How do pick'em payout multipliers work?
A pick'em payout multiplier is the fixed number your entry is multiplied by when every player selection in it is correct. A 3-pick entry paying 5x, for example, returns $50 on $10. If one pick misses, the entry usually loses, so the multiplier only pays off when every pick hits.
Updated November 6, 2026, 1:57 PM ET. Source: ESPN (player numbers in the example); multiplier tables vary by app.
How the multiplier math works
A multiplier turns into a break-even chance per pick: (1 divided by the multiplier) raised to the power of 1 over the number of picks. Every pick has to clear that bar on average for the entry to break even over many entries.
- 2 picks at 3x: about 57.7% needed per pick
- 3 picks at 5x: about 58.5% needed per pick
- 4 picks at 10x: about 56.2% needed per pick
- 5 picks at 20x: about 54.9% needed per pick
- 6 picks at 37.5x: about 54.7% needed per pick
The multipliers above are examples. Every app sets its own table, and some change it by pick type, so read the payout screen before you enter.
Worked example with current numbers
A 3-pick entry at 5x needs about 58.5% per pick to break even. Here are three star records this season from ESPN box scores this season, for comparison with that bar.
- Jayson Tatum: 7+ assists, 6 of 7
- Tyrese Maxey: 25+ points, 8 of 9
- Luka Doncic: 30+ points, 6 of 8
These are past records over small samples, not chances. A player at 8 of 9 can still miss on any night, and one miss ends the entry.
Why more picks make the bar harder
Each added pick multiplies the requirement. Five picks that each hit 70% of the time all hit together only about 17% of the time (0.7 x 0.7 x 0.7 x 0.7 x 0.7). That is why higher multipliers pay so much: the chance of getting every pick right shrinks quickly.
How this differs from a betting site price
A betting site prices each selection separately, as in American odds like -250 or +150. A pick'em entry uses one multiplier for the whole entry. For the full comparison, read [betting site vs prediction market vs pick'em apps](https://darimarket.us/learn/markets/betting site-vs-prediction-market-vs-pickem).
Research more
See every player's hit rates free for 24 hours at darimarket.us.
21+. Research, not picks: every number here is a past result or a definition, not a prediction. If betting stops being fun, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
FAQ
How do pick'em payout multipliers work? The multiplier is applied to your entry amount when every pick in the entry is correct. A 3-pick entry at 5x turns $10 into $50 if all three hit, and usually returns nothing if one misses.
What is the break-even hit rate for a pick'em entry? It is (1 divided by the multiplier) raised to the power of 1 over the number of picks. A 3-pick entry at 5x needs about 58.5% per pick, and a 5-pick entry at 20x needs about 54.9%.
Do pick'em apps use betting site odds? No. A pick'em entry pays by its own multiplier table, while FanDuel and DraftKings price each selection separately with American odds.