game (total bench points scored is a common tiebreaker). Your league provider automatically tallies the points, using your league’s scoring parameters (see the previous sections in this chapter). After the week’s NFL games are completed, the fantasy results become final.
A larger league may also be divided into divisions, just like the NFL, although most aren’t. Each team will usually play the teams in its own division twice and the other teams once, but it depends on how the league is configured by the website or by the commissioner.
Points leagues
In a points league (also sometimes called a rotisserie or roto league), the scoring rules for each team are the same (see the previous sections in this chapter), but you have no head-to-head games each week. Instead, your league provider compiles each team’s points scored over the entire fantasy season (18-week regular NFL season). The team with the most total points at the end of the season wins the league.
Because many strange things can happen every week in the NFL, such as an all-pro QB throwing five interceptions or a kicker hitting five field goals, upsets happen in reality and in fantasy. In one week, you may score a ton of points and still lose because your opponent scored just one more point than you did. One or two close games like that can knock a good team out of the fantasy playoffs and put a lesser team in the postseason in the head-to-head format. Because a roto league weighs total points scored over the course of the entire season, not weekly wins and losses, it’s considered a more accurate measure of a quality fantasy team. I understand that opinion, but I prefer the H2H format because it feels more like the real thing to me.
Chapter 3
Finding a League Right for You
IN THIS CHAPTER
People take many different paths into the world of fantasy football. Perhaps one of your friends or coworkers has invited you to join a fantasy league. Or maybe you just want to sign up for a league by yourself to gain bragging rights over complete strangers. Furthermore, some people play fantasy football just for fun, focusing only on offensive touchdowns and bragging rights, while some hardcore players pony up thousands of dollars to play in tournaments that feature complex rules.
No matter your motivation, you need to know what you’re getting into. Specifically, if you want to play, you need to find a league that fits you and your needs. However you plan on playing, this chapter explains your league options and helps you select the one that will maximize your enjoyment of the game.
Understanding Your League Options: Public or Private
Although fantasy football offers many different types of games for you to choose from, before you choose a specific league, you need to ask yourself one basic question: Do you want to play in a public league or in a private league? When you answer this question, also ask yourself what type of environment you want to play in. The answer may be quite simple. Your cousin Bo may have asked you to play with him and his buds, which in that case means you join Bo’s private league. However, if you don’t know anyone and want to play fantasy, then you need to look into a public league.
You can find both public and private leagues that are free or that have entry fees. This section explains the two major types of fantasy football leagues, the free and pay versions of both, and discusses their pros and cons.
Entering the public domain: Anyone can play
A public league is just that — public. Anyone can play in the league, just like anyone can play in the public park. You don’t need to know anyone in the league, and a public league is great for beginners. All the main service providers in Part 4 offer public leagues, including Yahoo!, ESPN, NFL.com and CBS Sports. Joining a public league is a great way to learn the fantasy game and meet new people without having to worry about the judgment of friends.
Free public leagues
Free public leagues are a way to play fantasy football without having to shell out a dime. Anyone can sign up online and create a team. The draft and the gameplay are the same, but the coaches tend to be strangers. If you’re new to fantasy football, a free public league is a good place to start playing or just to play casually. In fact, most fantasy players first got hooked on fantasy football in a free public league due to the casual style and ease of use. If you want to practice, doing it in a free, public league also makes sense.
