Why the order actually matters
Pick order decides how often each manager reaches the best remaining players, which makes it worth more thought than most groups give it. A good format feels fair, is easy to explain in one sentence, and matches how competitive your group actually is.
Snake order
The right default for most private leagues. Round one runs forward, round two reverses, and the pattern keeps alternating โ it directly balances out the advantage of picking first.
Rotation order
Rotation shifts the starting manager each round instead of reversing. Easy to understand, and it gives your group a genuinely different feel from snake order if that's what you're after.
Custom order
Best when you want a host-controlled format, a handicap for a stronger manager, or a live party draft with its own rules. Use it carefully โ fairness here depends entirely on the sequence you set.
What I'd actually use
Snake order, for competitive balance, especially with 2 to 4 managers and 5 to 8 picks each. It's the format that needs the least explaining and produces the fewest complaints afterward.