
Kickr might look simple at first, but using Bucks and Bits the right way takes a bit of trial and error. You can’t just hope for the best. How you handle your virtual currency and when you use them matters.
We’ve pulled together some Kickr tips that make Kickr’s social sportsbook and sweepstakes casino easier to use day-to-day. Stuff like how to build your Bucks balance, what to avoid, and how to keep your account topped up. It’s not about hacks or cheats, just the things that can make a difference once you’ve spent some time on the site.
Kickr isn’t just a top social sportsbook, it’s a sweepstakes setup that uses two types of virtual currency. One for fun, one that can be redeemed for prizes after meeting the relevant redemption requirements.
| Virtual currency | What It’s For | Can You Redeem It? |
|---|---|---|
| Bits | Free play, learning the ropes | No |
| Bucks | Prize-eligible contests | Yes (after redemption requirements) |
Bits are Kickr’s free-play virtual currency. You’ll use them to enter pick’em contests, try out different picks, or just play. You’ll get them daily, from leaderboard rewards, and giveaways. Bucks are Kickr’s sweepstakes virtual currency, and they can be redeemed for prizes, but only after you use them in eligible contests, and meet the relevant redemption requirements.
When you first join Kickr, you’ll receive a welcome bonus of 150,000 Bits and 4 Bucks, no code needed. That’s enough to get into some contests and games right away.
Kickr app isn’t a traditional sportsbook. Instead, it uses pre-built pick’em cards or contests where you choose outcomes from games (e.g., 3-for-3 NBA picks). You can enter these contests using either Bits or Bucks. The structure is fast and mobile-friendly, great for casual players.
Kickr uses official data providers to grade contests. Major leagues like the NFL or NBA typically settle faster (often within hours), while minor leagues or niche events can take a bit longer.
Kickr doesn’t just offer social sports picks, you’ll also find a sweepstakes casino built into the same app. It’s available from the main menu and uses the same Bucks and Bits virtual currencies.
You’ll find virtual slots, instant win games, and other casino-style options that look and feel like what you’d expect on a social casino. These are designed for fun, and Bucks used here still count toward playthrough requirements. Bits work in the sweepstakes casino just like they do in the social sportsbook, so you can try games without worrying about your balance. The sweepstakes casino’s a good way to switch things up if you’ve hit a cold streak on the sports side or just want a faster-paced option.
These aren’t Kickr cheats or Kickr hacks, because, as mentioned in our full Kickr review, Kickr is always just for fun. They’re just research-backed strategies that help you play smarter and protect your Bucks.
Start with Bits while you’re learning the ropes. You’ll get thousands just from signing up and logging in, and they let you explore contests without any pressure. The pick’em format is different from traditional betting, so using Bits gives you time to figure out how it works, what contests feel predictable, where surprises hit, and how cards are structured.
This trips up most new users. Bucks can’t be redeemed right away. If you receive Bucks through login bonuses or mail-in entries, they’ll need to be played through in eligible contests first. Once those Bucks are entered, and you win, the winnings become “Redeemable Bucks.” You can’t redeem anything until that cycle is complete.
Kickr gives you 5,000 Bits and 0.10 to 1 Buck every day you log in. There’s also a drip bonus available every 30 minutes, up to 5,000 Bits and 0.5 Bucks at a time. It adds up quickly. If you’re playing daily, this is one of the easiest ways to keep your balance looking healthy.
Once you qualify for a League (which usually happens just by playing regularly), you’ll start receiving daily Bits. These Bits stack automatically and give you extra ammo to enter contests. They’re not much, but over a week, they give you enough to re-enter multiple times.
If you’re going deep into free-to-play territory, Kickr offers a mail-in AMOE option. It’s old-school but fully legit. You write out a handwritten statement on an index card and mail it to Kickr. In return, they’ll credit Bucks to your account (not redeemable until you play them). The full instructions are in the Help Center. It's not fast, but it works.
Kickr uses Persona for ID checks, and they don’t process Kickr prize redemptions until you’re verified. That includes a photo ID, a selfie (liveness check), and in some cases, proof of address. U.S. users also need to submit their SSN. Doing this early saves headaches later when you’re sitting on redeemable Bucks and waiting to redeem.
Because Kickr runs pick’em contests, player updates, like injuries or benchings, can flip the outcome of your card. These contests are locked once you enter, so timing matters. Wait until closer to the contest start time if you’re trying to make sharper plays based on late-breaking news (like a starting QB being ruled out).
It’s tempting to go big when you think you’ve got a strong read, but spreading your Bucks across multiple contests helps manage variance. It’s sweepstakes, so results can swing. A simple approach is to divide your Bucks across a few different contests and days, and keep your amounts consistent.
If you're using Bucks, a good baseline is to use 2–5% of your redeemable balance per contest. That way, you’re not putting your whole redemption potential on one result. You can increase play amounts gradually as your balance grows, but stay consistent.
Keep a spreadsheet or Notes app open while you’re playing. Log what contest you entered, whether you used Bits or Bucks, what your reasoning was, and what the outcome ended up being. After a few weeks, you’ll start seeing where you’re doing well and where your reads might need adjusting. It also helps if you need to dispute a result. Kickr accepts challenges, but you’ll need the details ready.
Some of these might seem obvious, but they come up all the time.
Not all Bucks in your balance can be redeemed. If you got them from a mail-in or promo, they’ll need to be played through first. Only the Bucks you win after playing eligible games show up as “Redeemable Bucks” in your Wallet.
If you haven’t completed KYC (which includes your ID, selfie, and sometimes proof of address), your prize redemption won’t go through. Kickr won’t process Bucks redemptions until that’s done. It’s faster to do it early, so you’re not stuck waiting when you’re finally ready to redeem.
A lot of the slots on Kickr have bigger RTP potential, but also long dry spells. If you’re working with a small Bucks balance, those swings can wipe you out fast. Stick to lower-volatility titles until you’ve built up a buffer from wins.
Kickr might be built around fun, but if you’re using Bucks, it’s worth slowing down and thinking a little. Managing your balance, verifying your ID early, and using Bits to get familiar with how the contests work. It all helps.
There are no shortcuts, Kickr cheats, or Kickr hacks that work. But log in, build up Bucks, make smarter picks, play some familiar games, and don’t rush Bucks redemptions. If you treat it like a sweepstakes and not a high-stakes race, you’ll probably enjoy it a lot more, and keep your account in good shape while you’re at it. If you want to get started, click on the banners on this page, and grab your welcome offer today.
Use Bits to check out the social sportsbook and casino-style games without worrying about your Bucks balance. They’re great for testing how contests and games work, spotting patterns, or getting used to the layout. Once you’re confident, you can bring Bucks into the mix.
No. Bucks you get from logins, promos, or mail-ins need to be played through first. Only the winnings from those contests or games become “Redeemable Bucks.” You’ll see both your total and redeemable balance in your Wallet tab.
Definitely. Each login gives you 5,000 Bits and between 0.10 and 1 Buck. There's also a drip bonus available every 30 minutes that can net you up to 0.5 Bucks and more Bits.
Avoid dropping your full Bucks balance into one contest or game. Spread them across different picks or games.
Once you qualify, you get daily Bits just for participating in Leagues. These aren’t massive boosts, but they do add up over time, especially if you’re playing consistently. They’re also another way to stay active without dipping into Bucks.
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