[archiver]

Posted by Mike Faticanti at 1/18/2001 9:59 AM EST


Coach on team #157, AZTECHS, from Assabet Valley R.T.H.S. and Simplex/EMC²/Intel/Duke Engineering.


In Reply to: Psychological Warfare - The Elimination Rounds
Posted by Raul on 1/18/2001 8:59 AM EST:



: I would like to pose a question.

: What would be better if you go second in the elimination rounds, to beat the previous score or score lower than your opponent on purpose?

: Think about it - you may have to decide.

: If you choose to beat the score, then you have to go again right away and the opponent gets to see what score they have to beat to win. If you score lower than them on purpose, it not only makes them go first again and lets you see what you have to beat, but it also makes them wonder how much risk they should take in posting a big score.

: In any case, the alliance that goes second controls the sequence of events. This of course matters most if the alliances are evenly matched in scoring capabilities.

: Raul

Thought;

Whether you go first or second, the higher scoring team goes third. As soon as match 3 starts just hit the kill switches. Now the lower scoring team has to beat your first score (match 4). If they "do" you get the chance to beat that score (match 5) and so and so on. So it appears to me that the first time you are out there is the most important match whether you are 1st or second.

Which also means if you have a high scoring alliance they may infact have to play only ONE match each elimination round and just sit back and say "beat that score".

BUT I do agree if things are evenly matched you will want to go "all out" every match.

IMHO