RotoHog's interesting twist? (1 Viewer)

[corpcow]

This new league management site just raised a $6m VC round, in part because of their "interesting twist".

In most fantasy sports, the drafting order is arbitrary and therefore unfair. RotoHog seeks to change this by creating chaos: After a countdown, the draft begins for everyone at the same time; and people draft players by clicking on them before anyone else. It’s a mad rush that in theory gives everyone an equal shot.

I realize auctions take awhile, but if you ask me that has to be the DUMBEST way to "ensure fairness".

 

[Anthony Borbely]

This new league management site just raised a $6m VC round, in part because of their "interesting twist".

In most fantasy sports, the drafting order is arbitrary and therefore unfair. RotoHog seeks to change this by creating chaos: After a countdown, the draft begins for everyone at the same time; and people draft players by clicking on them before anyone else. It’s a mad rush that in theory gives everyone an equal shot.

I realize auctions take awhile, but if you ask me that has to be the DUMBEST way to "ensure fairness".

That sure takes a lot of skill.

 

[corpcow]

This new league management site just raised a $6m VC round, in part because of their "interesting twist".

In most fantasy sports, the drafting order is arbitrary and therefore unfair. RotoHog seeks to change this by creating chaos: After a countdown, the draft begins for everyone at the same time; and people draft players by clicking on them before anyone else. It’s a mad rush that in theory gives everyone an equal shot.

I realize auctions take awhile, but if you ask me that has to be the DUMBEST way to "ensure fairness".

That sure takes a lot of skill.

Exactly. You know, on that front, I wonder if there would be any issues on the game of skill vs. game of luck designation. I guess they can argue that it takes skill to click faster....

 

[Angrymutt]

BRILLIANT!

 

[smcindoe]

This is a dumb idea for an online draft, but it would be wicked fun in a live draft. Just have a draft board and a bunch of names on cue cards. Have Pacman Jones come in and "make it rain" with all the names, and then off you go.

 

[corpcow]

This is a dumb idea for an online draft, but it would be wicked fun in a live draft. Just have a draft board and a bunch of names on cue cards. Have Pacman Jones come in and "make it rain" with all the names, and then off you go.

hahaha.. Nice!

 

[Dave Stauff]

Wonder if they give everyone a T-1 line before countdown? Bizarre . . .

 

[Sleeper 43]

My jaw is still hanging in the fact that someone pitched such a dumb idea an somehow left the meeting with 6 Mil.............

 

[BLOX]

I don't think all of the players are available at the beginning of the draft.

I think new players are introduced in each round. You would have an advantage if you were able to skim faster though.

 

[secretid]

PLEASE READ THIS POST BEFORE MOCKING ROTOHOG!!!

Hahaha, this is a TERRIBLE misrepresentation of what they do. I mean really bad.

Yes, each round is a free-for-all to draft. However, the game operates on a market-based system in which you can buy and sell players with no transaction limitations after the draft. There's 1 of each player for every 10(?) teams playing the game, so only 10% of teams can have a guy on their roster.

But if everyone wants LT his price will go up. If he sells out his price could absolutely skyrocket. If he gets hurt and everyone is selling and no one is buying his price plummets.

It's actually a fantastic system and their pricing mechanisms are very good. I've been playing (and rocking) their baseball contest all year.

Edit: PS initial player prices are set based on the value of players so not everyone is going to be after the same guys. People will go after who they personally view to be bargains.

 

[secretid]

PS - It's probably the only system out there that allows you to play for high stakes, even with strangers, without the possibility of corruption.

And given that games of skill are the only legal form of online gambling in the US right now that is a HUGE deal for them. I would've invested given the opportunity.

 

[corpcow]

PLEASE READ THIS POST BEFORE MOCKING ROTOHOG!!!

Hahaha, this is a TERRIBLE misrepresentation of what they do. I mean really bad.

Yes, each round is a free-for-all to draft. However, the game operates on a market-based system in which you can buy and sell players with no transaction limitations after the draft. There's 1 of each player for every 10(?) teams playing the game, so only 10% of teams can have a guy on their roster.

But if everyone wants LT his price will go up. If he sells out his price could absolutely skyrocket. If he gets hurt and everyone is selling and no one is buying his price plummets.

It's actually a fantastic system and their pricing mechanisms are very good. I've been playing (and rocking) their baseball contest all year.

Edit: PS initial player prices are set based on the value of players so not everyone is going to be after the same guys. People will go after who they personally view to be bargains.

I do like that part of the system, but this "free for all" draft sounds a bit stupid.

 

[secretid]

Sharks use the draft to pick up all the underpriced players out there that the fish aren't even aware of. It's really a non-issue unless you're a huge fish that just wants to get LT, SJax, and Manning all on your team at the draft thus using basically your entire salary cap.

 

[Reality Football]

This is reminiscent of the kinds of odd strategies kids think up when a birthday-party piñata is about to bust out candy all over the floor.

 

[by_the_sea_wannabe]

Alot of people do these drafts on yahoo, so sad (w/o the market part).

 

[ScoobyDoo]

My favorite part of fantasy football is the draft. It is the funnest day of the year. Sitting down after working hard in the preseason to work out my strategies with all the people in the league in the same room picking players is what fun is all about.

This idea is dumb.

 

[MarcO]

PLEASE READ THIS POST BEFORE MOCKING ROTOHOG!!!

Hahaha, this is a TERRIBLE misrepresentation of what they do. I mean really bad.

Yes, each round is a free-for-all to draft. However, the game operates on a market-based system in which you can buy and sell players with no transaction limitations after the draft. There's 1 of each player for every 10(?) teams playing the game, so only 10% of teams can have a guy on their roster.

But if everyone wants LT his price will go up. If he sells out his price could absolutely skyrocket. If he gets hurt and everyone is selling and no one is buying his price plummets.

It's actually a fantastic system and their pricing mechanisms are very good. I've been playing (and rocking) their baseball contest all year.

Edit: PS initial player prices are set based on the value of players so not everyone is going to be after the same guys. People will go after who they personally view to be bargains.

People tend to mock what they do not understand. you are right - it is a terrible misrepresentation of what they do.

 

[corpcow]

Sharks use the draft to pick up all the underpriced players out there that the fish aren't even aware of. It's really a non-issue unless you're a huge fish that just wants to get LT, SJax, and Manning all on your team at the draft thus using basically your entire salary cap.

Is it first-come, first-serve? Or do you actually bid on it?

 

[corpcow]

PLEASE READ THIS POST BEFORE MOCKING ROTOHOG!!!

Hahaha, this is a TERRIBLE misrepresentation of what they do. I mean really bad.

Yes, each round is a free-for-all to draft. However, the game operates on a market-based system in which you can buy and sell players with no transaction limitations after the draft. There's 1 of each player for every 10(?) teams playing the game, so only 10% of teams can have a guy on their roster.

But if everyone wants LT his price will go up. If he sells out his price could absolutely skyrocket. If he gets hurt and everyone is selling and no one is buying his price plummets.

It's actually a fantastic system and their pricing mechanisms are very good. I've been playing (and rocking) their baseball contest all year.

Edit: PS initial player prices are set based on the value of players so not everyone is going to be after the same guys. People will go after who they personally view to be bargains.

People tend to mock what they do not understand. you are right - it is a terrible misrepresentation of what they do.

I've never used it. I'm only mocking what is described in the article. I'm not sure I understand this free-for-all draft. Why don't one of you guys who use it explain? The market system seems interesting, but...

 

[MarcO]

PLEASE READ THIS POST BEFORE MOCKING ROTOHOG!!!

Hahaha, this is a TERRIBLE misrepresentation of what they do. I mean really bad.

Yes, each round is a free-for-all to draft. However, the game operates on a market-based system in which you can buy and sell players with no transaction limitations after the draft. There's 1 of each player for every 10(?) teams playing the game, so only 10% of teams can have a guy on their roster.

But if everyone wants LT his price will go up. If he sells out his price could absolutely skyrocket. If he gets hurt and everyone is selling and no one is buying his price plummets.

It's actually a fantastic system and their pricing mechanisms are very good. I've been playing (and rocking) their baseball contest all year.

Edit: PS initial player prices are set based on the value of players so not everyone is going to be after the same guys. People will go after who they personally view to be bargains.

People tend to mock what they do not understand. you are right - it is a terrible misrepresentation of what they do.

I've never used it. I'm only mocking what is described in the article. I'm not sure I understand this free-for-all draft. Why don't one of you guys who use it explain? The market system seems interesting, but...

Never used it - I think it is brand new - but someone else said they used it ofr baseball - maybe they can speak from experience, but this is how i interpret it: The first round: there are 10-12 players on theboard depending on the league size. You select (or try) to select the player you think is the best value or best player - some would go straight for LT2 - but his price will be steep, some may go for Fast Willie - thinking they can spend much less on this first rounder and get comparable stats - and save money for later rounds. You adjust your strategy after each round depending on the player you get.

as the season progresses - your palyers values change as their season goes - for better or worse. (this is me speculating) - you can go to a "trading floor" where other teams have players for sale and you have your for sale - if you have accumulated value in say Willie Parker and want to trade up for an declining in value LT2 - then you make the trade.

In the bigger leagues - if there are 120 teams then there are 10 LT2 available (1 player for every 12 owners)

 

[secretid]

corp, you have a salary cap that you start with (you can increase it through smart trading). With that cap you "draft" your players with the other people.

Initial player values are already set, so LT may cost $85 of your $300 budget while Lynch might be just $15 (these numbers are not real). These prices are fixed for all drafts. All drafts are completed several days before the season at which time the trading floor opens and prices can fluctuate dramatically as people rush to grab bargains or sell overpriced players.

You can (generally) get whatever players you want at this point on the trading floor so long as you can afford them. This is why it's silly to mock the draft. It would be far stpider for them to have a 3-hour drafting process only to have you selling off your whole squad a few days later. In theory all players are of equal "value" once the floor opens because they're all priced at exactly what they're worth.

Players can sell out (there's only one of each player for each 10(?) teams), but when they do the price goes up and up and up until the pressure to sell equalizes the pressure to buy.

Again, like I said, this is the only completely "fair" system I've seen or could even imagine. The playing field is totally level.

 

[corpcow]

corp, you have a salary cap that you start with (you can increase it through smart trading). With that cap you "draft" your players with the other people.Initial player values are already set, so LT may cost $85 of your $300 budget while Lynch might be just $15 (these numbers are not real). These prices are fixed for all drafts. All drafts are completed several days before the season at which time the trading floor opens and prices can fluctuate dramatically as people rush to grab bargains or sell overpriced players. You can (generally) get whatever players you want at this point on the trading floor so long as you can afford them. This is why it's silly to mock the draft. It would be far stpider for them to have a 3-hour drafting process only to have you selling off your whole squad a few days later. In theory all players are of equal "value" once the floor opens because they're all priced at exactly what they're worth. Players can sell out (there's only one of each player for each 10(?) teams), but when they do the price goes up and up and up until the pressure to sell equalizes the pressure to buy.Again, like I said, this is the only completely "fair" system I've seen or could even imagine. The playing field is totally level.

But wouldn't an auction more accurately capture the true value at draft time? Even if both of us feel that LT is worth 30% of your overall budget, how does the system determine which person gets him at that price? The article suggests that it's the first person who clicks on him. If that's the case, I don't see how any of this is fair, which was my original point.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Well...

 

[MarcO]

corp, you have a salary cap that you start with (you can increase it through smart trading). With that cap you "draft" your players with the other people.Initial player values are already set, so LT may cost $85 of your $300 budget while Lynch might be just $15 (these numbers are not real). These prices are fixed for all drafts. All drafts are completed several days before the season at which time the trading floor opens and prices can fluctuate dramatically as people rush to grab bargains or sell overpriced players. You can (generally) get whatever players you want at this point on the trading floor so long as you can afford them. This is why it's silly to mock the draft. It would be far stpider for them to have a 3-hour drafting process only to have you selling off your whole squad a few days later. In theory all players are of equal "value" once the floor opens because they're all priced at exactly what they're worth. Players can sell out (there's only one of each player for each 10(?) teams), but when they do the price goes up and up and up until the pressure to sell equalizes the pressure to buy.Again, like I said, this is the only completely "fair" system I've seen or could even imagine. The playing field is totally level.

But wouldn't an auction more accurately capture the true value at draft time? Even if both of us feel that LT is worth 30% of your overall budget, how does the system determine which person gets him at that price? The article suggests that it's the first person who clicks on him. If that's the case, I don't see how any of this is fair, which was my original point.

Not saying it is a perfect system... yes it is the first person who clicks on him. consider this scenario:here are the first round selections:LT - $100SJAX - $85LJ - $80SA - $75Frank Gore $75Willie Parker - $70Westbrook - $70Manning - $65Addai - $60Bush - $55Henry -$50S Smith - $50What is the best move? A skilled Fantasy Footballer that has his auction values predetermined and would know right away what the best vlaues are - maybe Henry @ $50 (as an example), while a not so experienced drafter jumps on LT right away. It would further seperate the sharks and the guppies in the later rounds when you have already identified players you think are undervalued and the guppy is trying to look up the names of the players on the board and if they can afford him, if they fit into his budget, etc..

 

[secretid]

An auction doesn't work because you need the player to go for the same price in every draft. This is because of the trading floor aspect. Obviously one twelve-team league doesn't have even a fraction of the necessary liquidity to do this. So all leagues trade on one unified playing floor.

I realize their system is offending your traditional sense of fantasy football, but if you played the game I think you're realize how insignificant it is. If you and another guy each wanted LT at $85 then the one that doesn't get him can go grab him on the trading floor first thing when it opens. Plus for the most part you're going to be targeting totally different players anyway.

 

[secretid]

Also, not to sound like a Rotohog promotions rep or something, but it's worth noting they're giving away over $200,000 with no entry fees whatsoever. That's a lot of effing money.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

not to sound like a Rotohog promotions rep

You certainly do.

 

[Alwazefun]

It may indeed end up sucking, but it sounds like an interesting enough concept to try for free ... and who knows the idea might take off, because this is the second site i've seen taking this stock market type approach to fantasy sports ... protrade.com being the other.

 

[corpcow]

It may indeed end up sucking, but it sounds like an interesting enough concept to try for free ... and who knows the idea might take off, because this is the second site i've seen taking this stock market type approach to fantasy sports ... protrade.com being the other.

Right but with ProTrade any number of people can own a particular player, more like the subscribers contest here

 

[Art_VanDalay]

Guys seriously this is absurd! If you want a fair order, simply you the final standings of the year before for your order (worst to first or vice-versa). That way everyone has no one to blame but themselves!

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

It totally amazes me how resistant people are to change.

First, they bash the idea before knowing a thing about it.

Next, someone explains it in more detail but that doesn't dissuade the masses. Hey, it could be a more viable, and probably more fair, way to play the game. This didn't happen overnight. They even go on to say that it favors sharks and such, which should have people here drooling. But no! It's different! And we will continue to punch holes in it until you go away. And forget about the thought that maybe trying this new game, just like you did with the one you are playing now, just might make you a believer. No, NEVER! Actually, I remember making fun of FF geeks way back when, but I digress.

Also worth mention, is the fact that you can bet they did their homework. LMAO @ the guy that thinks it was some quick BS pitch. Yeah, that's exactly what happened. Look, we all know how HUGE FF is now. It only makes sense that the next progression has some entrepreneurial minds trying to take it to the next level. Make no mistake, there are plenty of flaws in the current methods, from drafting to scoring and more. It will evolve, and those that weren't afraid to tackle new ideas, will benefit greatly. I would love to invest in something like this.

Silly sheep.

 

[Alwazefun]

Guys seriously this is absurd! If you want a fair order, simply you the final standings of the year before for your order (worst to first or vice-versa). That way everyone has no one to blame but themselves!

I wasnt advocating that this should be the new standard in FF drafting, I was simply saying it may be an a fun game to try out. I realize the OPs post has a quote saying this is a "more fair" way to draft but after going and looking at the site I dont believe they are necessarily advocating that fantasy leagues should switch to this "fair" way of drafting. I think they are advertising a different type of fantasy game in general. IF the intention of my post was to find the fairest way to draft it definitely wouldnt be a "worst to first or vice-versa" snake draft you are suggesting, as those are the worst drafts as far as fairness goes. If we are looking for the fairest way to draft then auctions should be the standard as they are easiest way to make things fair across the board, and add more skill to the draft.

 

[Traders2001]

This is the most ridiculous way to draft i have heard of , then your better off having a computer generated draft ( Same thing ) no fun no need for skills ( Except clicking ) totally stupid.

 

[Alwazefun]

It totally amazes me how resistant people are to change.

First, they bash the idea before knowing a thing about it.

Next, someone explains it in more detail but that doesn't dissuade the masses. Hey, it could be a more viable, and probably more fair, way to play the game. This didn't happen overnight. They even go on to say that it favors sharks and such, which should have people here drooling. But no! It's different! And we will continue to punch holes in it until you go away. And forget about the thought that maybe trying this new game, just like you did with the one you are playing now, just might make you a believer. No, NEVER! Actually, I remember making fun of FF geeks way back when, but I digress.

Also worth mention, is the fact that you can bet they did their homework. LMAO @ the guy that thinks it was some quick BS pitch. Yeah, that's exactly what happened. Look, we all know how HUGE FF is now. It only makes sense that the next progression has some entrepreneurial minds trying to take it to the next level. Make no mistake, there are plenty of flaws in the current methods, from drafting to scoring and more. It will evolve, and those that weren't afraid to tackle new ideas, will benefit greatly. I would love to invest in something like this.

Silly sheep.

Snakedraft, TD only leagues, with scores figured with pencil and paper from the newspaper is the only way to go

 

[Uruk-Hai]

It totally amazes me how resistant people are to change.

First, they bash the idea before knowing a thing about it.

Next, someone explains it in more detail but that doesn't dissuade the masses. Hey, it could be a more viable, and probably more fair, way to play the game. This didn't happen overnight. They even go on to say that it favors sharks and such, which should have people here drooling. But no! It's different! And we will continue to punch holes in it until you go away. And forget about the thought that maybe trying this new game, just like you did with the one you are playing now, just might make you a believer. No, NEVER! Actually, I remember making fun of FF geeks way back when, but I digress.

Also worth mention, is the fact that you can bet they did their homework. LMAO @ the guy that thinks it was some quick BS pitch. Yeah, that's exactly what happened. Look, we all know how HUGE FF is now. It only makes sense that the next progression has some entrepreneurial minds trying to take it to the next level. Make no mistake, there are plenty of flaws in the current methods, from drafting to scoring and more. It will evolve, and those that weren't afraid to tackle new ideas, will benefit greatly. I would love to invest in something like this.

Silly sheep.

I still can't quite wrap my head around this approach but to dismiss it out of hand seems pretty shortsighted to me.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

It totally amazes me how resistant people are to change.

First, they bash the idea before knowing a thing about it.

Next, someone explains it in more detail but that doesn't dissuade the masses. Hey, it could be a more viable, and probably more fair, way to play the game. This didn't happen overnight. They even go on to say that it favors sharks and such, which should have people here drooling. But no! It's different! And we will continue to punch holes in it until you go away. And forget about the thought that maybe trying this new game, just like you did with the one you are playing now, just might make you a believer. No, NEVER! Actually, I remember making fun of FF geeks way back when, but I digress.

Also worth mention, is the fact that you can bet they did their homework. LMAO @ the guy that thinks it was some quick BS pitch. Yeah, that's exactly what happened. Look, we all know how HUGE FF is now. It only makes sense that the next progression has some entrepreneurial minds trying to take it to the next level. Make no mistake, there are plenty of flaws in the current methods, from drafting to scoring and more. It will evolve, and those that weren't afraid to tackle new ideas, will benefit greatly. I would love to invest in something like this.

Silly sheep.

I still can't quite wrap my head around this approach but to dismiss it out of hand seems pretty shortsighted to me.

Agreed, but I bet it's better than it sounds. Actually, the trading floor and/or market value of players during the season (fluctuating) sounds great. It's the draft part that has people in fits...and the thought of a new paradigm.Bottom line is, the huge differences in league sizes, rules, and scoring in FF nowadays -- to me anyway -- only illustrate the need for a better, more universal, system/game.

Anyway, ya gotta like the effort. Why wouldn't you?