SCG changes bye structure

[lordofthepit]

http://www.starcitygames.com/magic/standard/22005_Changes_to_the_Player/s_Club.html

It sounds like they are reducing the number of byes awarded, which is good. I'm somewhat confused though--what's the difference between an Open and an Invitational? Which levels (and which events) are affected by this change?

[kinda]

Well, this change is better than nothing.

[voltron00x]

The Invitational are the twice a year qualifier only events, that you can qualify for via the player's club or by winning local SCG Qualifier events. They shifted the byes so that they are awarded for the invitational at levels 4 and 5, rather than the Open events, which are the large Saturday Standard / Sunday Legacy events they run most weekends.

[Crysthorn]

Also worth noting that while the normal SCG Open tournament consists of 8-10 rounds of Swiss + top 8 in single format (9-10 rounds of Standard or 8-9 rounds of Legacy), the Invitational consists of 14 rounds of Swiss + top 8 in mixed formats (7 rounds of Standard and 7 rounds of Legacy + Legacy top 8).

[dahcmai]

Glad to hear they finally decided it was obviously a huge advantage getting two byes in a small tournament like that.

[lordofthepit]

The Invitational are the twice a year qualifier only events, that you can qualify for via the player's club or by winning local SCG Qualifier events. They shifted the byes so that they are awarded for the invitational at levels 4 and 5, rather than the Open events, which are the large Saturday Standard / Sunday Legacy events they run most weekends.

So if I'm reading the article and your description correctly, there will be no more byes awarded at all for Open events, and only a few awarded for Invitationals?

If so, I'm happy with the change because I'm considering attending a local one when it comes around, and obviously, I don't have any SCG points built up, and I think it's also good so that a handful of semi-pros don't have a disproportionate effect on the metagame (between starting out 2-0, having better tiebreakers, and being more likely to get opponents to concede/draw them in or friends to dreamcrush other top 8 hopefuls). That being said, I wonder if players who did previously have byes are upset now that they have no byes at all. Seems like a pretty drastic change.

[workingdude]

So if I'm reading the article and your description correctly, there will be no more byes awarded at all for Open events, and only a few awarded for Invitationals?

If so, I'm happy with the change because I'm considering attending a local one when it comes around, and obviously, I don't have any SCG points built up, and I think it's also good so that a handful of semi-pros don't have a disproportionate effect on the metagame (between starting out 2-0, having better tiebreakers, and being more likely to get opponents to concede/draw them in or friends to dreamcrush other top 8 hopefuls). That being said, I wonder if players who did previously have byes are upset now that they have no byes at all. Seems like a pretty drastic change.

Just for level 4-5 I thinki.

This makes it so the regular SCG grinders/writers will have an easier field to play against, while occasional players/regional players wont receive byes.

Better results from the SCG writers = better reputation = more influence on their website.

[Beatusnox]

Does this mean the 'pros' who ground their way up to byes now have to actually play in tournaments? They don't get auto top 16?

'Bout time.

[dschalter]

Just for level 4-5 I thinki.

This makes it so the regular SCG grinders/writers will have an easier field to play against, while occasional players/regional players wont receive byes.

Better results from the SCG writers = better reputation = more influence on their website.

Level 4-5 is anything but "occasional players" (unless you are talking about players who have t8ed almost every time they play)- there only 7 level 4s and 4 level 5s.

[kaiserruhsam]

You should also know now that next year's Player's Club will include benefits directly tied to the number of points you have accrued over the 2011 season—and these benefits will not be capped. The more points you earn this year, the more bonuses you will get in 2012, so grab every single point you get a chance at!

Should cut down on scooped feature matches, which will be nice for the folks at home.

[workingdude]

Level 4-5 is anything but "occasional players" (unless you are talking about players who have t8ed almost every time they play)- there only 7 level 4s and 4 level 5s.

Current level 4-5 players will have another season to get to higher levels building off current points. However, I have been told that they will eliminate byes at opens altogether, but nothing has been concrete.