Sleeper Guillotine League: What It Is, Rules & Tips
When browsing the fantasy football contests at Sleeper, you might stumble across a guillotine league.
But what exactly is this violent-sounding format? I’m here to give the low-down on Sleeper guillotine leagues so you know what you’re signing up for and improve your chances of winning.
What Is a Sleeper Guillotine League?
A guillotine league is a fantasy football format where every week sees the elimination of the last-place team. And to add to the excitement, the eliminated team’s roster is distributed amongst the remaining teams courtesy of blind waiver bidding.
While guillotine isn’t exclusive to Sleeper, this platform is definitely one of the best DFS apps to play it at.
Guillotine League Rosters
Most guillotine leagues consist of 18 teams. This way, one team is eliminated each week throughout the regular season, allowing you to see your roster through.
Sleeper does let you play with fewer than 18 teams, though I don’t recommend it as the league will be over early.
Sleeper also has customization options for drafting your lineups, but the standard is 14-16 players per team with no kickers or defense/special teams units since they’re too variable.
Guillotine League Scoring
Your league commissioner will set the scoring rules, but it’s usually pretty similar to traditional fantasy. But make sure to check before playing so you can draft accordingly.
If you still need to join an app to get ready for guillotine season, make sure you sign up with the Sleeper promo code.
Waiver Wire System
When a team gets chopped from the league, their athletes get redistributed via waivers. A free agent acquisition budget (FAAB) system lets you pick up new players and comes with a higher-than-average salary cap. This high ceiling is necessary when you consider that the loser’s roster being up for grabs every week sets off a spending spree.
If you’re more interested in traditional gambling rather than fantasy football, check out our guide on the best NFL betting apps.
Tips for Winning Your Guillotine League
I’m proud to say that I’ve won a guillotine league league before. From that win and my many prior losses, here are some things I’ve learned:
- Prioritize consistency: You don’t necessarily have to be the best team in the league; you just have to be the last team remaining. Try to draft players who will perform consistently.
- Be ruthless with your budget: With new players available every week, you need to be ready to pounce. Use your budget to score the top performer or healthy replacement you need.
- Get an average QB: Remember, we’re going for consistency. Try to score a QB who, per game, rushes for 20 to 40 yards, throws for 250 yards, and scores a couple of touchdowns.
- Draft RBs and WRs thoughtfully: You’ll want running backs who catch a lot in the backfield and have a decent number of carries. As for wide receivers, try to go for guys who average 7-10 catches and do decent in the red zone.
In short, the guillotine format isn’t for everyone—Sleeper Dynasty might be more your speed if you want to play throughout the year and beyond.
But if you find satisfaction in the “play not to lose” mindset and appreciate the excitement of new players being up for grabs every week, this might just be the contest for you.
Want to explore more on fantasy sports? See our review of the apps like PrizePicks.
Sleeper Guillotine FAQs
Here are some FAQs regarding guillotine leagues at Sleeper Fantasy:
Does Sleeper support guillotine leagues?
Yes, Sleeper supports guillotine leagues for the NFL. Fantasy football players often use the app to join existing leagues or even create their own.
How does a guillotine league at Sleeper work?
A guillotine league is similar to traditional fantasy in that you draft a team and choose your lineup every week. The difference is that the last-place team every week is cut, and you compete against everyone rather than playing head-to-head matchups.
How do you win a Sleeper guillotine league?
You win a guillotine league by being the last team standing. The last matchup is the only one that’s head-to-head, as you must earn more points than your competitor. You can improve your chances by making your entire roster consist of consistent players.
Aside from Sleeper guillotine leagues, I’d recommend the Kalshi promo code for more ways to get in on the action.