Choose an event
Select an upcoming slate and create the private pool before the event starts.
YOUR GROUP, ONE PRIVATE FIELD
Create a private DraftKings-style contest without a public lobby
Give your friends a private salary-cap competition around the PGA, MLB, NFL, NASCAR, NHL, or NBA event they are already watching.
Free to create Private lineups Commissioner controlled
PRIVATE SALARY CAPLINEUPS OPEN
SALARY-CAP CONTESTFriday Night Crew
1Commissioner$54,800
2Entry twoHidden
3Entry threeHidden
Rosters reveal when the event starts
THE SHORT ANSWER
What is a DraftKings-Style Private Contest?
Pool Duel provides an independent private contest with familiar DFS mechanics: a shared athlete list, frozen prices, a fixed cap, roster rules, lineup locks, fantasy scoring, and standings. It does not connect to or copy DraftKings contests, accounts, wallets, or salaries.
ONE EVENT. ONE PRIVATE FIELD.
A familiar DFS contest, run by your commissioner
Pool Duel is built for group chats, watch parties, offices, golf trips, clubs, and recurring crews that want DFS strategy against people they know instead of a public lobby.
Share one link
Invite your group directly. Joining the pool opens the lineup builder for that event.
Draft under the cap
Each entrant fills the contest roster 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
Choose the contest that fits the event
Use Event contests for PGA and NASCAR, Single Game contests for one team matchup, or positional Main Slates across multiple MLB, NFL, NHL, or NBA games.
LIVE CONTEST
Private before lock, competitive after lock
Entrants can edit eligible picks until lock. Visible rosters, ownership, live scoring detail, and standings give the group a shared game-day experience.
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 private pool, share one link, manage entries, and keep any prize arrangement outside the software.
Protected lineups
Entrants control their own roster. Unlocked picks remain private, including from the commissioner.
Live group standings
Follow fantasy points, entry rank, athlete details, progress, and ownership from one pool view.
Free pool software
Pool Duel does not charge a pool creation fee and does not require payment processing.
Pool Duel is independent 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.
Private PGA Event DFS ContestPrivate PGA Tournament DFS ContestPrivate PGA Major DFS ContestPrivate MLB Salary-Cap DFS ContestPrivate MLB Single Game DFS ContestPrivate MLB Main Slate DFS ContestPrivate NFL Salary-Cap DFS ContestPrivate NFL Single Game DFS ContestPrivate NFL Sunday Main Slate DFS ContestPrivate NASCAR Event DFS ContestPrivate NASCAR Race DFS ContestPrivate NHL Salary-Cap DFS ContestPrivate NHL Single Game DFS ContestPrivate NHL Main Slate DFS ContestPrivate NBA Salary-Cap DFS ContestPrivate NBA Single Game DFS ContestPrivate NBA Main Slate DFS Contest
QUICK ANSWERS
DraftKings-Style Private Contest FAQ
How do I create a private DraftKings-style contest?
Select an available Pool Duel event or slate, create the pool, and share its link. Each participant joins and submits a roster under the $60,000 cap.
Is Pool Duel connected to DraftKings?
No. Pool Duel is independent and uses its own accounts, salaries, scoring versions, and private pool links.
Can I run a single-game contest?
Yes. MLB, NFL, NHL, and NBA offer selected Single Game contests with one DAWG and five standard player positions.
Can I run a multi-game slate?
Yes. Position-based Main Slates are offered for supported MLB, NFL, NHL, and NBA schedules.
Does Pool Duel collect entry fees or pay prizes?
No. Pool Duel runs the contest software only. The commissioner handles any private prize arrangement separately and remains responsible for the rules that apply to the group.
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.