basics8 min

Understanding the Draft

Snake vs Auction draft formats

The Two Main Draft Types

When you join a fantasy league, you'll draft your team using one of two formats:

Snake Draft - The traditional format (most common)

Auction Draft - The "buy your team" format (more advanced)

Both have pros and cons. Let's break them down in plain English.

Snake Draft: How It Works

Imagine 12 people sitting in a circle taking turns picking players.

Round 1: Person #1 picks first, then #2, then #3... all the way to #12

Round 2: Now it REVERSES! Person #12 picks, then #11, then #10... back to #1

Round 3: Back to normal order. #1 picks again.

This "snake" pattern continues for 15-16 rounds until everyone has a full roster.

Example:

You have the 6th pick in a 12-team league:

  • Round 1: You pick 6th
  • Round 2: You pick 19th (12 + 7)
  • Round 3: You pick 30th (12 + 12 + 6)
  • Round 4: You pick 43rd (12 + 12 + 12 + 7)

    • The snake format means if you pick late in Round 1, you pick early in Round 2. Fair!

    Snake Draft: Pros & Cons

    Pros:

    ✅ Simple to understand

    ✅ Beginner-friendly

    ✅ Fair for all draft positions

    ✅ Quicker than auction (60-90 minutes)

    ✅ Less stressful

    Cons:

    ❌ You can't pick your favorite players if they go early

    ❌ Draft position matters a lot (picking 1st vs 12th is very different)

    ❌ Less control over your team composition

    ❌ Can't "reach" for players without wasting value

    Auction Draft: How It Works

    Think of it like eBay for fantasy football players.

    How It Works:

  • Everyone starts with a budget (usually $200 fake dollars)
  • Players are nominated one at a time
  • Everyone bids on that player
  • Highest bidder gets the player and loses that money from their budget
  • Continue until all roster spots are filled

    • Example:

    Christian McCaffrey is nominated. Bidding:

  • You bid $50
  • Someone bids $55
  • You bid $60
  • Someone bids $65
  • You decide he's not worth more and stop
  • They win CMC for $65

    • Now you still have $200 - spent so far = money left for other players.

    Auction Draft: Pros & Cons

    Pros:

    ✅ You can draft ANY player (if you pay enough)

    ✅ More strategic depth

    ✅ Draft position doesn't matter

    ✅ You can build your team exactly how you want

    ✅ More exciting and interactive

    Cons:

    ❌ Complex for beginners

    ❌ Takes longer (2-3 hours)

    ❌ Easy to overspend early and have no money left

    ❌ Requires more preparation

    ❌ More stressful

    Snake Draft Strategy (Beginner Tips)

    Early Draft Position (Picks 1-4):

  • Take an elite RB or WR
  • You won't pick again for 20+ picks, so take a stud
  • Target: Christian McCaffrey, Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson

    • Middle Draft Position (Picks 5-8):

  • Most balanced position
  • Still get a top-10 player
  • You pick again relatively soon

    • Late Draft Position (Picks 9-12):

  • You get 2 picks close together (picks 12 and 13)
  • Strategy: Take 2 RBs or 2 WRs back-to-back
  • Target players who will be gone by your next pick

    • Auction Draft Strategy (Beginner Tips)

    Budget Management:

  • Don't spend more than $65 on any one player
  • Save at least $1 per roster spot for the end
  • Example: 15 roster spots = save at least $15

    • The "Stars and Scrubs" Strategy:

  • Spend big on 2-3 elite players ($50-60 each)
  • Fill the rest with cheap players ($1-5)
  • Risk: Injuries to stars = disaster

    • The "Balanced" Strategy:

  • Spread money evenly across your roster
  • No player over $40
  • Build a deep, consistent team

    • The "Late Game Hero" Strategy:

  • Let others overspend early
  • Grab value players when others run out of money
  • Requires patience and discipline

    • Which Format Should Beginners Choose?

    For Your First Season: Snake Draft

    Here's why:

  • Easier to understand
  • Less time commitment
  • Lower chance of completely screwing up
  • Most leagues use snake anyway

    • Try Auction Draft When:

  • You've done at least one snake draft season
  • You have 2-3 hours for the draft
  • Your league is experienced
  • You want more control

    • Bottom line: Master snake drafts first. Auction drafts are for year 2+.

    Common Draft Format Questions

    Q: Can I switch formats mid-season?

    A: No. Your draft format is locked for the entire season.

    Q: Which format do most leagues use?

    A: About 85% of leagues use snake draft. Auction is more common in experienced leagues.

    Q: Do I need different rankings for auction vs snake?

    A: Yes! Auction uses dollar values instead of rankings. Most sites provide both.

    Q: What if I hate my draft position in snake?

    A: Every position has advantages. Late picks get back-to-back selections. Early picks get the #1 player.

    Q: In auction, what if everyone runs out of money?

    A: Remaining players go for $1 (minimum bid). This is why you save money for the end!

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