Round Robin on Einstein
 

I think it would be great if the tournament structure on Einstein was changed to incorporate a round robin portion. I think the following structure would be an improvement on Einstein:

Have the first round be round robin. Each team plays every other team once. The two teams with the best record then play best 2 of 3 for the championship. This would require 6 matches to get through the round robin part and an additional 2 or 3 matches to crown the champion.

The biggest advantage of this system is everyone is guaranteed 3 matches (up from 2 under the current system). Since these games often play out like rock-paper-scissors, it allows each of the teams a chance to show off all their strategies. The alliances that have made it to Einstein have worked hard and deserve the chance to show everything they have, in front of the entire audience. It can be very disappointing to go out there and lose two quick matches and be done.

Another advantage is that this might make scheduling easier for FIRST. Under the current system, there are a minimum of 6 matches to play and a maximum of 9. With the round robin plan, there are a minimum of 8 matches, and a maximum of 9, which should make things more consistent year to year and easier to plan.

Here's how I think it would play out this past year.

Newton beats Galileo (like they did in the first match)
Curie beats Archimedes (like they did in the first match)
Newton beats Curie (guess)
Galileo beats Archimedes (guess)
Newton beats Archimedes (guess)
Galileo beats Curie (like they did in the finals)

Since there are awards between the matches, you wouldn't have to worry about turnaround time.

At the end, Newton has a 3-0 record and Galileo has a 2-1 record, and then play best 2 out of three. Both alliances have now seen a lot more of the other alliance and can better plan, plus you have the best two meeting for the championship, rather then in the semifinals.

About the only disadvantage that I can think of is the GDC would have to figure out a way to break ties. This could happen if there were 3 2-1 teams and a 0-3 team. An easy way would be the most points scored followed by the least points allowed, similar to the way the do it in soccer.

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

I like it, for the reasons stated.
Of course, you mean "alliances" and not "teams", but I understand the point.

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

I like it as well. For example, if we look at this year, alliances facing Galileo had very little chance of beating them 2 of 3. Suppose that the field Galileo faces in the semi's (I forget which) is better than either of the remaining two, yet does not get to play in the finals because they were forced to play Galileo.

A minor point, to be sure, but just another reason to change the system. If it works smoothly enough, maybe FIRST would considering expanding it to field playoffs, and even regionals, however unlikely in the near future.

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

I like this also, maybe 1114, 217, and 148 might of lost this season to 233, 968, 60 in the finals???

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

I agree with Joe. The last two years, the two best alliances faced each other in the Einstein semi finals. The finals were almost anticlimactic, in some ways. I would greatly prefer this method. It would produce a more deserving champion, rather than having one alliance make it to the finals by playing a weaker division.

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

Yeah, I really like this idea.

Plus, who cares if the matches on Einstein go on longer? They're awesome matches to watch!

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

I assume you mean finalist? Wouldn't the champion be the same irregardless? That said, I think this model probably needs to tested before FIRST would adopt it. It's a pretty large change strategically, as scouting teams now need information on 3 other alliances, rather than one. I'd imagine that would create even more stress in what is already a stressful time.

That said, I think it would make for a more interesting final field, because their always seems to be unexciting matches on Einstein, and this way we should get more even (and thus more exciting) matches.

So, would an off season be willing to test this with their final four? IRI would've been a very interesting trial of this.

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

I meant both, really.

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

I would figure many teams would do what SparX did in 2004 and 2006 when they were on Einstein. We would acquire scouting from other teams in each division on the robots coming form each division. So this change would not have much a problem for most teams that do this type of scouting.

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

It is hard to play someone you've never seen before. However, I don't think this is any worse then the current system in that regard.

You'd play one alliance in which you don't have any information. Before you had your second match, you'd see the other two alliances play, so you'd have information.

As long as the rotation was set a head of time, it shouldn't be a problem. In fact, with the current system, it seems like there is a lot of confusion over who plays who first.

We've done the same thing when we were on Einstein.

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

For the sake of playing devil's advocake.

First of all, if it isn't broken, don't fix it.

I do agree that sometimes certain fields produce better winning alliances than others, but all 4 alliances on Einstein are still good enough to beat any of the other ones in a given match. It may seem to be an assured victory, but we know that nothing is ever impossible, especially from an alliance that has already won on a field.

Robots will break. I know that teams need to build robust robots, but things happen. Those robots have already played 2 or so matches in qualifying, 3 rounds to win thier field, and now you're asking them to play another 4 rounds on Einstein. 23 matches in a day is a lot for any team and any robot.

Ties. Matchups matter a lot. Matchups mean everything especially because of defense. A beats B which beats C which beats A. With close matches, this will happen a fair amount. I'd bet at least every other year you are going to have a tie, which means you need to be able to break the tie.

Can anyone think of a truely fair tiebreaker? Head-to-Head is great, but doesn't work for a 3 way tie. Points scored? ... doesn't account for defensive powerhouses. Point differential? ... much better, and this would work well in a game that is scored like this game, but in a game that is scored exponentially like 2007 and others, that can be hugely skewed by one match that an alliance scores say 128 points. Even point differential can be hugely misleading.

Also, I know no alliance would ever tank a match or anything like that, but you also can create the situation where one alliance is up 2-0 and guarenteed a spot in the finals, and another is down 0-2, and already eliminated. You make it so that a match (or two) could be played that doesn't have any chance of affecting the standings.

That said, I love the idea. I think it would be great. I'm mainly pointing out possible flaws/weaknesses so that the idea can be strengthened.

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

Actually, I think it's to reduce the number of matches that might need to be played. And yes, we care if they run long! Team Social (or whatever it's called) is calling, and we want our share. But we can't get it unless we leave early and miss matches. Also, NASA TV broadcasts the finals--but ends coverage before the matches end. Why? Schedule! If it's more consistent, then it'll be easier to figure out when you can switch to something else--if you're early, you can end early.

I like the idea too.

As for "if it isn't broken, don't fix it", the engineer has two counters for that. One is "If it isn't broken, it doesn't have enough features" and the other is "If it isn't broken, fix it 'till it is".

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

If we stuck by that saying, then we might not have that thing called evolution and innovation:P

I like the idea.

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

For the record, NASA knows that the event will never end on time. FIRST's refusal to modify the schedule to accurately reflect the end time is the reason why coverage is cut short.

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

It's not the fault of the competition itself. It's the endless parade of people giving speeches, which kills me because people have been complaining about too many speeches going on for too long for years! So what's FIRSTs response? Get more speakers! Way to know your audience guys!

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

That would be a concern.
For that reason, the last two group matches are played simultaneously in the World Cup. This came about several cycles ago when the last match scheduled didn't mean anything if the teams tied, but if one of them won, a team watching from the sidelines would advance. Both teams playing that last match were content to bunker down for the tie. While we might say that GP would never allow this to happen, why tempt it?

If those two problems could be addressed, I'd be interested.

Another alternative would be a double-elimination tournament:
Round 1
- A beats C
- G beats N
Round 2 ("loser's bracket")
- N beats C
Round 3 ("winner's bracket")
- G beats A; G advances to finals
Round 4
- N beats A
Finals
- N plays G. N must win twice to take the Championship; G would only be required to win once.

No team is eliminated until they lose twice. The only variable is if the finals go to one match or two.

Edit: A double-elimination scheme would work for regionals and the division finals as well.

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

Do you really believe you are the target audience? I have a feeling I'm not.

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

Ed may not be the target audience, but he certainly isn't the only one I've heard complaining either. To nobody's surprise, high schoolers would much rather watch robots than people talking. I like most of the speeches, and I think they're very important, but increasing the ratio of talking versus robots when the students are already fidgety does demonstrate a lack of understanding of the audience.

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

The speeches are an opportunity for those whom FIRST develops partnerships with to be in the spotlight for a bit. That time in the spotlight is like the sponsor name on the robot.

There are no easy answers in managing the time.

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

The root of that problem is that only 2 times a year in FRC is the event given to a global audience with the soapboxes at each leading to a lot of talking.
Kickoff, & The Championship Event.
(I know some other events are webcast, but none get as much viewing time as these 2 I'm willing to bet anything on that.)

To solve this, maybe FIRST or the general community can organize a suppliers/sponsors/supporters summit to be broadcast to the FIRST community as a quarterly broadcast, or even in e-mailed video format to alleviate some of the speaking during the big show.
Youtube & many other media oulets exist, let's use them for their educational purpose & throw some speeches up there for example.

I know The Championship Event & Kickoff, & the program is not "all about the robots", this is certainly true, but what draws us in to the FRC program, and the Kickoff, & the Championship Event?
Not the promise of hearing a speaker talk (no matter how great they are) but the promise of some exciting matches on the competition playing field, & the possibility of seeing your own team make it to the big show & go all the way. (of course all while being inspired by science & technology)

I guess what I'm trying to say here, is let's not criticize any speakers, or the time of their speeches, or their failure to "reach the intended audience", because they deserve to be there as much as we do after all the support they give the program, but let's strive to find a nice balance of speaking & competing while not favoring one over the other, but also knowing that each has it's place in the grand picture & try to find how the two have in the past & refine how they may be able to compliment each other in the future.

If a moderator wants to move all the posts in here referring to speech vs. robot time discussion to another thread since we've strayed from the original round-robin format proposal here, feel free to do so.

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

I mean the kids, John.
Parading an assortment of adults in front of over stimulated kids while anchoring then to the seats with the promise of even further excitement and then talk at them for long periods of time has not proven to be a popular choice amongst the masses.

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

I have to agree with this. I love the idea- I think it would be more fun to play in a tournament structured like that, and more fun to watch it as well- but I was wondering what exactly would have to be done about the ties. As tennispro mentioned, certain methods seem more appropriate for certain games- maybe there would be a different tie-breaker method each year that the GDC thought would work best with the game?

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

Koko Ed is right, once again. I don't think I've ever seen anyone stay excited through all of the awards and the closing ceremony- in fact, I've seen a lot of people who have fallen asleep. It not that the kids don't respect the people speaking or have zero interest in what they say, it's just that they've been running around for three days between two buildings, staying up too late at night, and have been intensely involved in something they are very passionate about which is just about to get more exciting... and then someone who is presenting an award gets up and goes off on what is a tangent from the excitement on Einstein, a 20 minute speech with a bit of a political agenda, which keeps sounding like it is going to end but continues anyway. I've enjoyed some of the speeches I've heard, but it really is hard to have your robot ready to go on Einstein and forget about all of that excitement and adrenaline so you can sit patiently and focus on someone giving a long speech.

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

That's an interesting proposal. As if I didn't already have a love/hate relationship towards the GDC & the rules after all the crazy rules in the 8 years I've been involved, what if they decided that in the event of a tie the rules were changed up a bit for that tie-breaker?

For example, in the event of a tie this year, we could have had a rule that said the tie breaker game would have added an additional trackball into the mix for each team (ala' Beantown Blitz this year).
(Just as an example).

The change for the tie-breaker would have to be something that would swing the game in favor of an alliance who understood the game completely, because with a tie you've already proven you are (so far) equally matched playing it "regular style". (Ever get bored playing a competitive racing video game in the normal way, so you challenged an equally matched friend to race the course with you backwards for example & see who could handle the change?)

In this idea, you would throw in some leverage for the alliance who knows the game inside & out & would see who the best is by seeing which alliance could prove themselves & play it (even more) strategically than the first 2 matches.

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

After hearing about the passing of Randy Pausch earlier today, I spent most of this morning re-reading "The Last Lecture" (I suspect a lot of other folks have been engaged in similar pursuits - www.thelastlecture.com with the video of his lecture has been swamped all day long). As I was reading through, one chapter in particular made me think of this discussion. The chapter refers to an incident in which his wife manages to back one of their vehicles into the other, impressively denting both. Then follows a discussion about the value of things, and how we perceive what is important. The chapter closes with the following admonition:

"Not everything needs to be fixed."

-dave






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Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

Are you referring to the tournament structure, the time at events that the speakers take, or both?

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

One of the wonderful things about Pausch's treatise is that each person sees something in it a little differently than others. They learn from it that which they are able to glean, and take away from it what they can.

What do you think was meant by the quote? :)

-dave



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Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

I try to get us back on topic & keep us off topic.

As for the round robin tournament, it could work if there wasn't 20 minutes of speeches in between each match. People would lose track of who beat who & who has to play who. And just think of trying to explain this to somebody who is only has a slight understanding of the current elimination structure. But it is much more likely to provide the best 2 alliances in the Finals. I guess you have to look at the problem you are trying to solve. Is the best alliance not winning the Championship? No. So I guess it comes down to getting the recognition for being the second best alliance. For all we know the second best alliance could have been the one the eventual champs faced in the finals of their division.

Now for the speeches. For those of you that have a DVR. Next January when the NFL Super bowl is happening, pause the game for twenty minutes every time there is a TV timeout. While your at it you could read a few pages from Oprah's book of the month. Or for those of you that feel too educated to watch football, set down your book and watch football for 20 minutes every other page you turn.

Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

If you read the posts above carefully, you may realize that we have never strayed off topic at all.




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Re: Round Robin on Einstein
 

I agree, I have fell asleep every year. I don't do it on purpose and I am not trying to disrespect the sponsors and spokesmen of FIRST. But it just happens.