c4countdown

Hi everyone

I'm happy to announce the second COMA tournament will be happening in the coming few weeks. For those of who who weren't around last year, COMA is a straight knock-out played (for the first time this year) on Apterous, using straight 15-round games as the format of choice. Eighth-finals will be simple 1 game events, whilst quarter- and semi finals will be best-of-3, and the grand final a best-of-5 marathon.

As with last year, invitations have been extended to the top 16 players as determined by yours truly based on factors such as onscreen performance, position in the ratings and performance at Co- events. However, should any of the Masters decline their invitations, their position will be up for grabs by virtue of a 'play-in' tournament- I'll leave Mr. Reams to explain that a bit more eloquently than me.

If you want a shot at one of these 'wild card' spots, simply declare your intention in the thread below. The tournament proper is due to start on March 1st, with the final scheduled for March 22nd or thereabouts.

Any chance you could post a list of the original 16 invitees?

I am so up for trying to fluke my way in.

Michael Wallace wrote:I am so up for trying to fluke my way in.

As am I.

Charlie Reams wrote:Any chance you could post a list of the original 16 invitees?

Yeah, go on. I had an excuse but couldn't word it properly, so here goes-

Paul Howe
Conor Travers
Chris Wills
Mark Tournoff
Jon O'Neill
Craig Beevers
Paul Gallen
Jon Corby
David O'Donnell
Charlie Reams
Junaid Mubeen
Nick Wainwright
Steven Briers
Stewart Holden
Dan Vanniasingham
Kirk Bevins

Green=accepted invitation, red=declined. I'll update the list as I get more confirmations.

Ooo, ooo, ooo, pick me!

Jimmy Gough wrote:

Michael Wallace wrote:I am so up for trying to fluke my way in.

As am I.

Ditto

Has COMA 2008 finished yet?

There is currently only one wildcard slot, but more will doubtless become available. The current competitors for that slot are:

Dinos Sfyris
James Hurrell
Jimmy Gough
Kai Laddiman
Michael Wallace
Oliver Garner
Ian Dent
Innis Carson
Ian Volante

Could I add my name to the wildcard list?

Can I have a shot at a wildcard place?

Jon Corby wrote:Has COMA 2008 finished yet?

Yes, I kicked Conor in the head a good few months ago.

Then invited him back for COMA 2009. Ah well.

Can we have a plate tournament running alongside please?

Ian Dent wrote:Can we have a plate tournament running alongside please?

If you organise it, sure.

Okay.

Ian Dent wrote:Okay.

Oh and you'll have to remember to turn up to this one

Is this going to be a flexible "play your game before such-and-such a date" or a rigid "play your game at exactly this time" style format of competition format style?

If it's the first one then "yes, I'm in", otherwise "I'm sorry but I'm not in, so please leave a message after the tone."

Jon Corby wrote:Is this going to be a flexible "play your game before such-and-such a date" or a rigid "play your game at exactly this time" style format of competition format style?

If it's the first one then "yes, I'm in", otherwise "I'm sorry but I'm not in, so please leave a message after the tone."

The former, and I'd have expected a slightly wittier answerphone message from you of all people.

I'll have a shot at a wild card slot if I can. Why not?

I'll throw my hat into the ring to represent the lower ranks.

I'm going to want to start the play-in process either Sunday or Monday, so get your name down quick!

Similarly, any Masters who haven't made up their mind over entering yet, please do so by the end of next week- especially those who must surely have read my pm by now and haven't responded (JO & PH, looking at you. DV I've already spoken to so he's off the hook. )

Ben Wilson wrote: Similarly, any Masters who haven't made up their mind over entering yet, please do so by the end of next week- especially those who must surely have read my pm by now and haven't responded (JO & PH, looking at you. DV I've already spoken to so he's off the hook. )

I'm in.

I am afraid I'll be declining my invite, for the following "official" reasons:

1) I'm way off the pace currently
2) Not enough time to practice
3) Apterous is invariably down during the hours I'd be likely to practice
4) Completely unavailable for the forseeable future at weekends
5) I'd rather my place went to someone who really wants it, rather than me waste it

Feel free to discuss your own conspiracy theories if those aren't good enough (I'm not under arrest for bitch-slapping Rihanna - honest).

Thanks to Neb (and anyone else) for the initial invite though - it was much appreciated.

Is there a draw for play-in matches yet?

I'll play, why not have a knock out prelim tourney for those wanting the slots?

Jon Stitcher wrote:I'll play, why not have a knock out prelim tourney for those wanting the slots?

Great idea...

I'll post the draw as soon as we hear back from David O'Donnell.

Chris and Conor have been incommunicado for the past few ages, so I'll assume they're both nos in case I hear otherwise... and also to put a bit more pressure on Doddy.

ROUND 1 DRAW

Conducted literally a couple of minutes ago on Apterous-

Jon Corby vs. Mark Tournoff
Paul Howe vs. Jimmy Gough
Kirk Bevins vs. Dinos Sfyris
Charlie Reams vs. Oliver Garner
Jon O'Neill vs. Ben Pugh
Steve Briers vs. Richard Priest
Junaid Mubeen vs. Michael Wallace
Nick Wainwright vs. Innis Carson

Games to be completed by March 18th please. Straight 15-rounders, best-of-1.

Will the QF draw be random, or based on the above, i.e. does winner 1 play winner 8 etc ?

Oh great, I'm playing Tournoff. I was hoping for someone easy, like Kirk.

Although... how did Tournoff enter? He hasn't visited here in 6 months, I don't think I've ever seen him on apterous... how am I supposed to be schedule our game?

Jon Corby wrote:Oh great, I'm playing Tournoff. I was hoping for someone easy, like Kirk.

Although... how did Tournoff enter? He hasn't visited here in 6 months, I don't think I've ever seen him on apterous... how am I supposed to be schedule our game?

Just claim a walkover

Jon Corby wrote:Oh great, I'm playing Tournoff. I was hoping for someone easy, like Kirk.

Wanna swap?

Jon Corby wrote:Oh great, I'm playing Tournoff. I was hoping for someone easy, like Kirk.

Although... how did Tournoff enter? He hasn't visited here in 6 months, I don't think I've ever seen him on apterous... how am I supposed to be schedule our game?

I've spoken to him, and he said he'll be joining apterous in the next few days.

As for the QF, it will be drawn randomly, live on apterous, following completion of the final R1 game.

Paul Howe away doesn't get any tougher than that.

Junaid and I are scheduled to play at 8pm on Sunday (15th) in case anyone wants to watch.

Michael Wallace wrote:Junaid and I are scheduled to play at 8pm on Sunday (15th) in case anyone wants to watch.

I'm playing dinos on Sunday too and I was thinking of 8pm too! We'll make it around the same time then.

Nick wins against me, 113-89. Solid performance.

http://www.apterous.org/viewgame.php?game=35227

I'd like to play on Sunday evening as well Jimmy, if that's cool with you.

If not, any evening apart from Saturday is good for me, just name a time.

Paul Howe wrote:I'd like to play on Sunday evening as well Jimmy, if that's cool with you.

If not, any evening apart from Saturday is good for me, just name a time.

Sure, Sunday's good.

Here's my game against Steven -

http://www.apterous.org/viewgame.php?game=35899

Rich Priest wrote:Here's my game against Steven -

http://www.apterous.org/viewgame.php?game=35899

Man, that's gotta hurt. 13 maxes and losing. GotW guys. Well done.

Well played Richard. My chat feature wasn't working so apologies if I seemed ignorant.

Not making excuses but since CoC, I've hardly practised, but even if I had, the result would no doubt have been the same anyway.

Once again, well done, and I shall watch the rest of the tournament with interest.

Steven Briers wrote:Well played Richard. My chat feature wasn't working so apologies if I seemed ignorant.

That gave me extra motivation actually, I was thinking "I'm gonna beat this ignorant git.."

Only joking, my chat hasn't been working all day either.

I typoed on round 6 btw, meant to put GAZED, not that it made any difference to the round.

Anyway bad luck Steven, enjoy the rest of the tournament.

Awesome stuff. Sweet scalp there for Rich.

Mubeen vs. Wallace

1) Fucking INLINES
2) Fucking last numbers - I got 466 in about 5 seconds and spent the remaining 25 thinking I had 464.

I might go and hide in a corner somewhere now.

(Not really - but I didn't really want to say 'great game', 'cos neither of us played that well, still, g'luck to Junaid for the rest of the tournament, if he wins that means I came second, right?)

Me vs Kirk

Michael Wallace wrote:Mubeen vs. Wallace

1) Fucking INLINES
2) Fucking last numbers - I got 466 in about 5 seconds and spent the remaining 25 thinking I had 464.

I might go and hide in a corner somewhere now.

(Not really - but I didn't really want to say 'great game', 'cos neither of us played that well, still, g'luck to Junaid for the rest of the tournament, if he wins that means I came second, right?)

Yeah funnily enough I didn't try the fudge on 464, rather I thought 464 was 216x4

Thanks Michael, piss poor game but watevs, I look forward to the QF.

Junaid Mubeen wrote:Yeah funnily enough I didn't try the fudge on 464, rather I thought 464 was 216x4

Awesome - I thought that 4*3 + 4 = 14. Maths degrees, anyone?

http://www.apterous.org/viewgame.php?game=35997

A very predictable result this one. Was disppointed not to spot SEALPOINT as I'd "learnt" it, being a common 9, just yesterday. I can have no complaints though, Paul is just way too good for me and I actually think I got off quite lightly, knowing the utter brilliance he's capable of. It was great being part of this tourney, even if it was just briefly, and I will watch with amazement at the brilliant games that will inevitably unfold. Congrats Paul and good luck in the rest of the tournament .

Jimmy Gough wrote:
Post Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 8:12 pm
Reply with quote
http://www.apterous.org/viewgame.php?game=35997

A very predictable result this one. Was disppointed not to spot SEALPOINT as I'd "learnt" it, being a common 9, just yesterday. I can have no complaints though, Paul is just way too good for me and I actually think I got off quite lightly, knowing the utter brilliance he's capable of. It was great being part of this tourney, even if it was just briefly, and I will watch with amazement at the brilliant games that will inevitably unfold. Congrats Paul and good luck in the rest of the tournament .

Cheers Jimmy, I was definitely nervous about playing you after looking through some of your games, and am relieved to have won. Pretty infuriated about SEALPOINT too, I had a nagging feeling I was missing something but convinced myself I was being distracted by the antipoles (good in scrabble) phony.

I beat John here:

http://www.apterous.org/viewgame.php?game=36037

Ben Pugh wrote:I beat John here:

http://www.apterous.org/viewgame.php?game=36037

And here, here, and here...

Ben Pugh wrote:I beat John here:

http://www.apterous.org/viewgame.php?game=36037

Why did Jon give you the answer?

Paul Howe wrote: I was being distracted by the antipoles (good in scrabble) phony.

That's how I spot SEALPOINT; by seeing ANTIPOLES^ first. Seeing ANTIPOLE^ is frustrating though as it looks so much like there should be an 8 there but there isn't.

Kirk Bevins wrote:

Ben Pugh wrote:I beat John here:

http://www.apterous.org/viewgame.php?game=36037

Why did Jon give you the answer?

Why not? He'd lost anyway.

Michael Wallace wrote: Why not? He'd lost anyway.

Fair enough I suppose.

I think I actually typed something like "oh fucking hell it's whittling".

Michael Wallace wrote:

Kirk Bevins wrote:

Ben Pugh wrote:I beat John here:

http://www.apterous.org/viewgame.php?game=36037

Why did Jon give you the answer?

Why not? He'd lost anyway.

He'd have won by 2 points with the conundrum.

Rich Priest wrote:
He'd have won by 2 points with the conundrum.

I think he means that since he typed H in first, which was wrong, he had then lost.

What Kirk said, yeah.