2014 Reading Olympics discussion

As I'm sure you are all aware, badminton has the potential to be a very dangerous sport, often concluding with racket-to-skin induced injuries. To prevent as many of these as possible from occurring, I feel obligated to set a few rules in place before setting you all loose with your extremely life-endangering rackets. Keep your rackets below your waist while I'm explaining, PLEASE! I don't want to have to ask again.

Badminton is a two-team sport. Therefore, I've posted a match schedule in the badminton folder (it may be worth taking a look at). On the date of your country's match, I will begin each match by posting a scrambled up, completely unrecognizable author's name. It's your job to unscramble it. The first of the two teams to correctly unscramble the name receives a point. Once the name is correctly guessed, I will post a new scrambled name. The first team to reach 21 points will win the match and advance to the next round.

Are you ready to start unscrambling?

Is there going to be some sort of time limit? (Like...teams have 24-36 hrs to respond. If no one responds within the time limit, no one gets a point.)

Lynanne wrote: "Is there going to be some sort of time limit? (Like...teams have 24-36 hrs to respond. If no one responds within the time limit, no one gets a point.)"

Hmm, good question. We cannot have a time limit because to progress in the match we need the winners from the first rounds. However, I would prefer the teams post the answers as soon as they can.

I get that...but aren't there 21 matches to go through before the winner of the first round (and the one who will be moving on to the next round of the tourney) is determined?

So, hypothetically, you could go through the next 19 with time limits and no one scores...but then, on match 20, team England (uh...sorry Indonesia ^_^') scores. No one scores again for 21...but b/c England won one match, and the score is 1-0, England moves on.

Right?

That said, England vs Indonesia's challenge is mega difficult!! (Nice!) I have yet to figure it out. I figured out Canada vs France's in a matter of minutes...but that one has evaded me :/.

Lynanne wrote: "I get that...but aren't there 21 matches to go through before the winner of the first round (and the one who will be moving on to the next round of the tourney) is determined?

So, hypothetically, ..."

Actually, there is only one round at a time. If you see the match schedule (click here) there is only four rounds including semifinals and finals. We cannot progress to the next round until a winner is chosen from each group in the prior round. That being said, to win the round in your group you just have to be the first country (against whomever you are competing) to reach 21 points. Long story short, there are not 21 matches, but rather one match per round to get 21 points (looking at the schedule should really clear some things up).

Ohhh, now I get what you're saying.

Logic fail LOL. I was thinking that it was just how many point OUT OF 21, with the team who had the most winning and moving on (though...the rules don't state this, so I dunno where I came up with that). So the separation is:

Round
*Match
**Names for points in match

I really only mentioned the time thing because...*ahem* at this rate, the match will never end...

Thanks for taking the time to respond and for scrambling :). I don't want to make it seem like I'm critiquing or anything...I was just concerned about how it was going to play out without a limit...

Maybe you could find a way to work in a limit of some kind, though, even with the 21 points to win the match.

You could give a new name set after a determined limit (which, really...you could just switch the names you've given between teams, and see if that helps to unstick a team)...

Ultimately I'm still confused about what happens if no one ever answers because they simply can't figure it out.

Or perhaps, after a limit where neither team has answered, you could lower the quota by one (now they only need to reach 20. 16. 12.) It'd change the rules slightly (reaching 21 could take up to 41 names, if each team is head to head), but it might be more effective.

Thoughts...?

Or...(sorry!)

You could give each team a point (even though neither won) if neither team posts an answer by a given limit. They'd still be tied (or at the same distance as before, just up 1), but would be moving toward completing the 21 points needed to win the round.

Lynanne wrote: "Or...(sorry!)

You could give each team a point (even though neither won) if neither team posts an answer by a given limit. They'd still be tied (or at the same distance as before, just up 1), but..."

Great suggestions. I think I will give the France vs. Canadian challenge a few more days and if I still don't have an answer, I will make a decision as to what to do. Thanks for your advice; it was very helpful!

As for the limit idea, I think I might consider that. I have to think it over, but I do see where you are coming from.

You're welcome ^_^! I'm relieved you found something I said useful! Regardless of what happens/what you decide to do, I've enjoyed playing vicariously through the teams thus far, and I will continue to do so :).

Looking forward to the next author scramble!!