Anyone ever do a split auction/draft format? (1 Viewer)

[Daywalker]

My main league has been around for 15 years. They are not people who would frequent a board like this but for the most part they know their stuff. They like to draft because it is what they know. They are more casual players and many don't see the upside to switch to an auction. Maintaining our 12 owners has not always been easy so pushing for an auction has taken a backseat to just making sure we get enough guys.

I do think I could sway them to do a part auction. Perhaps the first four rounds. Let's say everyone gets $100 to spend on four players. We draw cards for draft spots as usual. Once everyone has rostered the max of 4 players it then turns into a serpentine draft.

Just think I can entice everyone by telling them that with this format everyone has an equal shot to get their top guys. Plus it won't be as scary as a full-blown auction.

Anyone have any experience with a format like this? Pro's/con's? Strategy?

 

[shortbow]

What happens if you have rostered 4 players and still have money left? Can you no longer bid anymore? Doesnt sound reasonable.

I havent seen it suggested anywhere in a long time but have you considered doing a salary cap league? Every team has a set salary cap, still drafted like a normal draft but the players auction draft value is converted into salary.

Just seems really hard to pull off.

 

[bradf35]

We play full IDP and usually auction off 344 players by the end of the auction. We were short on time one year so we auctioned 100 players or so and drafted after this. It really wasn't the best format because the players that are auctioned aren't always the best players. Adrian Peterson could not be auctioned, and the first person drafting would have a huge advantage. We tried to solve the problem by auctioning off the draft spots for the rest of the draft. I think I bought the first spot for $3 early, and was a huge advantage.

 

[Daywalker]

What happens if you have rostered 4 players and still have money left? Can you no longer bid anymore? Doesnt sound reasonable.

How is that different then any auction?

 

[shortbow]

What happens if you have rostered 4 players and still have money left? Can you no longer bid anymore? Doesnt sound reasonable.

How is that different then any auction?

Because there is a forced regular draft afterwards. The longer you wait the more advantageous it becomes.- You get to essentially set your price for players if you wait- You get a full view of who will be available in the regular draft and can buy players appropriately

 

[mjr]

The problem is shrinking the auction down to 4 players each.

When you're auctioning for 20 players or so, you don't want to blow all of your money on 2 or 3 players because you'll end up with a weak roster overall that will have no depth. But, if you're only auctioning for 4 players, then it doesn't really matter too much what you spend and where because everyone will basically get 4 players out of the first 4 rounds (in other words, pretty decent players). Everyone can blow $97 on one stud player like Adrian Peterson or Aaron Rodgers and still get guys like Gates, Fitz or Romo for a dollar each (because everyone gets 4 players for $100). There's not much of an incentive to watch your spending...

And of course, you can't fix that by setting a dollar limit on players because you'll have 5 bidders all willing to spend that top limit on the same top guy.

 

[Daywalker]

The problem is shrinking the auction down to 4 players each. When you're auctioning for 20 players or so, you don't want to blow all of your money on 2 or 3 players because you'll end up with a weak roster overall that will have no depth. But, if you're only auctioning for 4 players, then it doesn't really matter too much what you spend and where because everyone will basically get 4 players out of the first 4 rounds (in other words, pretty decent players). Everyone can blow $97 on one stud player like Adrian Peterson or Aaron Rodgers and still get guys like Gates, Fitz or Romo for a dollar each (because everyone gets 4 players for $100). There's not much of an incentive to watch your spending...

If you don't watch your spending an owner could end up with 4 players each with an ADP between 15-25. You can have A. Peterson and three late 4th round picks.Principles remain the same.

 

[SelenaCat]

Rather than trying to muck with a long-standing league, why not see if you can entice those owners to try a second league this year? Even if you only get 8 or 10 of those owners to try it, at least they'll be able to get a feel for it and hopefully you'll get enough converts to make the switch further down the road. Something as forced as a 4-player auction isn't really going to give them a taste of what an auction is like.

That said, some of us just prefer a draft. While it's not proof against a bad owner making a bad team, I find that the teams are a bit more balanced as you can really tank a team with one bad decision in an auction. Then again, I'm the first to admit that it's also because I'm better at a draft than at an auction.

 

[Daywalker]

Rather than trying to muck with a long-standing league, why not see if you can entice those owners to try a second league this year? Even if you only get 8 or 10 of those owners to try it, at least they'll be able to get a feel for it and hopefully you'll get enough converts to make the switch further down the road. Something as forced as a 4-player auction isn't really going to give them a taste of what an auction is like.

That said, some of us just prefer a draft. While it's not proof against a bad owner making a bad team, I find that the teams are a bit more balanced as you can really tank a team with one bad decision in an auction. Then again, I'm the first to admit that it's also because I'm better at a draft than at an auction.

Don't really see it as forced. The myriad of keeper leagues/rules makes what I'm proposing rather simple.Main reason my leaguemates don't want an auction is like you said they are afraid of making a major blunder or having someone much more prepared dominate the mid to late stages.

But they should be very comfortable with all the players who will likely go in the first 4 rounds. As well as less afraid of making a major blunder.

This format seems like a nice way to allow everyone a shot at their top guys while alleviating most of the fears anti-auction types expouse.

 

[snapperhead]

We do this.

We, however,auction of the top 60 players as previously agreed to by some publication (12 team league)

Then we go serpentine after they are all gone.

Guys with the most $ left over from auction get 1st spots in serpentine.

It works pretty well. We have been doing this for 5+ years

 

[Daywalker]

We do this.We, however,auction of the top 60 players as previously agreed to by some publication (12 team league)Then we go serpentine after they are all gone.Guys with the most $ left over from auction get 1st spots in serpentine.It works pretty well. We have been doing this for 5+ years

Why the need to agree on a top 60?I also don't think you should be rewarded for having the most money left over. Just means your auction strategy did not go as planned. Perhaps your strategy was to wait for some bargains and you waited too long.

 

[ukshane]

In the week leading up to the draft we do a serpentine auction for 2 defenses and 2 kickers based on last seasons rankings. At the draft we auction the remaining skill players.

 

[THE HITTER]

My main league has been around for 15 years. They are not people who would frequent a board like this but for the most part they know their stuff. They like to draft because it is what they know. They are more casual players and many don't see the upside to switch to an auction. Maintaining our 12 owners has not always been easy so pushing for an auction has taken a backseat to just making sure we get enough guys.I do think I could sway them to do a part auction. Perhaps the first four rounds. Let's say everyone gets $100 to spend on four players. We draw cards for draft spots as usual. Once everyone has rostered the max of 4 players it then turns into a serpentine draft.Just think I can entice everyone by telling them that with this format everyone has an equal shot to get their top guys. Plus it won't be as scary as a full-blown auction.Anyone have any experience with a format like this? Pro's/con's? Strategy?

Been doing an 16-team auction/draft league for 11+ years now. Never really changed the format and everyone seems to love it as it provides both the excitement of an auction, and the rigidity of a serpentine draft. I personally wish all my leagues could switch to this format, but no way in hell that'd ever happen.Basics:Commish sends out a list of auction players about 2 weeks prior to the draft. Usually about 70 players IIRC. Top 12 QBs, top 20 RBs (even some from same team - DWill/Stewart), top 30 WRs, top 8 TEs. Then we have a dice roll to determine draft slot. #1 gets to choose which draft position they want, #2 chooses next, etc etc. Once draft order is determined, the auction portion starts with every owner starting with $100. The draft order is also used for nomination order so #1 nominates ADP for $25, then everyone starts bidding. Its a fantastic way to watch how different owner's strategies are a some owners will spend all their $100 on 4 top players knowing that they will fill the rest of their roster in the draft portion. Others choose to hoard cash and buy value in middle rounds and end up with 7, 8, even 9 players at the end of the auction portion. Also, knowing your draft slot is huge as you know what players will be available to you once the draft starts. Everyone fills out their roster through 20 spots. If you've auctioned well enough to grab 8 players, then you'll only draft through the first 12 rounds. Likewise, if you grabbed only 4 players, then you'll continue drafting through 16 rounds.Also, one final note...when we reach the end of the list of auction players, all owners that have $ available can the nominate one final player to be auction (that wasn't on the original list). This is fun as well as usually there are only 4 or 5 owners with remaining funds available and everyone knows how much the other has left. So, at my turn to nominate one player, I may want to get another to use his funds on a player I do not want just so I can be top bidder for a player I do want. So I nominate said unwanted player, and the other owner bites, and now I have more funds remaining than anyone else. Perfect, right? Not quite as I have used my one time nomination, and don't get another, and unless one of the other remaining owners nominates that player I wanted, then my plan backfired. If they know who I am after, they correctly strategize not to nominate that player as they know I have more funds and can outbid them. It's awesome and in the end, any unused funds are forfeited after that one final auction round. I've rarely seen more than $10 go unused and usually thats split among 3 owners.All in all, most fun I have at any 'draft' every year!!

 

[TheFanatic]

We do something like this. We have a Free Agent night that is an auction deal. Each team has a couple tags and the bidding is blind with draft pick compensation if the owner doesn't match. The auction is limited only to players who were on a team at the end of last year and the contract is up. Then we have a rookie/FA draft for all rookies and the rest of the unsigned players...

 

[snapperhead]

We do this.We, however,auction of the top 60 players as previously agreed to by some publication (12 team league)Then we go serpentine after they are all gone.Guys with the most $ left over from auction get 1st spots in serpentine.It works pretty well. We have been doing this for 5+ years

Why the need to agree on a top 60?I also don't think you should be rewarded for having the most money left over. Just means your auction strategy did not go as planned. Perhaps your strategy was to wait for some bargains and you waited too long.

It becomes a strategy to either bid or hold $$ so that you can get some of the guys that are outside the top 60.we agree on the top 60(they probably aren't but who cares) so that we can make this decision while the auction part is going on.That way if you covet a guy that falls outside the list, you can have an early crack at himIt works for us....and it is a fun draft

 

[roadkill1292]

I'm loosely affiliated with a league that has been doing an 8-round auction followed by an 8-round draft for several years now. I'm a full-on auction guy so it's not my cup of tea but it seems to work very efficiently and enjoyably for them.

 

[Captain Hook]

My main league has been around for 15 years. They are not people who would frequent a board like this but for the most part they know their stuff. They like to draft because it is what they know. They are more casual players and many don't see the upside to switch to an auction. Maintaining our 12 owners has not always been easy so pushing for an auction has taken a backseat to just making sure we get enough guys.I do think I could sway them to do a part auction. Perhaps the first four rounds. Let's say everyone gets $100 to spend on four players. We draw cards for draft spots as usual. Once everyone has rostered the max of 4 players it then turns into a serpentine draft.Just think I can entice everyone by telling them that with this format everyone has an equal shot to get their top guys. Plus it won't be as scary as a full-blown auction.Anyone have any experience with a format like this? Pro's/con's? Strategy?

"Drauctions" are inherently flawed. What do you do when Adrian Peterson (just an example could be anyone) is nominated and three guys yell "$97" at the same time? Or if a guy nominates Michael Vick for $97? Then the nomination order is key so why not just have a draft?Stick to the draft if that is what the majority of the league wants to do.If YOU and perhaps some others want to play in an auction league start or find another league. DON'T disrupt an existing league that is doing fine

 

[Daywalker]

My main league has been around for 15 years. They are not people who would frequent a board like this but for the most part they know their stuff. They like to draft because it is what they know. They are more casual players and many don't see the upside to switch to an auction. Maintaining our 12 owners has not always been easy so pushing for an auction has taken a backseat to just making sure we get enough guys.I do think I could sway them to do a part auction. Perhaps the first four rounds. Let's say everyone gets $100 to spend on four players. We draw cards for draft spots as usual. Once everyone has rostered the max of 4 players it then turns into a serpentine draft.Just think I can entice everyone by telling them that with this format everyone has an equal shot to get their top guys. Plus it won't be as scary as a full-blown auction.Anyone have any experience with a format like this? Pro's/con's? Strategy?

"Drauctions" are inherently flawed. What do you do when Adrian Peterson (just an example could be anyone) is nominated and three guys yell "$97" at the same time? Or if a guy nominates Michael Vick for $97? Then the nomination order is key so why not just have a draft?

How is that different then any auction? Think it's nearly as unlikely this would happen auctioning off first four rounds then as 22.No on is going to bid $97 on a player so everyone has a shot to go after who they want. There may be some flaws but that doesn't make anything unfair. All have the same opportunities to take advantage of flaws.

 

[Captain Hook]

My main league has been around for 15 years. They are not people who would frequent a board like this but for the most part they know their stuff. They like to draft because it is what they know. They are more casual players and many don't see the upside to switch to an auction. Maintaining our 12 owners has not always been easy so pushing for an auction has taken a backseat to just making sure we get enough guys.I do think I could sway them to do a part auction. Perhaps the first four rounds. Let's say everyone gets $100 to spend on four players. We draw cards for draft spots as usual. Once everyone has rostered the max of 4 players it then turns into a serpentine draft.Just think I can entice everyone by telling them that with this format everyone has an equal shot to get their top guys. Plus it won't be as scary as a full-blown auction.Anyone have any experience with a format like this? Pro's/con's? Strategy?

"Drauctions" are inherently flawed. What do you do when Adrian Peterson (just an example could be anyone) is nominated and three guys yell "$97" at the same time? Or if a guy nominates Michael Vick for $97? Then the nomination order is key so why not just have a draft?

1)How is that different then any auction? Think it's nearly as unlikely this would happen auctioning off first four rounds then as 22.2)No on is going to bid $97 on a player so everyone has a shot to go after who they want. 3)There may be some flaws but that doesn't make anything unfair. All have the same opportunities to take advantage of flaws.

1) Because if the entire draft were an auction say with a $200 cap for twenty spots, no one is going to bid $181 on one player (otoh I have seen auction where someone will try and buy three $70 studs)2) Yes they are AND HAVE - you don't think you are the first one to think of this do you? People have tried it and that is exactly what happend BECAUSE they are still guaranteed three more of the top 48 (twelve team league) players for their $1 players.3) It would be unfair if you wanted to get say Vick and didn't have the first nomination and someone else nominated him for $97............OR if someone nominated him for say $50 and you and someone else both said $97 at the same time and somehow you lost the ruling or tie-breakerEither have an auction or have a draft - don't try and have the worst of both.

 

[Jedi Knight]

We have done this before. We action first 5 rounds and serpentine the other 38 rounds (IDP). Each team is given $1200. This money is used for BOTH the auction and free-agency blind bidding. So, if you outbid everyone for the five players you just have to have, then you are at a dis-advantage during the season for free-agent bidding and vice-versa.

 

[GregR]

Daywalker, I'd suggest that you run your league normally with a draft for now, and see if people want to do an auction for a second league. Make it a survivor league, with best ball format, no waivers, no trades.

Then it doesn't impact your current league. It doesn't take up extra time to handle another league, you just need to check each week to see who got eliminated.

 

[Daywalker]

My main league has been around for 15 years. They are not people who would frequent a board like this but for the most part they know their stuff. They like to draft because it is what they know. They are more casual players and many don't see the upside to switch to an auction. Maintaining our 12 owners has not always been easy so pushing for an auction has taken a backseat to just making sure we get enough guys.I do think I could sway them to do a part auction. Perhaps the first four rounds. Let's say everyone gets $100 to spend on four players. We draw cards for draft spots as usual. Once everyone has rostered the max of 4 players it then turns into a serpentine draft.Just think I can entice everyone by telling them that with this format everyone has an equal shot to get their top guys. Plus it won't be as scary as a full-blown auction.Anyone have any experience with a format like this? Pro's/con's? Strategy?

"Drauctions" are inherently flawed. What do you do when Adrian Peterson (just an example could be anyone) is nominated and three guys yell "$97" at the same time? Or if a guy nominates Michael Vick for $97? Then the nomination order is key so why not just have a draft?

1)How is that different then any auction? Think it's nearly as unlikely this would happen auctioning off first four rounds then as 22.2)No on is going to bid $97 on a player so everyone has a shot to go after who they want. 3)There may be some flaws but that doesn't make anything unfair. All have the same opportunities to take advantage of flaws.

1) Because if the entire draft were an auction say with a $200 cap for twenty spots, no one is going to bid $181 on one player (otoh I have seen auction where someone will try and buy three $70 studs)2) Yes they are AND HAVE - you don't think you are the first one to think of this do you? People have tried it and that is exactly what happend BECAUSE they are still guaranteed three more of the top 48 (twelve team league) players for their $1 players.3) It would be unfair if you wanted to get say Vick and didn't have the first nomination and someone else nominated him for $97............OR if someone nominated him for say $50 and you and someone else both said $97 at the same time and somehow you lost the ruling or tie-breakerEither have an auction or have a draft - don't try and have the worst of both.

You are basically saying that having the top pick and three late 4th round picks is the same as having the picks of a normal serpentine draft. That is ridiculous. You take that and I'll take 4 players who are lat 2nd rounders and 3rd rounders. Just my choice.

 

[Daywalker]

Daywalker, I'd suggest that you run your league normally with a draft for now, and see if people want to do an auction for a second league. Make it a survivor league, with best ball format, no waivers, no trades.Then it doesn't impact your current league. It doesn't take up extra time to handle another league, you just need to check each week to see who got eliminated.

Not really a biggie. My crew just wants to have fun. If I can offer them the chance to go after their favorite and top players without the fear of getting creamed later on in an auction then they will probably go for it.The strategy of who to spend your cash on for your first 4 players as well as the ability to get whoever you want will be very attractive.Not rocket science and the goal is fun. Yes, an auction would be ideal but most leagues are not auctions due to non-hardcore guys not wanting to get hosed. This is a nice bridge.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

The problem is shrinking the auction down to 4 players each. When you're auctioning for 20 players or so, you don't want to blow all of your money on 2 or 3 players because you'll end up with a weak roster overall that will have no depth. But, if you're only auctioning for 4 players, then it doesn't really matter too much what you spend and where because everyone will basically get 4 players out of the first 4 rounds (in other words, pretty decent players). Everyone can blow $97 on one stud player like Adrian Peterson or Aaron Rodgers and still get guys like Gates, Fitz or Romo for a dollar each (because everyone gets 4 players for $100). There's not much of an incentive to watch your spending...

If you don't watch your spending an owner could end up with 4 players each with an ADP between 15-25. You can have A. Peterson and three late 4th round picks.Principles remain the same.

Exactly. We have done exactly what you are suggesting - except we just do the 1st 3 rds. It has worked very well and makes it something that everyone looks forward to. The fact that you have money left means nothing - get the best you can with the money you have. If you use all of your money before getting all three guys - then you just afall to the end of round 3 picking. We require bidding in $5 increments minimum - same for nomination (that way if someone wants to throw out too big of a toad - they get to eat them for $5 and one of their precious 1st 3 picks).

 

[Binky The Doormat]

My main league has been around for 15 years. They are not people who would frequent a board like this but for the most part they know their stuff. They like to draft because it is what they know. They are more casual players and many don't see the upside to switch to an auction. Maintaining our 12 owners has not always been easy so pushing for an auction has taken a backseat to just making sure we get enough guys.I do think I could sway them to do a part auction. Perhaps the first four rounds. Let's say everyone gets $100 to spend on four players. We draw cards for draft spots as usual. Once everyone has rostered the max of 4 players it then turns into a serpentine draft.Just think I can entice everyone by telling them that with this format everyone has an equal shot to get their top guys. Plus it won't be as scary as a full-blown auction.Anyone have any experience with a format like this? Pro's/con's? Strategy?

"Drauctions" are inherently flawed. What do you do when Adrian Peterson (just an example could be anyone) is nominated and three guys yell "$97" at the same time? Or if a guy nominates Michael Vick for $97? Then the nomination order is key so why not just have a draft?

1)How is that different then any auction? Think it's nearly as unlikely this would happen auctioning off first four rounds then as 22.2)No on is going to bid $97 on a player so everyone has a shot to go after who they want. 3)There may be some flaws but that doesn't make anything unfair. All have the same opportunities to take advantage of flaws.

1) Because if the entire draft were an auction say with a $200 cap for twenty spots, no one is going to bid $181 on one player (otoh I have seen auction where someone will try and buy three $70 studs)2) Yes they are AND HAVE - you don't think you are the first one to think of this do you? People have tried it and that is exactly what happend BECAUSE they are still guaranteed three more of the top 48 (twelve team league) players for their $1 players.3) It would be unfair if you wanted to get say Vick and didn't have the first nomination and someone else nominated him for $97............OR if someone nominated him for say $50 and you and someone else both said $97 at the same time and somehow you lost the ruling or tie-breakerEither have an auction or have a draft - don't try and have the worst of both.

The points you bring up are hollow. The rules can easily handle these situations. 1st - if 2 guys holler out at the same time and no one can or won't move higher - they draw cards for him. 2nd - the "guarantee" of picks 35 and 36 (in our 3 rd auction) and someone you want to spend $100 can easily leave you at a clear disadvantage. Is there anyone in this year's draft you would take then only get the last 2 picks in the third?