I think that bonuses (or boni, for the truly erudite, unlike myself)are hands down great. For all the reasons already mentioned, they are wonderful for match play. I think that this is obviously exemplified in HS play. I mean, having had very limited experience with ACF play already, I can honestly say that it sucks, is boring, and is depressing to sit there on a bonus that you know (but buzzed in with an erroneous ansewr on a tossup) and watch the other team miss it. You don't get your chance to answer, you just have to let it go by. Also, without bounceback, you lose hope in a match earlier than you might have if you knew that you had a chance to "get back in it" with bonuses. I can remember countless times where I've been down by, oh, I don't know 100 points, going into the last five questions, knowing that mathematically I can still win in a number of ways (point combinations). And the other big thing to me, and again, maybe this is just my bias as a HS player, but isn't it more fun for everyone to have bonuses? I mean, to me, the point of quizbowl in general is to be able to apply stuff you've learned or studied on your own and have the opportunity to use it. Show off what you've worked hard to attain, or something like that. But, if you know the answer, the other team misses it, and you have to let it go to waste, to me that works against the whole quizbowl process. In my high school career, bonuses have always added to the game, not taken away from it. I would more than love to see bonuses become a part of all collegebowl (and when I use that term, I mean it generically...i.e. ACF, CBI, et al.)matches in the near future. In my humble opinion, it would make the game more fun and enjoyable for all. Darren
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