2009 ADFT Smack Talk

[KevinR]

I don't think it is accurate to say the field will be weaker this year. If Graham plays 5 of the top 10 players in ADFT history (by average) will be competing in this tourney. If he doesn't play we'll still have 4 of the top 10 in the 21 year history of the event going at it.

[Stephen]

Well, that could be true. Depends on how you measure it.

Measuring by the top players in ADFT history, this is a vicious field. Can't argue that. And of the 11 players who have won a Victory Medal, 4 of them will be there - maybe 5. That's pretty strong, too.

Measuring by years of experience, its a bit weaker because Ken's been playing for 25 years, Rick for nearly 10 and Dory for about 20 (although she hasn't played heavily in the last 8 or 9). But that's a LOT of missing DP years at the table.

But to me the real kicker is the number of rookies, folks with no long term stake in the game, and inexperienced players. I don't want to diss the newbies at all!!! But they do make the game very unpredictable and can completely turn a game around with bizarre moves. Failure to leave on time, breaking up the fight by diving, not covering a wingman, long bursts and jams, not taking shots when available, missing shots in movement mistakes, etc., etc. The list is endless. And that's not necessarily a bad thing... it keeps the game lively and unpredictable. On the other hand, those unpredictable things can remove a wingman from contention. So I expect a wild time tomorrow night.