There should be better protocol...

[dsavbeast012]

I respect the ITST for what it does and know it's tough to handle so many tourneys, but one thing I'll never like is the fact that XBL messages aren't taken into account. When I message someone who is online and they flat out ignore me or don't respond I should get the benefit of the doubt, and not have someone spam message me to try and get the walkover. As is now as far as I understand, whoever sends more messages on ITST site gets the win in case of match not being played; this ignores the fact that someone can send multiple messages on XBL and not have them be replied to even when someone is online.

I've always tried to play when I'm available, but been burned in the past by ppl who just make it harder than it should be to get these matches in. And I won't back off of the fact that being in the US and playing in the ITST which is mainly foreign makes things even harder. Please don't take this as whining, think of it as constructive criticism and food for thought for the tour moving forward...I know this may fall on deaf ears since the tour has worked this way probably forever, just think of it as like I said, an alternate way of looking at things.

Honesty should be the policy, when someone sends a message on XBL, it should be part of the picture. Messages on ITST site shouldn't be the be all end all IMO. I've been burned in the past by this and it seems I may be burned in the future by this, someone just ignoring by XBL messages and responding on ITST to try to backdoor to a walkover victory.

[Ex_storma]

Im online alot but watching tv. That way i can get messages that i dont see. Please use the pm system to make match requests.

[Garghamell]

although i agree with you in spirit, dsavbeast, truth of the matter is, if you have time to write this post you have time to message your opponent offering your best availability and asking for theirs. then following correspondence until you both agree to a day and time.
i can relate to your chagrin since i'm also in the US, and scheduling matches with the european fellows can sometimes be difficult. i believe ITST hosts take unnecessary spamming into account. i've yet to encounter a host with whom i can't reason, provided i've done my best to schedule the match.

now, anyone up for some sim matches?

[emate007]

as far as I understand, whoever sends more messages on ITST site gets the win in case of match not being played; this ignores the fact that someone can send multiple messages on XBL and not have them be replied to even when someone is online.

This is absolutely not the case. When a match is not finished by the deadline, the host views the PM's and makes a judgment call based on the information we have available, and tries to see if one player has made more of an effort to play the match. Many times it is a very difficult decision, but it's also quite obvious when someone thinks like you do- that sending 10 messages in a few hours will somehow get them more of a chance for a walkover.

Things to think about in PM's - contact your opponent as early as possible, suggest precise times and dates, and make sure you mention time zones as well. CET is default, but it's perfectly acceptable to ask if someone is available at 20.00 EST for example.

But no, XBL messages will never be taken into account. There's too many headaches involved, and too much room for abuse.The PM system has worked well (not perfectly) for many years and will continue to be the go to method of resolving match disputes.

[Richie1308]

Right now, both my opponents in Manierbio and US open tournaments aren't here, but since the host can see the PM's, I guess there shouldn't be any problem, but it's a bit irritating.

[dsavbeast012]

as far as I understand, whoever sends more messages on ITST site gets the win in case of match not being played; this ignores the fact that someone can send multiple messages on XBL and not have them be replied to even when someone is online.

This is absolutely not the case. When a match is not finished by the deadline, the host views the PM's and makes a judgment call based on the information we have available, and tries to see if one player has made more of an effort to play the match. Many times it is a very difficult decision, but it's also quite obvious when someone thinks like you do- that sending 10 messages in a few hours will somehow get them more of a chance for a walkover.

Things to think about in PM's - contact your opponent as early as possible, suggest precise times and dates, and make sure you mention time zones as well. CET is default, but it's perfectly acceptable to ask if someone is available at 20.00 EST for example.

But no, XBL messages will never be taken into account. There's too many headaches involved, and too much room for abuse.The PM system has worked well (not perfectly) for many years and will continue to be the go to method of resolving match disputes.

Understood, and maybe it's just my good nature that I see it differently. To me when I add someone on XBL or they add me on XBL, I see that as a 'PM' in that it lets me or them know that I'm trying to get the match in. Then when we're both online, I usually message them on XBL, and most of the time people are willing to stop what they are doing to get a match in.

It's just the few times when people are a bit less flexible, and the times I speak of specifically when people are online but choose to ignore your messages, that bug me. I understand it's hard for yall to track XBL activity, that's why I know it's probably not going to ever come into the equation. That's why I brought it up as an alternative.

[djarvik]

It's not hard for us to see XBL messages - it is impossible. But even if we "make" players take screen shots and send them to our personal email (mind you, I host a large number of tournaments at one time, so you can imagine how many photos I will have to look through) there is still a problem with actually scheduling the match.

If we were to play, and you would PM me on XBL - I would likely ignore you. Why? ...because of the way I play. I log on for 10-15 minutes and then gone for a few hours. Unless I specifically schedule the match, I simply will not play sporadically like that.

We all have our lives and our schedules. The absolute best thing to do is to schedule the match for exact time and day. There is simply no better system.

You cannot be walking around the grounds of US Open, happen to carry your racket with you, happen to run in to your next round opponent sipping Mojito and tell him lets go play! ....oh, you don't respond? ...damn you Walk Over hunter!

Of course this is dramatization, but in all seriousness, ITST pms work for a reason. I wish there was a better way and there probably is, but XBL pms is not "it".

[RainingAmoeba79]

Exactly. Maybe I am playing someone else or I am playing a game with a friend. just because I am online does not mean I am available to play you. maybe I am just watching a game, or I am playing with my friend or with my brother. I am not online ONLY for ITST, you know what I mean?

[dsavbeast012]

Great, but a simple reply as to 'No not now, give me x mins' would be fine in that circumstance. But ignoring is just disrespectful IMO. At least a reply w/ yes or no would suffice.

[djarvik]

OK, I will play!

What if this is my wife? Should she respond to you?
What if I am already in the middle of the match?
What if I simply want my privacy to play a different game in peace?
What if I forgot to switch my xbox off?
What if I switch to TV?
What if I say no, I cannot...should you get the WO then? ...even thou I can play when you are not online?


I mean there are so many "what if" that it is simply easier, safer, to simply send a PM via ITST with your available time and have the opponent respond on his terms, when he is ready to respond.

I see your point, and it works well for younger guys I guess. I see players on ITST that are here for years, yet they never schedule the match. Why? ...too much time. They are online a lot of times and usually catch their opponent.