Studs and Duds (player acquisition strategy)
“Studs and duds” is a player acquisition strategy that is especially popular in constructing fantasy sports teams. A few high-priced “studs” are acquired, and then low-priced non-stars or “duds” fill out the roster. The theory is that the studs will play well and elevate the level of the duds, who play limited minutes and backup positions.
“‘Studs and duds’ strategy” was cited in print in 2008. “Stars and scrubs” is another name for the same strategy.
ESPN.com—Fantasy Football
Wide receivers: Are the top guys first-round worthy?
Updated: September 2, 2008, 5:00 PM ET
By Christopher Harris | ESPN.com
(...)
If you try a “studs and duds” strategy, you’d better be darned sure about the guys you’ve earmarked as your studs, because dud receivers often contribute absolutely nothing.
Google Books
Fantasy Football Guidebook:
Your Comprehensive Guide to Playing Fantasy Football (Second Edition)
By Sam Hendricks
Austin, TX: ExtraPoint Press
2010
Pg. 160:
If you go for studs and duds, you are taking some long shots at coming up with value even if your studs perform.
Draft Buddy
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS—STUDS AND DUDS
Posted on March 18, 2010 by Rick
The St. Louis Cardinals seem to be practicing the old fantasy baseball strategy of “Studs and Duds”.
In this strategy, a team uses a very large amount of their auction dollars on a few superstars and then fills in their rest of their lineup with a lot of $1 and $2 players. The idea being that the studs will pile up enough quality stats to allow the duds to fill in a little and put your team over the top. Unfortunately, this strategy rarely works and it looks like it will only work in St. Louis this season due to such a weak division.
Bleacher Report—Fantasy Football
Auction Draft Strategies With My Recommendations For Success
By Jeff Sock , Contributor Aug 31, 2010
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The first well known auction draft strategy is the studs and duds strategy. In this strategy you spend the majority of your budget on three to four high quality players. However, since those high quality players cost so much, you will end up with a lot of low dollar players to fill out the remainder of your roster.
Pros of the studs and duds: You get super quality players at a few positions. If you are extremely adept at identifying those really hidden gem sleepers than you can fill out your lineup nicely.
Cons of the studs and duds: If one or two of your super quality players get injured or miss time, all you are left with are duds.
Fantasy Baseball Cafe
Re: League Chatter
Post by OneLoveBoomer » Tue Dec 11, 2012 12:41 pm
Stars and Scrubs, Studs and Duds
Jiveballer: Fantasy Baseball Strategy and Advice
Draft Strategy: Stars & Scrubs vs Value Balanced
Posted 8th March 2013 by Jared E.
(...)
Studs and Duds, Stars and Scrubs, or whatever you want to call it.
In theory, you have as many $1 players as possible and load the roster with first and second round type players. Imagine scoring four first rounders at an average of about $36 each and four second rounders at roughly $25 apiece. That’s $244 out of a $260 budget for eight of the 20 best players out there, leaving a dollar for the remaining players. That takes guts, and a lot of effort to get the right assortment of $1 scrubs to complement your studs.