how do you play in these conditions?

[Alleo.]

Wait until after daily maintenance, majority of the users are sleeping or don't bother logging in. That is your chance to buy some good players for 1 token.

A friend of mine is very good in these situations and has a fully 5* team and even some 6* players and only has 35T a season.

I do that, either there aren't any good players, or some players are awake(man these guys must be filthy rich, bid multiple times in one round)

or the remaining time is 4 hours for the bid to end.