Ladies and Gents (okay, mostly gents), the M:TG League is now open! Any Type 2 Standard game can be a league game, providing both players are in the league and agree to it before hand. Report your results to me, either here or in person. Each month, I’ll post up the league standings.

Scoring is based on your proportion of wins/draws/losses, rather than on number of games played, so people who have more of a chance to play don’t have an unfair advantage over those who only get a few games in.

If you’re really interested, here’s how the score is generated. If not, then don’t bother reading on!






Your proportion of wins, draws and losses is worked out, and expressed as a percentage (for easy reference). Those percentages are then weighted (3 for win, 2 for draw, 1 for loss), and added together to give a number between 100 and 300. This score is independent of number of games played, and relies entirely on how well you’ve done overall.

For example, Mr Smith plays 100 games. He wins 50, draws 10, and losses 40. His proportions, expressed as a percentage, is 50% / 10% / 40%. Those numbers are then multiplied by 3 / 2 / 1 and added together, giving him a total score of 210.

I’ve made this system up, so if anyone has any problems with it let me know and I’ll think about changing it.

How long is this likely to run?

Lauara would like to join but she's not very well atm so is unlikely to be able to join for a while.

It's going to be an ongoing thing - it'll run until people don't want it anymore.

Your scoring system won't work as it stands!


I could play 1 game, Win (I know not likely, but it's an example), thus score 300pts. 100% wins x 3 = 300pts.

I refuse to play again and win the league with 300pts, the maximum score!

You could multiply your score by the number of games you have played?

You would also need a maximum number of times 2 players can play each other in a season too. This will avoid X hammering Y every week for the win too!

You should have to play a minimum number of games (say 10) before the system kicks in.

I could add a new rule - "Don't take the piss". If anyone breaks it, they get punched in the stomach!

I'll have a think about this. I'll also see if any of these problems come up. I didn't want number of games to give any weight, as some people get more chance to play than others.


Edit: How about a dead simple system - you get one point for a win, and loose a point for a loss. That way, it balances out those who play a lot and those who don't. Playing in tournies should keep people playing different people.

How about a minimum number. It doesn't have to be an outragous number, just 10 or so.

Great Minds?

Yeah, that seems to make sense. Minimum of 10 games, against at least 3 different people, before your score is counted.

Think using games as a measure rather than a match best of three is particularly poor. You can suffer from mana screw etc and not recover where at least in a match you can always 2-1. Also matches can also be won 1-0 as a control deck may win the first game and then hold off the second game for the overall win. You'd be penalised by having a draw and losing points in this scenario.

Would love to see some of the posters actually play Magic

Points scoring system seems strange, 3-2-1, can understand points for playing is good but as you are multiplying out all results not really necessary. Would not 3 win 1 draw or and 0 loss be better as puts emphasis on winning.

Good idea to have a minimum of number of games for scores to count BUT the other side of the coin from regular players having an advantage is that regularly players should get a reward from coming to the club and playing. Gateway system gave more points for entering events to recognise rewards as a whole. Do we need a points bonus for competing over "x" weeks.

Well, I might just throw my deck in my bag in case I get time to play when I've finished with my 'proper' game.

The thing is, not everyone plays matches. This league includes out of tournie games, which are often one off, or a non-match number (like 5). If I insisted on matches, not games, that would discount many games.

3/2/1 is a standard scoring system in many games. I could change the score system to make losses count for nothing, but that might discourage people when they loose. Overall, it doesn't make too much of a diference anyway.

The reason that I had the score independant from number of games played is that some people simply can't get to games as often as others - sometimes, real life gets in the way (work, family, illness). Some play outside of the club, and it would be unfair to give a bonus to those who happen to live near to someone else who plays. I don't want to penalise people for having a life outside of Magic!

I disagree and in its current format the league does not appeal to me.

We have Standard format which is good as encourages people to get decks ready for Tournaments, making it a match format would be much better. Sure people can play games but making the format with matches would make the performances more consistant.

I think some allowance for regular play is an option to consider as you do want people to play more regular ? Its not penalising those who cannot make it every week but is rewarding those who play most weeks. The league could also be like a loyalty scheme.

I also see a flaw, someone could take part, only play opponents they know they can beat the majority of the time and articially inflate their rating.

So Chris ....

We got a league table yet then ...

The good Old Rule 7 !!!!!!!!

I'm interested in it, add in a game or two at the end of an evening

great idea

Doddy