[ View Thread ] [ Post Response ] [ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

BGonline.org Forums

What is your opinion?

Posted By: W Womack
Date: Tuesday, 14 August 2012, at 12:51 a.m.

In Response To: What is your opinion? (DanielP)

The short answer to your question is I would be less likely to attend an event with a single class, but the entry fee is NOT the prime consideration in that decision.

As Keene points out the entry fee for the main can be a relatively small portion of the cost of attending an ABT event, so there are many other factors that figure into the decision to attend an event. Personally I want to play at the advance/intermediate level because I have a much better chance of cashing when playing at this level then I would if I had to get past some of the top players in the world. Part of this consideration is financial, even with the lower payouts at the advanced level you can, depending on travel cost, pay your expenses and even come out a little ahead by cashing. The other reason is that even if I don't cash I have a better chance to win at least some of my matches playing people of a more comparable skill level than if I drew a top tier open player in the first round, and that means more playing time. (which is also why I prefer a Swiss format, but that is another story).

For those that want the learning experience that can be gained from playing a much better player there are still opportunities to do that by playing the side events at the tourney.

As far as the sandbagging and "when to move up" issues I don't think you can solve that until you come up with some sort of consistent method to determine when players should change levels. In chess this is done through a rating systems and perhaps we will have one eventually in backgammon that is robust enough to allow for this type of division. In the meantime one could look at some other criteria, such as past performance in the advanced division, to perhaps limit sandbagging and require players to move up. However this would require some sort of consistent rule set that would be required to be followed in all tournaments. I am not sure backgammon is the point were there is a sanctioning body willing to step up to that.

Messages In This Thread

 

Post Response
Your Name:
Your E-Mail Address:
Subject:
Message:

If necessary, enter your password below:

Password:
 

 

[ View Thread ] [ Post Response ] [ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

BGonline.org Forums is maintained by Stick with WebBBS 5.12.