Fantasy basketball has three core formats to choose from: Head-to-Head (H2H) Points, Head-to-Head Categories (9-cat), and Rotisserie (Roto). Each offers an entirely different fantasy experience, so here’s a quick overview to help you find the format that fits your style for this upcoming season.
[Join or create a fantasy basketball league for the 2025-26 NBA season]
🤜 H2H-Points: Yahoo’s default format
How it works:
Your team racks up points based on real NBA stats.
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Each week, you go head-to-head with another manager. Whoever scores the most total points wins. See, it’s easy!
Why you’ll love it:
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Beginner-friendly – If you’ve played fantasy football, this will be a walk in the park.
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Simple scoring – No need to juggle nine different categories (more on that later).
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Clear winners – highest point total wins each week’s matchup, period. Ties rarely happen.
The not-so-great stuff:
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It’s not as strategic as other formats.
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Roster construction is less nuanced.
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Load management (AKA, players sitting out) is still a headache.
Best for: First-timers or anyone who wants to keep it simple and fun.
📈 Head-to-Head Categories: The OG Format
How it works:
Each week, you go head-to-head in nine categories: Points, Rebounds, Assists, Steals, Turnovers, Blocks, 3-pointers made, Field Goal percentage and Free Throw percentage. Win at least five of the nine, and you win the week.
Why it’s my preferred format:
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Balance is everything – You need a squad that contributes across the board and in most cases, efficiency forces you to weigh how a player gets his numbers, not just the totals.
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Weekly drama – Every matchup feels like a chess match. Playing the schedule and working waivers to get an edge on your opponent can turn into a late-Sunday sweat to win a couple of categories.
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Punting categories – You can intentionally ignore weaker categories to dominate in others, flipping a perceived weakness into a winning advantage.
The not-so-cool parts:
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Steeper learning curve managing nine categories of stats versus an accumulation of points each week.
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Ties happen more often than you’d like.
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Injuries happen, but load management (aka players sitting out for routine maintenance) remains a frustrating issue.
Best for: Fantasy managers who love the grind, crave strategy and don’t mind putting in the work to outsmart their competition.
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📊 Rotisserie: The marathon format
How it works:
Roto is all about the big picture. Your team’s stats across nine categories (Points, Rebounds, Assists, Steals, Turnovers, Blocks, 3-pointers made, Field Goal % and Free Throw %) are ranked against every other team in the league. The better your cumulative stats, the higher you rank. At the end of the season, the team with the best overall ranking takes the crown.
Why it’s cool:
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Consistency is king – Roto rewards teams that perform well all season long. No fluky matchups or random playoff upsets here.
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Injuries don’t ruin your season – A bad week or a short-term injury won’t tank your chances like it might in head-to-head formats.
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No chasing matchups – You can focus on building a strong, balanced team without constantly streaming players for a slight edge. And, punting isn’t off the table, either.
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No playoffs, no surprises – The final standings are the final standings.
The trade-offs:
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Mistakes are costly – It’s hard to come out of the trenches in roto. A bad draft or early-season missteps sometimes seem unrecoverable.
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It’s less thrilling – No weekly matchups or playoff drama to keep you locked into that 1v1 competitive mode.
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It’s not as popular – You’ll probably need to find some fantasy basketball OGs to fill your league.
Best for: Fantasy veterans seeking a skill-based challenge that avoids the week-to-week chaos of head-to-head formats.
How to pick your format
Here’s the quick and dirty guide to choosing the right format for you:
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Go with H2H Points if:
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You’re new to fantasy basketball.
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You’re coming from fantasy football and want something familiar.
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You want the excitement of weekly matchups without worrying about categories.
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Try H2H 9-Cat if:
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You’re seeking a more strategic and skill-based game that balances player efficiency and production.
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You enjoy experimenting with roster-building off correlations or punting tactics.
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You want the ability to swing outcomes with weekly moves.
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You’ve got the time to actively manage your roster.
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Choose Roto if:
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You’re a seasoned fantasy player seeking a new challenge to mitigate the effects of load management and injuries.
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You prefer skill and consistency over luck.
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You don’t need the weekly drama of head-to-head matchups.
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The Bottom Line
If you’re just starting out, H2H Points is the easiest way to play. Once you’ve got the hang of it, level up to 9-cat (H2H categories) for a more strategic experience. And when you’re ready to test your skills in the ultimate grind, give Rotisserie a shot.
Ready to draft your squad? Let’s get you in the game!
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