Difference between revisions of "Statistical tiebreakers"
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When statistical tiebreakers are used, the specific statistic used is usually [[points per tossup heard]]. (Some untimed tournaments, however, use the mostly equivalent [[points per game]], or, for ease of computation, total points.) When breaking ties between teams who have played different opponents, some people prefer to use [[points per bonus]]. | When statistical tiebreakers are used, the specific statistic used is usually [[points per tossup heard]]. (Some untimed tournaments, however, use the mostly equivalent [[points per game]], or, for ease of computation, total points.) When breaking ties between teams who have played different opponents, some people prefer to use [[points per bonus]]. | ||
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| + | Although commonly agreed upon that points per tossup heard should be the tiebreaker used assuming common opponents, some have criticized points per tossup heard for emphasizing blowout games against weaker teams and tangentially punishing neg or interrupt prone teams who are nevertheless elite. For points per bonus, many point to its lack of tossup-conversion inclusion as its main drawback. | ||
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| + | A thread started by [[Mike Sorice]], along with data compiled and analyzed by [[Dwight Wynne]] and [[Brian Lindquist]], found that points per bonus was the best statistical tiebreaker in terms of predictive power.<ref>[https://hsquizbowl.org/forums/viewtopic.php?p=111672#p111672 Statistical Tiebreakers]</ref>. | ||
[[Category:Quizbowl basics]] | [[Category:Quizbowl basics]] | ||
Revision as of 18:22, 13 July 2021
Statistical tiebreakers (or paper tiebreakers) is the use of statistics to break a tie in record, usually for final placement or advancement into playoff pools. This practice is generally frowned upon because it would be better to break the tie by additional gameplay, but sometimes limitations on time, available questions, team interest, or other resources require it. (When tiebreaker games are used for a tie involving more than two teams, statistics are used to seed the teams for the tiebreaker games.)
When statistical tiebreakers are used, the specific statistic used is usually points per tossup heard. (Some untimed tournaments, however, use the mostly equivalent points per game, or, for ease of computation, total points.) When breaking ties between teams who have played different opponents, some people prefer to use points per bonus.
Although commonly agreed upon that points per tossup heard should be the tiebreaker used assuming common opponents, some have criticized points per tossup heard for emphasizing blowout games against weaker teams and tangentially punishing neg or interrupt prone teams who are nevertheless elite. For points per bonus, many point to its lack of tossup-conversion inclusion as its main drawback.
A thread started by Mike Sorice, along with data compiled and analyzed by Dwight Wynne and Brian Lindquist, found that points per bonus was the best statistical tiebreaker in terms of predictive power.[1].