How Pick'em Apps Work: Underdog, Sleeper, Chalkboard, Courtside
A plain-English guide to pick'em apps: how More/Less player props work, how entries pay, how to read a prop line, and which of the four apps fits you.
In this article
If you've seen a slip on TikTok that says something like "Jalen Brunson 26.5+ points" and wondered how people actually play that, this is the guide. Pick'em apps are the simplest way into player props, and they work a little differently from a normal sportsbook. Here's how, with no jargon.
What a pick'em app actually is
A pick'em app shows you a list of player stat lines: points, rebounds, shots on goal, passing yards, strikeouts and so on. For each line you pick whether the player finishes higher or lower than the number. Most apps call it More or Less (some say Higher/Lower or Over/Under).
You don't bet one prop on its own. You combine two or more picks into a single entry, and the entry pays a multiple of what you put in if your picks come in. More picks means a bigger multiplier, and a harder entry to win.
That's the whole game. The skill is in choosing which lines are wrong.
How to read a prop line
Take a line like Brunson 26.5 points.
- The .5 means there's no push. He either scores 27+ (More wins) or 26 or fewer (Less wins).
- The number is set close to what the app expects, so roughly half of people should pick each side. Your edge comes from knowing something the line doesn't fully price in: a teammate out, a slow or fast opponent, a role change, a hot or cold stretch that's real and not noise.
- Lines move. A number you see in the morning can be different by tip-off, especially after injury news.
Power vs flex entries
Most apps give you two ways to play an entry.
| Entry type | You need | Pays | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power (all-or-nothing) | Every pick to hit | The biggest multiplier | Two or three picks you really trust |
| Flex / insured | Most picks to hit | Less when all hit, something back if you miss one | Bigger entries where one miss is likely |
The exact multipliers depend on the app, the number of picks and sometimes the specific players, so always check the payout screen before you submit. A useful habit: write down what you need to hit and what you win before you lock it in.
Why player props are easier to research than game lines
A spread asks you to predict a whole game. A prop asks you about one player, and players leave a trail. The first thing we check on every KOOGA pick is the same three numbers:
- Last-10 hit rate. How many of his last 10 games cleared this exact number? 7/10 or better is a good start.
- Last-5 average vs the line. Is he trending up or down? A 30-point average over the last five against a 26.5 line is a cushion. A 27 average is a coin flip.
- The spot tonight. Who's out on both teams, the pace of the game, back-to-backs, and how the other team defends his position.
You can see this breakdown for every pick on our props page, with a last-10 chart for each player, and how every pick did the next morning on our record page.
The four apps we use, and who each one fits
All four take the same promo code, KOOGA, at signup.
Chalkboard
The biggest new-user offer of the four (get $500 with code KOOGA). Player props on every major sport and a build-your-own parlay feel. Good if you want the most value from day one.
Underdog
The classic pick'em app: More or Less on player props across every sport, fast entries, and a clean board. Offer: play $5, get $100 with code KOOGA.
Sleeper
Probably the easiest app to use if you're new, and a fantasy app many people already have on their phone. Offer: get $100 with code KOOGA.
Courtside
Worth a look if you live somewhere that doesn't have regular sportsbooks, because it's available in a lot of those states. You can also shop lines for better prices. Offer: get $100 with code KOOGA.
Which app is live for you depends on where you are. Each one checks your location when you sign up and shows you what's available, and you can claim every app's new-user offer once.
Five habits that keep pick'em fun
- Fewer picks, more often. Two- and three-pick entries hit far more than six-pick lottery tickets.
- Check injuries right before lock. A late scratch changes everyone's minutes, and a star sitting can kill a teammate's line or boost it.
- Don't chase a bad night. Set a budget for the day and stop there.
- Mix sports carefully. It's tempting to grab one pick from every league. Only do it if you actually researched each one.
- Track your results. You'll find out quickly which prop types you're good at.
Get our picks every day
Every morning we post our own card of player props and same-app parlays with the reasoning and hit rates on the props page and parlays page, plus one researched article a day here on the blog. If you want everything we play, moneylines on every pro game, 10 to 20 props a night, parlays and longshots, the KOOGA VIP Discord has a 1-day free trial.
Where to play these (code KOOGA)
All four apps take the same code, KOOGA. Want every pick we make, not just this one? The VIP Discord has a free day.
FAQ
What does More or Less mean on a pick'em app?
You're picking whether a player finishes higher (More) or lower (Less) than the stat line the app shows. A 26.5 points line means More wins at 27 or more and Less wins at 26 or fewer.
Do I need every pick to hit?
On a power (all-or-nothing) entry, yes. On a flex or insured entry you can miss one and still get paid back part of it, for a smaller top payout. Check the payout screen before you submit.
Where do I enter code KOOGA?
In the promo or referral code box when you create your account. The links on our promos page often fill it in for you.
Can I use more than one app?
Yes. Each app has its own new-user offer, so you can claim each one once if it's available where you live.
Sources
- KOOGA props page (today's card with last-10 charts)
- KOOGA record page (every graded pick)
- 1-800-GAMBLER (National Council on Problem Gambling)
KOOGA may earn a commission when you sign up through links on this page. Picks are our opinion, not guarantees, and lines move. For entertainment only, 21+ (18+ in some states) and only where legal. If gambling stops being fun, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER (in Ontario, ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600).