“Listen, here’s the thing. If you can’t see the loser in your first half hour at the table, then you’re the loser.”
– Rounders
That applies to poker, and – believe it or not – also to fantasy football.
Dynasty, in theory, is a never-ending game played with the same group (or core group) of people. You’re going to play with these people year. So ask yourself: Do you really want to start making it painfully obvious that you’ve never done this before and immediately paint a target on your back?
I’m currently in a draft with four or five guys who have obviously never done a dynasty startup. I see – and we haven’t even done the derby yet. Do you want the first clue?
They didn’t know what a derby was.
I can’t wait to trade with these guys.
No matter how much football you watch or how many reformulation leagues you’ve played, Dynasty is initially an uphill climb. Player values. Start-up selection values. Future rookie picks. Lattice construction. Timeline management. The list goes on.
Why would you, when it’s all working against you? Also volunteer yourself as a competitive fish by not understanding the basic mechanics and etiquette of a dynasty draft?
With that in mind, here are my six… or seven (yes, I have teenage girls) commandments to help you survive your first startup. Follow these to avoid rookie mistakes and avoid becoming the easiest player at the table.
Commandment 1: Don’t ask questions until you’ve done a few drafts.
Let someone else ask. Or – crazy thought – use the worldwide interweb.
Unlike real life, there Are stupid questions in fantasy football.
- Read the articles of association. All.
- If you still have a lot of questions after that, that’s probably a sign that you should look for another league. Good commissioners write detailed bylaws that answer almost everything.
- LeagueSafe links are almost always pinned, allowing you to pay quickly and secure your spot.
- Once everyone has paid, the commissary will randomize the order a predetermined number of times.
This will change the draft order (default draft) or the derby order (if applicable).
- If it concerns a standard draft, the clock starts for draft position 1.
- If it is a derby, the clock starts for derby position 1, and That manager selects their draft slot.
Commandment 2: Know your draft formats – cold.
Understand:
- Standard hose draft
- Snake tour with 3rd Round Reversal (3RR)
- Derby vs non-derby
Example in a 12-team 3RR:
- Draft slot 1 gets choices 1, 24, 36, 37
- Draft slot 12 gets picks 12, 13, 25, 48
In one standard hose:
- Gets slot 1 1, 24, 25, 48
- Gets slot 12 12, 13, 36, 37
If there is a derby, the manager selects on the clock each design position they want. In most 3RR formats, picks 12, 11 and 10 are generally considered the strongest (in that order).
If you don’t know why, you’re already behind.
Commandment 3: Know the consensus top 12-15 players.
You can ruin your team for years if you mess up your first pick.
You have to unpack maximum value – whether that means selecting or trading the player back.
For context:
- An early to mid 5th round starting pick is roughly equivalent to a future first-round pick.
- To go a lap back in the starting 1st, you should generally expect the later 1st plus a future 1st.
If you don’t understand that math, don’t go freelancing.
Commandment 4: Don’t overvalue last year’s production.
Recency bias is real.
How else do you explain JSN going first overall at some startups? Crazy.
Yes, production is important – but track record is more important. Have they done that consistently? You don’t rent this player for a season. You married them.
We’ve all seen flash-in-the-pan guys come and go. Make sure your man can really keep it up.
Commandment 5: Understand a team’s investment in a player.
The concept capital and contract structure are of great importance.
When a team makes a high pick or hands out a contract that guarantees multiple years, that player is going to get opportunities whether you like it or not. Opportunities last much longer than talent alone.
Ignoring this leaves dynasty managers in disarray for three consecutive seasons.
Commandment 6: Don’t say this is your first dynasty draft.
Ever.
When someone asks how many leagues you are in, lie.
Don’t announce that you’re new. Don’t identify yourself as prey.
You don’t have to pretend that you belong to the elite. You just have to avoid shouting ‘rookie’.
Commandment 7 (possible): Show up.
If you paid for the competition, you entered into a covenant.
Tell your husband. Tell your children. Tell your boss you can disappear for a few minutes here and there for a week. Don’t be the person who ghosts the design.
It may not burn you like a fish, but it does shall make people hate you. And in Dynasty, reputation matters.
Conclusion
Dynasty leagues do not reward innocence. They reward preparation, patience, and the ability to keep your mouth shut when you don’t know something.
People shall taking advantage of ignorance, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Your goal in your first startup isn’t to be brilliant. It must be so competent, quiet and difficult to exploit.
Know the basics. Read the articles of association. Understand the format. Respect the clock. And if you don’t know something?
Google it.
Because in dynasty – just like poker – the easiest way is to lose before you ever win…
let everyone know you’re the loser.
Thank you for reading this DFF ~ALL-ACCESS~ article! You can find me on Twitter/X @badgrlandcrypto and in the DFF Discord, where our team of experts is always ready to talk Dynasty and Devy. Click here to sign up for your annual membership today. #DFFArmy #AlwaysBeBuilding #AlwaysBeScouting #Dynasty #Devy #C2C #WinNowBragLater
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