Most leagues Im in 3rd place doesnt get paid, and if they do its less than their money back.

An idea I like and use in my main league is 1st & 2nd get paid, and the team with the most regular season points gets their money back.  Out of the 4 years we've done this only once has the 1st place team been the regular season most point scorer.  During the season there always seems to be a team that scores a bunch of points but then runs into someone else scoring a bunch that week and keeps losing.

However, not to be *that guy* but if the league is less than 10 teams I'll be out.  It just makes it less competitive and Im not to interested in small leagues.