Fantasy Auction Draft Hints

albionmoonlight · 08-24-2012, 12:58 PM

My work fantasy league is moving to an auction format this year.

Any hints from veterans of the auction format?

spleen1015 · 08-24-2012, 12:58 PM

Try to get good players at the lowest prices!

digamma · 08-24-2012, 01:05 PM

My main league moved to an auction draft two years ago.

First, it is a ton of fun.

There are two main strategies, and I tried one the first year and the opposite the second year.

1. Don't do anything for the first bit of the draft. Wait until people have shot their wad and buy value players later. This is the balanced team theory.

2. Bid early and often. Target a couple of superstars and do what you need to do to get them. This is the studs and duds theory.

Having done both, I prefer #2 now. You obviously need to be mindful of an overall budget, but don't be afraid to spend more than 50% of your money on two players.

Miscellaneous tips:

-I love nominating kickers early until I get a good one for $1. The theory is twofold. First, kickers are a bit interchangeable, so you don't want to spend more than $1 on a kicker. If you nominate a kicker, someone has to spend more than $1 to get him from you. Reducing people by a dollar or two they shouldn't have spent may be a benefit later in the draft.

-Be careful with the "bid them up" to keep other guys honest strategy.

-Don't nominate anyone you aren't comfortable winning.

-Pay attention to how much others have left in their bank.

QuikSand · 08-24-2012, 03:29 PM

I am no veteran, but the core concept of auction theory is, in my view, understanding clearly what is worth *nothing*. If you are better at this than your rivals, you will end up garnering plenty of value in the draft, just by drawing logical conclusions from that starting point.

Raiders Army · 08-26-2012, 11:26 AM

Will provide my philosophy after our draft.

Raiders Army · 08-26-2012, 07:32 PM

My two cents:

1. About half of your budget should be for 2-3 solid players. If you wait, you'll overpay.
2. Don't bid on someone that you don't want. If you're trying to drive up the price on a player, make sure if you get stuck with him it's not going to ruin your roster.
3. Always have a backup plan. If a player you want is going for more than you're willing to pay, make sure you have some type of backup plan to replace him at the same or lower cost.

Raiders Army · 08-26-2012, 07:33 PM

Ah, that's what QS said.

Danny · 08-26-2012, 07:56 PM

Dont be afraid to pay big for studs early. Big time players are often worth more than you might think, especially in smaller lineup leagues. Dont think you can wait until the end to use your dollars, you will end up overpaying.

Danny · 08-26-2012, 07:57 PM

Oh and dont show up to the auction 2/3 of the way through.

NorvTurnerOverdrive · 08-26-2012, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny

Oh and dont show up to the auction 2/3 of the way through.

PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

other than that i agree w/ Danny

ntndeacon · 08-26-2012, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny

Oh and dont show up to the auction 2/3 of the way through.

unless you are ever in a league with me.. then come as late as you want...

Julio Riddols · 08-26-2012, 11:24 PM

I usually go in with a set amount I will pay for players based on how I feel they will play this season. If someone out bids me, I just wait for the next opportunity. I also have a long list of guys I want nothing to do with that I know will be of value to someone else (Guys like Vick, Jones-Drew, Chris Johnson, etc) I then try and nominate one of those guys on my turns early on to try and drain other peoples funds.

Logan · 08-27-2012, 08:45 AM

This was touched on in the point about kickers, but those extra dollars near the end of an auction are vital. Many people will, for example, leave $4 for their last 4 slots. Having $5 in the bank instead makes a big difference when it means grabbing a player for $2 that no one else can get (or would need to spend $3 for...a large amount of money late). In that situation, don't be shy...nominate a player for $2 so you can get your money in effectively.

It sounds stupid, but easy to overlook...if there's a player you want, make sure you bid appropriately. If team X nominates one of your favorite sleepers for $1, and your maximum bid at that time is $3, bid $3 and don't just increase the bid to $2. If you don't, he'll go up to $3 and you won't be able to go to $4.

albionmoonlight · 08-30-2012, 04:55 PM

Auction was last night. Thanks to all for the advice.

A few thoughts.

(1) One guy could not make it and did not bother logging on from afar. We don't like that guy now. Having the ESPN AI bidding just took a lot of the fun out of it. Knowing that you are going against a machine designed to prevent you from getting great value is not fun. At least we managed to figure out the algorithm well enough to stick him with Alex Smith as his only QB.

(2) My late game strategy was poor. I tried to remember Logan's advice but I still fucked it up. Also, I tried to sneak in a couple of my sleepers in the middle. That was poor b/c I got bid up on them and had to lose them or overpay. Next time, I will save deep sleepers to the end. Use the beginning for studs and kickers and defenses.

(3) Don't think that I could ever go back to snake and have nearly as much fun.

(4) Prep is so important. There just isn't that time to re-evaluate that you have in a snake draft. I like it. Rewards good prepwork and agile thinking. Not saying that I had enough of either. But it was more skill-based than snaking.

Thanks again for the advice.

08-26-2012, 11:24 PM	#12
Julio Riddols College Prospect Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Bryson Shitty, NC	I usually go in with a set amount I will pay for players based on how I feel they will play this season. If someone out bids me, I just wait for the next opportunity. I also have a long list of guys I want nothing to do with that I know will be of value to someone else (Guys like Vick, Jones-Drew, Chris Johnson, etc) I then try and nominate one of those guys on my turns early on to try and drain other peoples funds. __________________ Recklessly enthused, stubbornly amused. FUCK EA

08-24-2012, 12:58 PM	#2
spleen1015 Coordinator Join Date: Sep 2003	Try to get good players at the lowest prices! __________________ Why choose failure when success is an option?

08-24-2012, 01:05 PM	#3
digamma Torchbearer Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: On Lake Harriet	My main league moved to an auction draft two years ago. First, it is a ton of fun. There are two main strategies, and I tried one the first year and the opposite the second year. 1. Don't do anything for the first bit of the draft. Wait until people have shot their wad and buy value players later. This is the balanced team theory. 2. Bid early and often. Target a couple of superstars and do what you need to do to get them. This is the studs and duds theory. Having done both, I prefer #2 now. You obviously need to be mindful of an overall budget, but don't be afraid to spend more than 50% of your money on two players. Miscellaneous tips: -I love nominating kickers early until I get a good one for $1. The theory is twofold. First, kickers are a bit interchangeable, so you don't want to spend more than $1 on a kicker. If you nominate a kicker, someone has to spend more than $1 to get him from you. Reducing people by a dollar or two they shouldn't have spent may be a benefit later in the draft. -Be careful with the "bid them up" to keep other guys honest strategy. -Don't nominate anyone you aren't comfortable winning. -Pay attention to how much others have left in their bank.

08-24-2012, 03:29 PM	#4
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	I am no veteran, but the core concept of auction theory is, in my view, understanding clearly what is worth nothing. If you are better at this than your rivals, you will end up garnering plenty of value in the draft, just by drawing logical conclusions from that starting point.

08-26-2012, 11:26 AM	#5
Raiders Army Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Black Hole	Will provide my philosophy after our draft.

08-26-2012, 07:32 PM	#6
Raiders Army Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Black Hole	My two cents: 1. About half of your budget should be for 2-3 solid players. If you wait, you'll overpay. 2. Don't bid on someone that you don't want. If you're trying to drive up the price on a player, make sure if you get stuck with him it's not going to ruin your roster. 3. Always have a backup plan. If a player you want is going for more than you're willing to pay, make sure you have some type of backup plan to replace him at the same or lower cost.

08-26-2012, 07:33 PM	#7
Raiders Army Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Black Hole	Ah, that's what QS said.

08-26-2012, 07:56 PM	#8
Danny Head Coach Join Date: Jul 2001	Dont be afraid to pay big for studs early. Big time players are often worth more than you might think, especially in smaller lineup leagues. Dont think you can wait until the end to use your dollars, you will end up overpaying.

08-26-2012, 07:57 PM	#9
Danny Head Coach Join Date: Jul 2001	Oh and dont show up to the auction 2/3 of the way through.

08-27-2012, 08:45 AM	#13
Logan Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: NYC	This was touched on in the point about kickers, but those extra dollars near the end of an auction are vital. Many people will, for example, leave $4 for their last 4 slots. Having $5 in the bank instead makes a big difference when it means grabbing a player for $2 that no one else can get (or would need to spend $3 for...a large amount of money late). In that situation, don't be shy...nominate a player for $2 so you can get your money in effectively. It sounds stupid, but easy to overlook...if there's a player you want, make sure you bid appropriately. If team X nominates one of your favorite sleepers for $1, and your maximum bid at that time is $3, bid $3 and don't just increase the bid to $2. If you don't, he'll go up to $3 and you won't be able to go to $4.

08-30-2012, 04:55 PM	#14
albionmoonlight Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Carolina	Auction was last night. Thanks to all for the advice. A few thoughts. (1) One guy could not make it and did not bother logging on from afar. We don't like that guy now. Having the ESPN AI bidding just took a lot of the fun out of it. Knowing that you are going against a machine designed to prevent you from getting great value is not fun. At least we managed to figure out the algorithm well enough to stick him with Alex Smith as his only QB. (2) My late game strategy was poor. I tried to remember Logan's advice but I still fucked it up. Also, I tried to sneak in a couple of my sleepers in the middle. That was poor b/c I got bid up on them and had to lose them or overpay. Next time, I will save deep sleepers to the end. Use the beginning for studs and kickers and defenses. (3) Don't think that I could ever go back to snake and have nearly as much fun. (4) Prep is so important. There just isn't that time to re-evaluate that you have in a snake draft. I like it. Rewards good prepwork and agile thinking. Not saying that I had enough of either. But it was more skill-based than snaking. Thanks again for the advice.

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