The tournament starts with lots of unstructured playing. After a while Perry goes around and looks at everyone's record. Them that has good records get put up on the big board and matched against other players on the big board. It's the same "structure" as ASLOK. Unlike ASLOK, it is not a "ASL-only" or even "ASL-primarily" event. Other players are there playing OCS, Civil War, etc. It's a pretty relaxed event [EXC: the raffle].
There is definitely a tournament going on although maybe not as strictly structured as others. As JR said, if you are competing in the tourney, Perry will pair you with someone with a similar record. The field pares down over the weekend so many/most are doing open play or other games. And then there are the minis which are usually playtest scenarios and fun to play in. In the evenings, there is usually quite a bit of other gaming going on. So definitely go and have fun. Your "tournament" can be as competitive as you want it to be, and you're sure to have fun. And then there's the Saturday evening raffle. And pizza. And usually WO discounts on MMP products, so Win, Win, Win situation! (also there are sometimes OOP items there that there aren't enough to sell on the MMP website, so you never know what you will find)
Sadly there is no public transport option. However, it is "only" 21 miles from BWI.
Doug, you might be the one to stop him.
Whoa, before Cirillo's head becomes too giant, I'm thinking we should temper "ASL Grand Slam" expectations!
Whoa, before Cirillo's head becomes too giant, I'm thinking we should temper "ASL Grand Slam" expectations!
To be fair, over the last 13 game tournament stretch, we wouldn't even be having this conversation if it weren't for a pair of DR=10's in back-to-back CCPh's that Doug rolled against one of my lone French HSs in J183 A Real Barn Burner. Absent even one of those DR=10s, my HS would have been eliminated and Doug would have gained a substantial tactical advantage. With that, I most likely don't get beyond Round 4 at ASLOK, Doug advances and I move on to playing in a Saturday mini like I do most years at ASLOK. The margin between winning and losing against ANY player at any one of these tournaments is razor thin. IMO, in general, the quality of competition at ASL tournaments is as deep as it has ever been and a loss in most Rounds shouldn't ever be viewed as an "upset" but rather a reflection of depth of player quality within the community.
I'm pretty sure ASL is already covered live on the Ocho. At least that's what Cotton told me.
Players are so close in skill level now that DRs are often the difference between winning and losing. My situational die luck at ASLOK was terrible. To cap of the tournament, I rolled a 12 on a 6:1 CC and lost the game on opponents withdraw. I could not get bodies into every possible withdraw location.
I am going to use this line from now on - thanks
Yes, agree that the margin between winning and losing can be quite thin, and it's not always your (or your opponents) average DR, but the timing of the DRs. Still, I think that the better players do things that maximize their chance of winning. First, they tend to make fewer big mistakes and better decisions overall. Second, they tend to "maximize" the DRMs that they get. Third, they (usually) don't get rattled when things don't go their way because they know a game can turn very quickly. And last, they keep an eye on the big picture in the scenario, especially in regards to achieving VCs.
