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BGonline.org Forums
Several comments on tournaments..all directors please read
Posted By: Mike Main In Response To: Several comments on tournaments..all directors please read (neilkaz)
Date: Tuesday, 26 August 2008, at 8:31 p.m.
The problem of clashes could be solved by the use of Stockpots rather than the (in my experience none of which are ABT events I’ll grant you) generally unpopular concept of Progressive Last Chances. Last Chances are best kept as last chance events for those out of the big stuff without the big players getting a leg up (which is rightfully the domain of the Progressive Consolation.)
I certainly agree that Main Events must take priority over all other events. I also consider that players should not be allowed to enter Jackpots, Blitz’s, Doubles etc. if they are involved in a Main Event. To do so it to create a spiral lose time, lose time situation.
However any player, on the proviso that they have time to do so there and then, may play in a Stockpot.
Stockpots (5 pointers) take no more than 45 minutes. Make them clocked and even less.
This simple to administer and simple to understand procedure maximises the playing time of all players. Nobody is waiting for their next opponent because nobody is allowed to stack up opponents. The stacking up of opponents is unfair to others because it reduces others chances of gaining wins (and therefore prize funds), causes those stacked up players to do the very same because their match is not ready to play and because it’s just plain selfish to keep others waiting.
Stockpots are a very attractive concept to players: You’ll only be paired with somebody who is ready there and then to play, you may play at whatever value (multiples of 2) is available and the rake decreases as you play for more.
Stockpots are also a very attractive concept to TDs: No players are hanging around working out that the next person they have to play has another match to play before they play him/her, every player that is non-backgammon-active can become backgammon-active if they wish to do so and the rake from Stockpots is sufficient for setting up matches be they for $25 or $6400.
Indeed having created a situation where only those who are non-active can become active more matches are bound to be able to be played. With more rakeable matches being played the rake can come down which of course makes Stockpots even more attractive to players. Hence you create a spiral players win, TD win situation.
Is it really possible to ensure that Main Events will not be held up by side events, even Stockpots? Pretty well so, yes. If players sit down to play an 11 point Stockpot when they are likely to be playing a Main Event in 45 minutes then no, a delay in the Main Event will be the result. So the Stockpot TD is allowed to alter match lengths to suit the expected time available. If the Stockpot TD gets this slightly wrong then yes a 30-60 minute delay could be caused – but that’s a vast improvement on 2-3 hours or overnight. So Stockpot TD needs to know what s/he is doing.
If so the Main Event is going to stick to its schedule. Therefore no need for Progressive Last Chance and the Last Chance (which has re-buys for those knocked out of the Last Chance and for those who arrive later than the start time ‘cause they were playing a Conso late round match at 2.00 am but lost) is easier to win a lesser player. This encourages those lesser players onto greater things – more attendance at live events for one.
Clock Play the whole damned lot and then you’ll maximise players backgammon-active time even more.
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