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The playbook

Five players. Make them count.

Build the strongest five-player lineup you can. Play solo for your own best Overall, or draft against friends and CPUs for the top spot.

Multiplayer · 2–8 players

Meet in the room.

  1. Create or join. Enter your name and create a room. Friends join with its six-character code. Turn on Public Room if you want it listed on the home screen.
  2. Choose your game. The host picks Auction Draft or Budget Board and can add CPUs. One human and one CPU is enough.
  3. Ready up. Every human selects Ready Up. CPUs are ready automatically. The host starts when everyone is ready.

Every lineup has 5 players. There are no bench spots or required positions.

Multiplayer · $100

Auction Draft

Everyone sees the same player. Enter a whole-dollar bid and select Place Bid. Your bid stays hidden and locks when submitted. The highest bidder gets the player and pays their bid; everyone else keeps their money.

Bid or pass

On a player’s first appearance, $0 passes while multiple teams are still drafting. A passed player can return later. Returning players, or rounds with only one unfinished team, require at least $1 if you have money left.

Keep room for five

The game reserves $1 for each other open roster spot. With $100 and five spots, you can bid up to $96.

Tied for the lead?

If a tied team can raise, tied bidders get another 10-second window. Submit the tied amount to stay, or bid more to raise. A further raised tie can lead to another tiebreak. If nobody raises, or nobody can, a tied winner is chosen randomly.

Watch the clock

Normal rounds allow 15 seconds and can end early once everyone bids. Missing the clock passes when allowed, or submits the required minimum. In a tiebreak, no new bid keeps your existing bid.

Fill your five, then watch the remaining teams finish. Highest final Overall wins.

Multiplayer · $150

Budget Board

Draft from 15 players: three at each price of $10, $20, $30, $40, $50. Review the board before the first turn.

  1. Take turns. The default snake order reverses each round, so a team at either end can pick twice in a row. Your status shows when you pick next.
  2. Make your pick. Select an affordable card within 15 seconds. The pick is permanent, and that slot refills from the same price tier while players are available.
  3. Finish your lineup. You must leave $10 for each other open spot. If time expires, the game picks a random legal player for you.

Your roster stays visible while you draft. A card’s price is its cost, not its final lineup score.

Single player · 5 rounds

Solo Draft

Choose one of 5 players each round. Every pick joins your lineup permanently; the other choices disappear. There is no budget or timer.

After 5 picks, your lineup is scored automatically. On a phone, use Roster to review your picks between rounds.

Aim for your highest Overall. Play Again starts a fresh draft.

Single player · $150

Solo Budget Board

Build a lineup from 25 players, with 5 at each price tier. Choose exactly five and spend no more than $150. There is no timer.

Select a card to add it; select it again to remove it. On a phone, switch price tiers to see all your options. Selections stay marked as you switch.

Cards that would exceed your budget or leave too little to finish your five are unavailable. When your lineup is ready, select Score lineup.

Experiment freely before submitting. Play Again generates a new board.

The final verdict

Read the whole team.

Overall is your lineup’s final rating. It considers offensive ability, defense, rebounding, how your five fit together, and star talent. It is not simply the average of individual player ratings.

  • Offense: creating shots, shooting, attacking the rim, passing, and scoring inside.
  • Defense: guarding the ball, protecting the basket, covering matchups, and disrupting opponents.
  • Rebounding: securing the defensive glass, creating second chances, and holding up physically.

The small bars show strengths and weaknesses within each category. Inside the Score gives more context about lineup fit. Money left over does not add points.

In multiplayer, tap any team in the standings to view its lineup and full breakdown. You can skip or replay the result reveal. In solo modes, Play Again starts a new run immediately.

What the skill labels mean
Shot creation
Generating offense with the ball.
Shooting
Outside shooting that spaces the floor.
Rim pressure
Attacking the basket and finishing.
Playmaking
Creating opportunities for teammates.
Inside scoring
Scoring in the paint and post.
On-ball defense
Containing the ball handler.
Rim protection
Challenging shots at the basket.
Interior defense
Holding up against inside matchups.
Switchability
Covering different defensive assignments.
Disruption
Creating pressure through steals and blocks.
Defensive / offensive glass
Ending the other team’s possession / creating second chances for yours.
Physicality
Strength and athletic tools that support rebounding.
Build your five