Referendum: Full marks v. high break bonus

[The Statman]

It occurred to me that I have been rather generous in offering, for best-of-17 or longer matches, 1½ points for the score one frame away, as well as the full 2 points for a fully correct prediction.

This is not a problem and I think it is only fair.

BUT, with the 1 point bonus for the correct highest break, I realise that the following situation could arise:

Final, Hendry beats O'Sullivan 9-5.

One Predictor says 9-5 and gets 2 points
Another Predictor says 9-4, and the correct high break, and gets 2½ points, thereby winning the round.

I do not want to discontinue high break bonuses, but see that this might be perceived as unfair, as it gives the impression that HB+result one away is more important than noHB+result dead on. So I would like to propose one of the following options:

1 Keep the scoring system as it is, but disregard the high break bonus when deciding the results of a round (this means that the bonus point is carried into the overall tournament and season but is not considered for the individual round); or

2 Demote the high-break bonus to ½ point, which would mean (as in the above example) that the tiebreak would sort out the result by giving match predictions priority in the event of a tie; or

3 Do away with the 1½ points tariff.

Let me know what you think. A decision will have to be made before Saturday afternoon.

[Alex0paul]

Do away with the half point bonus

[The Statman]

It occurs to me that Option 1 would be exactly the same as happens now! Just that the scoreboard will appear slightly differently!

I think I may have resolved my own quandary....

[hegeland]

It occurred to me that I have been rather generous in offering, for best-of-19 or longer matches, 1½ points for the score one frame away, as well as the full 2 points for a fully correct prediction.

[...]

Let me know what you think. A decision will have to be made before Saturday afternoon.

It occurs to me that no one really bothers except The Statman...

And just so that you know, the final of the NIT is best of 17 frames.

[The Statman]

Thanks hege.

And that is supposed to say 17 or longer (a typo which I have now amended!)

[hegeland]

Polite, effective, orderly and friendly. The Statman in a nutshell!

[elvaago]

I'd say do away with the 1.5 for one frame away and stick to just awaring 1 for the correct scoreline. That worked perfectly.

[pat39]

Of the 3 options I think reducing the high break bonus to 1/2 a point is probably the best but would that mean changing this bonus for every round.

Alternatively, the correct score for all matches over 17 frames or longer could be increased to 3 points. As someone who likes to lose money when betting on the correct score in World Championship matches I know how hard it is to get them right. Therefore, in this instance you can keep the high break and one frame away bonuses the same.

[Watford]

For me it's OK as is!

[The Statman]

OK I think I've decided.

We will continue with the overall Rules unchanged.

Still 2 for a full correct prediction.
Still 1½ for frame score one adrift (best-of-17 or more only)
Still 1 for correct winner but incorrect scoreline.

I will still give a 1-point high-break bonus – I will just not include it in the results of the individual round. It will, however, count towards the Overall Tournament total, and of course, the whole season.

I do not want to change greatly such a fundamental Rule as the scoring system, now that the season is underway!