FPL chips can transform a season when used well. They give you ways to attack double gameweeks, survive blank gameweeks, or gain extra points from strong short term opportunities. Every manager gets a limited number of chips each season, so understanding the rules and timing is a big part of good Fantasy Premier League strategy.
This guide explains every FPL chip, how many times you can use each one, when it is most useful, and the common mistakes to avoid. For deeper strategy on each chip, see our dedicated guides linked throughout.
What are FPL chips?
Chips are special one-off boosts that change the normal FPL rules for a gameweek. Most chips can be used only once per season, while the Wildcard is available twice across different parts of the campaign. You can usually play only one chip in a single gameweek, so planning matters.
The core chips are:
- Wildcard
- Free Hit
- Bench Boost
- Triple Captain
- Assistant Manager, where available in the current season rules
Wildcard
The Wildcard lets you make unlimited transfers for a single deadline without taking any points hits. It is the most powerful squad restructuring tool in the game.
How many Wildcards do you get?
- 2 per season
- 1 in the first half of the season
- 1 in the second half of the season
You cannot carry the first Wildcard into the second half if you do not use it, so there is no benefit in saving it past the cutoff.
When is the Wildcard useful?
- When your squad has multiple injuries or suspensions
- When fixture swings create a clear set of better picks
- To prepare for a Bench Boost by building a strong 15-man squad
- To navigate blanks and doubles over several weeks
- When team structure needs a reset, such as moving money between premium assets
The best Wildcards usually combine several reasons at once. It is not just about removing bad picks. It is about setting up a strong squad for a run of gameweeks.
Wildcard tips
- Do not use it too early unless your team is already in bad shape
- Target medium term value, not just one-week punts
- Think about captaincy, bench depth, and future transfers
- Pair it with upcoming chip plans if possible
Read our full strategy guide here: FPL Wildcard guide.
Free Hit
The Free Hit gives you unlimited transfers for one gameweek only. After that gameweek ends, your squad returns to how it looked before the chip was played.
How many Free Hits do you get?
- 1 per season
When is the Free Hit useful?
- In a blank gameweek when many teams do not play
- In a large double gameweek when you want to attack short term upside
- When your squad is well set for the long term but badly placed for one specific week
The biggest strength of the Free Hit is flexibility without long term damage. You can load up on players for one unusual gameweek and then immediately revert to your normal squad.
Free Hit tips
- It is often strongest in major blank gameweeks
- Use it when the gap between your current team and the ideal one-week team is large
- Do not waste it on a week where free transfers can solve most of the problem
- Remember that transfers made before activating the Free Hit are absorbed into the chip week
Read more here: FPL Free Hit guide.
Bench Boost
Bench Boost changes the normal scoring rules so that your bench players score points as well as your starting XI in that gameweek.
How many Bench Boosts do you get?
- 1 per season
When is Bench Boost useful?
- In a double gameweek when many of your 15 players have two fixtures
- After using a Wildcard to create a full squad of active players
- When your bench has strong minutes and good fixtures
Bench Boost can be very powerful, but it depends heavily on preparation. If your bench includes cheap non-starters, the chip loses much of its value.
Bench Boost tips
- Prioritise nailed players over risky rotation picks
- Try to avoid benching premium assets just to justify the chip
- Build toward it with transfers or a Wildcard
- Do not force it if your bench is weak
Read more here: FPL Bench Boost guide.
Triple Captain
Triple Captain means your captain scores triple points instead of the usual double for one gameweek.
How many Triple Captains do you get?
- 1 per season
When is Triple Captain useful?
- In a double gameweek for an elite attacker with two good fixtures
- When a reliable captain has a standout single fixture at home
- When the player has strong minutes security and penalties or set pieces
Many managers save Triple Captain for a double gameweek, but the best opportunity is not always the biggest double. Sometimes a premium player with one excellent fixture can be the better option than a doubler facing rotation risk.
Triple Captain tips
- Back quality and minutes first
- Avoid unnecessary differentials
- Consider form, fixture, rest time, and team motivation
- Do not wait forever for a perfect moment that may never come
Read more here: FPL Triple Captain guide.
Assistant Manager
In seasons where the Assistant Manager chip is available, it adds another tactical option to FPL. The exact rules can vary by season, so always check the current game rules before using it.
How many Assistant Manager chips do you get?
- Varies by season
When is Assistant Manager useful?
This depends on the current season format, scoring, and activation rules. In general, it is useful when the scoring system rewards a short run of favorable fixtures or allows you to benefit from strong managerial outcomes that your squad does not already cover.
Assistant Manager tips
- Read the official season rules carefully
- Compare expected gain versus other chip opportunities
- Look at fixture runs, likely results, and any bonus scoring conditions
- Be aware of how it interacts with other chips
Read more here: FPL Assistant Manager guide.
Can you use more than one chip in the same gameweek?
In standard FPL rules, you can only use one chip per gameweek. That means chip planning is about sequencing as much as timing. A common route is:
- Wildcard to set up the squad
- Bench Boost in a double gameweek
- Free Hit in a major blank gameweek
- Triple Captain when the best captain window appears
The right order changes each season depending on the fixture calendar.
Which FPL chip is the most valuable?
There is no single answer. The Wildcard is usually the most important because it reshapes your whole squad. The Free Hit can be decisive in a big blank. Bench Boost often has the highest ceiling when prepared well. Triple Captain is simpler but still powerful if used on the right player. Assistant Manager value depends entirely on that season’s rules.
Final thoughts
Good chip usage is about planning, not just picking a week with attractive fixtures. The strongest chip strategies usually align with fixture swings, doubles, blanks, and squad structure. If you know what each chip does and build toward the right moments, you give yourself a major edge over the course of a season.
For more detailed strategy, see our full guides to the Wildcard, Free Hit, Bench Boost, Triple Captain, and Assistant Manager.