I'm a little late to this conversation but had some things I was curious about others opinions

As a player I feel like if I got 8th, and was given say 3 packs vs a box for 1st, and then won top 8, I can't imagine that being the best feeling and wondering if there has been any feedback on that aspect? Especially tournaments with a cash payout for 1st, not getting the $250 or whatever to help cover the costs of the tournament entry, and travel expenses to the corresponding GP or RPTQ?

Originally posted by Michael McKinney:

say 3 packs vs a box for 1st, and then won top 8

So, you win the byes - the ultimate goal of a GPT - but you're not happy that you accomplished that goal? I don't accept the premise that I should have to worry about that attitude.

Originally posted by Michael McKinney:

Especially tournaments with a cash payout for 1st … to help cover … travel expenses

Some prize structures don't lend themselves well to being awarded based on Swiss. I'd recommend awarding everything else based on Swiss, then have the Top 8 play for the byes *and* the $250 “travel award”.

d:^D

>
>
> So, you win the byes - the ultimate goal of a GPT - but you're not happy
> that you accomplished that goal? I don't accept the premise that I should
> have to worry about that attitude.


I'm not sure I'd agree that most players actually believe that the byes are
the important part. From both my personal experience, and my conversations
with other TOs across the nation, very few players actually care about the
byes at all. It's been that way ever since the third bye was dropped. Three
byes at 600-player event was worth grinding for, two byes at a 2000-player
event is less so. Now most players show up for the other prizes.

That actually makes it more important to proactively discourage
collusion through methods such as packs at the end of swiss and top8
play off for the byes. Having two players in a final who value the two
parts of the prize pool wildly differently can lead to collusion.

Frankly, the people who won't be happy with winning the byes simply go home
and don't bother playing out the Top 8. They got what they wanted and they
don't value the remaining prize enough to bother playing for it. Better
yet, they give way to people who might value it.

Also, if prizes are awarded by Swiss positions, tournaments tend to be shorter, which is also good for judges and maybe staff. You'll often only have 3 or 4 players interested in byes, which allow a very quick top8 :)