Draft Auction ettiquette (1 Viewer)

[Jojo the circus boy]

We had an auction draft the other night for a 16-teamer on Sportsline. Pretty much a disaster, multiple rollbacks due to people complaining that Sportsline was automatically bidding up players while they never touched a button. During the confusion the commish let certain owners keep players for $1 even if they won the player for a higher amount prior to the rollback, anyway aside from the technical difficulties...

If you have a conference call going during your auction, or perhaps during a live draft - do you allow owners to goad other owners into bidding up players? Do you allow owners to leak information about players on the block? For example we have kick and punt return yardage as a scoring stat, a common tactic when a player is on the block that you do not need is for an owner (that is not actively bidding on the player) to make a point of telling the other owners that this player returns kicks in hopes that the other owners bid up the price. Another tactic some owners started doing was saying "My sheet has this player listed at $37" when the price is at like $12 for the player on the block.

Is this considered fair game or bush league?

 

[Daywalker]

It's the norm in my main league made up of family/friends. Part of the fun.

If it was a league made up of people I barely knew and on a conference call I'd probably refrain.

 

[snapperhead]

Bidding up players is part of what you are supposed to do

Make people bid more $$ on players you don't want

Perfectly acceptable

 

[FF Ninja]

Feels kind of bush league. If you want to bid up the player, bid them up. Don't whine on the phone hoping to get someone else to do your dirty work.

Then again, I've never had a conference call during an auction.

 

[pollardsvision]

My leagues don't use a conference call, but the chat is active.

We generally don't talk about anyone on the block. It's not an actual rule, and I don't think it's that big of a deal. But it seems to be a little bush league, and I'd rather others shut up when I'm bidding on the player, so I don't do it to them.

The most common comment that would (and has a few times) happen is the "wow, is he really going to go that cheap?" comment. That's what I avoid, as it could possibly lead to bidding up a player otherwise might come cheaper.

If you think a player is a great value, bid, otherwise shut up.

Saying a player sucks during the bidding is perfectly acceptable and should be encouraged, I think.

 

[mquinnjr]

My leagues don't use a conference call, but the chat is active.

We generally don't talk about anyone on the block. It's not an actual rule, and I don't think it's that big of a deal. But it seems to be a little bush league, and I'd rather others shut up when I'm bidding on the player, so I don't do it to them.

The most common comment that would (and has a few times) happen is the "wow, is he really going to go that cheap?" comment. That's what I avoid, as it could possibly lead to bidding up a player otherwise might come cheaper.

If you think a player is a great value, bid, otherwise shut up.

Saying a player sucks during the bidding is perfectly acceptable and should be encouraged, I think.

 

[CalBear]

We do an in-person auction, and there's smack talk all day. Couldn't imagine it without it.

 

[Jojo the circus boy]

My leagues don't use a conference call, but the chat is active.

We generally don't talk about anyone on the block. It's not an actual rule, and I don't think it's that big of a deal. But it seems to be a little bush league, and I'd rather others shut up when I'm bidding on the player, so I don't do it to them.

The most common comment that would (and has a few times) happen is the "wow, is he really going to go that cheap?" comment. That's what I avoid, as it could possibly lead to bidding up a player otherwise might come cheaper.

If you think a player is a great value, bid, otherwise shut up.

Saying a player sucks during the bidding is perfectly acceptable and should be encouraged, I think.

The commish was actually caught down-playing a player saying he sucks, laughing, and said is he really going that high? and then he sniped the player and ended up winning him.

 

[Amused to Death]

My leagues don't use a conference call, but the chat is active.

We generally don't talk about anyone on the block. It's not an actual rule, and I don't think it's that big of a deal. But it seems to be a little bush league, and I'd rather others shut up when I'm bidding on the player, so I don't do it to them.

The most common comment that would (and has a few times) happen is the "wow, is he really going to go that cheap?" comment. That's what I avoid, as it could possibly lead to bidding up a player otherwise might come cheaper.

If you think a player is a great value, bid, otherwise shut up.

Saying a player sucks during the bidding is perfectly acceptable and should be encouraged, I think.

Totally disagree. Talk all you want, say what you want. Owners should be savvy enough to know what they're doing. Our auctions are full of comments and chatter.

 

[Warhogs]

In our friendly auction league I do this and consider it a perfectly acceptable ploy. I'm not deceiving anyone but if I am full at RB and a player up for bid is going for what I feel is cheap I might chirp "wow, that is a great price" to try to keep the bidding going. Why wouldn't I want teams to spend a higher amount at that position I have already filled out?

 

[Jojo the circus boy]

My leagues don't use a conference call, but the chat is active.

We generally don't talk about anyone on the block. It's not an actual rule, and I don't think it's that big of a deal. But it seems to be a little bush league, and I'd rather others shut up when I'm bidding on the player, so I don't do it to them.

The most common comment that would (and has a few times) happen is the "wow, is he really going to go that cheap?" comment. That's what I avoid, as it could possibly lead to bidding up a player otherwise might come cheaper.

If you think a player is a great value, bid, otherwise shut up.

Saying a player sucks during the bidding is perfectly acceptable and should be encouraged, I think.

Totally disagree. Talk all you want, say what you want. Owners should be savvy enough to know what they're doing. Our auctions are full of comments and chatter.

The problem I have in the larger format leagues is you have more owners that come in unprepared, they see a shark bidding on a player that might be a semi-sleeper, other sharks pick up on it and realize the shark is getting a steal but don't want him, so they explain to the other owners that the reason Joe Shark is bidding on that player is because he returns kick offs and punts, and then all of sudden other owners start bidding him to win him. Likewise when a shark is getting a guy for $9 and someone says my sheet has him listed at $31, you can say that guy could be lying but more times than not he is telling the truth to make sure someone does not get a steal. Like pollard said, bid him up yourself, don't make other owners do your bidding. I caught a few guys bidding me up and they got stuck with the player for $20 only to hear them say they didn't want him - they'd even say JoJo really wants this guy as they bid me up, oops.

 

[Amused to Death]

My leagues don't use a conference call, but the chat is active.

We generally don't talk about anyone on the block. It's not an actual rule, and I don't think it's that big of a deal. But it seems to be a little bush league, and I'd rather others shut up when I'm bidding on the player, so I don't do it to them.

The most common comment that would (and has a few times) happen is the "wow, is he really going to go that cheap?" comment. That's what I avoid, as it could possibly lead to bidding up a player otherwise might come cheaper.

If you think a player is a great value, bid, otherwise shut up.

Saying a player sucks during the bidding is perfectly acceptable and should be encouraged, I think.

Totally disagree. Talk all you want, say what you want. Owners should be savvy enough to know what they're doing. Our auctions are full of comments and chatter.

The problem I have in the larger format leagues is you have more owners that come in unprepared, they see a shark bidding on a player that might be a semi-sleeper, other sharks pick up on it and realize the shark is getting a steal but don't want him, so they explain to the other owners that the reason Joe Shark is bidding on that player is because he returns kick offs and punts, and then all of sudden other owners start bidding him to win him. Likewise when a shark is getting a guy for $9 and someone says my sheet has him listed at $31, you can say that guy could be lying but more times than not he is telling the truth to make sure someone does not get a steal. Like pollard said, bid him up yourself, don't make other owners do your bidding. I caught a few guys bidding me up and they got stuck with the player for $20 only to hear them say they didn't want him - they'd even say JoJo really wants this guy as they bid me up, oops.

I want other owners to spend cap space on players I don't want. My leagues are live, in-person with a group of friends who are all pretty equal (and knowledgeable) in their FFL skills/experience. So we're all trying to bust on each other and will bid up players all the time - or try to goad others into keeping the bidding going. Part of the risk is getting caught with a player you don't want.

 

[mquinnjr]

My leagues don't use a conference call, but the chat is active.

We generally don't talk about anyone on the block. It's not an actual rule, and I don't think it's that big of a deal. But it seems to be a little bush league, and I'd rather others shut up when I'm bidding on the player, so I don't do it to them.

The most common comment that would (and has a few times) happen is the "wow, is he really going to go that cheap?" comment. That's what I avoid, as it could possibly lead to bidding up a player otherwise might come cheaper.

If you think a player is a great value, bid, otherwise shut up.

Saying a player sucks during the bidding is perfectly acceptable and should be encouraged, I think.

Totally disagree. Talk all you want, say what you want. Owners should be savvy enough to know what they're doing. Our auctions are full of comments and chatter.

The problem I have in the larger format leagues is you have more owners that come in unprepared, they see a shark bidding on a player that might be a semi-sleeper, other sharks pick up on it and realize the shark is getting a steal but don't want him, so they explain to the other owners that the reason Joe Shark is bidding on that player is because he returns kick offs and punts, and then all of sudden other owners start bidding him to win him. Likewise when a shark is getting a guy for $9 and someone says my sheet has him listed at $31, you can say that guy could be lying but more times than not he is telling the truth to make sure someone does not get a steal. Like pollard said, bid him up yourself, don't make other owners do your bidding. I caught a few guys bidding me up and they got stuck with the player for $20 only to hear them say they didn't want him - they'd even say JoJo really wants this guy as they bid me up, oops.

I want other owners to spend cap space on players I don't want. My leagues are live, in-person with a group of friends who are all pretty equal (and knowledgeable) in their FFL skills/experience. So we're all trying to bust on each other and will bid up players all the time - or try to goad others into keeping the bidding going. Part of the risk is getting caught with a player you don't want.

What I was trying to point out is that the talking annoys me IF you are not hitting the bid button. If you want to talk trash/bid up a player, you better be actively bidding, or step aside to the kid's table and shut your mouth. I will call people directly on that. If you're bidding and talking trash/throwing news and facts out there, it's the other owners' who are bidding's problem if they didn't do enough homework/are in over their heads.

Bottom line, be bidding or be quiet.

 

[Amused to Death]

My leagues don't use a conference call, but the chat is active.

We generally don't talk about anyone on the block. It's not an actual rule, and I don't think it's that big of a deal. But it seems to be a little bush league, and I'd rather others shut up when I'm bidding on the player, so I don't do it to them.

The most common comment that would (and has a few times) happen is the "wow, is he really going to go that cheap?" comment. That's what I avoid, as it could possibly lead to bidding up a player otherwise might come cheaper.

If you think a player is a great value, bid, otherwise shut up.

Saying a player sucks during the bidding is perfectly acceptable and should be encouraged, I think.

Totally disagree. Talk all you want, say what you want. Owners should be savvy enough to know what they're doing. Our auctions are full of comments and chatter.

The problem I have in the larger format leagues is you have more owners that come in unprepared, they see a shark bidding on a player that might be a semi-sleeper, other sharks pick up on it and realize the shark is getting a steal but don't want him, so they explain to the other owners that the reason Joe Shark is bidding on that player is because he returns kick offs and punts, and then all of sudden other owners start bidding him to win him. Likewise when a shark is getting a guy for $9 and someone says my sheet has him listed at $31, you can say that guy could be lying but more times than not he is telling the truth to make sure someone does not get a steal. Like pollard said, bid him up yourself, don't make other owners do your bidding. I caught a few guys bidding me up and they got stuck with the player for $20 only to hear them say they didn't want him - they'd even say JoJo really wants this guy as they bid me up, oops.

I want other owners to spend cap space on players I don't want. My leagues are live, in-person with a group of friends who are all pretty equal (and knowledgeable) in their FFL skills/experience. So we're all trying to bust on each other and will bid up players all the time - or try to goad others into keeping the bidding going. Part of the risk is getting caught with a player you don't want.

What I was trying to point out is that the talking annoys me IF you are not hitting the bid button. If you want to talk trash/bid up a player, you better be actively bidding, or step aside to the kid's table and shut your mouth. I will call people directly on that. If you're bidding and talking trash/throwing news and facts out there, it's the other owners' who are bidding's problem if they didn't do enough homework/are in over their heads.

Bottom line, be bidding or be quiet.

I've only done live auctions, so there's no bid button. But live, whether an owner is actively bidding or not he's free to talk in the leagues I'm in. To each his own. Guess I won't be in any of your leagues.

 

[ODannyBoy]

We had an auction draft the other night for a 16-teamer on Sportsline. Pretty much a disaster, multiple rollbacks due to people complaining that Sportsline was automatically bidding up players while they never touched a button. During the confusion the commish let certain owners keep players for $1 even if they won the player for a higher amount prior to the rollback, anyway aside from the technical difficulties...

If you have a conference call going during your auction, or perhaps during a live draft - do you allow owners to goad other owners into bidding up players? Do you allow owners to leak information about players on the block? For example we have kick and punt return yardage as a scoring stat, a common tactic when a player is on the block that you do not need is for an owner (that is not actively bidding on the player) to make a point of telling the other owners that this player returns kicks in hopes that the other owners bid up the price. Another tactic some owners started doing was saying "My sheet has this player listed at $37" when the price is at like $12 for the player on the block.

Is this considered fair game or bush league?

If you're conducting an auction via conference call or skype or something similar, I would be against table talk just because it can confuse bidding if people are crowding the air with comments and bids can't be heard.

Other than that, it's a house rules sort of thing. Nothing bush league about it on it's face. Just decide beforehand which way you want it to go.

I'm of the opinion that talking a player up or down during bidding is part of the game. Sticking someone who tried to run you up is also part of it. And return the favor to those that ran you up.

Acting like there's some kind of principle involved is about as silly as trying to argue that you shouldn't lie...err...bluff when playing poker.

 

[ODannyBoy]

My leagues don't use a conference call, but the chat is active.

We generally don't talk about anyone on the block. It's not an actual rule, and I don't think it's that big of a deal. But it seems to be a little bush league, and I'd rather others shut up when I'm bidding on the player, so I don't do it to them.

The most common comment that would (and has a few times) happen is the "wow, is he really going to go that cheap?" comment. That's what I avoid, as it could possibly lead to bidding up a player otherwise might come cheaper.

If you think a player is a great value, bid, otherwise shut up.

Saying a player sucks during the bidding is perfectly acceptable and should be encouraged, I think.

Totally disagree. Talk all you want, say what you want. Owners should be savvy enough to know what they're doing. Our auctions are full of comments and chatter.

The problem I have in the larger format leagues is you have more owners that come in unprepared, they see a shark bidding on a player that might be a semi-sleeper, other sharks pick up on it and realize the shark is getting a steal but don't want him, so they explain to the other owners that the reason Joe Shark is bidding on that player is because he returns kick offs and punts, and then all of sudden other owners start bidding him to win him. Likewise when a shark is getting a guy for $9 and someone says my sheet has him listed at $31, you can say that guy could be lying but more times than not he is telling the truth to make sure someone does not get a steal. Like pollard said, bid him up yourself, don't make other owners do your bidding. I caught a few guys bidding me up and they got stuck with the player for $20 only to hear them say they didn't want him - they'd even say JoJo really wants this guy as they bid me up, oops.

I want other owners to spend cap space on players I don't want. My leagues are live, in-person with a group of friends who are all pretty equal (and knowledgeable) in their FFL skills/experience. So we're all trying to bust on each other and will bid up players all the time - or try to goad others into keeping the bidding going. Part of the risk is getting caught with a player you don't want.

What I was trying to point out is that the talking annoys me IF you are not hitting the bid button. If you want to talk trash/bid up a player, you better be actively bidding, or step aside to the kid's table and shut your mouth. I will call people directly on that. If you're bidding and talking trash/throwing news and facts out there, it's the other owners' who are bidding's problem if they didn't do enough homework/are in over their heads.

Bottom line, be bidding or be quiet.

Why does it matter whether I'm bidding or not?

Do you have a rule where one owner can't talk to another before the auction or during the season because some information might pass which would change what one of the owners is going to do in his bidding, lineup or waivers? I think most of us would think that's silly.

Well, talking a player up or down during the auction is not really any different. Poort thing, you might not get a player as cheap as you want. How is exploiting a weaker owner's lack of knowledge by outbidding him on a player more principled than influencing him to overbid on one? It isn't. It's simply a matter of preference, likely linked to how aggressive a personality you have.

Fantasy football is (in most formats) a closed system where every move by an owner affects every other owner. It's just the nature of the beast. Embrace it.

 

[Ray_T]

We had an auction draft the other night for a 16-teamer on Sportsline. Pretty much a disaster, multiple rollbacks due to people complaining that Sportsline was automatically bidding up players while they never touched a button. During the confusion the commish let certain owners keep players for $1 even if they won the player for a higher amount prior to the rollback, anyway aside from the technical difficulties...

If you have a conference call going during your auction, or perhaps during a live draft - do you allow owners to goad other owners into bidding up players? Do you allow owners to leak information about players on the block? For example we have kick and punt return yardage as a scoring stat, a common tactic when a player is on the block that you do not need is for an owner (that is not actively bidding on the player) to make a point of telling the other owners that this player returns kicks in hopes that the other owners bid up the price. Another tactic some owners started doing was saying "My sheet has this player listed at $37" when the price is at like $12 for the player on the block.

Is this considered fair game or bush league?

its allowed. and if you are dumb enough to bid 30$ on a 14$ player because some joker told you hes worth 37$ on his list, then you deserve to overpay.

if someone else says hes worth 35$ on his list but isnt bidding on that player himself I'd be extremely skeptical about what the guy is saying.

 

[pollardsvision]

I think a live auction is a different animal. You've got a dozen guys in a room bidding on players for their fake teams. People are going to talk a lot and there's going to be an energy in the room. When a bidding war is going on, it's just natural to egg it on sometimes. Even if you wanted to avoid talking, it's just not going to happen, and it would be odd and maybe boring.

I'm mostly talking about online auctions that I'm just not a huge fan of talking to try to drive up prices.

Sure, it might be smart, just like it might be smart for Alex Rodriguez to yell at the 3rd baseman while he's trying to catch the ball. It's annoying and bush league, even if maybe it's a good strategy.

My leagues generally don't do much talking about the player on the block, and I'm glad for it. They generally step back and let the bidders handle it.

 

[Run It Up]

My main league converted to auction this year.

Bidding people up is part of the game and table talk has always been an acceptable form of deception - if someone outright lies to another person I'll give them information that is accurate to my knowledge, but I have no problem with people suggesting someone is a steal if the player is being undersold or something similar.

 

[Amused to Death]

My main league converted to auction this year.

Bidding people up is part of the game and table talk has always been an acceptable form of deception - if someone outright lies to another person I'll give them information that is accurate to my knowledge, but I have no problem with people suggesting someone is a steal if the player is being undersold or something similar.

We all take turns nominating players and acting as the auctioneer for your nominated player. Even the auctioneer will make comments like "come on people, this is XXXX - remember his pro-bowl year 3 years ago? This is a steal". Owners who aren't bidding will say things like "I don't even need a QB but I might have to drop someone so I can get in on this action".

All part of the strategy/game/fun of doing live auctions. I wouldn't want to sit quietly patiently waiting for a player to come up that I have interest in. Part of the fun of an auction is being part of every player nominated - in more ways than just bidding.

 

[pollardsvision]

Just curious, those that play in "let's drive up the bidding with table talk" leagues, did you have a similar philosophy in draft leagues?

Meaning, did you talk about undrafted players in a manner to encourage them to be drafted.

Say you got Cam Newton in whatever round he goes in these days, and you have no plans on getting a 2nd QB. A QB run right after you already got your QB would be good for you, right? Would you have thought it poor form to start singing the praises of some of the QB's likely to go next? ("Man, I should've passed on Cam and grabbed Kaepernick in the 4th, he'll be just as good")

Or say you see a team is building a powerhouse, and you see an opportunity for someone to snipe a player that team needs (but you do not), you tell another owner, "hey why don't you go ahead and draft player X before he drops to Johnny"

Anyway, to each his own, but I think me and the guys I play with generally don't talk about players on the block as an extension of the old etiquette of not talking about players that haven't been drafted yet.

 

[Run It Up]

Just curious, those that play in "let's drive up the bidding with table talk" leagues, did you have a similar philosophy in draft leagues?

Meaning, did you talk about undrafted players in a manner to encourage them to be drafted.

Say you got Cam Newton in whatever round he goes in these days, and you have no plans on getting a 2nd QB. A QB run right after you already got your QB would be good for you, right? Would you have thought it poor form to start singing the praises of some of the QB's likely to go next? ("Man, I should've passed on Cam and grabbed Kaepernick in the 4th, he'll be just as good")

Anyway, to each his own, but I think me and the guys I play with generally don't talk about players on the block as an extension of the old etiquette of not talking about players that haven't been drafted yet.

I don't personally, no. The only time I talk about players in a non-auction draft is after I pick them, if I read a piece of news mid-draft that is relevant to that player but I have no interest in them and the occasional "I can't believe *insert injured or horrible player* is still on the board". The difference is everyone has the same opportunity to get every player in an auction, in a non-auction you are bound to the draft order.

 

[Amused to Death]

Just curious, those that play in "let's drive up the bidding with table talk" leagues, did you have a similar philosophy in draft leagues?

Meaning, did you talk about undrafted players in a manner to encourage them to be drafted.

Say you got Cam Newton in whatever round he goes in these days, and you have no plans on getting a 2nd QB. A QB run right after you already got your QB would be good for you, right? Would you have thought it poor form to start singing the praises of some of the QB's likely to go next? ("Man, I should've passed on Cam and grabbed Kaepernick in the 4th, he'll be just as good")

Anyway, to each his own, but I think me and the guys I play with generally don't talk about players on the block as an extension of the old etiquette of not talking about players that haven't been drafted yet.

I don't personally, no. The only time I talk about players in a non-auction draft is after I pick them, if I read a piece of news mid-draft that is relevant to that player but I have no interest in them and the occasional "I can't believe *insert injured or horrible player* is still on the board". The difference is everyone has the same opportunity to get every player in an auction, in a non-auction you are bound to the draft order.

Exactly. In a typical draft you're sitting there waiting for 10 more players to go off the board and hope a guy falls to you. There's no waiting in auctions. You want a guy, jump in and bid. But everyone should have their budgets and know what a player is worth in salary cap leagues. If you want a player, bid on him up to your breaking point. When 1 owner over pays, the other 11 all benefit to some degree.

 

[pollardsvision]

Just curious, those that play in "let's drive up the bidding with table talk" leagues, did you have a similar philosophy in draft leagues?

Meaning, did you talk about undrafted players in a manner to encourage them to be drafted.

Say you got Cam Newton in whatever round he goes in these days, and you have no plans on getting a 2nd QB. A QB run right after you already got your QB would be good for you, right? Would you have thought it poor form to start singing the praises of some of the QB's likely to go next? ("Man, I should've passed on Cam and grabbed Kaepernick in the 4th, he'll be just as good")

Anyway, to each his own, but I think me and the guys I play with generally don't talk about players on the block as an extension of the old etiquette of not talking about players that haven't been drafted yet.

I don't personally, no. The only time I talk about players in a non-auction draft is after I pick them, if I read a piece of news mid-draft that is relevant to that player but I have no interest in them and the occasional "I can't believe *insert injured or horrible player* is still on the board". The difference is everyone has the same opportunity to get every player in an auction, in a non-auction you are bound to the draft order.

Makes sense. It's definitely a little different.

Some leagues just do it differently, and that's interesting to me.

Personally, I view it as a similar breach of etiquette, as you are still attempting to screw with another guy's ability to acquire a player outside the confines of the auction/draft. Instead of taking a player from someone yourself, by bidding or drafting, you are encouraging others to do it for you when you can't.

I could see it just being part of the what's accepted though.

 

[kardplayer]

As the auctioneer, I make comments all the time to try and drive the price up - feel like that's part of the job of the auctioneer. Have no problem with others doing it as well. Up to the individuals bidding to ignore the noise.

In my auctions, sleepers tend to come up so late that there aren't many active bidders. This is in part because we only auction 8 rounds and draft the rest, but also because almost everyone in my league nominates the top guy (or at least someone in the top 3) at whatever position they want to nominate vs. digging deeper into the list and seeing if a steal is possible.

 

[Jojo the circus boy]

We had an auction draft the other night for a 16-teamer on Sportsline. Pretty much a disaster, multiple rollbacks due to people complaining that Sportsline was automatically bidding up players while they never touched a button. During the confusion the commish let certain owners keep players for $1 even if they won the player for a higher amount prior to the rollback, anyway aside from the technical difficulties...

If you have a conference call going during your auction, or perhaps during a live draft - do you allow owners to goad other owners into bidding up players? Do you allow owners to leak information about players on the block? For example we have kick and punt return yardage as a scoring stat, a common tactic when a player is on the block that you do not need is for an owner (that is not actively bidding on the player) to make a point of telling the other owners that this player returns kicks in hopes that the other owners bid up the price. Another tactic some owners started doing was saying "My sheet has this player listed at $37" when the price is at like $12 for the player on the block.

Is this considered fair game or bush league?

If you're conducting an auction via conference call or skype or something similar, I would be against table talk just because it can confuse bidding if people are crowding the air with comments and bids can't be heard.

Other than that, it's a house rules sort of thing. Nothing bush league about it on it's face. Just decide beforehand which way you want it to go.

I'm of the opinion that talking a player up or down during bidding is part of the game. Sticking someone who tried to run you up is also part of it. And return the favor to those that ran you up.

Acting like there's some kind of principle involved is about as silly as trying to argue that you shouldn't lie...err...bluff when playing poker.

Bluffing while playing poker is a horrible analogy. Telling one of the remaining two players who are left in the hand that his opponent must have chased a flush, missed on the river, and is now bluffing all-in to force you out of the hand is a better one.

 

[Jojo the circus boy]

As the auctioneer, I make comments all the time to try and drive the price up - feel like that's part of the job of the auctioneer. Have no problem with others doing it as well. Up to the individuals bidding to ignore the noise.

In my auctions, sleepers tend to come up so late that there aren't many active bidders. This is in part because we only auction 8 rounds and draft the rest, but also because almost everyone in my league nominates the top guy (or at least someone in the top 3) at whatever position they want to nominate vs. digging deeper into the list and seeing if a steal is possible.

That's a clearly different set up than a 16 team league auction that drafts 16 rounds, once you get into the middle to late rounds the guys that showed up to the draft unprepared will take any relevant information people offer them and will also usually be the ones with the most money left in their budget to bid up and/or steal value picks from those that knew to wait to nominate the sleepers. When I say sleepers, I'm not talking deep sleepers, I'm talking guys like Emmanuel Sanders who has the potential to be a top 20 receiver in a return yardage league that gets nominated after 50 WR's are already taken.

 

[Amused to Death]

As the auctioneer, I make comments all the time to try and drive the price up - feel like that's part of the job of the auctioneer. Have no problem with others doing it as well. Up to the individuals bidding to ignore the noise.

In my auctions, sleepers tend to come up so late that there aren't many active bidders. This is in part because we only auction 8 rounds and draft the rest, but also because almost everyone in my league nominates the top guy (or at least someone in the top 3) at whatever position they want to nominate vs. digging deeper into the list and seeing if a steal is possible.

That's a clearly different set up than a 16 team league auction that drafts 16 rounds, once you get into the middle to late rounds the guys that showed up to the draft unprepared will take any relevant information people offer them and will also usually be the ones with the most money left in their budget to bid up and/or steal value picks from those that knew to wait to nominate the sleepers. When I say sleepers, I'm not talking deep sleepers, I'm talking guys like Emmanuel Sanders who has the potential to be a top 20 receiver in a return yardage league that gets nominated after 50 WR's are already taken.

If I'm in your league, I want the guy who wasn't spending money early (and not involved in the 'studs') to over spend for Emmanuel Sanders. I don't want you (who got a few studs) to get a bargain on Sanders. Bid it up.

 

[Jojo the circus boy]

As the auctioneer, I make comments all the time to try and drive the price up - feel like that's part of the job of the auctioneer. Have no problem with others doing it as well. Up to the individuals bidding to ignore the noise.

In my auctions, sleepers tend to come up so late that there aren't many active bidders. This is in part because we only auction 8 rounds and draft the rest, but also because almost everyone in my league nominates the top guy (or at least someone in the top 3) at whatever position they want to nominate vs. digging deeper into the list and seeing if a steal is possible.

That's a clearly different set up than a 16 team league auction that drafts 16 rounds, once you get into the middle to late rounds the guys that showed up to the draft unprepared will take any relevant information people offer them and will also usually be the ones with the most money left in their budget to bid up and/or steal value picks from those that knew to wait to nominate the sleepers. When I say sleepers, I'm not talking deep sleepers, I'm talking guys like Emmanuel Sanders who has the potential to be a top 20 receiver in a return yardage league that gets nominated after 50 WR's are already taken.

If I'm in your league, I want the guy who wasn't spending money early (and not involved in the 'studs') to over spend for Emmanuel Sanders. I don't want you (who got a few studs) to get a bargain on Sanders. Bid it up.

That doesn't make your actions any less bush league

 

[Amused to Death]

As the auctioneer, I make comments all the time to try and drive the price up - feel like that's part of the job of the auctioneer. Have no problem with others doing it as well. Up to the individuals bidding to ignore the noise.

In my auctions, sleepers tend to come up so late that there aren't many active bidders. This is in part because we only auction 8 rounds and draft the rest, but also because almost everyone in my league nominates the top guy (or at least someone in the top 3) at whatever position they want to nominate vs. digging deeper into the list and seeing if a steal is possible.

That's a clearly different set up than a 16 team league auction that drafts 16 rounds, once you get into the middle to late rounds the guys that showed up to the draft unprepared will take any relevant information people offer them and will also usually be the ones with the most money left in their budget to bid up and/or steal value picks from those that knew to wait to nominate the sleepers. When I say sleepers, I'm not talking deep sleepers, I'm talking guys like Emmanuel Sanders who has the potential to be a top 20 receiver in a return yardage league that gets nominated after 50 WR's are already taken.

If I'm in your league, I want the guy who wasn't spending money early (and not involved in the 'studs') to over spend for Emmanuel Sanders. I don't want you (who got a few studs) to get a bargain on Sanders. Bid it up.

That doesn't make your actions any less bush league

We differ on the definition of "bush league".

 

[pollardsvision]

As the auctioneer, I make comments all the time to try and drive the price up - feel like that's part of the job of the auctioneer. Have no problem with others doing it as well. Up to the individuals bidding to ignore the noise.

In my auctions, sleepers tend to come up so late that there aren't many active bidders. This is in part because we only auction 8 rounds and draft the rest, but also because almost everyone in my league nominates the top guy (or at least someone in the top 3) at whatever position they want to nominate vs. digging deeper into the list and seeing if a steal is possible.

That's a clearly different set up than a 16 team league auction that drafts 16 rounds, once you get into the middle to late rounds the guys that showed up to the draft unprepared will take any relevant information people offer them and will also usually be the ones with the most money left in their budget to bid up and/or steal value picks from those that knew to wait to nominate the sleepers. When I say sleepers, I'm not talking deep sleepers, I'm talking guys like Emmanuel Sanders who has the potential to be a top 20 receiver in a return yardage league that gets nominated after 50 WR's are already taken.

If I'm in your league, I want the guy who wasn't spending money early (and not involved in the 'studs') to over spend for Emmanuel Sanders. I don't want you (who got a few studs) to get a bargain on Sanders. Bid it up.

That doesn't make your actions any less bush league

We differ on the definition of "bush league".

Obviously, the etiquette is determined by the league and it sounds like it's considered bush league in some but not in others.

Personally, I think the only way owners should be able to effect the cost of players is by bidding or not bidding.

If somebody's about to get a great deal on Emmanuel Sanders, and I'm out of money, to me, I've lost my right to have any say in what Sanders goes for.

 

[mquinnjr]

My leagues don't use a conference call, but the chat is active.

We generally don't talk about anyone on the block. It's not an actual rule, and I don't think it's that big of a deal. But it seems to be a little bush league, and I'd rather others shut up when I'm bidding on the player, so I don't do it to them.

The most common comment that would (and has a few times) happen is the "wow, is he really going to go that cheap?" comment. That's what I avoid, as it could possibly lead to bidding up a player otherwise might come cheaper.

If you think a player is a great value, bid, otherwise shut up.

Saying a player sucks during the bidding is perfectly acceptable and should be encouraged, I think.

Totally disagree. Talk all you want, say what you want. Owners should be savvy enough to know what they're doing. Our auctions are full of comments and chatter.

The problem I have in the larger format leagues is you have more owners that come in unprepared, they see a shark bidding on a player that might be a semi-sleeper, other sharks pick up on it and realize the shark is getting a steal but don't want him, so they explain to the other owners that the reason Joe Shark is bidding on that player is because he returns kick offs and punts, and then all of sudden other owners start bidding him to win him. Likewise when a shark is getting a guy for $9 and someone says my sheet has him listed at $31, you can say that guy could be lying but more times than not he is telling the truth to make sure someone does not get a steal. Like pollard said, bid him up yourself, don't make other owners do your bidding. I caught a few guys bidding me up and they got stuck with the player for $20 only to hear them say they didn't want him - they'd even say JoJo really wants this guy as they bid me up, oops.

I want other owners to spend cap space on players I don't want. My leagues are live, in-person with a group of friends who are all pretty equal (and knowledgeable) in their FFL skills/experience. So we're all trying to bust on each other and will bid up players all the time - or try to goad others into keeping the bidding going. Part of the risk is getting caught with a player you don't want.

What I was trying to point out is that the talking annoys me IF you are not hitting the bid button. If you want to talk trash/bid up a player, you better be actively bidding, or step aside to the kid's table and shut your mouth. I will call people directly on that. If you're bidding and talking trash/throwing news and facts out there, it's the other owners' who are bidding's problem if they didn't do enough homework/are in over their heads.

Bottom line, be bidding or be quiet.

Why does it matter whether I'm bidding or not?

Do you have a rule where one owner can't talk to another before the auction or during the season because some information might pass which would change what one of the owners is going to do in his bidding, lineup or waivers? I think most of us would think that's silly.

Well, talking a player up or down during the auction is not really any different. Poort thing, you might not get a player as cheap as you want. How is exploiting a weaker owner's lack of knowledge by outbidding him on a player more principled than influencing him to overbid on one? It isn't. It's simply a matter of preference, likely linked to how aggressive a personality you have.

Fantasy football is (in most formats) a closed system where every move by an owner affects every other owner. It's just the nature of the beast. Embrace it.

I view someone else sitting back and baiting other people to bid, false information or not, as bush league if they are not bidding themselves. No, we have no rule against this practice. But, it's called out for what it is in trash-talk directly to the person doing it - owners baiting other owners, who then proceed to sit back because they are too cheap/afraid to get into the bidding fray and back up whatever claims they are making.

Just trying to say i'd call it out personally and others do too as very bush league, but there's no rule against it or anything to that extent.

 

[Daywalker]

My leagues don't use a conference call, but the chat is active.

We generally don't talk about anyone on the block. It's not an actual rule, and I don't think it's that big of a deal. But it seems to be a little bush league, and I'd rather others shut up when I'm bidding on the player, so I don't do it to them.

The most common comment that would (and has a few times) happen is the "wow, is he really going to go that cheap?" comment. That's what I avoid, as it could possibly lead to bidding up a player otherwise might come cheaper.

If you think a player is a great value, bid, otherwise shut up.

Saying a player sucks during the bidding is perfectly acceptable and should be encouraged, I think.

Totally disagree. Talk all you want, say what you want. Owners should be savvy enough to know what they're doing. Our auctions are full of comments and chatter.

The problem I have in the larger format leagues is you have more owners that come in unprepared, they see a shark bidding on a player that might be a semi-sleeper, other sharks pick up on it and realize the shark is getting a steal but don't want him, so they explain to the other owners that the reason Joe Shark is bidding on that player is because he returns kick offs and punts, and then all of sudden other owners start bidding him to win him. Likewise when a shark is getting a guy for $9 and someone says my sheet has him listed at $31, you can say that guy could be lying but more times than not he is telling the truth to make sure someone does not get a steal. Like pollard said, bid him up yourself, don't make other owners do your bidding. I caught a few guys bidding me up and they got stuck with the player for $20 only to hear them say they didn't want him - they'd even say JoJo really wants this guy as they bid me up, oops.

I want other owners to spend cap space on players I don't want. My leagues are live, in-person with a group of friends who are all pretty equal (and knowledgeable) in their FFL skills/experience. So we're all trying to bust on each other and will bid up players all the time - or try to goad others into keeping the bidding going. Part of the risk is getting caught with a player you don't want.

What I was trying to point out is that the talking annoys me IF you are not hitting the bid button. If you want to talk trash/bid up a player, you better be actively bidding, or step aside to the kid's table and shut your mouth. I will call people directly on that. If you're bidding and talking trash/throwing news and facts out there, it's the other owners' who are bidding's problem if they didn't do enough homework/are in over their heads.

Bottom line, be bidding or be quiet.

Why does it matter whether I'm bidding or not?

Do you have a rule where one owner can't talk to another before the auction or during the season because some information might pass which would change what one of the owners is going to do in his bidding, lineup or waivers? I think most of us would think that's silly.

Well, talking a player up or down during the auction is not really any different. Poort thing, you might not get a player as cheap as you want. How is exploiting a weaker owner's lack of knowledge by outbidding him on a player more principled than influencing him to overbid on one? It isn't. It's simply a matter of preference, likely linked to how aggressive a personality you have.

Fantasy football is (in most formats) a closed system where every move by an owner affects every other owner. It's just the nature of the beast. Embrace it.

I view someone else sitting back and baiting other people to bid, false information or not, as bush league if they are not bidding themselves. No, we have no rule against this practice. But, it's called out for what it is in trash-talk directly to the person doing it - owners baiting other owners, who then proceed to sit back because they are too cheap/afraid to get into the bidding fray and back up whatever claims they are making.

Just trying to say i'd call it out personally and others do too as very bush league, but there's no rule against it or anything to that extent.

How do you know when someone is not in the bidding?

 

[TALL hobbit]

It seems like some of this "talk" could go too far and turn into "coaching" rather than just general - smack talk, and driving up the prices. Where do people draw the line, or is it more or less a free-for-all?

When I'm competing against you in an auction - we're both supposed to have 200$ to bid - doesn't seem fair that anyone should have $200 plus the $200 of some sheep. If most leagues don't allow trades and trade backs - because the idea is that you're supposed to only be using your own bench to deal with bye weeks - it seems like some auction talk should be forbidden.

Full disclosure - I've been in exactly one auction (this year) so I'm speaking as a complete neophyte and just giving my thoughts to try to learn from people who have been in the format for a while (i.e. I don't claim to have the answers just a desire to never go back to a snake-draft again).

 

[Jojo the circus boy]

It seems like some of this "talk" could go too far and turn into "coaching" rather than just general - smack talk, and driving up the prices. Where do people draw the line, or is it more or less a free-for-all?

When I'm competing against you in an auction - we're both supposed to have 200$ to bid - doesn't seem fair that anyone should have $200 plus the $200 of some sheep. If most leagues don't allow trades and trade backs - because the idea is that you're supposed to only be using your own bench to deal with bye weeks - it seems like some auction talk should be forbidden.

Full disclosure - I've been in exactly one auction (this year) so I'm speaking as a complete neophyte and just giving my thoughts to try to learn from people who have been in the format for a while (i.e. I don't claim to have the answers just a desire to never go back to a snake-draft again).

You make some good points regarding where do you draw the line. Most leagues and commissioners are going to have an all or none policy when it comes to goading other owners to bid up players. The All policy can get out of hand and I'd consider it borderline collusion.

I'd be inclined to go with a blind bid auction but that would create so many headaches I don't think you could get it to work. Maybe do it by position so that you can adjust accordingly between positional drafts. Possibly even do it in sets of players (top 10 QB's, QB's 11-20, rest of the field). Seems like too much room for error though since you would have to set a budget per position, then a budget of how many players you want per position, then you'd have to worry about only getting two $1 QB's because everyone's blind bid exceeded yours, finally you'd have cases where guys would outbid everyone for top QB, RB, and WR and have no money left to fill out their roster.

Easier just to say "no talk about current player up for auction until bidding is complete."

 

[GregR]

I think it does depend on the league, and live auctions are more likely to be looser on this stuff than online auctions. Especially if there is an actual impartial auctioneer.

Lobbying other teams to be run a certain way is kind of a sticky area in general. It can easily be taken too far. In a draft, "Hey, grab QBs at the turn of the round with me and we'll shut everyone else out of them" may sound innocent, but truly is lobbying a team to participate in collusion. Both teams acting collectively for benefits (increased value of their players) that neither team would have obtained competing as individuals.

In an auction, a bit of simple goading could be harmless. And it can also very easily cross the line to getting members of the league to gang up on specific other owners in a similarly collusive fashion. And people can easily cross that line without intending or realizing that's what they've done. So much easier to just not allow it at all.

If a league as a whole want to allow it, absolutely nothing wrong with it. But I think the expectation walking into a league you know nothing about, is that it isn't ok until you ask or find out otherwise.

 

[flapgreen]

Sounds like you're taking things too seriously.

 

[mquinnjr]

My leagues don't use a conference call, but the chat is active.

We generally don't talk about anyone on the block. It's not an actual rule, and I don't think it's that big of a deal. But it seems to be a little bush league, and I'd rather others shut up when I'm bidding on the player, so I don't do it to them.

The most common comment that would (and has a few times) happen is the "wow, is he really going to go that cheap?" comment. That's what I avoid, as it could possibly lead to bidding up a player otherwise might come cheaper.

If you think a player is a great value, bid, otherwise shut up.

Saying a player sucks during the bidding is perfectly acceptable and should be encouraged, I think.

Totally disagree. Talk all you want, say what you want. Owners should be savvy enough to know what they're doing. Our auctions are full of comments and chatter.

The problem I have in the larger format leagues is you have more owners that come in unprepared, they see a shark bidding on a player that might be a semi-sleeper, other sharks pick up on it and realize the shark is getting a steal but don't want him, so they explain to the other owners that the reason Joe Shark is bidding on that player is because he returns kick offs and punts, and then all of sudden other owners start bidding him to win him. Likewise when a shark is getting a guy for $9 and someone says my sheet has him listed at $31, you can say that guy could be lying but more times than not he is telling the truth to make sure someone does not get a steal. Like pollard said, bid him up yourself, don't make other owners do your bidding. I caught a few guys bidding me up and they got stuck with the player for $20 only to hear them say they didn't want him - they'd even say JoJo really wants this guy as they bid me up, oops.

I want other owners to spend cap space on players I don't want. My leagues are live, in-person with a group of friends who are all pretty equal (and knowledgeable) in their FFL skills/experience. So we're all trying to bust on each other and will bid up players all the time - or try to goad others into keeping the bidding going. Part of the risk is getting caught with a player you don't want.

What I was trying to point out is that the talking annoys me IF you are not hitting the bid button. If you want to talk trash/bid up a player, you better be actively bidding, or step aside to the kid's table and shut your mouth. I will call people directly on that. If you're bidding and talking trash/throwing news and facts out there, it's the other owners' who are bidding's problem if they didn't do enough homework/are in over their heads.

Bottom line, be bidding or be quiet.

Why does it matter whether I'm bidding or not?

Do you have a rule where one owner can't talk to another before the auction or during the season because some information might pass which would change what one of the owners is going to do in his bidding, lineup or waivers? I think most of us would think that's silly.

Well, talking a player up or down during the auction is not really any different. Poort thing, you might not get a player as cheap as you want. How is exploiting a weaker owner's lack of knowledge by outbidding him on a player more principled than influencing him to overbid on one? It isn't. It's simply a matter of preference, likely linked to how aggressive a personality you have.

Fantasy football is (in most formats) a closed system where every move by an owner affects every other owner. It's just the nature of the beast. Embrace it.

I view someone else sitting back and baiting other people to bid, false information or not, as bush league if they are not bidding themselves. No, we have no rule against this practice. But, it's called out for what it is in trash-talk directly to the person doing it - owners baiting other owners, who then proceed to sit back because they are too cheap/afraid to get into the bidding fray and back up whatever claims they are making.

Just trying to say i'd call it out personally and others do too as very bush league, but there's no rule against it or anything to that extent.

How do you know when someone is not in the bidding?

I don't see their team name and a bid $ show up while they bait others to do their bidding while they sit back. The draft is done together, but electronically.

 

[Daywalker]

My leagues don't use a conference call, but the chat is active.

We generally don't talk about anyone on the block. It's not an actual rule, and I don't think it's that big of a deal. But it seems to be a little bush league, and I'd rather others shut up when I'm bidding on the player, so I don't do it to them.

The most common comment that would (and has a few times) happen is the "wow, is he really going to go that cheap?" comment. That's what I avoid, as it could possibly lead to bidding up a player otherwise might come cheaper.

If you think a player is a great value, bid, otherwise shut up.

Saying a player sucks during the bidding is perfectly acceptable and should be encouraged, I think.

Totally disagree. Talk all you want, say what you want. Owners should be savvy enough to know what they're doing. Our auctions are full of comments and chatter.

The problem I have in the larger format leagues is you have more owners that come in unprepared, they see a shark bidding on a player that might be a semi-sleeper, other sharks pick up on it and realize the shark is getting a steal but don't want him, so they explain to the other owners that the reason Joe Shark is bidding on that player is because he returns kick offs and punts, and then all of sudden other owners start bidding him to win him. Likewise when a shark is getting a guy for $9 and someone says my sheet has him listed at $31, you can say that guy could be lying but more times than not he is telling the truth to make sure someone does not get a steal. Like pollard said, bid him up yourself, don't make other owners do your bidding. I caught a few guys bidding me up and they got stuck with the player for $20 only to hear them say they didn't want him - they'd even say JoJo really wants this guy as they bid me up, oops.

I want other owners to spend cap space on players I don't want. My leagues are live, in-person with a group of friends who are all pretty equal (and knowledgeable) in their FFL skills/experience. So we're all trying to bust on each other and will bid up players all the time - or try to goad others into keeping the bidding going. Part of the risk is getting caught with a player you don't want.

What I was trying to point out is that the talking annoys me IF you are not hitting the bid button. If you want to talk trash/bid up a player, you better be actively bidding, or step aside to the kid's table and shut your mouth. I will call people directly on that. If you're bidding and talking trash/throwing news and facts out there, it's the other owners' who are bidding's problem if they didn't do enough homework/are in over their heads.

Bottom line, be bidding or be quiet.

Why does it matter whether I'm bidding or not?

Do you have a rule where one owner can't talk to another before the auction or during the season because some information might pass which would change what one of the owners is going to do in his bidding, lineup or waivers? I think most of us would think that's silly.

Well, talking a player up or down during the auction is not really any different. Poort thing, you might not get a player as cheap as you want. How is exploiting a weaker owner's lack of knowledge by outbidding him on a player more principled than influencing him to overbid on one? It isn't. It's simply a matter of preference, likely linked to how aggressive a personality you have.

Fantasy football is (in most formats) a closed system where every move by an owner affects every other owner. It's just the nature of the beast. Embrace it.

I view someone else sitting back and baiting other people to bid, false information or not, as bush league if they are not bidding themselves. No, we have no rule against this practice. But, it's called out for what it is in trash-talk directly to the person doing it - owners baiting other owners, who then proceed to sit back because they are too cheap/afraid to get into the bidding fray and back up whatever claims they are making.

Just trying to say i'd call it out personally and others do too as very bush league, but there's no rule against it or anything to that extent.

How do you know when someone is not in the bidding?

I don't see their team name and a bid $ show up while they bait others to do their bidding while they sit back. The draft is done together, but electronically.

Sitting back and coming in with a last second bid is pretty common. Sitting back on a player you want waiting to put in a bid only for it to go too high is also common. Point is just because you are not bidding doesn't mean you're not vying for that player.

 

[pollardsvision]

Totally disagree. Talk all you want, say what you want. Owners should be savvy enough to know what they're doing. Our auctions are full of comments and chatter.

The problem I have in the larger format leagues is you have more owners that come in unprepared, they see a shark bidding on a player that might be a semi-sleeper, other sharks pick up on it and realize the shark is getting a steal but don't want him, so they explain to the other owners that the reason Joe Shark is bidding on that player is because he returns kick offs and punts, and then all of sudden other owners start bidding him to win him. Likewise when a shark is getting a guy for $9 and someone says my sheet has him listed at $31, you can say that guy could be lying but more times than not he is telling the truth to make sure someone does not get a steal. Like pollard said, bid him up yourself, don't make other owners do your bidding. I caught a few guys bidding me up and they got stuck with the player for $20 only to hear them say they didn't want him - they'd even say JoJo really wants this guy as they bid me up, oops.

I want other owners to spend cap space on players I don't want. My leagues are live, in-person with a group of friends who are all pretty equal (and knowledgeable) in their FFL skills/experience. So we're all trying to bust on each other and will bid up players all the time - or try to goad others into keeping the bidding going. Part of the risk is getting caught with a player you don't want.

What I was trying to point out is that the talking annoys me IF you are not hitting the bid button. If you want to talk trash/bid up a player, you better be actively bidding, or step aside to the kid's table and shut your mouth. I will call people directly on that. If you're bidding and talking trash/throwing news and facts out there, it's the other owners' who are bidding's problem if they didn't do enough homework/are in over their heads.

Bottom line, be bidding or be quiet.

Why does it matter whether I'm bidding or not?

Do you have a rule where one owner can't talk to another before the auction or during the season because some information might pass which would change what one of the owners is going to do in his bidding, lineup or waivers? I think most of us would think that's silly.

Well, talking a player up or down during the auction is not really any different. Poort thing, you might not get a player as cheap as you want. How is exploiting a weaker owner's lack of knowledge by outbidding him on a player more principled than influencing him to overbid on one? It isn't. It's simply a matter of preference, likely linked to how aggressive a personality you have.

Fantasy football is (in most formats) a closed system where every move by an owner affects every other owner. It's just the nature of the beast. Embrace it.

I view someone else sitting back and baiting other people to bid, false information or not, as bush league if they are not bidding themselves. No, we have no rule against this practice. But, it's called out for what it is in trash-talk directly to the person doing it - owners baiting other owners, who then proceed to sit back because they are too cheap/afraid to get into the bidding fray and back up whatever claims they are making.

Just trying to say i'd call it out personally and others do too as very bush league, but there's no rule against it or anything to that extent.

How do you know when someone is not in the bidding?

I don't see their team name and a bid $ show up while they bait others to do their bidding while they sit back. The draft is done together, but electronically.

Sitting back and coming in with a last second bid is pretty common. Sitting back on a player you want waiting to put in a bid only for it to go too high is also common. Point is just because you are not bidding doesn't mean you're not vying for that player.

I think the correct answer to your original question is...

"if someone is telling others in the league to bid more on a player, you can safely assume they aren't trying to acquire that player for their own team"

 

[teamramrod]

We do an in-person auction, and there's smack talk all day. Couldn't imagine it without it.

this

all my live/chat drafts are like this.

"Did you hear that Calvin Johnson blew out both knees yesterday?"

peace