Fantasy football has no shortage of formats—from traditional head-to-head to best ball and dynasty leagues. But in recent years, a thrilling and strategic new format has risen in popularity: the guillotine league. If you’re looking for a high-stakes, cutthroat fantasy football experience where the pressure builds weekly and survival is the name of the game, the guillotine format might be exactly what you’re after.
This guide will explore everything you need to know about guillotine leagues—how they work, why they’re different, and how you can master the strategy to survive and dominate.
What Is a Guillotine League?
A fresh twist on fantasy football survival
A guillotine league is a unique fantasy football format where one team is eliminated each week based on the lowest score. It’s not about beating a single opponent—your goal is to avoid finishing last in the weekly standings.
Unlike traditional leagues that run head-to-head matchups and playoffs, guillotine leagues are all about survival. Each week, the team with the lowest total score is “chopped,” and their entire roster is released into the free-agent pool. The rest of the league battles for those suddenly available star players, making every week a mix of strategy, risk, and reward.
Key Characteristics of a Guillotine Fantasy League
| Feature | Guillotine League | Traditional League |
|---|---|---|
| Elimination | Lowest scoring team eliminated weekly | No weekly eliminations |
| Waivers | Full roster of eliminated team enters waivers | Limited waivers based on weekly needs |
| Number of Teams | Often 17–18 (1 per week for full NFL season) | Commonly 8–12 |
| Endgame | Last team standing wins | Playoffs determine champion |
| Strategy Focus | Consistency and depth > boom-or-bust plays | Upside and weekly matchups often dominate |
How Guillotine Leagues Got Their Name
The term “guillotine league” is inspired by the execution device used during the French Revolution—dramatic, right? Just like a guillotine, each week brings a swift and final end to one team’s season. It’s sudden. It’s brutal. And it’s highly entertaining.
The format was popularized by Paul Charchian, a longtime fantasy football expert and founder of GuillotineLeagues.com. Since then, it has expanded rapidly, with platforms like Sleeper, ESPN, and Yahoo adopting support for this intense format.
“Guillotine leagues are the perfect combination of skill, suspense, and chaos.” — Paul Charchian, creator of the format
Why Guillotine Leagues Are Gaining Popularity
There are several reasons why guillotine leagues are becoming a favorite among experienced fantasy players:
- Every week matters – One bad week and you’re out.
- Waiver wire chaos – Top players become available weekly.
- Constant strategy shifts – Your roster evolves quickly.
- Higher engagement – The drama keeps all players tuned in.
Unlike traditional leagues where half the teams are out by mid-season, a guillotine league keeps nearly everyone engaged deep into the year.
In a fantasy world where novelty, challenge, and adrenaline drive engagement, the guillotine format offers the perfect storm.
What Makes Guillotine Leagues So Different?
- No Playoffs – Instead of building for a playoff run, you’re simply trying to survive each week.
- Massive Free Agent Pools – Top-tier players like Patrick Mahomes or Christian McCaffrey can become available mid-season.
- Tough Decisions Weekly – Do you go all-in on a waiver claim now or save budget for later?
- Roster Construction is Fluid – Your team on draft day will be nearly unrecognizable by Week 10.
FAQs for Answer
What is a guillotine league in fantasy football?
A guillotine league is a fantasy football format where the lowest-scoring team is eliminated each week, and their roster is released to the remaining teams via waivers.
How many teams are in a guillotine league?
Typically, 17 or 18 teams play to align with the NFL’s 18-week season—one team eliminated per week.
Is a guillotine league more difficult than traditional fantasy football?
Yes. Because there are no head-to-head matchups, you compete against the entire league every week, and one mistake can end your season.
Can I play guillotine leagues on ESPN or Sleeper?
Yes, platforms like Sleeper, ESPN, and GuillotineLeagues.com offer guillotine league formats with customizable settings.
How Does a Guillotine League Work?How Does a Guillotine League Work?
Survive or be chopped—here’s how the format plays out
At its core, a guillotine league flips the traditional fantasy football script. Rather than weekly head-to-head matchups and a final playoff run, guillotine leagues focus on weekly elimination. The last team standing—after every other team has been eliminated—wins the league.
Understanding how this high-pressure format operates is essential if you want to thrive.
Guillotine League Format & Rules
In most guillotine fantasy leagues, the standard setup follows a few consistent rules:
- 18 Teams: One team is eliminated each NFL week (Week 1–17).
- No Head-to-Head Matchups: All teams compete in a single pool. The lowest total weekly score loses.
- Full Roster Elimination: When a team is chopped, every player on their roster enters the waiver pool.
- Weekly Waiver Bidding: Surviving teams use FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget) to bid on chopped players.
This structure makes the league progressively more competitive each week. As more teams are eliminated, the remaining teams get stronger, and every week becomes a fight for survival.
For a deeper breakdown of standard fantasy rules and scoring formats, check out this guide to fantasy football scoring formats from FantasyPros—an excellent internal reference if you’re coming from a traditional league background.
Waivers & Roster Reset After Chop
What makes the guillotine league format truly unique is what happens after a team is chopped.
- Every player on the chopped roster is released into the free-agent pool.
- Surviving teams then bid on those players using FAAB or priority-based waivers.
- This weekly event is often referred to as “The Feeding Frenzy.”
This mechanism injects new life—and chaos—into the league every week. Imagine top-tier players like Tyreek Hill or Travis Kelce suddenly becoming available in Week 5. Teams with budget left can dramatically change their season overnight.
Pro Tip:
Because waiver wire action is so crucial, always manage your FAAB carefully. Overspending early can leave you powerless in the final weeks. Consider setting weekly FAAB budget caps based on remaining teams and projected future availability.
Draft Setup in a Guillotine League
The draft is just the beginning, but in guillotine leagues, needs to differ from traditional leagues:
- Early-round consistency > upside: You need players who won’t get you eliminated early.
- Rookie fade: Rookies often start slow—making them a risky Week 1–4 liability.
- Roster depth is key: A thin bench means one injury or bye week could spell your doom.
- League size affects everything: Drafting in an 18-team league means less top-tier talent early on. Balance is critical.
Here’s a quick sample of how you might draft differently:
| Round | Traditional League Target | Guillotine League Target |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | High-ceiling studs | High-floor reliable scorers |
| 3–6 | Risk/reward upside players | Durable, consistent performers |
| 7–10 | Handcuffs and depth options | Bye-week coverage and backups |
| 11–15 | Bench stashes and breakout bets | Role players with stable output |
Transitioning From Traditional to Guillotine Play
Moving from a regular league to a guillotine format requires more than just rule knowledge. It calls for a complete mindset shift.
“In guillotine leagues, you don’t plan for the playoffs—you plan not to be the first team chopped.”
— Fantasy Footballers Podcast
Each week is a mini playoff in itself, and every lineup decision carries significant weight.
Q’s for answer
What happens when a team is eliminated in a guillotine league?
The team with the lowest score for the week is chopped, and all their players are released into free agency. Remaining teams then bid for those players.
How are waivers handled in guillotine leagues?
Most guillotine leagues use a FAAB bidding system, where teams allocate a fixed budget over the season to bid for available players.
Do all guillotine leagues use the same scoring format?
Not necessarily. While many guillotine leagues use PPR (Point Per Reception) scoring, some leagues use standard or half-PPR depending on platform settings.
Why Play a Guillotine League?
More thrill, more risk, more fun: What makes guillotine leagues so addictive?
In a fantasy football landscape overflowing with formats—dynasty, superflex, best ball, and traditional redraft—the guillotine league stands out as a bold and thrilling alternative. But why should you try it?
Here’s what makes the guillotine format so appealing to both seasoned fantasy football veterans and adrenaline-seeking newcomers.
The Weekly Pressure Is Real (and Fun)
In a typical league, a bad week means you might lose a matchup. In a guillotine fantasy league, a bad week means your season is over.
This constant pressure heightens engagement, requiring you to:
- Monitor every matchup closely
- Watch live scores with anxiety and excitement
- Make weekly decisions with no room for error
There’s no coasting to the playoffs in this format. Every week is sudden death.
“Guillotine leagues create the kind of week-to-week tension fantasy players live for.”
— Joe Pisapia, FantasyPros
Roster Turnover Keeps It Fresh
In standard redraft leagues, once a player is drafted, they may remain on the same roster all season. In contrast, guillotine leagues refresh the talent pool weekly.
When a team is eliminated:
- Their star players are released into the free-agent pool
- The remaining teams engage in a fierce FAAB bidding war
- Rosters evolve drastically week after week
This leads to:
- Ever-changing lineups
- Increased trade and waiver wire strategy
- A dynamic season where no team is ever locked in
This high turnover is ideal for managers who enjoy active management and weekly optimization.
Builds Better Fantasy Skills
Because guillotine leagues reward consistency, waiver strategy, and long-term FAAB management, they help players:
- Draft smarter (emphasize safe picks)
- Manage risk more effectively
- Improve waiver wire efficiency
- Think ahead with greater discipline
This experience makes you a better manager in all formats—especially in high-stakes leagues.
In fact, many high-volume fantasy players use guillotine formats to sharpen in-season management skills. For more on improving decision-making as a manager, check out this expert article from FantasyPros on In-Season Fantasy Management.
Greater Emotional Investment
The “chop or survive” drama pulls players in emotionally. Because each week could be your last, guillotine leagues tend to:
- Keep all managers fully engaged deep into the season
- Spark league-wide group chats and banter
- Make Monday Night Football finishes must-watch events
Compare that to a standard redraft league where half the teams check out by Week 10.
In a guillotine league, everyone is glued to the standings, especially as the bottom five teams jockey to avoid elimination each week.
Adds Variety to Your Fantasy Season
Already in one or two standard leagues? Adding a guillotine league gives you:
- A new format to experiment with
- Lower commitment (many guillotine leagues are 1-team-only)
- A refreshing challenge outside the playoff model
Many platforms now allow you to play guillotine alongside traditional formats. For example, Sleeper supports guillotine-style leagues with full customization, and so founded by Paul Charchian.
“Once you’ve played in a guillotine league, you’ll never view fantasy football the same way.”
— Sleeper Blog, 2024
More Competition, More Satisfaction
Outlasting 17 other teams to win a guillotine league is no small feat. It’s the fantasy football equivalent of winning Survivor.
You didn’t just win some playoff matchups—you survived every week, made savvy waiver moves, and dodged landmines when others didn’t.
For those who play for competition and pride, winning a guillotine league is as rewarding as it gets.
Qs for Answer
Why is a guillotine league more fun than a traditional league?
Because you face weekly elimination, guillotine leagues keep all teams highly engaged. The drama and constant player movement make it more exciting than standard formats.
Is a guillotine league good for fantasy beginners?
Not usually. The strategy and pressure can be overwhelming. Guillotine formats are best for experienced managers or competitive leagues.
Guillotine League Variations & Custom Rules
Tailor the chaos: How leagues are adapting the guillotine format
One of the strengths of guillotine leagues is their flexibility. While the core concept remains the same—eliminate the lowest-scoring team each week and release their players—there are many variations and custom rules that leagues adopt to add flavor, fairness, or strategy.
Below are some of the most popular guillotine league tweaks and options.
FAAB vs. Waiver Priority Systems
While most guillotine leagues use FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget) due to its fairness, some leagues opt for a rolling waiver priority system, especially if they’re hosted on platforms like ESPN or Yahoo.
| System Type | Description | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAAB | Teams bid $ from a limited budget | Strategic depth, fairness | Can lead to uneven bidding behavior |
| Waiver Priority | Fixed or rolling order (worst team picks first) | Simple and fast | Can be exploited by low-scoring teams |
Recommendation: Stick with FAAB for fairness and strategic variety.
Yahoo Fantasy Help Center provides a good breakdown of both systems for beginners.
Superflex Guillotine Leagues
Want more complexity? Try a Superflex guillotine league, where you can start a second quarterback.
This significantly changes the dynamic:
- QBs become premium picks and high FAAB targets
- Teams with strong QBs gain weekly scoring stability
- The waiver pool becomes flooded with riskier positional options
This format is great for experienced fantasy managers who want deeper strategy and positional tension.
“Superflex guillotine leagues are not for the faint of heart—you better draft smart and stay active.”
— Andy Behrens, Yahoo Sports
Two-Team Elimination Weeks
Some leagues add spice by eliminating two teams in certain weeks—usually early in the season (e.g., Week 1 and 2).
Why do this?
- Speeds up the season
- Raises stakes immediately
- Thins out the league for competitive parity
Caution: This rule makes early weeks brutal, especially for managers still figuring out rosters. Use it only in leagues where everyone is already familiar with the format.
Restart or Resurrection Rules
Some leagues allow a twist—bringing back one eliminated team mid-season (usually via vote or highest remaining FAAB).
Possible variations:
- “Zombie team” rejoins in Week 10 with a fresh draft
- Wildcard rule where the highest-scoring chopped team across 5 weeks gets revived
While fun, these rules can disrupt balance and are better suited for casual or friendly leagues.
Custom Scoring Tweaks for Guillotine
Since guillotine leagues revolve around weekly total points, some leagues customize scoring to better reflect:
- Positional balance
- Defensive and kicker relevance
- Weekly volatility
Common custom scoring changes:
- Bonus points for long TDs or 100+ yard games
- Team defense scoring boosted to reward strategy
- Negative points for turnovers to punish risky QBs
If you’re adjusting scoring, be sure to test your settings using simulators like FantasyPros Custom Scoring Toolshttps://www.rotowire.com/ or Sleeper League Settings Calculator.
Best Ball Guillotine Leagues
In a best ball guillotine format, lineups are automatically optimized each week, using your highest-scoring players.
While this removes lineup stress, it also:
- Levels the playing field
- Reduces in-season decision-making
- Shifts more weight to the draft and FAAB decisions
This format is ideal for casual players or those in multiple leagues looking to reduce management.
Dynasty-Style Guillotine Leagues
Though rare, some leagues attempt a dynasty version of the guillotine format. Teams keep players across seasons, and:
- A new team is added via dispersal or expansion
- Drafts reset based on finishing order
Because guillotine relies on weekly elimination, dynasty formats require heavy customization and usually involve hybrid rules.
📘 Interested in dynasty formats? Check out this comprehensive dynasty strategy guide from FantasyPros.
Answer for FAQs
Can you play superflex in a guillotine league?
Yes. Superflex guillotine leagues are popular among advanced players and add significant strategic depth by allowing two starting quarterbacks.
Are there double elimination guillotine leagues?
Yes. Some leagues eliminate two teams per week early in the season to accelerate gameplay and increase drama.
Do any platforms support best ball guillotine formats?
Some custom leagues on platforms like MyFantasyLeague or Sleeper allow best ball scoring in guillotine formats, but this may require manual oversight.
What makes guillotine leagues more competitive?
Since one team is chopped each week, the weakest link is always removed, and the remaining teams get stronger. This raises the bar every single week.
Guillotine League Strategy: How to Survive Week-to-Week
Consistency wins championships (and survival)
Surviving a guillotine league isn’t about having the most explosive team—it’s about avoiding last place. Every single week. That requires a completely different mindset than typical head-to-head formats.
In this section, we’ll walk through the foundational strategies that experienced fantasy players use to stay alive deep into the season—and ideally, become the last manager standing.
Focus on High-Floor Players Early On
In traditional formats, early picks often emphasize ceiling—players who can win you a week. In a guillotine league, that kind of risk can get you chopped early.
Instead, prioritize players with:
- Consistent weekly production (think Keenan Allen or Amon-Ra St. Brown)
- Low volatility scoring profiles
- Stable roles and snap counts
Here’s a high-level comparison:
| Player Type | Traditional League | Guillotine League |
|---|---|---|
| Boom-or-Bust WRs | Flex starters | High risk |
| High-Volume RBs | Matchup dependent | Essential early |
| Running QBs | Top-tier assets | Must-have (floor + ceiling) |
| Rookie WRs | Sleeper potential | Risky early picks |
For a deeper look at player consistency metrics, see FantasyPros: How to Identify Consistent Fantasy Producers.
Injury Risk & Bye Week Management
Because guillotine leagues eliminate a team every week, you can’t afford to overlook injuries or byes.
Key rules:
- Avoid drafting players coming off major injuries (unless at a value)
- Handcuff your critical RBs if bench space allows
- Plan for key bye weeks ahead of time—especially in Weeks 7, 9, and 10, which often carry multiple team byes
Tip: Use fantasy bye week cheat sheets during your draft. NFL.com provides an updated bye week tracker.
FAAB Tactics: Don’t Blow It All in Week 3
FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget) is the beating heart of guillotine waiver strategy. You’ll need to balance aggressiveness with restraint, especially when elite players hit the market.
Smart FAAB strategies:
- Save 40–50% of your budget for Weeks 10–15 (when elite players flood waivers)
- Use smaller bids early on unless you’re desperate for survival
- Monitor other teams’ budgets weekly to understand bidding behavior
Example FAAB Allocation Model:
| Week Range | Suggested FAAB % to Use |
|---|---|
| 1–4 | 10–15% total |
| 5–8 | 20–30% |
| 9–12 | 30–40% |
| 13–17 | Use remaining wisely |
See this expert FAAB breakdown from Draft Sharks: Best Guillotine League Strategy for more on long-term budget planning.
Drafting for Survival, Not Bragging Rights
Think of the guillotine draft like this: You’re not building a superteam—you’re building a team that won’t lose.
Smart draft goals:
- Don’t chase breakout potential in the early rounds
- Stack your lineup with reliable weekly scorers
- Use your bench to protect against early bye weeks or surprise injuries
Avoid this common mistake:
“I drafted three rookies, two handcuffs, and a suspended WR in the top 10 rounds. I got chopped in Week 2.” — Actual Reddit Post
Be Active on the Waiver Wire… But Strategic
Every time a team is eliminated, an entire roster of talent hits free agency. That’s exciting—but also dangerous if you overspend or chase names instead of needs.
Waiver Wire Survival Tips:
- Prioritize needs over luxury adds
- Bid based on positional scarcity and dropoff
- Avoid overspending for name value (e.g., older WRs with declining roles)
Also, use waiver trend tools like FantasyPros’ FAAB Value Chart to evaluate fair market values.
Use Game Theory and Opponent Psychology
Knowing your league mates is just as important as managing your roster.
Game theory in guillotine leagues includes:
- Watching other managers’ FAAB totals
- Baiting them into overbidding
- Knowing who needs what (e.g., targeting the RB-needy team for a trade)
Some managers panic and blow 70% of their FAAB early. Let them. Others are too cautious and get chopped with $300 left in Week 13. Find the balance.
Want to understand game theory in fantasy? Check out this breakdown on roster construction from Fantasy Footballers.
Answer of FAQs
How do I avoid getting chopped in a guillotine league?
Build a team of consistent scorers, avoid risky plays, and manage FAAB wisely. Monitor injuries and bye weeks closely.
Should I spend FAAB early or wait in guillotine formats?
Spend conservatively early. The best players usually hit waivers between Weeks 6–12. Saving FAAB helps win long-term.
What players are best for guillotine formats?
Prioritize high-floor, volume-based players who aren’t as volatile. Avoid boom-or-bust types early in the season.