Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about running a fantasy league on Riser.

Getting Started

What is Riser?: Riser is a free app for running private NHL fantasy hockey leagues, on the web and on iPhone. It handles league creation, live snake drafts, roster management, standings tracking, and trades: all in one place.
How do I create a league?: Sign up for an account, then click "Create league" from your Leagues page. Choose a name, configure your roster slots and scoring rules, and invite your league.
How do I join a league?: You need an invite code or invite link from the league's commissioner. Click "Join league" and enter the code, or open the invite link directly.
Is it free?: Yes. Creating and playing in leagues is completely free. There are no subscriptions, no premium tiers, and no locked features.
Are leagues private?: Yes. Every league is invite-only. Only people with your invite code or link can join.
Is there an iPhone app?: Yes. Riser has an iPhone app with live drafts, lineups, trades, chat, and push notifications. Your account and leagues are the same on the web and in the app.
Is Riser available in French?: Yes. Riser is fully bilingual: every screen, notification, and email exists in English and in French, and each member picks their own language.

How does the snake draft work?: In a snake draft, the pick order reverses every round. If you pick first in round 1, you pick last in round 2 and first again in round 3. This keeps things fair across all positions.
Can I schedule a draft in advance?: Yes. The commissioner can set a specific date and time for the draft to start automatically. All members see a countdown in the waiting room.
What happens if someone doesn't pick in time?: If the pick timer runs out, the system auto-picks the best available player based on position need. The draft keeps moving.
Can I see the draft live on two devices?: Yes. The draft board updates in real time. You can have it open on multiple devices or have multiple members watching the same draft simultaneously.
Can the commissioner set the draft order?: Yes. The commissioner can manually arrange the draft order or randomize it before the draft starts.

How are rosters structured?: Each league has configurable roster slots for forwards, defensemen, goalies, and wildcards. The commissioner sets these when creating the league.
Can I add and drop players?: Yes. You can search for available players and add them to open roster slots. You can also drop players to free up space.
What are wildcard slots?: Wildcard slots accept any position: forward, defenseman, or goalie. They give you flexibility when your position-specific slots are full.
How is scoring calculated?: Scoring is based on real NHL stats pulled automatically. The commissioner configures point values for goals, assists, wins, saves, and other stats when creating the league.
How often are stats updated?: Stats sync automatically every few minutes during game days: no manual refresh needed.

How do trades work?: Members can propose trades to other members through the Trades page. The other member can accept or decline. Accepted trades are executed immediately.
What can the commissioner do?: The commissioner can manage draft settings, set scoring rules, configure roster slots, manage any member's roster, activate the league, and control league-wide settings.
Can the commissioner manage other people's rosters?: Yes. Commissioners can add and drop players on any member's roster. This is useful for handling inactive members or correcting mistakes.
Can I have multiple commissioners?: Yes. The league creator is the main commissioner and can promote other members to co-commissioner. Co-commissioners share most commissioner tools, including trade review and offseason management.

What features are coming next?: We're actively building draft recaps and pick history, expanded stats and player profiles, deeper commissioner controls, and league templates for quick setup.
Can I request a feature?: Absolutely. Riser is being built based on real feedback from people who run leagues. Reach out and let us know what would make your league better.

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Still stuck? Email the Riser team at support@riserpool.com