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Article Source:
Gambling Online Magazine
The Keys to Fantasy Football Success
In any national football game, such as BudgetFootball or CDMFantasy Football, the task as owner, G.M. and coach is simply to assemble and manage the best team of players from the ranks of pro football throughout the 17 week NFL regular season.
These games challenge participants to match projected player performance and player value against the listed player salaries, then carefully come up with the best teams money can buy within the constraints of a salary cap.
It's not as easy as it sounds, however. Ask anybody who's ever played and they'll tell you it typically takes a few times around the block to get the hang of it.
That said, here are some pointers gleaned from some of the most successful CDM team owners:
1. Be a Fan
Winners of national fantasy football games tend to be deeply involved in watching all the games and reading all the news. Knowing football is just as, if not more, important than having fantasy game experience.
"Everyone knows the top layers from the previous years, but knowing which players will mature, have a career season, or have a poor season is the key to success."
2. Use Your Head, Not Your Heart
Whenever you're selecting players for your team, keep the numbers in mind. Don't get emotional or attached to certain players because they produced for you in previous years or play for the local team.
"This is a game about mathematics, not about players. Understanding that is the first step. Divorce yourself from the players you like the most."
3. Know the Rules
It's crucial to understand the specific rules of any national fantasy footabll game before you begin. The rules and coring system will dictate your strategy and how you build and manage your team.
"Do an in-depth analysis of the rules and prioritize your draft accordingly."
4. Choose Your Resouces Wisely
Much preseason material, both in print and on the Web, is geared specifically for national fantasy football games.
5. Identify All of the Obvious Bargains
Your opponents will leave no bargain untaken, so you can't afford to fall behind in WEEK 1 by missing any key player. Key on players who were injured last year because values and salaries are often based heavily on what happened last year.
"Being aware of who played last year is not important. Look for those who played two years ago and did well, and now they are coming back."
6. Take High Value Players at RB and QB
You need to get your fair share of big stars to win, and these are the best positions to go with the best players. The main reason you find bargains is so you can afford the superstars. Fantasy games aren't won by owning the most players who are underpriced. They are won by owning as many big stars as possible.
7. Find Bargains at WR, TE, K and Defense
To keep your team under the salary constraints, you need to find bargains, and it's esier to find then among the positions where players change roles and values every week. For example, a new kicker at the price of any unlisted player can be a windfall because all kickers score well.
8. Share the Fun and the Work
The most successful owners often use a team approach, even to the point of sharing information with competitors. Fantasy football games make for a great group experience, be it with family, friends or co-workers. "The reason I gotinto this was that my kids were into it. It gave us something to share. We meet frequently and talk about our players. Often we laugh when we pick up a player and then he goes into a slump, we say he went bad just because we picked him. My son was in one league, and he won his division. We worked together, helping eachother. We do each other's rosters. I love the work. I love the playing of the game. It's a good family thing."
9. Keep Working and Put in Long Hours
Winning a national fantasy football game may take some luck, but hard work is the key. It's a full time activity. Five minutes a week won't cut it. Try five hours.
"Check everything. Always have a full team, and the right players every week. Miss just one week, and you will be far behind." "Watch lots of games. Study statistics. Move rapidly to acquire hot players. The old proverb, 'He who hesitates is lost,' definetly applies."
10. Never, Ever Give Up
You may be way, way down in the standings, but you can move up rapidly in a national fantasy football game because all of the teams above you might have the same players go south. It's possible for owners to gain as much as 1000 places in the standings in as little as a week.
As you can see from the above advice, success in a national fantasy football game takes hard work, long hours, your undivided attention and tireless enthusiasm. It's a long season. Don't get discouraged early if you get off to a poor start because things can change rapidly. And if you happen to get off to a good start, don't become complacent, either. In national fantasy football contests, victory depends on far more than good luck.
Written by Gary Levy.
for Gambling Online Magazine
Article published on 2001-06-07.
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