Lineup Groups
Overview
Lineup groups are the foundation of how SaberSim organizes and manages your lineups. At their core, they’re simply collections of lineups that you intend to manage, analyze, or act on together.
Instead of treating your entries as one undifferentiated pile, lineup groups separate them into meaningful buckets (by contest, by strategy, by custom rules, etc.) so you can apply exposures, filters, and diversity intentionally.
This matters because in DFS you’re not just betting on individual players—you’re betting on lineups as a whole. Each lineup is a single bet on how the games will play out. A player’s performance only makes sense in the context of the game script that produced it, and a lineup’s edge only makes sense in the context of the field it’s competing against.
Lineup groups give you the structure to think about those bets intentionally, organized by the contests they’re competing in.
How It Works
When you upload an entries file, SaberSim automatically creates lineup groups to mirror the contests you’re entering. Each contest has its own payout structure, opponent tendencies, and field dynamics—therefore each gets its own group.
The three key default groups are:
Contest Groups – Each contest in your entries file gets its own group (e.g., a 20-max and a 150-max each create separate groups). These are the backbone of lineup groups and are analogous to the old “autofill” behavior, but with much more control.
My Lineups – A default lineup group in SaberSim, created automatically from the default template. It has no contests attached by default and exists as an extra group for organizational flexibility. Many users delete it if unused, or disable its template to prevent future creation.
Pool – A pinned group at the top containing every lineup generated in your build. This gives you a global view of your portfolio before diving into contest-specific adjustments.
Note: A contest can only be attached to one lineup group at a time. This prevents duplication and keeps your process clean.
By default, most users let SaberSim create “one group per contest,” which keeps contest strategies separated. But you can also combine contests (e.g., multiple satellites) or split them (e.g., separating your single entries from multi-entry contests) using lineup group settings and templates.
Why It Matters
Contest-specific management – Each contest is its own environment. A chalk-heavy small-field single-entry doesn’t behave like a massive GPP. Lineup groups empower you to manage adjustments (such as exposures or diversity settings) for different sets of contests separately within a single build, or combine lineups for specific actions, such as applying a particular filter across multiple contests.
Organized process – Instead of juggling spreadsheets or trying to remember which lineup belongs where, lineup groups keep your entries clearly tied to the contests they’re meant for.
Intentional strategies – By isolating contests, you can take stands where they matter most. Maybe you want leverage in your flagship GPP but want to play safer in a small 3-max. Lineup groups give you the framework to make those distinctions.
This reinforces a truth about DFS: You’re betting on a portfolio. Managing lineups across groups ensures you’re building the right mix of entries for all your contests, not just the “best lineup” in a vacuum.
Using Templates
Templates automate how lineup groups are created every time you build. They save time and ensure consistency in how you manage contests.
Defaults:
One group per contest – Creates a separate lineup group for each contest in your entries file.
My Single Entries – Creates a lineup group with all of your single-entry contests in it.
Customization:
Star a template to have it run automatically with each build.
Create custom templates that group contests by type, entry fee, max entries, or number of entrants.
Apply preset diversity or filters (like ownership caps) so those rules are always in place for specific contests.
Examples:
Combine all satellites into one group and apply a conservative exposure cap.
Group all high-stakes contests into a single group for tighter control.
Build a manual 150-lineup group with a filter for low ownership to explore contrarian strategies.
Beyond contest templates, you can also use:
Pool templates – Apply filters or metrics to your entire build.
Manual templates – Create standalone groups that aren’t tied to contests but follow custom rules you define.
Templates are where lineup groups become most powerful: they allow you to encode your process into repeatable rules so every build starts organized around your DFS strategy.
Managing Lineup Groups
Once groups are created (via upload or template), you can:
Rename & Delete – Keep groups meaningful and uncluttered.
Pin – Force important groups to the top for quick access.
Lock – Freeze a group so exposure changes won’t touch it (useful when you want some contests set in stone while continuing to iterate elsewhere).
Filters – Narrow a group to lineups below a certain ownership threshold, or highlight only lineups featuring specific stacks.
Diversity Settings – Defaults to Portfolio Diversification, but you can switch to Min Uniques per group if you want stricter lineup differentiation.
Assign Contests – Re-attach contests manually if you reorganize groups.
Aggregate Metrics - display several aggregate metrics to help you track information about the lineups within that group
Lineup Management Tools:
Adjust number of lineups (auto-set by contest size, but editable).
Toggle avoid duplicates across groups to prevent the same lineup from being entered in multiple contests.
Switch between compact and expanded views for better navigation.
Use cases:
Combine similar contests (like multiple Minimax entries) into one group to manage exposures across them.
Delete single-entry groups from a build when you prefer to manage those separately.
Apply unique filters (like cap total ownership at 125%) across a combined set of contests.
Locking Groups
The lock icon is a critical tool for exposure management.
Default (Unlocked): Exposure rules apply across all groups.
Locked: The group is frozen—SaberSim won’t touch those lineups during adjustments.
Locking is especially useful when you want to:
Lock small-field contests you’re happy with.
Tweak exposures only in large-field contests.
Avoid unintentionally applying global exposure rules across all your contests.
When paired with the “Auto Apply Exposures” setting, locking ensures you only change what you intend to, keeping control of your portfolio.
Conclusion
Lineup groups transform your DFS portfolio from a pile of entries into a coordinated strategy. By organizing lineups according to the contests they’re in, you can apply exposures, diversity, and filters with intent.
While the default “one group per contest” setup is enough for most players, advanced users can unlock powerful control through templates, filters, and locking.
All of this reflects a bigger truth of DFS: you’re not betting on a single lineup—you’re betting on a portfolio, against other people, inside real contests.
Lineup groups are the framework that makes that process manageable, repeatable, and profitable.
FAQs
What is a lineup group?
A lineup group is a collection of lineups you choose to manage together. In SaberSim, lineup groups organize your contests and strategies so you can apply exposures, filters, and diversity in context. Instead of one undifferentiated pile of lineups, groups separate them into meaningful buckets—by contest, by strategy, or by rules you set.
Lineup groups replaced the older “direct fill” and “autofill” systems, which created unnecessary complexity. Different contests demand different strategies, and lineup groups give you a framework that respects those differences.
This reflects a core DFS truth: you’re not betting on a single lineup—you’re betting on a portfolio of lineups across different contests. Lineup groups give you the tools to structure that portfolio intentionally.
How do lineup groups work by default?
When you upload an entries file, SaberSim automatically creates a lineup group for every contest. If you’re in two 150-maxes, you’ll see two groups of 150 lineups each. You’ll also see:
Pool – every lineup in your build, pinned to the top by default.
My Single Entries – a combined group for all single-entry contests.
My Lineups – a blank group (optional, often deleted by players).
This structure ensures your portfolio begins organized by contest, not as one giant pile. It mirrors how contests differ in the real lobby: each has its own payout structure, size, and field tendencies.
Can lineup groups be renamed, deleted, or edited?
Yes. You can rename, delete, or edit groups at any time. On desktop, hover over the group name; on mobile, long-press to access options. Each contest can only live in one group, which prevents duplication and keeps things clean.
You can also create new groups manually, pin important ones to the top, or use multi-select (Ctrl-click or Shift-click) to bulk delete or manage groups. This flexibility keeps your build workspace tidy and aligned with your process.
What does “diversity” mean in lineup groups?
Diversity controls how different your lineups are from each other. You can use:
Portfolio Diversity (default) – ensures your lineups win in different ways, giving you multiple paths to first place. Instead of forcing arbitrary differences, it selects the best diversified portfolio across all your lineups.
Min Uniques – enforces a minimum number of different players between lineups, regardless of whether those differences are meaningful.
Portfolio diversity is recommended for most players, since it reflects how lineups actually succeed in DFS: by reaching the top in different game scripts, not just by being numerically unique.
How do templates connect to lineup groups?
Templates automate lineup group creation, so you don’t have to rebuild them every slate. You can:
Automatically group contests by type, entry fee, or field size.
Combine contests (e.g., all single-entry) into one group with preset rules.
Apply filters or diversity settings automatically.
Starred templates run every build by default, while unstarred ones stay available to add manually.
Templates are where advanced players unlock power: you can encode your process into repeatable rules. For example, you could always group satellites together with an ownership cap, or always create a “low ownership” test group filtered at <100% cumulative ownership.
How do filters work with lineup groups?
Filters let you enforce rules like ownership caps or projection thresholds at the group level. For example, you could require lower ownership in single-entry contests while leaving your 150-max group untouched.
You can also filter by SaberScore, correlation metrics, or contest sim ROI. Filters ensure each group reflects your specific intentions, instead of applying blanket rules across the entire portfolio.
What does the lock icon do?
Locking a group freezes its lineups, so exposure changes don’t affect them. This is useful for testing strategies or making adjustments to some contests while leaving others unchanged.
For example, you might lock your single-entry lineups once you’re happy with them, then continue adjusting exposures in your 150-max contests. When “auto-apply exposures” is on, locking becomes essential for making sure your tweaks only touch the contests you intend.
What does “avoid duplicates across lineup groups” mean?
This setting ensures the same lineup doesn’t appear in multiple groups. By default, SaberSim keeps every lineup unique unless you explicitly combine contests into one group.
This matters because duplication kills upside. Entering the same lineup in different contests means you’re doubling down on one outcome instead of spreading across multiple profitable paths. The toggle ensures your portfolio remains diversified across contests.
What’s the best setup for most players?
For most, the default “one group per contest” template is the best starting point. It mirrors the DFS lobby, ensures every contest is represented accurately, and gives you a clean structure for applying exposures, diversity, and filters.
From there, templates let you refine. Advanced players may group similar contests (like satellites) together, or separate high-stakes entries from low-stakes ones to manage them differently. But if you’re unsure, the default template is the safest, most effective setup.
Can I use lineup groups to test different strategies?
Yes. Lineup groups can separate different approaches—such as one group of balanced builds and another of higher-variance builds—so you can explore multiple “paths to first” without mixing them together.
This ties directly to the manifesto’s principle of thinking in portfolios, not picks. By isolating strategies in their own groups, you can measure, compare, and refine which approach delivers the best ROI in your contests.
Do lineup groups apply to late swap?
Yes. Lineup groups carry through late swap, allowing you to make contest-specific adjustments instead of swapping blindly across your whole portfolio.
This is especially important in sports like NBA, where late news drastically shifts projections. Lineup groups let you preserve your single-entry builds while still adapting your large-field contests, keeping your strategy sharp without unnecessary disruption.