correlation between poker and auction drafting? (1 Viewer)

[Maik Jeaunz]

I have been in an auction league and playing poker with the same group of guys for a few years now. recently, it struck me that there seems to be a correlation between the type of poker player they are, and their tendencies during an auction draft. let me know if you witness some of the same tendencies in your auction leagues...

Loose, aggressive poker players (bluffers, constant raisers, like to see flops, etc.):

not afraid to overspend on studs
likes to go after several big names, with hopes of filling in cheap players later
does not like to be outbid on players they target
willing to nominate a big stud they like, then almost dare you to outbid them
will pay whatever needs to be paid in order to get one of the top 3 RB's
will overspend to get the handcuff for their biggest stud RB
after acquiring a couple big names, they will be inactive for a few rounds
will likely be in the bidding for Peyton Manning
might build a dangerous team because of the studs, but have little depthTight, conservative poker players (only play the nuts, don't call many raises, play the cards instead of the opponents, etc.):

will not overspend on studs
always looking for value
looking to build a squad of deep, undervalued players
frequently has a lot of money in the late rounds of the draft
gets nervous when in a bidding war
not likely to nominate a player that they are targeting
will go for an undervalued player before going for a handcuff
will try to exert dominance in the later rounds if they have the most money
usually not a very dangerous team; good depth, but little or no studs to starttight, aggressive poker players (the strongest poker players in the group):

will spend money on studs, but won't have a tendency to overspend
knows when to go for an undervalued player, even if they didn't target him
will mix up their nominating style...from players they don't want to players they do
builds a well-balanced team with strong starters at most positions
does not usually have one of the top 3 RB's or top 5 QB's on his team
looks to pick up sleepers late to round out his team
usually has one of the stronger teams in the leaguethese are some of the things I have picked up on. if you play poker with the guys you're drafting with, it may give you an advantage in knowing what their drafting tendencies might be.

 

[aposulli]

I have been in an auction league and playing poker with the same group of guys for a few years now. recently, it struck me that there seems to be a correlation between the type of poker player they are, and their tendencies during an auction draft. let me know if you witness some of the same tendencies in your auction leagues...

Loose, aggressive poker players (bluffers, constant raisers, like to see flops, etc.):

not afraid to overspend on studs
likes to go after several big names, with hopes of filling in cheap players later
does not like to be outbid on players they target
willing to nominate a big stud they like, then almost dare you to outbid them
will pay whatever needs to be paid in order to get one of the top 3 RB's
will overspend to get the handcuff for their biggest stud RB
after acquiring a couple big names, they will be inactive for a few rounds
will likely be in the bidding for Peyton Manning
might build a dangerous team because of the studs, but have little depthTight, conservative poker players (only play the nuts, don't call many raises, play the cards instead of the opponents, etc.):

will not overspend on studs
always looking for value
looking to build a squad of deep, undervalued players
frequently has a lot of money in the late rounds of the draft
gets nervous when in a bidding war
not likely to nominate a player that they are targeting
will go for an undervalued player before going for a handcuff
will try to exert dominance in the later rounds if they have the most money
usually not a very dangerous team; good depth, but little or no studs to starttight, aggressive poker players (the strongest poker players in the group):

will spend money on studs, but won't have a tendency to overspend
knows when to go for an undervalued player, even if they didn't target him
will mix up their nominating style...from players they don't want to players they do
builds a well-balanced team with strong starters at most positions
does not usually have one of the top 3 RB's or top 5 QB's on his team
looks to pick up sleepers late to round out his team
usually has one of the stronger teams in the leaguethese are some of the things I have picked up on. if you play poker with the guys you're drafting with, it may give you an advantage in knowing what their drafting tendencies might be.

maybe the wrong forum, but nonetheless

 

[voldawg]

Excllent points--it occured to me as well but didnt think it thru as you did--great stuff for poker-fantasy player

 

[HALtheCOW]

I think the original post may have some over-generalizations in it. I have done lots of auction drafts. I also have played some poker. In my case, I have not done each with a lot of the same people.

While I am not sure that you can draw certain conclusions about auction tendencies based on poker play, I do think he has some great ideas.

I try so hard to mix up my style. I know some people in my leagues really only bid when they really want the player. I try to throw in some late bids on players I don't really want to keep everyone guessing. I also find myself overbidding those in my conference who I think only bid on guys they want. It has helped me drain money out of their coffers.

I also try to mix up who I nominate.

Some of the best bluffing occurs just talking trash with other in between rounds. No one ever knows if you are telling the truth if you do it right. However, you better be sincere most of the time or you have no credibility to burn.

I have read that others think that saying misinformation (or good information) about players as they come up is not ethical. I think you have to be careful but I think the strategy can be effective.

One thing I do a lot is after someone buys a player that I think was a "good" value but not someone I had to have or a value I couldn't pass up, I like to say "nice buy" or "good price". I also try to do the same when the newbie owners buy players too. I think that both reassurances helps my karma (build trust) level with the other owners in the league.

In an early auction (with limited keepers) this year, I had Darrell Jackson for $31. I really like his ability and was glad to keep him all off-season even though his knee was recovering. When he didnt play in the regular season, two of the more savvy and well-connected owners both told me how unfortunate the DJax situation was for me. I listened and decided to take a chance. Right before the auction I told a couple others that I was worried his knee was "bone on bone". Then right before the draft I cut him for the $4 penalty.

I was scared because I still really liked him (call me crazy but everyone has their own gut calls). He lasted well into the auction and then he was nominated. I bought him for $11. He may be a bust at even that price, but it was a great play for me regardless. I feel like I set this up with always spreading 95% accurate information around the league and trying to be nice when I am spreading misinformation.

I do think there are auction lessons to learn from poker