Choose an event
Select an upcoming slate and create the private pool before the event starts.
YOUR GROUP, ONE PRIVATE CONTEST
Create a private DraftKings-style contest without a public field
Pool Duel turns one real sporting event into a private salary-cap competition for your own group. Everyone builds a five-player lineup, lineups stay hidden until lock, and the live leaderboard opens when the event starts.
Free to create Private lineups Commissioner controlled
PRIVATE PICK 5LINEUPS OPEN
SALARY-CAP CONTESTFriday Night Crew
1Commissioner$54,800
2Entry twoHidden
3Entry threeHidden
Rosters reveal when the event starts
THE SHORT ANSWER
What is draftkings-style private contest?
Pool Duel provides an independent private contest with the core salary-cap mechanics associated with DFS: a shared player list, assigned prices, a fixed budget, lineup lock, fantasy scoring, and standings. It does not connect to DraftKings or copy its contest, salary, account, or payment systems.
ONE EVENT. ONE PRIVATE FIELD.
A familiar DFS contest, run by your commissioner
It is designed for commissioners who want to run a small contest for friends, coworkers, customers, or a watch party and keep control of invitations, house rules, and any prize arrangement.
Share one link
Invite your group directly. Joining the pool opens the lineup builder for that event.
Draft under the cap
Each entrant chooses five competitors while staying inside the shared salary budget.
Follow it live
Lineups reveal at lock, then points, ownership, and standings update on the live board.
LINEUP FORMAT
A streamlined DraftKings-style Pick 5 salary draft
Instead of filling a large multi-position roster, every entrant selects five competitors under the Pool Duel event cap. That keeps the strategy recognizable and makes the contest practical for casual groups.
LIVE CONTEST
Lineup lock, live scoring, and ownership
Entrants can revise picks until lock. Afterward, the pool reveals every roster, shows how widely each competitor is owned, and updates the standings from the event feed.
BUILT FOR PRIVATE GROUPS
The contest software does the work, not the money
Pool Duel handles the competition layer. Your commissioner remains in charge of the group and any prize arrangement.
Commissioner controlled
Create the pool, share one link, remove accidental entries, and keep your group's prize arrangements outside the software.
Private before lock
Each entrant can edit their own lineup until lock. Nobody else can inspect it early, including the commissioner.
Built for one event
Run a contest around a tournament, race, match, or single game instead of committing everyone to a full season.
Free pool software
Pool Duel does not charge a pool creation fee and does not require payment processing to run the competition.
Pool Duel is an independent product and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by DraftKings.
SPORT-SPECIFIC GUIDES
Build the right private contest for the event
Explore salary-cap pool formats for the sports and single-event slates currently supported by Pool Duel.
QUICK ANSWERS
DraftKings-Style Private Contest FAQ
How do I create a private DraftKings-style contest?
Choose an available event in Pool Duel, create the pool, and share its link. Each participant joins and submits a five-player lineup under the salary cap before lock.
Is this connected to DraftKings?
No. Pool Duel is independent. It uses its own event slates, salaries, scoring, accounts, and private pool links.
Can I run a single-game salary-cap contest?
Yes, when Pool Duel has an eligible single-game slate available, such as a baseball or soccer matchup. Started events automatically leave the creation list.
Does the commissioner manage the participants?
Yes. The commissioner creates and shares the pool and can manage entries, while hidden lineups remain private until lock.
Does Pool Duel collect entry fees or pay the prize?
No. Pool Duel provides contest setup, lineup entry, live scoring, ownership, and standings. The commissioner handles any entry fees or prizes separately and is responsible for following the rules that apply where the group lives.
FREE PRIVATE POOL
Create free pool Give your group its own salary-cap contest
Create the event pool, share the link, and let Pool Duel handle lineups and live standings.