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Final Tournament Format
We are open to hear people's opinions on the format of the final tournament.
Different options that we have thought of...
1) Taking the final group of teams and just putting them into a double elimination tournament, with no byes or play-in games. [SCBP's take: At the World Series, teams with byes are sometimes at a disadvantage by having to play a team that is hot, having just won a game.]
2) Dividing the final group into two double elimination tournaments, with the final two teams playing a best 2/3 series. [SCBP's take: This sounds like an ideal setup, with the benefits of double elim (chance for redemption after a loss), but also a more meaningful final match. Rather than have a team from the loser's bracket need to win 2 straight, this ensures that the two teams in the final are on even ground.]
3) Playing the final tournament as a single elimination tournament, with each match-up being a best 2/3. [SCBP's take: The best 2/3 series ensure that no team lost due to a fluke. While it is nice to know that the better team will likely win, less upsets will make the event less exciting to watch.]
RE: Final Tournament Format
I'm not sure if you have time for this, but how about a combo of options 2 and 3 - have the winners bracket games be 2/3. I think it would only add about 1.5hr.
Posted a novel on bpong
Posted a novel on bpong about this. I like parts of that idea, but in the end, I think it changes up things too much between winners and losers brackets. It also brings up the question as to how the tournament ends.
My Two Cents
I would say just go with standard double elim. I like the 2 bracket format quite a bit (it would be my personal favorite), but the lowest common denominator should be drawing the maximum number of teams to the event in my opinion. The best way to do that is using the most familiar format for people so that they know what they are signing up for and enjoy it, and to have an event where upsets are possible so that people entering feel like they have a chance to win (obviously this second point is only a factor in comparing options 2 and 3).
Therefore in the best interest of the event I would use option 1 first, 2 second, and 3 third. But I like option 2 myself, it could however lead to some grumblings if one bracket ends up being utterly stacked by luck of the draw (plus the possibilty for a lackluster final, although worrying about the final seems less important).
One note - a standard double
One note - a standard double elim bracket can be stacked to either side (when looking at the winner's brackets). It's just not something you can get away from. Look at this year's WS. The #1 overall seed had to play Smashing Time in the 2nd round. Splitting the field is solely for the sake of making the final match a little more dramatic. Going back to the WS, a lot of people had no idea why it was over when Popcorn won one, then S.T. won one.
Instead of having two exclusively separate brackets, we could alternate where teams drop down to the losers bracket (meaning everything is mixed). The result would be more of a hybrid double elim bracket, because instead of playing the final winners bracket game, we'd have those two teams complete the double elim portion against the final two loser's bracket teams, with the winners facing off in the championship.
I agree that appeal is important. One thing that is funny though is that most people have no idea how a double elim tournament works - so I'm not even sure if it's that appealing other than the explanation that 'you still have a chance!'
Seedings
i know this might be hard to do with many "pugs" and "ringers" but seeds always helps eliminate #1 and #2 teams playing very early in the tournament. other than that i think the format should be double elimination until the finals then do best of 3. best of 3 is like a series in any other sport so i do think thats fair.
?
If the champions from the winners bracket play the champions from the losers bracket best 2/3 there won't be penalty for having lost in the winners bracket. In a standard double-elim tourney, the winners bracket champ is rewarded by having to lose 2 times in the final.
I like option 2 the best. 100%, I'm in favor of option 2.
This reminds me of this past
This reminds me of this past year's WSOBP. Smashing Time played Getcha Popcorn Ready in the winner's bracket final. Smashing Time won. GPR won the loser's bracket final to make it back to the final match, needing to win two straight. There was a big to do about it being the final match (lights, cameras, action, Bruce Buffer). GPR won the first game. Smashing Time won the 2nd. A lot of people were confused- wanting a third game. In that situation, it's a lot easier to explain given the fact that the third game that people wanted had been played earlier (the winner's bracket final). Those two teams did play a best of 3 series, it was just spread out.