Draft Types Overview
Draftastic offers two distinct draft types, each designed for different scenarios and group dynamics. Choose the right type based on your event size, time constraints, and desired level of engagement.
Quick Comparison: Standard Draft for flexibility, Captain’s Pick for excitement.
Participant Limits: All draft types support up to 256 participants and 100 teams maximum.
Draft Types at a Glance
| Feature | Standard Draft | Captain’s Pick |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Most use cases, flexible control | Competitive events, engagement |
| Assignment Methods | Manual or Auto-pick | Captains take turns picking |
| Time Required | Variable (instant to organizer-paced) | Medium (turn-based with timers) |
| Organizer Involvement | Variable (low to high) | Medium |
| Participant Engagement | Low to Medium | High |
| Fairness | Variable (depends on method) | Structured competition |
| Setup Complexity | Low | Medium |
Detailed Type Descriptions
The most flexible option. Choose between manual assignment for complete control or auto-pick for instant, fair team formation. Perfect for most scenarios where you want the option to adjust teams as needed.
Recreate the excitement of schoolyard picks! Team captains take turns selecting participants, with configurable timers and picking orders for maximum engagement.
Choosing the Right Type
When to Use Standard Draft
- Most scenarios - this is the most flexible and commonly used type
- Mixed control needs - want the option to manually adjust after auto-pick
- Groups of any size - scales from small teams to large events
- Time flexibility - can be instant (auto-pick) or take time (manual)
- Learning the platform - easiest to start with for new users
When to Use Captain’s Pick
- You want high participant engagement and excitement
- Groups of 12-50 participants work best
- Competitive or recreational sports events
- Building team spirit and friendly competition
- Events where the picking process itself is part of the fun
Switching Types
Important: Draft types cannot be changed after creation. Choose your draft type carefully during setup, as switching is not possible.
Assignment Methods in Standard Drafts
Standard Drafts offer two assignment methods that you can use separately or combine:
Manual Assignment
- Complete control - Assign participants one-by-one using the participant menu
- Strategic placement - Perfect for small groups or when you know participant dynamics
- Flexible timing - Take as much time as needed
Auto-Pick
- Instant results - Algorithm handles all assignments in seconds
- Fair distribution - Random, label-based, or AI-powered balancing
- Quick start - Great for large groups or time-sensitive situations
Tip: Many organizers use auto-pick first for speed, then make manual adjustments for optimal team composition.
Advanced Features
All draft types support:
- Custom team names and sizes
- Participant labels for categorization
- Real-time collaboration and chat
- Export to CSV
- Role-based permissions
Note: Captain assignment and turn-based picking are exclusive to Captain’s Pick drafts.
Explore each type in detail using the cards above to find the perfect fit for your event. Standard Draft includes both manual and auto-pick methods.