Predictions Championship 2011: The End and a New Beginning

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by George A.

The closing ceremonies are run too long as is. Add in the complications of a round robin tournament would drag things out even more.

If each team plays every other team once in the round robin, there would be 6 matches for the round robin part. Then the two alliances with the best record then play best 2 of 3 for the championship.

The biggest advantage of this system is everyone is guaranteed 3 matches on Einstein (up from 2 under the current system). Since these games often play out like rock-paper-scissors, it allows each of the alliances 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.