Unpopular opinion

[Johnny Canuck]

I prefer the 9-round format over the 15-round format and would support it being brought back, because 15-rounders make the outcomes of matches, octochamp runs and finals too predictable in the Apterous era. It used to be that you had upsets on crucials, or a challenger could get a single 9-letter word and have a fighting chance against a multi-day champion. You also used to have a lot more variety in the seed tables, now it's just 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4 in the quarter-finals most times.

Now that basically anyone who signs up, and waits 5 years after their previous appearance, can get back on whenever they want, I don't feel it would be too unfair to Apterites to common plebes more of a chance either and it would make for better viewing.

[Gavin Chipper]

I tend to think competitions are better if they reward the better player rather than purposely have chance elements. I think the conundrum being 1/9 of the game is too much. 2 numbers games is also too few.

[Philip A]

I tend to think competitions are better if they reward the better player rather than purposely have chance elements. I think the conundrum being 1/9 of the game is too much. 2 numbers games is also too few.

Yes, this. It’s not really as fun or interesting if on balance it’s a fickle lottery of tiny margins. The 15-round game is fine.