Snake vs. Auction (1 Viewer)

[Jack Tripper]

I'm new to the site and love it.

I've played this game for 8 years and the first 6 were snake drafts. The last 2 we've done an auction and will never go back. It would be like going back to manually calculating stats from the newspaper.

Auctions are the most fair since any owner can have any player he wants if he's willing to pay $1 more than the next owner. I also believe they require more strategy - much like playing poker. And not the poker you play with your buddies in your mom's basement - Baseball, pass the trash, Guts...etc.

What I can't understand is why 99% of magazines, internet sites and boards like this one are dedicated to what is really an antiquated draft style.

I mean I realize a snake is easy so any moron with a 4 month old magazine can sit down and go for it and might luck into a good team but this site, as a perfect example, caters mostly to at least somewhat serious players(Sharks) so why so little talk relating to the most realistic draft format?

Anyone care to shed some light on this?

 

[reg]

There are alot of online leagues. Most use serpentine format. Using an auction online I would assume takes alot longer than a serp draft.

Live league we use auction and I love it.

 

[AnonymousBob]

Auctions typically take longer. Magazines are dedicated to serpentine formats because that's where the money's at.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

Creatures of habit, is all. It's not THAT surprising, is it?

 

[The Kansas Comet]

We use serpentine because most of the guys in my league are freaking lazy. I hope to change it for next season.

 

[ROCKET]

Auction format seperates the men from the boys and doesn't give anyone an advantage going in via. draft position. Serpentine is fun but a lot less challenging IMO>

 

[NoFBinLA]

Most of my leagues still use the serpentine -- some because we want to do it in a few hours (and in person) and some because - well, it's habit.

I like auction - and I think eventually some of my leagues will move that way. But what about those live and in person drafts - does anyone do an auction like THAT?

And if so, how chaotic is it? If people could manage it effectively, I might be tempted to suggest it.

 

[Tillmanisahero]

Auction is more involved to get set-up, keep track of and get ready for.

That said they are way more fun.

Magazines are a little behind the times....hopefully they will catch up.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Auction is king. They take about the same amount of time. They are a little more complicated for the commishioner, but any league that wants to improve its draft should switch to auction. Far more interesting than serpentine.

 

[NoFBinLA]

Auction is king. They take about the same amount of time. They are a little more complicated for the commishioner, but any league that wants to improve its draft should switch to auction. Far more interesting than serpentine.

I agree it's more interesting -- but can it be done in person effectively? That's the one thign I'm dying to know -- has anyone tried it?The auction's I've been a part of are always fascinating - and a real challenge. (andfun to tear apart later.... )

 

[reg]

Auction is king. They take about the same amount of time. They are a little more complicated for the commishioner, but any league that wants to improve its draft should switch to auction. Far more interesting than serpentine.

I agree it's more interesting -- but can it be done in person effectively? That's the one thign I'm dying to know -- has anyone tried it?The auction's I've been a part of are always fascinating - and a real challenge. (andfun to tear apart later.... )

We do ours in person every year. We have an outside party put names on the draft board and serves as auctioneer (they get free beer and food). Works real well. Draft is usually done in about 3 hours.

 

[Coolerheads]

Thinking about doing that next year (which will be year seven-- not to worry, I am the commish, I can do that.)

Anyone have any good sources for handling FA'a efficiently with a dozen guys on the internet?

 

[Mungo Burrows]

1) Most of the growth in the industry is from noobs who want an easy format. Therefore the software/league management sites, magazines, and info sites like this get the best bang for their buck by playing to the lowest common denominator.

2) A draft is freakin easy to set up and execute. A corrollary of this - in an online league it presents all kinds of hurdles to develop an easy effective user interface for the auction.

3) The NFL has a "draft" (I know it's not serpentine, and I know it's also got free agency, but people have this notion that it all starts with a draft)

4) People are simply reluctant to change.

5) Most players, particularly in neighborhood or office leagues, are not confident enough in their own knowledge to take on the challenge of an auction. They LIKE the fact that by the very nature of the draft they will be hard-pressed to completely botch their team from the get-go. They are pretty sure they could do this (botch it) in an auction.

 

[Skinsfansince72]

Standard drafting(serpentine or the more advanced form of drawing cards for every other round so you aren't picking in the same spot over and over again) is closer to the real mccoy. Most people who play fantasy ball understand this. No need for mags and/or websites to cater to the lowest common denominator.

 

[ROCKET]

Snake drafting may be closer to how the NFL drafts but if you want it to be like the NFL then throw values on players and a cap. That way the guy grabbing the #1 stud is at a disadvantage $$ wise. I actually don't like the idea but always hated the analogy of snakes being more like the NFL than auctions. I don't care if the draft is like the NFL's or not. I only care what is the fairest and most challenging way to draft. As far as them both taking about the same time? I do 2- 12 team snakes that take 3-4 hours, our 12 team auction takes around 6-8. There's nothing worse than getting a crapass draft position and be behind the 8 ball from the git go. With auction it is a level playing field and no one has an advantage.

 

[Jack Tripper]

Auction is king. They take about the same amount of time. They are a little more complicated for the commishioner, but any league that wants to improve its draft should switch to auction. Far more interesting than serpentine.

I agree it's more interesting -- but can it be done in person effectively? That's the one thign I'm dying to know -- has anyone tried it?The auction's I've been a part of are always fascinating - and a real challenge. (andfun to tear apart later.... )

Our auctions have all been live. I would think an on line auction would be tougher as you can't get a real vibe from a web posting as to WHY someone's bidding against you and tracking other owner's remaining bank rolls might be more difficult as well. We have a non-owner run the bidding and the board with players names and a running tally which is key to keep track of.

 

[hammerd]

Can you run an auction draft in a keeper league, and if so, how is it done?

 

[reg]

Can you run an auction draft in a keeper league, and if so, how is it done?

Usually how i have heard it being run is you have an initial auction. Every year after that you can keep x players from the previous year at the price you paid + 10% (or whatever you want). If they are a FA then you set a predetermined amount.Example:We have our initial draft. We have 100 auction bux. I spend 20 on LJ. Next year I can keep him for $22 and then my auction bux would be $78 to draft the rest of my team.HTH

 

[Jack Tripper]

Can you run an auction draft in a keeper league, and if so, how is it done?

My league has a very simple keeper rule. We get to keep 1 player from the year before - as long as they were not kept from the previous year AND they had to be a drafted player - no free agents.Then $5 is added to the player's previous year's auction price. LJ went for $8(out of a $100 cap) so that owner gets him this year for $13.

 

[Klecker]

Arguing over auction vs. draft is like arguing over Chevy vs. Ford. Both have their ardent followers, but neither is "better" or "worse" than the other. It's all preference. Personally, I like a draft. I like the internal wrestling between VBD and ADP.

For those who say that an auction is the only way to be sure that you'll have an opportunity to get the player you want, I say trade up. If you want LJ, trade your first and second round pick for the #1 overall. If that owner won't take it, trade your first, second, and third. If you want him bad enough, trade your whole draft (a la the Saints and Ricky Williams). It's also possible to miss out on a player you want in an auction if somebody else has more money left and outbids you.

 

[nsundahl]

First, Auction is 100X's better than snake. For those who don't auction, I highly recommend it. It takes the same amount of time and YOU decide who's on your team. I also recommend getting someone not in the league to run the draft. It helps a lot. Look for the digital draft boards on-line. They have auction capabilities and they also keep track of everyone's cap space. The joy of knowing how much your buddy has to bid on his last receiver and then going $1 more...priceless!

 

[Tillmanisahero]

Can you run an auction draft in a keeper league, and if so, how is it done?

Yes and that is actually the best type of league IMHO.When you have your auction players are signed to a contract. You and the league would have to decide on length of contracts. Our league is 3 year contracts. The third year the player is a restricted free agent, which gives the owner/team the right to match the top bid on their Restricted Free Agents.Example.Year 1 you sign Peyton Manning to a $35 contract. Year 2 he is yours to keep for $35 dollars. In year 3 people can bid on him. Say the top bidder on him says $75...you can say, Ill keep him (Thus signing him to a new 3yr contract for 75) or say good bye and he now signs a 3yr contract with the new team.The bad thing about this is if you "F"up it will haunt you for some time, If you get a good deal you will benefit for a couple of years at least.

 

[Disco Stu]

Standard drafting(serpentine or the more advanced form of drawing cards for every other round so you aren't picking in the same spot over and over again) is closer to the real mccoy. Most people who play fantasy ball understand this. No need for mags and/or websites to cater to the lowest common denominator.

OK I'll bite. Closer how? I guess I don't play fantasy ball, because I don't understand this claim at all.

 

[ceo3west]

Auction format seperates the men from the boys and doesn't give anyone an advantage going in via. draft position. Serpentine is fun but a lot less challenging IMO>

Serpentine draft position gives very little advantage in my opinion. I dont care who you pick in the first round, leagues are won from rounds 5 on IMO. If you know what youre doing you can win at any draft position. Depth and sleepers win titles for the most part.

 

[massraider]

I'm sure there are a million responses to this thought, and I look forward to reading them, but I wonder how much "expert" opinion or strategy articles can actually be practically applied to an auction. As it relates to actually acquiring the players.

Every auction I've done, and it's only been about a 1/2 dozen or so, any kind of auction value cheat sheet was useless. And I knew that even before the first one.

Auctions are much more fluid, and if you had the same guys sit down 10 times, the prices would be different every time. Depending on how your league puts the players up for auction, and the tendencies of the owners involved, auctions can go a lot of different directions.

I think you can apply all the articles, rankings, etc. to auctions, but the actual auctions? Strategy for noobs, sure, but beyond that, you just gotta know what you're doing, and be disciplined.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Arguing over auction vs. draft is like arguing over Chevy vs. Ford. Both have their ardent followers, but neither is "better" or "worse" than the other. It's all preference.

I can't convince you that auctions are better. But for me, there is more strategy in an auction. Now that I've been involved in auction drafts over the last few years, I'd be loathe to return to a serpentine.

 

[ceo3west]

Arguing over auction vs. draft is like arguing over Chevy vs. Ford. Both have their ardent followers, but neither is "better" or "worse" than the other. It's all preference. Personally, I like a draft. I like the internal wrestling between VBD and ADP.For those who say that an auction is the only way to be sure that you'll have an opportunity to get the player you want, I say trade up. If you want LJ, trade your first and second round pick for the #1 overall. If that owner won't take it, trade your first, second, and third. If you want him bad enough, trade your whole draft (a la the Saints and Ricky Williams). It's also possible to miss out on a player you want in an auction if somebody else has more money left and outbids you.

I agree, I like drafts as well. To me this is the best part of the season. Ive done auctions too and I like that format but it isnt nearly the same experience as a live draft.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Auction is king. They take about the same amount of time. They are a little more complicated for the commishioner, but any league that wants to improve its draft should switch to auction. Far more interesting than serpentine.

I agree it's more interesting -- but can it be done in person effectively? That's the one thign I'm dying to know -- has anyone tried it?

In person is the BEST way to do it. I hope I am not bugging people by posting this again, but this is an article I intended for FBG last year:

Dynasty/Keeper Leagues: Making the Switch Looking for something more than a standard redraft league? Tired of drafting an excellent team only to have it vanish at the end of the year? Then you should consider starting up (or switching to) a Dynasty/Keeper league.When your team retains players from year to year, fantasy football doesn't end in February. The NFL scouting combine, the draft, and mini camps become much more intriguing. What *was* a five month a year hobby is now a full-time pursuit. Don't worry...you don't have to watch countless hours of the NFL network. Footballguys.com has plenty of Dynasty cheat sheets and expert articles. With very little extra effort, you can participate in a league that raises the excitement to new heights.My redraft league made the switch to a Dynasty league a few years ago. I had my initial doubts. What if I draft a mediocre team? What if some of my players suffer devastating injuries? Will I be left with a bad team next year? How do I strike the ideal balance between young, upcoming stars and established vets?When people ask, "What if I get stuck with a bad team?", my response is, "What if you get lucky and draft a great team?" With a Dynasty/Keeper league, you get to retain some or all of that team. There are two easy ways to avoid getting stuck with a mediocre team year after year:1) In a Keeper league, you keep a set number of players - often two to five - every season. Therefore, the players that did not help your team are easily dumped. The RB that carried you to the playoffs stays on your team next year.2) In a Dynasty league, the simple way to promote player trades and talent-rich drafts is by installing a salary cap. With a salary cap, all the great players cannot be hoarded every year. If you want to retain Peyton Manning or Daunte Culpepper this year, you will need to spend a large portion of your cap space to retain them.A salary cap Dynasty league is just about as close to the real NFL as a fantasy league can get. Not only do you draft players - you get to play General Manager and decide who's worthy of remaining on your team. Some Dynasty leagues even use the "franchise player" rule - which allows you to keep one player per year at a low cap figure. If you don't have software to calculate your league's salary figures, you can easily grab salary cap cheat sheets on the internet.If you are considering making the Dynasty/Keeper switch, a fun way to launch your new league is with an auction draft. A traditional serpentine draft sometimes places team owners in a tough spot depending on their draft position. The auction draft eliminates being forced into a given pick. With an auction draft, you have a shot at the players you've targeted. If you want Ladanian Tomlinson and Randy Moss on the same team, you can have them. It'll cost you a large portion of your cap money, but you control your own destiny.The most significant change when switching to a Dynasty/Keeper league is your mindset. In a redraft league, Brett Favre is still a very solid #1 QB. In a Dynasty league, Carson Palmer has more value than Favre. Altering your wish list entering a Dynasty draft isn't difficult. Rather than simply focusing on a player's stats, consider his age. Even beyond age, does a given player demonstrate valuable upside? Upside isn't as abstract as it sounds. The Footballguys.com forums offer tons of great info on players. If you can't watch a lot of college games, you can be sure that the forum regulars have written excellent reports on many young players.Fantasy football has greatly enhanced enjoyment of the NFL. Dynasty/Keeper leagues can make that pleasure a little bit sweeter.

 

[GiantsRule]

*SIGH* The auction elitists always come out of the woodwork to proclaim their method is the best and anyone using serpentine is wasting their time in a joke of a league.

I guess the guys touting the 64-team leagues with IDP were busy tonight.

It's called "personal preference" people. Just because you enjoy auctions doesn't mean it's any more fun or challenging. And even if you think it is, no need to talk down the true competitive leagues that main serpentine drafts.

 

[Hellfire Snail]

*SIGH* The auction elitists always come out of the woodwork to proclaim their method is the best and anyone using serpentine is wasting their time in a joke of a league.I guess the guys touting the 64-team leagues with IDP were busy tonight.It's called "personal preference" people. Just because you enjoy auctions doesn't mean it's any more fun or challenging. And even if you think it is, no need to talk down the true competitive leagues that main serpentine drafts.

Unfortunately, talking down to people is why most of the people on this board are here. Occasionally it's humorous, but for the most part it's overboard and completely unjustified.

 

[GregStarling]

What I can't understand is why 99% of magazines, internet sites and boards like this one are dedicated to what is really an antiquated draft style.

The largest FF Tourney WCOFF and most all high stakes leagues use draft style. It's not just the noobs. I have a Salary Capped Dynasty league that has full blow auctions for free agents, contracts, rookie drafts, etc. It's more "real", but it is a pain.I also participate in at least one high stakes ($500+) league per year. I always go the draft route. I enjoy it more. There is a lot of strategy in it. Maybe not to the level of auctions, but there is a ton of strategy as to who will be there with my next pick, how is my roster looking, etc.Antiquated is a way overstatement. I've been playing FF for 15 years and for about the last 8 or so I've been hearing about auctions taking over. As a guy who runs an ff site and sells ff software, I'm banking my site's future on draft style. I really feel that auction style drafts have settled in at their % of overall drafts. Sure, every year experienced leagues get more advanced and move to auctions, but the number of first time players and in turn new leagues starting the hobby every year dwarf the number of draft turned auction leagues.I'd be shocked if the number of auction leagues was 5% and I'd be just plain shuked if auction leagues ever captured more than 10% market share.

 

[jdoggydogg]

*SIGH* The auction elitists always come out of the woodwork to proclaim their method is the best and anyone using serpentine is wasting their time in a joke of a league.I guess the guys touting the 64-team leagues with IDP were busy tonight.It's called "personal preference" people. Just because you enjoy auctions doesn't mean it's any more fun or challenging. And even if you think it is, no need to talk down the true competitive leagues that main serpentine drafts.

Yikes. Elitist? I just think it's more fun. No one called you names for preferring a serpentine draft.

 

[Skinsfansince72]

*SIGH* The auction elitists always come out of the woodwork to proclaim their method is the best and anyone using serpentine is wasting their time in a joke of a league.I guess the guys touting the 64-team leagues with IDP were busy tonight.It's called "personal preference" people. Just because you enjoy auctions doesn't mean it's any more fun or challenging. And even if you think it is, no need to talk down the true competitive leagues that main serpentine drafts.

AMEN! The KISS rule applies to fantasy ball as well.

 

[Skinsfansince72]

Arguing over auction vs. draft is like arguing over Chevy vs. Ford. Both have their ardent followers, but neither is "better" or "worse" than the other. It's all preference. Personally, I like a draft. I like the internal wrestling between VBD and ADP.For those who say that an auction is the only way to be sure that you'll have an opportunity to get the player you want, I say trade up. If you want LJ, trade your first and second round pick for the #1 overall. If that owner won't take it, trade your first, second, and third. If you want him bad enough, trade your whole draft (a la the Saints and Ricky Williams). It's also possible to miss out on a player you want in an auction if somebody else has more money left and outbids you.

Point is well taken but lets be real here. Chevy and Ford both suck.

 

[Skinsfansince72]

Standard drafting(serpentine or the more advanced form of drawing cards for every other round so you aren't picking in the same spot over and over again) is closer to the real mccoy. Most people who play fantasy ball understand this. No need for mags and/or websites to cater to the lowest common denominator.

OK I'll bite. Closer how? I guess I don't play fantasy ball, because I don't understand this claim at all.

Because the NFL doesn't hold an auction draft.

 

[Chief]

our league has been running serpentine drafts for 15 years or so now, but i have been looking to propose a change to an auction league. but since none of us live in the same city any longer, we would need some sort of online tool. do any of you auction people have suggestions that i could check out.?

ben

 

[Lemmiwinks]

our league has been running serpentine drafts for 15 years or so now, but i have been looking to propose a change to an auction league. but since none of us live in the same city any longer, we would need some sort of online tool. do any of you auction people have suggestions that i could check out.?ben

fantasyauctioneer.comThe only one I've been able to find, and it's pretty good.

 

[roadkill1292]

Antiquated is a way overstatement. I've been playing FF for 15 years and for about the last 8 or so I've been hearing about auctions taking over. As a guy who runs an ff site and sells ff software, I'm banking my site's future on draft style. I really feel that auction style drafts have settled in at their % of overall drafts. Sure, every year experienced leagues get more advanced and move to auctions, but the number of first time players and in turn new leagues starting the hobby every year dwarf the number of draft turned auction leagues.

I'd be shocked if the number of auction leagues was 5% and I'd be just plain shuked if auction leagues ever captured more than 10% market share.

Sadly, I think your numbers are about right. I'm an auction guy through and through and I simply don't understand why the drafters like a system better that ignores the quintessential essence of the game -- managing the salary cap.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

-An auction draft in person or online takes no more time than a serpentine draft and I've been doing both for six years.

-The main reason sites are not dedicated to this end is that it is much easier to determine a draft position than a price. The auction format is based on market price, availability, trends, and personal taste. Since players are introduced randomly it is hard to gage proper prices at different stages in the draft. A guy who goes for an average price of $4 may go for $7 in another league just because he was introduced too early or too late. you'll also get homers who pay too much, guys who draft two high $ QBs because they are trying to jack up the price, and a number of different things. The auction is extremely unpredictable from league to league and one persons price for a guy could be quite different than another but the market will eventually work that out. I think a lot of people don't do them because some people can't grasp the concept very well and end up with some really bad teams. That scares some away.

 

[BigRed]

There are alot of online leagues. Most use serpentine format. Using an auction online I would assume takes alot longer than a serp draft.

By online I guess you mean a chat room or something-? Anyway we did ours by phone the other day (160 total players) and it took about 3 hrs. I think the longest one ever took (first year we did it) was about 4. Generally I think auctions if anything take less time (I never got where people keep getting that auctions take longer, although I can see why it might take a little longer online).

Live league we use auction and I love it.

for reasons stated here and elsewhere...the main two being it's totally fair and a lot more interesting/fun (for various reasons). But I disagree with people who get this attitude about snake drafts being so "beneath" auctions; snake drafts can be just as fun. It's all about how the owners/league go about it. I just love that there's no "hurry up and pick" whines in an auction.

 

[BigRed]

I like auction - and I think eventually some of my leagues will move that way. But what about those live and in person drafts - does anyone do an auction like THAT?

I think MOST auctions are done like that. IMO doing auction online would kinda suck (I wasn't wild about doing it on the phone either, but we had to).

And if so, how chaotic is it? If people could manage it effectively, I might be tempted to suggest it.

It's "controlled chaos" (if the people doing it have a clue) and in fact that's part of the fun ie owners shouting out bids etc.

 

[BigRed]

They are a little more complicated for the commishioner,

? No they aren't. The draft is more complicated, but not necessarily for the commissioner.

Depth and sleepers win titles for the most part.

? That's true regardless of draft format.

Ive done auctions too and I like that format but it isnt nearly the same experience as a live draft.

wtf - a draft being live has nothing to do with whether it's auction or not and again most auction drafts probably ARE "live."

 

[GregR_2]

our league has been running serpentine drafts for 15 years or so now, but i have been looking to propose a change to an auction league. but since none of us live in the same city any longer, we would need some sort of online tool. do any of you auction people have suggestions that i could check out.?ben

fantasyauctioneer.comThe only one I've been able to find, and it's pretty good.

Excellent software for actually running the auction. Their tools around pre-ranking/valuing players, setting keepers, etc, leave a lot to be desired. But it's worth working around the limitations to be able to actually do the auction itself there. And as a plus, they'll transfer your rosters to MFL for you, and you can get a discount at both places as they have a partnership.For the thread subject, others have already said what to me are the major reasons:* It's "easier" to do a draft, so the yahoo public leagues of the world are going to focus on those. * You don't have to all be there live.* Even though a very small percentage of people who try auctions, say afterwards that they still prefer drafts... until they actually try one, they are going to stick with what they know.* Lack of quality software. For instance, MFL has good draft software, and crappy auction software other than bidding waivers. FantasyAuctioneer.com is the only good software I know of for an online auction.

 

[billparcells]

Our league has been going for 13 years, and we have had the auction for the last 9, will never again draft. It is a bit more stressful than a draft, but much more strategy is needed

 

[Wilbur Wood]

Auction format seperates the men from the boys and doesn't give anyone an advantage going in via. draft position. Serpentine is fun but a lot less challenging IMO>

Serpentine draft position gives very little advantage in my opinion. I dont care who you pick in the first round, leagues are won from rounds 5 on IMO. If you know what youre doing you can win at any draft position. Depth and sleepers win titles for the most part.

This simply is Not true. Empirical data showed that team drafting in the early rounds of a serpentien draft are more than 2x likely to make the playoffs than teams drafting in the 2nd half of the draft.

 

[Clayton Gray]

*SIGH* The auction elitists always come out of the woodwork to proclaim their method is the best and anyone using serpentine is wasting their time in a joke of a league.I guess the guys touting the 64-team leagues with IDP were busy tonight.It's called "personal preference" people. Just because you enjoy auctions doesn't mean it's any more fun or challenging. And even if you think it is, no need to talk down the true competitive leagues that remain serpentine drafts.

Agreed. I have auctioned and really don't see what the big deal is. If you like that's fine, but it's not for everyone.

 

[Clayton Gray]

Auction format seperates the men from the boys and doesn't give anyone an advantage going in via. draft position. Serpentine is fun but a lot less challenging IMO>

Serpentine draft position gives very little advantage in my opinion. I dont care who you pick in the first round, leagues are won from rounds 5 on IMO. If you know what youre doing you can win at any draft position. Depth and sleepers win titles for the most part.

This simply is Not true. Empirical data showed that team drafting in the early rounds of a serpentien draft are more than 2x likely to make the playoffs than teams drafting in the 2nd half of the draft.

Interesting. Can you link to that data? Thanks.

 

[Wilbur Wood]

I play in both formats (auction and serpentine draft) in both baseball and football and am equally passionate about both.

I prefer auctions in both sports. Its interesting that if you go the best football internet site, FBG, 90%+ l of the articles and message board chats talk about serpentine leagues rather than auctions. Conversely, the best baseball internet site, Baseball HQ, talks as if auctions are the "norm".

It is an issue of preferance.

I also do feel that Lady Luck (which already is a much bigger factor in fantasy football than in baseball), plays a much bigger role in Football when the draft is serpentine vs an auction at least when most of the participants are experienced. Sure there are some mid round picks that can alter things. However, sit down a bunch of experienced players and it can almost "formulaeic" as to what a team profile may look like out of certain draft slots.

Not that there is not anything wrong with a large Lady Luck factor pervading most serpentine draft football leagues. Its probably one of the reasons that this hobby is so huge. Many casual fans can participate, grab a cheatsheet, read an article or two such as Dobbs' "perfect draft" sit down after 2 hours of total prep and have a reasonable shot at drafting a very competitive team.

 

[Clayton Gray]

Auction format seperates the men from the boys and doesn't give anyone an advantage going in via. draft position. Serpentine is fun but a lot less challenging IMO>

Serpentine draft position gives very little advantage in my opinion. I dont care who you pick in the first round, leagues are won from rounds 5 on IMO. If you know what youre doing you can win at any draft position. Depth and sleepers win titles for the most part.

This simply is Not true. Empirical data showed that team drafting in the early rounds of a serpentien draft are more than 2x likely to make the playoffs than teams drafting in the 2nd half of the draft.

Interesting. Can you link to that data? Thanks.

 

[ceo3west]

They are a little more complicated for the commishioner,

? No they aren't. The draft is more complicated, but not necessarily for the commissioner.

Depth and sleepers win titles for the most part.

? That's true regardless of draft format.

Ive done auctions too and I like that format but it isnt nearly the same experience as a live draft.

wtf - a draft being live has nothing to do with whether it's auction or not and again most auction drafts probably ARE "live."

First, I was simply arguing against the fact that draft position in a serpentine draft gives a significant advantage. Nowhere did I mention that depth and sleepers don't win titles in auction format.Also, let me rephrase that last line "Ive done auctions too and I like that format but it isnt nearly the same experience as a live serpentine draft in my opinion.