Feeling Lost in DFS Chats? Master the Lingo in Minutes

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) isn’t just a game—it’s a culture, a community, and for many, an obsession. And like any good subculture, DFS has its very own language. You don’t have to be William Shakespeare to play DFS, but knowing your “Stack” from your “Chalk” will surely make you feel a tad more erudite. So, dear DFS novices and veterans looking for a refresher, let’s break down the jargon like a basketball player on a fast break. Hopefully, I can be your Michael Jordan in this linguistic game. And if not him, then at least the Scottie Pippen. Let’s dive in!

1. GPP (Guaranteed Prize Pool)

• Definition: These are the big tournaments. No matter how many players enter, the prize pool remains the same. If it’s not filled up, the site has to cover the rest. Quite the gamble for them, eh?
• Example: “I’m entering the $1M GPP on DraftEdge this weekend. Wish me luck!”

2. Cash Games

• Definition: These contests include 50/50s and head-to-head matchups where around half the field doubles their money. It’s a safer bet, but with potentially lower rewards.
• Example: “I prefer cash games because they’re a bit more predictable.”

3. Stacking

• Definition: This refers to selecting multiple players from the same team, in the hope that if one scores, the other will too. It’s putting all your fantasy eggs in one team’s basket.
• Example: “I’m stacking the Buccaneers’ offense in today’s game.”

4. Chalk

• Definition: Popular players that a large percentage of the field owns. Think of them as the DFS equivalent of a chart-topping pop song—everyone’s heard it, and everyone’s playing it.
• Example: “That quarterback is pure chalk this week.”

5. Fade

• Definition: When you intentionally avoid a player that everyone else is selecting. Sometimes it’s hip to be square.
• Example: “I’m going to fade the chalk and pick some under-the-radar players.”

6. Punt Play

• Definition: A cheap, risky player you pick in hopes they’ll outperform expectations. It’s like betting on the tortoise in a race against the hare. Sometimes, it just might work!
• Example: “I’m doing a punt play with that new wide receiver.”

7. Salary Cap

• Definition: The fixed amount you can spend on players for your team. It’s like shopping on a budget, only the stakes are much, much higher!
• Example: “I’ve maxed out my salary cap, so I’ll need some cheaper picks.”

8. Value Play

• Definition: Players who are cheap in terms of their salary cap hit but are expected to perform well.
• Example: “That rookie is a great value play this week.”

9. Ceiling/Floor

• Definition: The highest (ceiling) and lowest (floor) potential points a player could score.
• Example: “He has a low floor, but his ceiling is through the roof!”

10. Ownership Percentage

• Definition: The percentage of DFS players who have chosen a specific athlete for their team.
• Example: “His ownership percentage is so high, he’s practically a national treasure.”

11. 50/50

• Definition: A type of DFS contest where roughly the top 50% of entries win money. Basically, you have to be better than average to cash in.
• Example: “I like my odds in a 50/50 game, just need to beat half the players.”

12. Bankroll

• Definition: The total amount of money a player has set aside to play DFS. It’s like your wallet, but for fantasy sports.
• Example: “I’ve got a healthy bankroll after last week’s win!”

13. Buy-in

• Definition: The cost to enter a DFS contest.
• Example: “The buy-in for that tournament is $20, but the prizes are huge.”

14. Cash Game

• Definition: Contests where a significant portion of the field wins money. This includes 50/50s and head-to-head matchups.
• Example: “I prefer the steady rewards of cash games over the high risks of tournaments.”

15. Contrarian

• Definition: An approach where a DFS player selects less popular players in hopes of differentiating their lineup from others.
• Example: “Going contrarian in that big tournament helped me stand out and win big.”

16. Correlation

• Definition: The strategy of selecting players who are likely to score points together, like a quarterback and his favorite wide receiver.
• Example: “I’m focusing on correlation by pairing that quarterback with his star tight end.”

17. CV (Coefficient of Variation)

• Definition: A statistical measure used to analyze the consistency of a player’s performance. Lower CV indicates more consistent performance.
• Example: “His CV is low, which means he’s a reliable pick week after week.”

18. Donk

• Definition: Short for “Donkey,” it’s a term used (often humorously) to describe a less-skilled DFS player.
• Example: “I made such a donk move last game by picking an injured player.”

19. Exposure

• Definition: The percentage of your lineups in which you have a specific player.
• Example: “I have a 60% exposure to that running back in my tournaments this week.”

20. Fade

• Definition: Intentionally avoiding a popular player or game situation.
• Example: “Everyone’s picking him, but I’m going to fade him this week.”

21. Flex

• Definition: A position in DFS lineups, typically in football, where you can use a player from multiple positions (RB, WR, or TE).
• Example: “I’m unsure who to pick as my flex player this week.”

22. Hedge

• Definition: Entering multiple lineups or contests with varying strategies to offset potential losses.
• Example: “I’m hedging my bets by going contrarian in a few lineups while playing it safe in others.”

23. ROI (Return on Investment)

• Definition: A metric used to measure the profitability of a player’s DFS activities. It’s calculated by dividing the net profit by the total amount wagered, then multiplying by 100 to get a percentage.
• Example: “After analyzing my plays from the past month, my ROI is a solid 15%. Looks like those late-night research sessions paid off!”

24. Studs-and-Scrubs

• Definition: A strategy where a DFS player splurges on a few high-priced, top-tier (stud) players and fills the rest of the lineup with cheaper, lesser-known (scrub) players. It’s a bit like dining on caviar and crackers in the same meal.
• Example: “I’m going with a studs-and-scrubs approach this week, getting a couple of elite players and filling the gaps with sleepers.”

25. Tilt

• Definition: An emotional state where a player makes irrational decisions based on recent outcomes, usually losses. It’s the DFS equivalent of throwing a tantrum (but hopefully with less actual throwing).
• Example: “I lost big yesterday and started making impulsive picks. I need to avoid going on tilt.”

---

Alright, sports aficionados, that’s your crash course in DFS lingo. Now, when someone at the bar (or, more likely, in a chatroom) starts talking about “fading the chalk” or “looking for a value play”, you can chime in confidently. And remember, while speaking the language can give you an edge, it’s your strategic moves on DraftEdge that’ll win you the game. May your stacks be high, your plays valuable, and your punts…well, punty? Ah, even us sports writers can’t always get the lingo right!