The NTRA has proposed a series of
changes to the NHC format.
I have questions. How much will the secondary tournament be worth? Why is
their a secondary tournament for the people who don't make the top 80? If you
stink the first two days then you should get nothing. Why are we rewarding
mediocrity? If you use the 80 people getting paid in your proposal then the top
16% get paid out of 500 players. If u want it to be 20% then make it the top
100. If you can't finish in the top 80 or 100 after the first two days then I
don't see how in the world you can complain. The secondary tournament is
pointless!!! Also, if you just have the top 80 left on day 3 then u can move
them back to the race and sports book on day 3. Just a thought.
I don't
like all the mandatories on the first day and all the optionals on the 2nd
day. I heard the reason to keep scores close on day 1 but u should allow for a
few optional plays on day 1 like 12 mandatory and 3 optional and then flip it on
day 2. That way, you can still play that bomb you love on day 1. People get
frustrated after a bad day 1 because they know they can't win it. Well, with
80 or 100 advancing the prospects are there for EVERYONE to advance on day 2.
You see it every year. Zero on day 1 finishing in the top 20 overall.
I think
even more so should be done to reward the top players from the first two days!!
All you are doing is promising the leader after Day 2 $20,000 where the winner
this year gets a million! Most likely, the leader after day 2 will only get
$20,000.
On Day 3, why is their a carryover of the scores from round 2
to 3 to 4 to 5. You might be thinking u are creating excitement for the final
round with 5 people playing for the million but I can guarantee you that maybe
one or maybe two people will be in contention. If the scores don't carry over
then all five have a chance to win it which is the very reason why you might
change the format. If the scores don't carryover then you have a five person
dash for the big prize. You would need to make the final round five or six races to make it a truer handicapping test. The day 3 format makes things very random
with only 4 races to advance to the next round. I think the day 3 can be made
more of a true handicapping test than currently formatted. There are too many
rounds on day 3. U are going to need time between each round to verify
everything. Racetracks don't always stick to their post times
either.
My conclusion. I like the forward thinking. Secondary tournament
is truly a joke and waste of prize money. Maybe up the day 3 participants upto 100 people
(20 percent of 500). Reward the day 1 and 2 combined final finishers with more
than you are offering. The format really needs some simplifying. The
carryovers of scores from round to round on day 3 will ruin what you are trying
to achieve.
ALTERNATIVE... 100 people to day 3.
No carryover of scores!
Three rounds. Top 8 finishers from combined scores on day 1 and 2
get various byes. Top 4 get byes into the 3rd and final round.... 5th through
8th get byes into the 2nd round on day 3.
1st round..92 people going for
24 spots. These numbers can be tweaked. Eight race mini tourney. You
eliminate the randomness by giving people a chance with more races. All the people who don't advance get the same prize money for that level
2nd
round..24 from round 1 with the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th place finishers from days
1 and 2. The top 8 finishers advance to the 3rd and final round. Seven race
mini tourney. One less race since there are less people plus time is always
going to be crucial. All the people who don't advance get the same prize money for that level.
3rd and final round.. the eight from the 2nd round with
the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place finishers from days 1 and 2. 12 people
battling it out. The people who finish in the top 4 after the first two days
are rewarded handsomely no matter what. Five race mini tourney. The top 6 prize money based off the results of the final round. 7th through 12th place finishers get the same amount for that level.
What do you think?