Оглавление
Martin A. Schulman. Fantasy Football For Dummies
Fantasy Football For Dummies® To view this book's Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and search for “Fantasy Football For Dummies Cheat Sheet” in the Search box. Table of Contents
List of Tables
List of Illustrations
Guide
Pages
Introduction
About This Book
Conventions Used in This Book
What You’re Not to Read
Foolish Assumptions
How This Book Is Organized
Part 1: The Xs and Os of Fantasy Football: Just the Basics, Please
Part 2: Advanced Scouting and Drafting Secrets
Part 3: Let the Games Begin: In-Season Strategy Guide
Part 4: Daily Fantasy Football – A New Draft Every Week
Part 5: The Part of Tens
Icons Used in This Book
Where to Go from Here
The Xs and Os of Fantasy Football: Just the Basics, Please
The Reality of Fantasy Football: What’s It All About?
Understanding Fantasy Football: A Quick Overview
How fantasy and the NFL differ
How to play fantasy football
How scoring makes you a winner
How important fantasy terms keep you in the loop
Recognizing That Fantasy Success Starts with the Draft
What draft? Am I joining the Army?
Identifying the two types of drafts
Snaking through standard draft rules
Grasping salary cap draft rules
Drafting the Right Players for Your Roster
Breaking down positions
Rating players with the fantasy formula
Your New Day Job: Managing Your Team Week by Week
Setting your lineup
Making changes to your roster
Adding and dropping players
Trading with other coaches
Striving for the fantasy championship
Weeks 15–17: The fantasy postseason
Your league’s championship
Are You Ready to Play?
HOW FANTASY FOOTBALL BEGAN
Just Score, Baby: The Name of the Fantasy Game
Scoring 101: Only the Basics
The Proof’s in the Points: Offensive Fantasy Scoring
Running backs
Wide receivers
Quarterbacks
Tight ends
Kickers
Shooting for Shutouts: Scoring with Defense
Dissecting team defense scoring
Getting advanced with IDP scoring
You versus Who? Knowing the Scoring Format
Head-to-head leagues
Points leagues
Finding a League Right for You
Understanding Your League Options: Public or Private
Entering the public domain: Anyone can play
Free public leagues
Pay public leagues
Joining the private sector: An invitation required
Free private leagues
Pay private leagues
Identifying Other Important Considerations
Picking Your League: The How-To
How committed are you?
How much do you know?
Why are you playing? For love or money?
Acquiring trophies and other bling
Show me the money!
Starting Your Own League: You Want to Be a Commissioner?
What a commish does: The basics
Leading by example when managing your league
Handling trade protests
Waiting until next year
Preparing for Your Fantasy Draft
Dissecting the Two Main Draft Types
Riding the snake: The standard fantasy draft
Setting the draft order
Determining the number of rounds in the draft
Going once, twice: The salary cap draft
TO SNAKE OR NOT TO SNAKE …
Mastering Your Domain: Focus on League Rules and Settings
Roster requirements
Size matters: How big is your league?
Drafting in an 8- or 10-team league
Drafting in a 12- or 14-team league
DON’T DOZE OFF: WHAT’S A SLEEPER PICK?
Checking your league’s discard pile
MR. VERSATILE: CONSIDER THE FLEX
Scoring system: Look for loopholes
PREPARING FOR A KEEPER LEAGUE
Cheat sheets: Fantasy’s version of crib notes
Relying on cheat sheets in a standard draft
Customizing an expert cheat sheet for your draft
Using cheat sheets in a salary cap draft
THINK OUTSIDE THE CHEAT SHEET
Identifying and Preparing Your Draft Venue
Drafting online
Drafting offline
Opting for an autodraft
Utilizing a draft board
Practicing with a Mock Draft
Joining a Practice League
Researching the NFL: The Real Key to Fantasy Success
Advanced Scouting and Drafting Secrets
Scouting Running Backs and Quarterbacks
Running Backs: Riding the Workhorses of Fantasy Football
Recognizing the importance of RBs
RB scarcity
Repeat after me: more touches = more scoring
Banking on the higher value of rushing/receiving yards
Rushing to find the good RBs
Is the RB in a position to succeed?
Who are the RB’s offensive teammates?
How old and durable is the RB?
What is the coach’s system?
Other dilemmas when pre-ranking the RBs
Fearing the vulture back: The effect of goal-line RBs
Dreading the RBBC: Running back by committee
Quarterbacks: Counting on the Arms of the Field Generals
Contemplating the value of a good quarterback
Uncovering a good QB
Knowing the QB’s offensive system
Reviewing the QB’s arsenal of weapons
Rating the QB’s offensive linemen
Does good team = good fantasy QB?
Scouting Wide Receivers and Tight Ends for Starters and FLEX
Eyeing the Go-To Guys: Wide Receivers
Finding a few good WRs: Don’t miss the “target”
Get to know the NFL depth charts
Two types of WRs: Possession guy or deep threat?
Made in heaven or hell? Breaking down the QB/WR marriage
Does the QB share the wealth?
Win or lose, fantasy WRs can thrive
Pocket aces: Does the WR1 have a great WR2 on his side?
Capitalizing on a WR’s breakout year
Blocking Bore or Big-Time Threat? Picking Tight Ends
TE fantasy production: Feast or famine
Digging for gold: Finding useful TEs, not just the elite ones
Opportunity rarely knocks for TEs
In the red zone, TEs can shine
Understanding the system: Offensive threat or extra blocker?
Young guns: Targeting young TEs with potential
The aging factor
Mr. Versatile: Consider the FLEX
Drafting for a FLEX, or go with the flow?
The best position for FLEXing
Being flexible with your FLEX position
The Superflex adds more options
Scouting Kickers and Defenders
Nailing the Field Goals and Extra Points: The Kickers
Going with a kicker: The deepest position
Eyeing a kicker’s chances
Selecting just one kicker: No more, and not early
Guarding the Gridiron: The Team Defenses
Spotting the important factors
Identifying the starting 11: Look for the superstars
Ball hawks: Interceptions
QB killers: Sacks
Kick returners: TD threats
IDP: The pursuit of tackles, sacks, and picks
IDP scoring: Positions and opportunity
LINEBACKERS
DEFENSIVE BACKS
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Consider the formation
The best defense is a good offense?
Streaming Ks and DEFs : Matchups are king
Incorporating Important Draft Strategies into Your Game
Why Strategy Is Important in Fantasy Drafts
Identifying the Most Popular Draft Strategies
Taking two RBs: The star-RB theory
Drafting for best value: The best-available-player theory
Taking elite WRs ahead of average RBs: The star-WR theory
Punting the other positions to the mid-to late rounds
Quarterbacks
Tight ends
Team defenses
Kickers
Applying the Draft Strategies: Who to Pick and When
Building your core early
If you have one of the top four picks
If you have one of the middle four picks
If you have one of the middle round picks
If you have one of the bottom four picks
Bottom line: Draft strategy by position
Moving and shaking in the middle
Targeting value and avoiding risk
Glutting your team with RBs and WRs
Nabbing your QB ASAP
Picking a TE, but not a kicker
Taking the top-ranked DEF
Finishing strong late
Filling needs
Taking risks with sleeper picks
Drafting defensive units
Adjusting your strategy based on the draft results
Dealing with a run on a position
ADJUSTING YOUR TACTICS IN A KEEPER LEAGUE
Manipulating Your Budget during a Salary Cap Draft
Preparing for a salary cap draft
Use a league-customized salary cap value cheat sheet
Track your fantasy dollars
Stick to a plan and follow your player rankings
Practice your offering skills with mock salary cap drafts
Eyeing key salary cap strategies
Acquiring a few expensive players and many cheap ones: The stars-and-scrubs strategy
Getting bang for your buck: The balanced-attack strategy
Waiting for value: The end-game strategy
Considering Other Draft Tactics to Build a Winning Team
Avoiding Personal Biases
Don’t overdraft your favorite team’s players
Do consent to drafting players you dislike
OLD SCHOOL VERSUS NEW SCHOOL: THE FANTASY DEBATE
Don’t live in the “fantasy” past
Drafting Your Stars’ Backups as Insurance Policies
Backup insurance policy strategy by position
Running backs
Quarterbacks
Wide receivers
Knowing which insurance policies are worth drafting
Considering Rookies: Are the Top Rookies Worth Drafting?
Rookie running backs
Rookie wide receivers
Rookie quarterbacks
Rookie tight ends
Rookie kickers
Thinking Ahead to the Fantasy Playoffs
Knowing what to look for
Getting the edge: The how-to
Let the Games Begin: In-Season Strategy Guide
Setting Your Weekly Starting Lineup
Why Reviewing Your Roster Is Vital
Reasons Why You May Need to Adjust Your Lineup
Checking the injury reports
What to look for
Where to look
Replacing players on their bye weeks
Making the NFL matchups work
Exploiting the NFL schedule
Using division rivalries to your advantage
Starting players based on recent history
Taking managerial advice from Mother Nature
In a dome: Good for everyone?
Warm-weather teams: Good for offense?
Cold-weather teams: Good for defense?
International games
The How-To: Making the Actual Adjustments
When to bench your stars
When to start your scrubs
Replacing RBs, WRs, and QBs
Replacing TEs, Ks, and DEFs
Meeting Your Lineup Deadlines
Hitting the Film Room: Using Media to Your Advantage
Watching the games on television
Turning to the printed word
Surfing the Net
Acquiring Players via Free Agency, Waivers, and Trades
Investigating Free Agency
Open access: Diving into the free agent pool
Restricted free agent access: No diving allowed
CONSIDERING THE FAB SYSTEM: ADVANCED PLAYER MOVEMENT CONTROLS
Walking the Waiver Wire
How to use the waiver wire
Using your waiver moves wisely
All the Right Moves: Tips for Adding to Your Roster
Is he a breakout player or a one-week wonder?
Fishing or cutting bait (trading or dropping underachievers)
Making a Trade Offer: The Art of the Deal
Determining trade values
Trading from strength
Reviewing the basic types of trades and how to make them
One for one
The two-for-one special
Selling high and buying low
The kitchen sink
How to make a trade offer
Offering trades, off your provider
Getting league approval for a trade
Understanding your fellow coaches: Trading to your advantage
Negotiating with the coaching prototypes
Dealing with old friends or new ones
Finding the weaknesses of your leaguemates
Working the trade deadline
How to deal as a playoff shoo-in
How to deal just to make the playoffs
How to deal when you’re out of playoff contention
HOW TO SWING LATE-SEASON DEALS IN A KEEPER LEAGUE
Finishing Strong: Down the Stretch to the Fantasy Playoffs
Welcome to the Show: The Fantasy Football Playoffs
Getting in and going forward
Timing and structure of the playoffs
Playoff action by league
THE WEEK 18 CONTROVERSY
Single-division leagues
THERE’S NO TYING IN PLAYOFFS!
Multiple-division leagues
Aiming for the Playoffs: Ways to Improve Your Roster
Zeroing in on the matchups
Adjusting your bench after the NFL bye weeks
Continuing to coach
Setting Your Playoff Starting Lineup
Reaching the Big Kahuna: The Fantasy Title Game
Help! My star is resting up for the NFL playoffs
Taking the booty: Prizes and pride
Daily Fantasy Football: A New Draft Every Week
Place Your Bets: Fantasy Football Style
Legalized Gambling? Not Quite
Understanding What Makes Daily Fantasy Sports Different from Standard Fantasy Football
Using the Daily Fantasy Big Two: DraftKings and FanDuel
Getting Started
Signing up with a provider
Setting up your bankroll
Getting through your first few games
Guaranteed contests
Multi-entry contests
Single-entry contests
Bankroll Management
Understanding the 70/30 Rule
Growing your bankroll
Improve by studying the crowd
Surviving coldstreaks
Gambling Responsibly
Finding Your Game: Standard Contest Types
Playing the Big Three Classic Contest Types
The bread and butter of DFS: 50/50s
Value is the key to winning regularly
Variable lineups can keep you in the money
A familiar favorite: H2H
Using Strategies for Winning Cash Games: H2H or 50/50s
Quarterbacks
Wide receivers
Running backs
Tight ends
Kickers
Defense/special teams
Guaranteed Prize Pool Tournaments: Big Payouts and Bigger Challenges
Entering multiple lineups
Embracing variance
Stacking players
Chasing high ceiling/low floor players
Doing your research
Employing Draft Strategies for Winning GPPs
Wide receivers
Running backs
Quarterbacks
Tight ends
Kickers
Defense/special teams
Other Popular Contests Worth Checking Out
Tiers
Satellites and qualifiers
Private friends only
Showdowns
Key strategies for showdowns
BEST BALL: ANOTHER FUN FORMAT ON THE RISE!
Virtual Salary Cap: Advanced Play Strategies
Understanding Value
Using points per dollar
Knowing opportunity costs
Understanding positional scarcity
Using the stars and scrubs strategy
Controlling Exposure
Being Contrarian
Fading
Stacking
Employing Hedge Lineups
Scoring the Right DFS Provider: FanDuel versus DraftKings and More
Playing on DraftKings: A How-to Guide
Finding the right contest or tournament for you
Entering a contest or tournament
Tracking your winnings and losses
FanDuel in the Sun: A How-to Guide
Entering a contest or tournament
Tracking your winnings and losses
DraftKings versus FanDuel: Which Is the Victor?
Playing on Yahoo! Fantasy
Monkey Knife Fight: Fantasy for the Rest of Us
So Which Service Is for You?
The Part of Tens
Ten Quick Fixes to Make the Day after Your Draft
Look for Bye-Week Problems
Replace Injured Players
Assess Your Team’s Strengths
Know Your Team’s Weaknesses
Swim in the Free Agent Pool
Trading from Surplus
Find Trading Partners
Know Your Opponents’ Rosters
Upgrade Your Kicker and Defense Positions
If It Isn’t Broken, Don’t Fix It
Ten Rookie Mistakes to Avoid
Taking a Kicker Too Early
Drafting a Team DEF Too Early
Picking a QB Too Early
Selecting Players with the Same Bye Week
Ignoring the NFL Schedule
Trash Talking Too Much
Failing to Create or Neglecting Your Cheat Sheets
Ignoring Injury Updates
Missing the Draft Entirely
Believing the Fantasy Hype
Ten Daily Fantasy Tips and Tricks
Picking Your Provider
Knowing the Differences between Cash Games and Tournaments
Your Bankroll Is Your Lifeblood
Drafting for the Moment
Understanding Value Is Key to Winning
Multi-entries Can Be a Powerful Multiplier
Stacking Is Your Friend
Guaranteed Contests Can Guarantee Profits
Gambling Responsibly
Watch Out for the Taxman!
Index. Numbers
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
Y
About the Author
Dedication
Author’s Acknowledgments
WILEY END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT
