A player is classified as Does Not Play (DNP) when they are unavailable or do not participate in their game. Here's how DNP is defined and scored across all Splash Sports contest types.
What Counts as a DNP?
A player may be scored as DNP if:
The player is designated as out, injured, suspended, or otherwise unavailable by their team or league.
The player is available but does not participate in the event at all.
Player Did Not Start
Sport-specific participation thresholds:
Player does not play (DNP)
An entrant's chosen player may be classified and scored as "Does Not Play" or "DNP" if:
The player is designated as out, injured, suspended or otherwise unavailable for the athletic event by their team or league.
The player is available for the athletic event but does not participate in the event. 0 minutes played (basketball, hockey), 0 snaps played (football), 0 plate appearances (batter must start game) or 0 innings pitched (baseball), 0 holes completed (golf), 0 laps completed (racing), player does not start the match (soccer).
The player's athletic event is suspended before completion and scheduled to resume at a later date beyond the end of the QuickPicks contest.
A player is also considered DNP if their event is suspended and rescheduled to a date beyond the end of the contest.
QuickPicks — How DNP Is Scored
In QuickPicks (Top Score entries), a DNP pick is worth 0.5 points instead of 1.
Example: 6-pick entry with 5 correct (5 pts) + 1 DNP (0.5 pts) = 5.5 total. You can still win if your total beats other entries — this is a peer-to-peer format, so you just need to outscore your opponents.
A DNP reduces your maximum possible score and disqualifies your entry from Perfect Score payout. It will not trigger a refund.
Downgraded Payouts (Perfect Score entries): If a DNP occurs in a Perfect Score entry, your slip is downgraded to the next lowest tier:
6-pick with 5 correct + 1 DNP → pays as a 5-pick slip
5-pick with 4 correct + 1 DNP → pays as a 4-pick slip
This only applies if the remaining picks include players from at least 2 different teams. If all remaining picks are from the same team, the entry is refunded.
Tiers Contests — How DNP Is Scored
In Tiers contests, a player who is DNP contributes 0 points to your score for that round or event. There is no partial credit — the player simply does not score.
This means selecting a player who ends up DNP can significantly hurt your standing since other entries with active players in that slot will outscore you. Always check injury reports before your contest locks.
DNP players in Tiers contests do not trigger a refund.
Survivor Contests — How DNP Is Scored
In Survivor contests (NBA, NFL, MLB, etc.), DNP rules depend on whether an alternate was designated:
If an alternate was set: The alternate is automatically used in place of the DNP player, and your entry remains active. Your outcome is determined by the alternate's performance.
If no alternate was set and your primary doesn't play: Your entry is typically graded based on contest-specific rules — in most cases, a DNP primary without an alternate results in a loss for that round. Check your specific contest's Rules section to confirm.
In MLB Hit Streak Survivor specifically: if a batter doesn't start the game, their alternate (if set) is used. If injured after their first at-bat, the pick is graded based on that at-bat — the alternate does not take over.
Will I Get a Refund for a DNP?
In most cases, no. A DNP does not entitle you to a refund across any Splash contest type. The exceptions are:
QuickPicks Perfect Score entries where remaining picks are all from the same team after a DNP (refunded)
QuickPicks entries that cannot be matched with opponents (automatically voided/refunded)
If you believe a DNP was applied incorrectly to your entry, email support@splashsports.com with your account email, contest name, and the player in question.