| Tournament Registration |
I don't have an AGA rating and have played some friends who do with a handicap and lost. How do I choose an Entering Rank for a tournament? |
Domestic Players
First, if you have played consistently with someone who has an up-to-date AGA rating, this is probably the best starting point. Consistently means you win about half your games. Take the handicap you use with this player and add that number to their AGA rating. E.g. if you play Black with a 4 stone handicap and your opponent's rating is 5.2k, enter at 9.2k.
Second, you can check your rating on internet Go Servers. KGS ranks are a little stronger than AGA ratings but subject to change. IGS ratings are also stronger than AGA ratings. You can try choosing a rating level perhaps 1 weaker than your KGS rating and perhaps 1-2 levels weaker than your IGS ratings. E.g. KGS = 2.8k, enter at 3.8k. Check Sensei's Library on Ranking Comparisons for another perspective.
Third, try to get a game in with an AGA rated club member before the tournament and get their opinion.
Non-US Players with a Local Rating
Check the internet tables that compare ratings in different countries with the US. Again try Sensei's Library on Ranking Comparisons.
Finally
You can enter at any rating you can personally justify with the agreement of the tournament director (TD).
Caveats
Aim too low (weak) and folks might think you are a 'sandbagger', aim too high and you risk the embarrassment of losing all your games.
If your interest is in getting a stronger AGA rating you should aim for the stronger end of your range. If your interest is in winning prizes you can enter at the weaker end of your range.
Handicap tournaments reward people who have genuinely improved since their last official rating. Once you have an AGA rating you can enter at that level or stronger (with the TD's agreement). Winning all 7 rounds in a handicap tournament will likely increase your AGA rating by about 1.5 points. So if you enter too weak it might take you a long time to get a more realistic AGA rating.
Say your AGA rating is 25k but you think you are really 15k then entering at a more realistic rating of say 15k and winning say 4 of 7 games will quickly set your AGA rating towards your entering rank. Enter at 25k and win all your games will probably get you a 23k rating afterwards.
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May 19, 2016 |
