[blml] Swiss scoring [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

[Wayne Burrows]

On 19/03/2008, richard.hills at immi.gov.au <richard.hills at immi.gov.au> wrote:
> Herman De Wael:
>
> >This may be true in sports that have a high probability
> >of the better team winning, but bridge is notoriously fickle.
>
> Richard Hills:
>
> Yes, the nature of tennis scoring (a huge number of winners
> needed before a player reaches match point) means that a
> somewhat better tennis player almost always wins when playing
> against a somewhat weaker tennis player.
>
> For a different reason, perfect information, a somewhat better
> chess player almost wins when playing against a somewhat
> weaker chess player.
>
> But...
>
> The fickleness of a fixed number of Duplicate Bridge deals can
> be varied by varying the conditions of contest.  If the CoC
> increases the number of meaningful decisions which can be
> made, then a somewhat better bridge player (whose expertise is
> defined by making good decisions) is less likely to lose to
> the fickle finger of fate.
>
> So a 20 to -5 vp scale automatically increases the number of
> meaningful decisions compared to a 1 to 0 vp scale.
>

This would be true in a round-robin but i am not so sure in a swiss.
Since the penalty imposed from a loss is a likely easier draw in the
next round.  Likewise the reward from winning is a likely tougher draw
in the next round.

This affect seems to compress the scores over the field.  This is
counter-product to descriminating between the teams.

Wayne



> The nature of the scoring system can also be relevant.  Point
> a board / board a match (BAM) scoring automatically increases
> the number of at-the-table meaningful decisions compared to imp
> scoring, due to every bid and every trick possibly swinging the
> entire board at BAM.
>
> On the other hand, imp scoring rewards away-from-the-table
> partnership homework.  This is due to the reward/penalty ratio
> at imps between concentrating on developing one's own card play
> to gain overtricks, or concentrating on mutual partnership
> agreements to gain slam swings.  At BAM the reward/penalty
> ratio is the other way around.
>
>
> Best wishes
>
> Richard James Hills
> Graduates and Developmental Training Section
> Department of Immigration and Citizenship
> Telephone: 02 6223 8458
> Email: richard.hills at immi.gov.au
>
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