[BB]: Regional Variations & Bagging It

[Travis Hoffman]

Originally Posted by XaulZan11

I disagree. Thursday matches will lead to a more representative top 8. Not because they are on Thursday but in simply increases the sample size.

In addition to the increased sample size, the good team are more likely to pass inspection and won't be as effected by the lack of practice time (due to practice robots). The 'bad' teams are the ones more likely to miss matches or have mechanical/electrical issues.

It is true that more robots missing will lead to more variability. But a missing robot will effect the good and bad teams equally (assuming the match schedule is random). I think three more matches clearly outweighs this potential variability.

I'm all for more matches!

The "good" teams will also have fewer uninterrupted stretches of time to help the "bad" teams so the "bad" teams can actually get out on the field and play. Because that's what it's all about, right - making sure everyone has a great competition experience?

You can tell vets and rookies to "make sure you're ready to go before you arrive" until your gums bleed, but some teams are still going to slip through the cracks. Also, some teams who *think* they are ready when they ship their bot will put the bot on the playing field and inevitably find out that they are not ("oh....we are [heaven willing] playing on carpet....we tested driving on tile floor....."). So add them to the list of those who are at increased risk of not getting a chance to play under the "compressed" schedule.

As the "ready to go" teams salivate over the prospect of the 10 qualifying matches, don't forget about those who, by way of an oversight due to inexperience or pure bad luck, still need a little help from their friends to get on the field and compete.