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US Gambling Sites / Underdog Review / Underdog Pick'em 2026: Check Underdog Pick'em Available States & Rules

Underdog Pick'em 2026: Check Underdog Pick'em Available States & Rules

Last Updated on 21/01/2026
Fact checked by: Drew the DFS Guy

Underdog Pick’ em provides you with the chance to filter through individual stats and/or compare two rivals to find the perfect selections for your contest entries.

You can choose to find athletes from a number of top sports, combine both rivals and higher/lower selections, and decide whether you wish to insure your contest entries. Plus, as things stand, you can pick up a welcome bonus as you register for an account by using the exclusive promo code CAPTAINFAN.

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Underdog: Pros & Cons
Underdog: Pros & Cons
  • Legal in most US states
  • Option to insure your contest entries
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  • All major sports covered
  • Maximum value of contest entry is capped

The basics: What is Underdog Pick ’em?

Underdog Pick ‘em is a daily fantasy sports contest that can be enjoyed by all verified members of the platform. As with most DFS sites, Underdog offers users the chance to build their own rosters across a range of popular sports. However, they also present a unique take on the DFS experience by providing you with the chance to create a multiple-selection entry based on 1 v 1 matchups (Rivals) and individual performances (higher/lower).

How does Underdog Pick ‘em work?

As briefly touched upon, the Underdog Pick’em is based around two key categories: Rivals and higher/lower.

Rivals

You can create part or all of your Pick ‘em entries by checking out eligible Rivals. This portion of the Pick ‘em DFS contest requires you to select which athlete you believe will outperform the other in a certain stat group.

For example, you may find that an Underdog football matchup is offering you a Rivals one-on-one between Adam Thielen and Cole Kmet. You will be tasked with deciding who you believe will receive the most receiving yards in their upcoming match. Of course, to level the playing field, you’ll find that a points adjustment has been added to Cole Kmet, meaning that this will need to be taken into account.

To add your selection to your Pick ‘em entry, you’ll need to simply click on the athlete you believe will win the 1 v 1 battle, including any points additions. Once between 2 and 5 selections have been added to your entry, you can look to back your predictions up to the value of $250.

Higher/Lower

As the name suggests, the higher/lower Pick ‘em category provides you with the chance to decide whether your chosen athlete will surpass predictions or fail to reach a preset target.

When heading to the higher/lower section of the site or mobile app, you’ll find that you can filter by sport and upcoming fixture. Once you’ve chosen a fixture you plan to follow, you’ll find a number of players with a range of possible outcomes attached. For instance, you may be able to predict whether Victor Hedman will have more or less than 0.5 assists in an upcoming NHL fixture.

To add your selection to your Pick ‘em entry, you need to choose ‘higher’ or ‘lower’ on the relevant stat. This will then be added to your entry. It is also worth noting that you can use any relevant Underdog deposit match on Pick ‘em entries, too, where applicable.

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Must be 18+ (19+ in AL, NE; 19+ in CO for some games; 21+ in AZ, MA, and VA) and present in a state where Underdog fantasy operates. Terms apply. Offer not valid in MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, and PA. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-MY-RESET or visit www.ncpgambling.org; NY: Call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369).

Creating your entries: Underdog Pick ‘em rules

With the basics now under your belt, it is time to provide you with a brief overview of some key rules to help you understand the entry process further.

  1. To begin, entries must contain athletes from at least two different teams or sports
  2. All entries must consist of between two and five selections, excluding those entering contests in Colorado
  3. As part of the new customer offer, you will find that you can make a $5 pick to unlock $75 in bonus funds. You just need to remember to use our exclusive bonus code: CAPTAINFAN, which will activate a deposit match bonus in some jurisdictions.
  4. Underdog will void any selection with athletes that get injured before the match takes place or during the early portion of the fixture
  5. If one pick pushes, the selection will be removed from your entry. Your entry will then be reduced by one selection, and any payouts will reflect this
  6. If a valid selection ends in a tie, your entry will be deemed a win. However, it will pay out for the number of active entries
  7. If a tie turns an entry invalid, your initial contest entry will be voided and refunded

Underdog Pick ’em insurance: Add some security to your entries

Alongside the basic rules surrounding Underdog Pick ‘em contests, you’ll find that a couple of variations are provided – insured entries and uninsured entries.

In short, insured entries provide you with a small security blanket of one failed selection. However, as you would expect, the payouts aren’t quite as high as uninsured entries. Of course, should your uninsured entries lose by one selection, your whole entry will be deemed a loss.

Underdog Pick ‘em payout

In this convenient table, you’ll find out all you need to know about the potential payouts of insured and uninsured entries to help establish the right approach for you. Bear in mind that you may also stumble across a boost, enhancing payouts to a possible 60x.

Number of selections With or Without Insurance? Correct number of picks Payout
Two Without Two 3x your entry
Three Without Three 6x your entry
Three With Two 1x your entry
Three With Three 3x your entry
Four Without Four 10x your entry
Four With Three 1.5x your entry
Four With Four 6x your entry
Five Without Five 20x your entry
Five With Four 2.5x your entry
Five With Five 10x your entry

Underdog DFS Offer

Underdog has a fantastic welcome bonus to their new players. Here you get to 'Play $5, Get $75 in Bonus Entries'.

This means that Underdog will reward you with $75 in bonuses when you play $5 on a contest. The age requirements for various states come into play as well and you need to be aware of what is obtainable in your state. For Instance, you must be 18+ in order to participate, in AL, NE you have to be 19+; in CO the 19+ age requirement is for some games; while in AZ, MA, and VA the minimum age requirement is 21 years.

Furthermore, you must be present in a state where Underdog operates. This offer not valid in MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, and PA. Terms and Conditions apply.

Visit assets.underdogfantasy.com/web/PlayandGetTerms_DFS_.html for more details.

If you are concerned with your play? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org;

NY: Call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369).

Underdog Pick ’em Available States: Where can you play Underdog Pick ’em?

You’ll be pleased to hear that Underdog Pick ‘em is available in almost all US states. Currently, only players located in Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Louisiana, Montana, Washington, Delaware, and Iowa are excluded from Underdog entirely. Meanwhile, those residing in California, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Texas, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia are unable to create Pick ‘em entries.

As extensively covered in our Underdog review, you’ll find that there are a few state-specific restrictions to consider before creating your Underdog Pick ‘em entries, too. For example, players based in Colorado must create entries with a minimum of four selections. Fortunately, all of this is available to review before ever creating your account.

Register and create your Underdog Pick ‘em entries today

There you have it, a quick summary of what you can expect from the Underdog Pick ‘em contests. Although not available in all US states, most avid sports fans will be able to grab a piece of the action online or through the Underdog app.

Once you’ve worked your way through the registration process and unlocked your welcome bonus, you’ll be able to begin building your Underdog Pick ‘em entries using a combination of Rivals and higher/lower selections. Payouts will vary depending on whether you insure your entries, maxing out at 20x – unless, of course, you manage to secure one of those impressive 60x boosts.

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Must be 18+ (19+ in AL, NE; 19+ in CO for some games; 21+ in AZ, MA, and VA) and present in a state where Underdog fantasy operates. Terms apply. Offer not valid in MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, and PA. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-MY-RESET or visit www.ncpgambling.org; NY: Call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369).

Underdog Pick ’em FAQ

📱 How do I build an Underdog Pick ’em entry?

After filtering through the ‘Rivals’ and ‘Higher/Lower’ options, you need to click on your preferred athlete or the higher/lower button to add a selection to your entry. A minimum of two selections must be added before you can confirm your contest submission.

🏈 Can I use various sports to create an Underdog Pick ‘em entry?

Yes. In fact, it is actively favored at Underdog to use a range of fixtures and sports to build your entries. As a rule, you’ll need to use a minimum of two different fixtures. However, different sports are also considered eligible.

⭐ Will I be able to use my bonus on an Underdog Pick ‘em entry?

Absolutely. Underdog has a fantastic welcome bonus that you can unlock with our exclusive promo code: CAPTAINFAN.

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