FargoRate for Scotch Doubles
June 20, 2016 | Author: Mary Coffman
We previously posted a blog about how the fluctuation in Fargo Ratings could impact teams at the BCAPL National Championships. Although much of this may be redundant, we want to ensure players in scotch doubles divisions also understand how rating changes could affect them. In the Scotch Doubles divisions, the rating limits are shown below. The sum of both members' ratings cannot exceed the rating limit at the time of registration.
|
As many of you may already know, your Fargo Rating may fluctuate as more data enters the system. Therefore, what happens if your rating or your partner’s rating increases and your combined rating surpasses the division limit before play begins at the BCAPL National Championships?
First, don't panic. There is a 10-point PER PLAYER forgiveness cushion to accommodate normal fluctuations. Therefore, if an increase in the member’s ratings push the team above the division limit by only a few points, nothing changes. But if the rating goes above the division limit plus the cushion, you and your partner will have three options:
Example
A team in the Scotch Doubles Gold Division is rated 1,198 when they register. However, by the time the BCAPL National Championships rolls around, their combined rating has increased to 1,218 – 18 points over the limit. Because 1,218 is still within the cushion of 1,220, they can play without a penalty. However, if the combined rating goes to 1,221 or above, the team must either accept game penalties, move up into the Platinum Division, or replace a player to get back within the division limit of 1,200.
If both teams in a match are being penalized the same number of games for being over the limit, they offset and there is no penalty for the match. However, if one team is incurring a single-game penalty and the other is being penalized two or more games, the difference between the penalties is used. For instance, if Team A is incurring a one-game penalty per match and they are playing Team B, which is incurring a two-game penalty, Team B would have a one-game penalty for that match.
INDIVIDUAL RATING ADJUSTS BEYOND 720
If a player’s rating surpasses 720 after registration and before the tournament begins, it may also impact the player’s scotch doubles team even if the rating adjustment doesn’t push the team total over the division limit. There is a 10-point cushion for players rated 720 or below at the time of registration but the rating increases above 720 before the tournament. If the rating surpasses 730, the team must choose one of the following options:
It is important to understand that these games are not handicaps, they are penalties for exceeding the division and individual rating limits after registration.
We hope this helps clarify the rating changes for scotch doubles divisions.
First, don't panic. There is a 10-point PER PLAYER forgiveness cushion to accommodate normal fluctuations. Therefore, if an increase in the member’s ratings push the team above the division limit by only a few points, nothing changes. But if the rating goes above the division limit plus the cushion, you and your partner will have three options:
- Play in the division and accept a one-game penalty per match for every 50 points over the division limit plus the cushion
- Move up a division (not possible for those already entered into the Platinum Division)
- Replace one player to get back within the division limit. (NOTE: not the division rating limit plus the cushion). Even when replacing a player, the team must still meet all other team requirements.
Example
A team in the Scotch Doubles Gold Division is rated 1,198 when they register. However, by the time the BCAPL National Championships rolls around, their combined rating has increased to 1,218 – 18 points over the limit. Because 1,218 is still within the cushion of 1,220, they can play without a penalty. However, if the combined rating goes to 1,221 or above, the team must either accept game penalties, move up into the Platinum Division, or replace a player to get back within the division limit of 1,200.
If both teams in a match are being penalized the same number of games for being over the limit, they offset and there is no penalty for the match. However, if one team is incurring a single-game penalty and the other is being penalized two or more games, the difference between the penalties is used. For instance, if Team A is incurring a one-game penalty per match and they are playing Team B, which is incurring a two-game penalty, Team B would have a one-game penalty for that match.
INDIVIDUAL RATING ADJUSTS BEYOND 720
If a player’s rating surpasses 720 after registration and before the tournament begins, it may also impact the player’s scotch doubles team even if the rating adjustment doesn’t push the team total over the division limit. There is a 10-point cushion for players rated 720 or below at the time of registration but the rating increases above 720 before the tournament. If the rating surpasses 730, the team must choose one of the following options:
- The team can accept a one-game penalty in each match for every 25 points over the limit plus the cushion (730).
- The team may move up into the next division, if possible.
- The team may replace a player. The new player must still meet all other requirements to participate on the team.
It is important to understand that these games are not handicaps, they are penalties for exceeding the division and individual rating limits after registration.
We hope this helps clarify the rating changes for scotch doubles divisions.
