Choose wisely.
Fantasy Surfer. It’s all the rage these days. Super geeky, yes, but also indisputably fun, which is essentially what has brought on the craze. That and perhaps a bit of dodgy betting going down with the use of the platform.
That aside, it’s a great way to kill some time at work. You could puzzle over the choosing of your team for days before each event kicks off. And you’ll probably still do terribly. Or at least I do.
Given that I have failed so frequently with Fantasy Surfer, here are three tips to help you/me do better.
1. Be heartless.
I’m a nice guy, and as the saying goes, we finish last. If you have a favorite surfer who’s realistically going to finish last, cut that sucker from your team. Do it right now. You can still be their number one fan, but in the world of Fantasy Surfer, they are dead wood. This is, by far, my biggest weakness. When I look back on some of my picks from last year, I have to shake my head in disgust. This year will be different. This year, I’m going to be that guy no one likes. But I will take solace in my victories.
2. Know the wildcards.
Don’t pick all your surfers too early. With each event, a whole bunch of wildcards come into the frame – and some of them are worth your time. But before you pick Dane Reynolds for Snapper, first think carefully about point one. The guy is pretty much everyone’s favorite surfer and potentially the best surfer in the world. But in comps, it just hasn’t worked for him. And because it’s not working for him, he’s not working for you.
Each event suits different surfers. For example, picking Dane on a long righthand point break isn’t a bad idea. I know that’s a huge contradiction, but therein lies the enormous difficulty in picking a team for Fantasy Surfer. There’s so much to consider, and anything could happen. Dane could go out first round or he could win the thing. It’s all about making educated guesses to improve the probability of success.
The wildcards tend to have a specialty so, to increase the odds, get on the net and check the surf report for the area. What’s the point in picking a hell-wave charger for Tahiti if the forecast is looking like it’ll be head high walls? Why pick a power surfer for Bells if it’s looking like it’ll be nearly flat?
A good pick here is vital as it can turn an average event into a winning one, and that’s what it’s all about this year.
3. Look at the first round heat match-up.
This is where real tactics come in. What you absolutely don’t want to do here is have three memberes of your team in the same heat. Two is a safer bet, while one can be risky but very rewarding. It’s a balance that I still haven’t figured out entirely, but I know this is where you can gain some great advantages over those who choose to pay no attention to such things.
With two of your team in a heat, you know that one of your surfers is going to get through to Round Three. You also know that your other surfer has a one in two chance of making it. What you absolutely don’t want is two of your team members facing off in Round Two, so try to choose your team in a manner that will avoid this.
If you have any techniques you’d care to share, let’s hear them below. If you strongly disagree with my approach then tell me why. Because this year, it’s all about winning.
