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:

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.

About the Author

Caltman
Chris Altman (Caltman)

Chris Altman is a sports betting writer and content expert with almost a decade of experience. He’s covered everything, but his current focus is on reviewing sportsbooks and online casinos and keeping tabs on sports betting legislation. Chris has been with Better Collective since 2019 and has freelanced in the sports betting content industry for years. Chris specializes in knuckle-down research and content with a quick turnaround. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening, tinkering, and occasionally writes short stories about dogs and space. On a good day, you’ll find him slung over a laptop keyboard in whatever establishment has the best chicken wings.