American Football has long been the perfect sport for creating a fantasy team.
The idea of fantasy football originated in 1962 when a part owner of the Oakland Raiders, Bill Winkenbach, got together with a few friends in a New York City hotel and created the first fantasy football league, the Greater Oakland Professional Pigskin Prognosticators League (GOPPPL).
Though the original league was a closed, membership-only club, by 1969, the GOPPPL was hosted in sports bars and included up to around 60 more teams, thus giving birth to the fantasy sports league. As of 2022, it's estimated there are approximately 50.4 million fantasy sports players in the U.S. alone, and as a result, there are so many different apps and leagues to choose from.
So, after taking advice from the list of best eSports fantasy apps as reviewed by Fantasyfest.net, here are five things to look out for when choosing your fantasy provider:
Picking a Sport
The first thing to do is pick a sport you enjoy watching.
Though the rules of the game do not change depending on the sport you pick (players will still draft a set of players to create a dream team, and their performance will depend on the performance of their players), user experience may vary depending on the speed and viewing experience of the sport chosen.
By picking a sport you enjoy watching, you'll add stakes to your viewing, making the fantasy sports experience and the spectating more exciting. It is worth noting that some sports do pair differently with fantasy apps, however.
Baseball
The inception of the rotisserie baseball league was instrumental for the fantasy sports market, and, indeed, baseball has a considerable following within the eSports world. Around 39% of fantasy players participate in fantasy baseball, and it is easy to see why.
With more draft picks, fewer injuries, and an emphasis on individual performance, baseball suits the fantasy model very well.
Basketball
Basketball is an incredibly dynamic sport, and because of its small court places a significant focus on individual performance over periods of the game.
These qualities make fantasy basketball both challenging and fascinating, matches are unpredictable and require more intuitive draft picks.
Football
American football has the most significant fantasy following across the U.S. and Canada.
It's easy to see why, with a massive roster of players and teams to choose from, fantasy football apps improve the viewing experience of an already exciting sport by encouraging users to take up the general manager role of their own dream team.
Prize Pools
If you're looking to play competitively, prize pools offer a financial incentive for investing time in watching your chosen sport and researching your preferred players.
Each app offers a different type of prize to its players, some offer cash rewards, while others offer discounts and exclusive currency, so be sure to shop around to find what fits best. Remember, though, that apps offering prize pools often require their players to pay an entry fee.
Alternatively, if you're searching for some simple, innocent fun, plenty of apps do not offer rewards.
User Friendliness
With so many different apps on the market, something will be out there for you. Some apps are more complex than others, so determine how in-depth you wish to go and decide from there which app you choose.
Fantasy eSports apps are usually a long-term commitment, so pick something responsive and easy to use. You don't want to waste too much time coming to terms with how to play the game.
Promotions and Rewards and Bonus
Whether or not you are looking to play competitively, incentives offered by specific providers can improve the quality of your gameplay to keep you invested for longer. Some examples of these offers and inclusions include the following:
- Leagues: Whether competing against friends or strangers, leagues allow you to test your knowledge and compete.
- Special offers: Sometimes, players are granted double points or other bonuses during specific times of the year.
- Raffles and competitions: Some apps offer players the chance to win raffles and other contests based on their performance or luck.
Terms and Conditions
Finally, and this applies to every other app you download, always check the terms and conditions so you know what you're signing up for.
Knowing how the company you pair with uses your data and personal details ensures you have the safest and funnest experience possible.
Start Building Your Fantasy Side
Start with these five tips and start building the team of your dreams, earning points, and competing against other players. There is a reason fantasy eSports have taken off across the globe, they improve the spectatorship quality of sports by giving the average player extra stakes in the game.
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