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I've never participated in the NFBC Main Event, nor a Live auction before - just lots of auctions on the computer. For those of you that have experienced a live in-person auction, what is it like? I'm doing two in Vegas this year, one NL and the other Mixed. Is there an auctioneer and we all have paddles to stick in the air while bidding for players? Or I' guessing its some other sort of system... Also, how do they track $ spent and what info will the owners be able to see during the auction - or are we limited to whatever we track ourselves? Just trying to get a feel for how fast this auction will move compared to say a CBS auction on-line, and what other tips people may have for a newbie. Thanks!

Paddles aren't safe. If we used those...I would beat Lowy into a bloody pulp during the super auction in NYC(he sits next to me)

you bid with calling out bids. The auctioneer will acknowledge the dollar bid and the team that bid it.

Group decides when to break.

You should keep track of other teams bids but facilitators do that there on site(guy hanging stickers will also track money and you will see both at the front of the room getting updated as draft progresses)

We do money checks later in the draft too to confirm everyone has the same numbers.

Live auctions are one of the best events in the world. I look fwd to it greatly every year. Snake drafts of course aren't bad but live auctions are such a blast to be apart of. You will be hooked as soon as you do your first.

It moves faster towards the end....auctioneer usually starts slow. Its 5 hours at a min normally but it doesn't feel overly long.

Auctioning or drafting in person is the best...Its like playing poker in person. The feeling of getting your player makes you feel like a gm.
Enjoy the experience!!!

76erfan wrote:Paddles aren't safe. If we used those...I would beat Lowy into a bloody pulp during the super auction in NYC(he sits next to me)

No doubt you'll end up feeling that way once I'm done price enforcing you all night long my friend. No bargains for you.

Sign me up for any draft with paddles!!!!

A lot better than simply calling somebody an ass**** for taking 'my' player.

First you walk into a room and everyone looks like they have it all figured out...



But in all honesty, they really don't...



The auctioneers are awesome. They are active and keep a steady and reasonable pace (no eight hour live auctions) firmly but friendly...not too fast but constant so you can get used to there cadence. The players are quickly posted and the persons running the boards keep the tallies with rare errors (obviously you want to track yours for yourself and how much you track the other teams is up to you). In short, it is a simple set-up but very professional.

You are going to have a blast. Just bring your notes and your humor. Welcome.

Auctions are the S**T. Definitely, my favorite fantasy draft. This being your first time, you'll see and hear a lot of "banter" amongst the repeat customers, especially the ones that have been doing this for years in the same city. And, every city has a large group of returnees. I've done live auctions in Chicago and NYC and absolutely enjoyed the experience at both sites. Expect at least a 5 hour marathon, depending on the length of the breaks. Every auctioneer I've had at an auction has done a great job keeping it moving at a pace comfortable to all players.

I always walk away from a live auction drained, whether it be NFBC or NFFC. How in the world the NYC guys do 3 auctions in 30 hours absolutely amazes me, but I'm hoping to do it one year. I'm sure this will be a memorable experience for you, so have fun and good luck.

It's even harder when some in the field talk "kentuckian".

uky wrote:Auctions are the S**T. Definitely, my favorite fantasy draft. This being your first time, you'll see and hear a lot of "banter" amongst the repeat customers, especially the ones that have been doing this for years in the same city. And, every city has a large group of returnees. I've done live auctions in Chicago and NYC and absolutely enjoyed the experience at both sites. Expect at least a 5 hour marathon, depending on the length of the breaks. Every auctioneer I've had at an auction has done a great job keeping it moving at a pace comfortable to all players.

I always walk away from a live auction drained, whether it be NFBC or NFFC. How in the world the NYC guys do 3 auctions in 30 hours absolutely amazes me, but I'm hoping to do it one year. I'm sure this will be a memorable experience for you, so have fun and good luck.

Think Hal and I are the only ones doing all three in NYC. Not sure if anyone is hitting up 3 or more in Vegas. I agree with Bill thats its exhausting. So fun but you leave the table ready for bed.

Alan doing all 6! Has to defend that title!!

Live auctions are by far my favorite contests. Every player is available to you as well as matching wits against some of the games best. Have fun with it and good luck. Looking forward to seeing everyone in just a few short days…let the games begin.

I'll give you a slightly different viewpoint, as I've been the auctioneer for a number of NFBC auctions in NYC as well as handling Tout Wars. When you make a bid, do so clearly and loudly but not in too obnoxious a manner (which is difficult for most New Yorkers... ). It also helps to include some type of hand or arm action to accompany your bid, as sometimes the brain sees things before it hears them (think of lightning vs. thunder). So while a paddle isn't necessary, the concept is actually a good one. An auctioneer can't always see all participants at once, so give yourself every edge both orally and visually. If it's a close call on who made the bid first and you're not chosen, use your poker face and just move on. Doesn't do any good to complain or make faces, and in the end those calls kind of balance themselves out.

Perhaps most important, you need to quickly adjust to the fast pace, and the best way to do that is to be extremely organized. You should know every player in the pool, find them quickly on your sheets and have a rough idea of your price, all before the bidding begins. The action tends to moves very quickly; this isn't your local league, and there aren't any pauses for "hold on a sec" or "time out!". A good auctioneer will adjust the tempo to the room, but in general you should be able to finish in five hours or less while still having a great time.

I absolutely love auctions, to me it represents the true intent of fantasy and requires the greatest skill. The NFBC auctions are a great experience; enjoy!!!

JohnP wrote:It's even harder when some in the field talk "kentuckian".

Heyyyyy.....y'all just have to keep up!

MadCow Sez wrote:

JohnP wrote:It's even harder when some in the field talk "kentuckian".

Heyyyyy.....y'all just have to keep up!

C'mon Dan, just admit it ... you have no idea what Kenny is saying to you 90% of the time.

ALL-IN JD wrote:Alan doing all 6! Has to defend that title!!

Actually, I am only doing 1 auction in New York this year.

JohnP wrote:It's even harder when some in the field talk "kentuckian".

I'll be bringing a new tone to town this year, John...

What is this five hour stuff?
Auctions for These leagues shouldn't take that long unless everyone in the league wants them to