IRI Elimination Round Method

Out of curiosity, for all who went to IRI or watched the webcast, do you think that our decision to make it best of 3 was better than the traditional FIRST rules from this year, using elimination points and why?

[Jeff Waegelin]

I thought the IRI way was great! It made it so much more exciting during the finals. The only proof you need is in the final round. During the FIRST season, a close match like Finals 1 would have meant certain victory for 494's alliance. With best of 3, 308's alliance was able to pull off two amazing performances, and take the win. That kind of excitement is how a FIRST competition should be... 3 great matches, not one match followed by de-scoring. Elimination Points inhale audibly. Best of 3 was the right way to go.

[Paul H]

I agree, best of 3 was far more exciting (even though we didn't come out on top).

[Rob27]

Well, as 308's partners we liked best two out of three!!!! If it had been by EPs like during the FIRST season, we would have beat in the quarterfinals by 47's alliance. The final matches were awesome!!!! You had to win two, not win one and lose one. It was great! Thanks again Andy Baker!!!

[rlowerr_1]

Am I the only one who liked EP points better?

Originally posted by rlowerr_1
Am I the only one who liked EP points better?

I think so...

[Ryan Dognaux]

Best out of 3 made it much more exciting. I mean, just think - w/ the point system it's usually obvious who's going to win, but with the 3 match system it's anyone's guess (usually).

[WernerNYK]

We did the same thing at BattleCry@WPI 4, and everyone there also seemed to like the best 2 out of 3 method much better. I would be willing to bet that FIRST will revert back to this style next year.

[Jeff Waegelin]

Originally posted by rlowerr_1
Am I the only one who liked EP points better?

Yes.

[Aignam]

The best of 3 elimination round method not only made sure that you could redeem yourself after losing a match, but it made the competition all that much more exciting and unpredictable. The EP points kept the competition far too structured and predictable, in my opinion.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

There was so much discussion about this topic during the season, with everyone rendering an opinion. I think the proof is here now. The best two out of three was a crowd pleaser and the excitement level was extremely high. As I have said before, the way finals were handled before caused teams who had lost the first match by a huge amount, to come back out and play a match they could not win. I think it was obvious from this competition that all the alliance partners had a better chance of playing in finals as well.

[kevinw]

Like so many other things, the eliminations at IRI proved to be handled better than the "regular season". Perhaps it was the foresight of the IRI crew that it would be more exciting. Perhaps it was the hindsight that the eliminations at Regionals and at Houston were not very exciting. One way or the other, it was much better. 2 out of 3, hands down.

If only all the competitions could be similar to the IRI. If FIRST was able to develop the game, and test it sufficiently (a tall order for sure - but effectively the entire season would be similar to the post season is now), then we'd have the same consistency in referees and the same excitement throughout the competition that the IRI seems to excel at year after year.

[JVN]

2 out of 3 is like an old friend... when you start playing it again, it just feels right.

However, most matches immediately degenerated into "Clear out ALL the boxes, then fight for the ramp"... these matches were more exciting in some ways, but... I must admit, going back to 2 out of 3 took away an interesting dynamic of the finals from this year.

Disclaimer: I like best out of 3 better... I'm just noting something.

[Aaron Lussier]

Originally posted by Paul H
I agree, best of 3 was far more exciting

What he said ^

[Joe Lambie]

After attending both a regional and volunteering at this years IRI as well as being a driver for two years in FIRST, I agree with the majority of the people here. Two out of Three is the way to go...I hope FIRST will recognize this and adjust things accordingly.