Original Release: BoomSports, 2018, Browser
Other Releases: iOS / Android (2018)
NBC’s knockoff of Fox’s freebie sports pick ’em app improves on it in a lot of ways
NBCSports Predictor (Web browser, BoomSports, 2018)
Where to Buy: Free to play here
Review by: C. M0use
NBC’s knockoff of the Fox Super 6 does things a little better with a broader variety of contests, and a web browser option that’s smooth and easy as pie.
In-season pick em contests, with both weekly and overall season prizes, are offered for a bunch of the major leagues when they’re in season: NFL, Premier League, NASCAR, PGA Tour, NBA and MLB.
These contests are usually on the very simple side and quick to pick, for example the NASCAR contest asks you to pick one driver to finish in a top two spot for each race, and then the overall top three in the standings for the end of the period. Prizes change from contest to contest but are vaguely in the neighborhood of a $1,000 weekly top prize and a $50,000 prize for the full season (when applicable). Leagues with prizes also appear to be available occasionally, though none were on offer when this review was written.
Aside from the variety of contests regularly available, the prime selling point for NBCSports Predictor is being simple and smooth to navigate. This starts with a web browser option that is very easy to sign up for, get going, and make all your regular picks (with a simple but quick and intuitive interface). Android and iOS apps are available if you’d rather go that way, personally I spend lots of time on a computer and I prefer the less invasive no-strings web browser method myself.
So what are the downsides? Well, the usual one for a big name freebie contest such as this – lots of people playing, lots of competition, prizes can end up being split X ways if multiple people win and dwindle down to an unimpressive amount. In the end, it is free money though. One minor thing that might put app users off is an almost total lack of information about matchups on the betting screens, other than the current money line (sometimes). Another place where the web browser is the superior choice as you can just open tabs quickly to look up whatever you want with no hassle.
And I’ve only played the web browser version, but reviews on the app stores indicate that it might hit you with an excessive amount of alerts (like notifications for every type of game and no way of just filtering it to the ones you want to play). From the web browser perspective, though, it may be a low percentage way of making some money but it’s free and it’s very easy to deal with.
