Difference between revisions of "Variable-value bonus"
m (Jonah Greenthal moved page Variable value bonus to Variable-value bonus) |
(clarify bonus conversion as applied to VVB) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | A popular format in the 1990s, the variable value bonus (VVB) assigned each bonus question an arbitrary point value of 20, 25, 30, or 35 points. In a format with VVBs, it was mathematically possible for a team to lose despite answering more tossups and | + | A popular format in the 1990s, the variable value bonus (VVB) assigned each bonus question an arbitrary point value of 20, 25, 30, or 35 points. In a format with VVBs, it was mathematically possible for a team to lose despite answering more tossups and converting a higher percentage of the bonus points available, if a disproportionate number of the higher or lower valued bonuses went to one or the other side. Such a game was known as the "Colvin Unfair Result," after [[Matt Colvin]], who was noted for his criticism of the VVB's fairness as a format. In response to Colvin and other critics, the variable value bonus has been abandoned in legitimate [[circuit]] quizbowl; its last appearance was at [[Penn Bowl VIII]] in 1999. The last refuge of the variable value bonus was [[College Bowl]], which retained this unfair format for unknown reasons. |
[[Category:Bad quizbowl]] | [[Category:Bad quizbowl]] | ||
[[Category:Original QBWiki Page]] | [[Category:Original QBWiki Page]] | ||
Revision as of 11:43, 22 December 2017
A popular format in the 1990s, the variable value bonus (VVB) assigned each bonus question an arbitrary point value of 20, 25, 30, or 35 points. In a format with VVBs, it was mathematically possible for a team to lose despite answering more tossups and converting a higher percentage of the bonus points available, if a disproportionate number of the higher or lower valued bonuses went to one or the other side. Such a game was known as the "Colvin Unfair Result," after Matt Colvin, who was noted for his criticism of the VVB's fairness as a format. In response to Colvin and other critics, the variable value bonus has been abandoned in legitimate circuit quizbowl; its last appearance was at Penn Bowl VIII in 1999. The last refuge of the variable value bonus was College Bowl, which retained this unfair format for unknown reasons.