What happens if two teams bid the same amount on a player?
Most leagues break the tie with waiver order or record, but tiebreaker rules vary, so check your league settings.
FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget)
FAAB is a league system where each team gets a set amount of fake money to bid on free agents off the waiver wire instead of using a set waiver order.
In leagues that use FAAB, every team starts the season with the same budget, often 100 imaginary dollars. When a player you want is available on waivers, you submit a blind bid for him. The highest bid wins the player, and that amount is subtracted from your budget for the rest of the season. If you run out of money, you can usually still add free agents for zero dollars, but only if no other team bids on them.
FAAB replaces the traditional waiver wire order, where the worst team always picks first. Because bids are hidden until they process, you have to guess how much other managers are willing to spend. Bid too little on a hot free agent and you lose him. Bid too much early in the season and you may have nothing left when a bigger opportunity appears later, like when a starting running back gets hurt in Week 10.
A common strategy is to spend big early on players who could start for your team every week, since a league-winner is most valuable when you get him for many games. Other managers save most of their budget for midseason, when injuries create clear starting jobs. Some leagues reset FAAB amounts partway through the year or allow trades of budget dollars, so check your league settings.
Common questions
How much of my FAAB should I spend early in the season?
There is no fixed rule, but many managers spend a large chunk on a clear every-week starter, since a player who helps you all season is worth more than one added late. Just keep some money in reserve for injuries.
Can I add a free agent if my FAAB is empty?
In most leagues, yes. You can place a zero-dollar bid, and you get the player only if no other team bids on him.
Related terms
Fanademy ranks every player by value over replacement under your league's scoring. The free top five at each position is public; the full board is $5 a month or $40 a year.
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