Winning a Match vs. Winning Strategically

[ewcr]

Originally Posted by pfreivald

Because trying your hardest to win every match requires no explanation to mom or sponsor or student.

Because the object of each match is to win.

Because it doesn't leave a bad taste in my mouth.

Because gaming the ranking/alliance selection system puts a negative impact on *someone* (say, the teams that won't rank as high because you decided to throw a match, whether they were in that match or not) that playing to win every time doesn't. (Yes, I know, this means that other other teams won't rank as high... but as long as everyone's playing to win every match, that's okay.)

How do I explain to my mom, who happens to be the head mentor for my team, or my sponsors who have supported me for 4 years that i didn't get a good alliance in finals so i couldn't get to state or worlds because I attempted to win, even though in winning i lost the regional or district causing our season, the last season for the team due to a lack of students to be over.

Is it not the object of every tournament to win also? Why does a lower level of competition outway the overall higher level?

Losing the final match of my senior left a pretty awful taste in my mouth.