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Judging Technology » Post: Two BYE for one player

Two BYE for one player

May 8, 2017 04:00:42 AM

Rafal Dobrowolski
Judge (Uncertified)

Europe - Central

Two BYE for one player

At the last event happened a strange situation. It was GPT for 9 people, so 5 rounds and TOP 4.

The player who lost the first round, got in the second round a BYE. In the third round the same player also got a BYE. There was one player who had zero points after two rounds but did't got a BYE.

Why did this happen ?

P.S. 1
A player with two BYEs got to TOP 4 by winning 1 game in the tournament (lose, BYE, BYE, win, ID).

P.S. 2
A player who did't got a BYE in the third round (with zero points), won the tournament (lose, lose, win, win, win).

May 8, 2017 07:09:11 AM

Thomas Ralph
Judge (Level 3 (UK Magic Officials)), Scorekeeper

United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa

Two BYE for one player

This is a consequence of the interaction of pairing algorithms with very small tournaments. It does happen occasionally, and the lucky player is just that: lucky.

It should go without saying that manually changing pairings in WER because they look wrong is probably a Bad Thing.

May 8, 2017 08:43:07 AM

Rob Marti
Judge (Uncertified)

USA - Southwest

Two BYE for one player

I've seen it happen most when the player getting the second bye would have been paired against someone they've already played. Since that's Really Bad™ the software just throws them a Bye and finishes pairing everyone else.

May 8, 2017 01:10:17 PM

Christopher Ambery
Judge (Level 2 (UK Magic Officials)), Scorekeeper

United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa

Two BYE for one player

I've been a recipient of this in the past. Its usually because it can't give the bye to anyone else as all other pairing options wouldn't meet the algorithms rules

May 8, 2017 02:14:44 PM

Scott Marshall
Forum Moderator
Judge (Level 4 (Judge Foundry)), Hall of Fame

USA - Southwest

Two BYE for one player

Yes, it happens; as Thomas said, do NOT try to “fix”, as that looks like you're manipulating pairings.

d:^D