DFS contest selection is key to understanding how to get an advantage on each slate you approach.

I’d argue that the majority of fantasy errors come from entering into the wrong contest regardless of roster construction or lineup optimization.

More so than game environment, DFS contest selection will help you match your skill-level, bankroll, and chosen process to fantasy contests that give you the most leverage.

Disclaimer: This framework is built using FanDuel contest structures as the reference point. The underlying principles—contest size, payout structure, and risk profile—translate across DFS platforms, but exact formats may vary.

How to Choose DFS Contests

1. Cash Games (Low Variance)

Head-to-heads, double ups, and 50/50s are all variations or types of cash games. My personal favorite is the Quintuple Up Contest on FanDuel, 5x returns with a bit of a stiffer competition.

Cash games are about consistency and lowered risk. If you land on cash games during your DFS contest selection process, target players with high floors in fantasy.

Eat the chalk and trust the projections. Discipline is required.
Picking your favorite “hunch” will burn you.

2. Small-Field GPPs (Controlled Upside)

• <1,000 entries
• flatter payout structures

Profile: balanced risk + leverage, a bit more control

3. Large-Field GPPs (High Variance)

• 10k–100k+ entries
• top-heavy payouts

Goal: top 1%
Profile: high risk, low consistency

Large-field GPPs are designed for the DFS players seeking the large wins with a much higher risk tolerance. Do not expect consistency when targeting these types of contests.

Contest Selection Rules

Rule	What It Means	Why It Matters
Avoid Sharks	High-volume / experienced players dominate	Reduces long-term ROI
Go Single Entry / 3-Max	Limits mass multi-entry advantage	More skill-based outcomes
Look for Flatter Payouts	Less top-heavy prize distribution	More consistent returns
Match Strategy to Contest	Don’t use same lineup style everywhere	Structure determines outcome
Limit Large-Field Exposure	Don’t over-enter high variance contests	Protects bankroll

• DO NOT enter large-field GPPs with “safe” cash game style lineups.
• DO NOT play cash games without discipline. The numbers are true, not the voice in your head.
• DO NOT enter too various contest TYPES at once. (Single Game,Full Roster, SoloStat, etc.)
• DO NOT ignore contest size and payout structures.

READ MORE: Notes On Building NBA DFS Lineups

You build a solid, high-floor lineup.

• In cash → profitable
• In small-field GPP → competitive
• In large-field GPP → dead

Which Contests To Play?

• 70–80% of volume → cash games
• 20–30% → small-field GPPs
• 0–10% → large-field shots

Allocation	% of Bankroll	Purpose
Cash Games	70–80%	Stability + ROI
Small-Field GPPs	20–30%	Growth
Large-Field GPPs	0–10%	Upside shots

GPP Contest To Play

I first started playing daily fantasy on FanDuel and have grown to favor a few of their contest across NFL and NBA slates.

Above all contests, I will always love a good single-entry small-field GPP tournament. There is enough risk to make it exciting, smaller pool of competition, and less sharks than more reliable cash games.