up to an hour depending on traffic volumes.
You can reach out to its email support service at [email protected], with your queries generally being seen within a day.
Support rating
- 24/7 access
- User-friendly
- Slow replies
- No phone or text support
While there’s no phone or text support, the 24/7 live chat and email service easily makes up for it. The sticky widget keeps support user-friendly and convenient to find, especially for beginners who might not be familiar with the platform’s layout.
AI chatbots tend to be hit or miss, but this one performs reasonably well overall. That said, the response times from real CS agents proved disappointing. There’s nothing more irritating than being in a rush for an answer, only for it to take 10 minutes or, at worst, up to an hour.
Another drawback is that if you open another window in the meantime and miss a reply, the chat will close shortly after, which can be frustrating.
Thankfully, agents do apologise for late replies, and their responses are informative and concise, offering clear solutions with no fluff and little clarification needed.
The Help Center is also very impressive, featuring an extensive range of in-depth articles that cover most topics in pretty solid detail.
Alongside its reliable email support, the core elements for a strong customer service experience are all there. A little fine-tuning here and there would go a long way toward elevating the overall experience.
Desktop and mobile optimization at Underdog
Registration at Underdog is very straightforward and simple, enabling users to quickly create an account and complete verification at a later stage.
Featuring a light/dark toggle, the desktop version neatly separates its main game types into distinct tabs across the top of the page. Once a game is selected, players can view all available markets on a sub-menu bar. Each sport lists the relevant markets and player options.
Bonuses can be easily accessed via the gift icon located in the top right-hand corner of the screen, allowing players to view and claim any available offers. Promotions are also directly displayed on the homepage for quick access.
Platform facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Mobile app | iOS, Android |
| Ease of navigation | Easy |
| Filters | Advanced |
| Search function | Basic |
| Loading speed | 2 seconds |
| UI and UX rating | Great |
| Other products | N/A |
While a mobile web version is not currently available, players can instead access Underdog on their phones by downloading the app, available on both iOS and Android devices.
The app mirrors the desktop layout and has been 100% optimized for mobile use, with adjusted features to better suit smaller screens.
Platform rating
- Quick signup
- Easy to claim bonuses
- Super mobile app experience
- Not available on mobile browsers
Underdog’s intuitive layout and functional design makes it ideal for all players… Registration is near instant and claiming bonuses is a total cinch.
The desktop version is clean, with no over-the-top or in-your-face promotions that can be pretty distracting and off-putting. Instead, they are very neatly displayed and pleasing to the eye.
The mobile app is equally solid. However, for those who are not overly keen on apps, the lack of a mobile browser version remains a minor drawback.
On the whole, usability across both platforms is very strong and intuitive, which makes Underdog a very user-friendly platform for players to navigate.
Underdog user reviews
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