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BGonline.org Forums
Factors for Tournament Attendance (2)
Posted By: Bill Riles In Response To: Factors for Tournament Attendance (2) (David)
Date: Monday, 5 October 2009, at 8:50 p.m.
I have no specific opinion on whether or not Jolie should be allowed to play in the Intermediate divisions of ABT tournaments -- I've never played her nor have I ever watched her play. I do know she has an eviable Intermediate record.
That having been said, I think there does need to be some definition/clarification, beyond individual directors' personal opinions, as to whom should be able to play in which divisions. Most/all have some type of disclaimer saying, at the discretion of the director or committee, players will not be allowed to play below their skill levels.
Oftentimes, particularly in jackpot events, directors will be a bit more specific -- as an example, the limited/amateur jackpot is typically not an option for anyone who has cashed in an ABT Championship level event or an ABT level Masters Jackpot event.
Beyond the competitive perspective, the financial may come into play at times. Someone, despite their skill level, may not feel comfortable with the Open level or Masters level entry fees. Should that matter?
Certainly the more skillful player will have greater equity playing down a division -- but what is fair? what is right?
I'm not picking on anyone specifically because I don't know their games that well -- but should Jolie, Dave Settles, and/or Jonah Seewald, as examples (with their considerable Intermediate/Advanced successes), be allowed to play Advanced/Intermediate just because they wish to do so? Should Stick, MCG, Petko and many other great players who haven't happened to win an ABT event be allowed to play Advanced/Intermediate if they want to do so? Probably not, but right now it is only the subjective opinion of the director or the committee, without objective standards.
I know Patrick and Jona have, at times, bounced back/forth between Championship and Advanced/Intermediate depending, perhaps, on the size and the strength of the fields. (They may not do it any longer, I don't know.) But they've both won ABT events.
I don't know the correct solution, but I do know it would be helpful were it to be addressed. Then situations such as the one David has brought up with Jolie would then not be re-occurring and would not vary between tournaments.
As an aside, I would prefer ABT points be differentiated between divisions. Should someone who played in the Intermediate all year and reached the finals in 2/3 of the events, winning half of those, be eligible to win the ABT rankings and be the 'best' player in the US for the year? Should any Intermediate player, who won the Last Chance in the smallest tournament of the year for 1.0 points, be listed above the several unfortunate Open players that played in half the ABT events w/o cashing? I think no, in either case.
Just my thoughts.
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