2018 HSNCT - May 26-27 in Atlanta
Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 8:03 pm
NAQT has released details about HSNCT this year. While the general format appears to be the same (each team plays 10 power-matched preliminary games, followed by double-elimination playoffs with 6-4 teams starting with a loss), the preliminary rounds are being stretched out into Sunday morning to allow for the possibility of expanding beyond 304 teams. Each team will play 7 preliminary rounds on Saturday without byes, with the field divided into morning and afternoon sessions - you'll play one session and be free to do whatever during the other session. The final 3 preliminary games will be played over 6 rounds on Sunday morning, with the double elimination playoffs in the afternoon and evening. The finals are scheduled to start around 8:15 pm on Sunday evening.
I wonder what effect this will have on teams' plans. Primarily, will there be teams that decide to make plans to return home Sunday evening to avoid the cost of the third night of lodging and then have an unexpected run into the playoffs? Could the added cost of the third night make this plan backfire and make the tournament too expensive for enough teams that the goal of expanding past 304 teams is harder to achieve? (Also of note: buzzers can be picked up no earlier than 7 PM on Sunday.)
I wonder what effect this will have on teams' plans. Primarily, will there be teams that decide to make plans to return home Sunday evening to avoid the cost of the third night of lodging and then have an unexpected run into the playoffs? Could the added cost of the third night make this plan backfire and make the tournament too expensive for enough teams that the goal of expanding past 304 teams is harder to achieve? (Also of note: buzzers can be picked up no earlier than 7 PM on Sunday.)