US Nationals 2009

[Mike Hughey]

Can you guys maybe suggest some standards? You are more versed in big cube BLD than I am.

In order to do this, I'd want to be sure I understand your goals. Shelley mentions the possibility of not even having a qualifying round; that's certainly a possibility, although I like your idea of having the consistency of a qualifying round for everything - it's really kind of nice.

If one of the priorities is to make sure the round doesn't take too long, it does seem like a good way to go might be to set an overall time limit and let people do as many solves as they want (up to 3) until they use up their hour or whatever. So the fast solvers might get to do all 3, but the slower ones might just get 2 or even 1. Perhaps you could say that if your best solve so far is longer than the amount of time you have left in your hour, you're not allowed to do another one. Just an idea.

If you're going to maintain qualifiers, I think it would be nice if the B standard were a good bit more relaxed - perhaps 20 to 25 minutes for 4x4x4 and maybe as much as 45 minutes for 5x5x5. But then someone who takes 45 minutes on a 5x5x5 will probably only get a single attempt in the finals.

These are just ideas; I'm not sure I know the goals well enough to be sure they're good ones.

And I must admit that I'm quite nervous about the prospects of getting eliminated in the multi qualifiers. I wouldn't want to try a small number of cubes in the qualification round just to get through, though, since my best chance at qualifying is probably to go for the 4 points or more in an hour, and my best bet for that is probably to do lots of cubes. So I'd probably want to try at least 10 or 12 in the qualification round, I'm guessing.

 

[Tyson]

Can you guys maybe suggest some standards? You are more versed in big cube BLD than I am.

In order to do this, I'd want to be sure I understand your goals. Shelley mentions the possibility of not even having a qualifying round; that's certainly a possibility, although I like your idea of having the consistency of a qualifying round for everything - it's really kind of nice.

If one of the priorities is to make sure the round doesn't take too long, it does seem like a good way to go might be to set an overall time limit and let people do as many solves as they want (up to 3) until they use up their hour or whatever. So the fast solvers might get to do all 3, but the slower ones might just get 2 or even 1. Perhaps you could say that if your best solve so far is longer than the amount of time you have left in your hour, you're not allowed to do another one. Just an idea.

If you're going to maintain qualifiers, I think it would be nice if the B standard were a good bit more relaxed - perhaps 20 to 25 minutes for 4x4x4 and maybe as much as 45 minutes for 5x5x5. But then someone who takes 45 minutes on a 5x5x5 will probably only get a single attempt in the finals.

These are just ideas; I'm not sure I know the goals well enough to be sure they're good ones.

And I must admit that I'm quite nervous about the prospects of getting eliminated in the multi qualifiers. I wouldn't want to try a small number of cubes in the qualification round just to get through, though, since my best chance at qualifying is probably to go for the 4 points or more in an hour, and my best bet for that is probably to do lots of cubes. So I'd probably want to try at least 10 or 12 in the qualification round, I'm guessing.

*sigh* I don't want legitimate people to have to worry about getting through qualifiers. And unfortunately, BLD makes things hard sometimes because of the DNF. Will think... tomorrow. Will sleep... now.

 

[Ton]

Registration is now open: http://caltech.cubingusa.com/usnationals2009/registration/

Please read all instructions before registering.

In particular, just to be VERY EXPLICIT, if you have competed before, and you do not put in your WCA ID, we will treat your registration as someone with an identical name as you who has not competed before. If you do this, you will need to re-register and we will not be waiving the registration fee and you will have to pay at least double.

I cannot stress this enough. Leaving your WCA ID out will NOT BE TOLERATED IN ANY MANNER WHATSOEVER. If you register without a WCA ID and show up the day of, we will ask that you register again, and you will be charged $20 for the first event and $5 for each additional event.

It is absolutely imperative that you follow these directions. Ignoring these instructions will indicate a complete lack of respect to me, the organizer, and to Shelley, the creator of the universe (webpage), and to our entire staff. We have been working tirelessly for the cubing community since 2004 and this is our one and only request.

If you disobey these instructions, under NO CIRCUMSTANCES will you ever be forgiven.

I was hoping for more severe measures, why not give some one the death penalty for not using his WCA ID, that will teach them! It is allowed in the US.. you know. Not possible in Europe...

 

[qqwref]

I agree with shelley - I don't think we should have a qualification round for any of the longer BLD events (that is, 4, 5, and multi). DNFs are common enough that there is a good chance of a faster competitor not making it into the final round, especially if they don't try as hard (since it's only quals, after all, and doesn't count). Besides, these events tend to take a lot of time and concentration, and thus I think it may be a little cruel to ask people to do a solve which doesn't count so that they can have the opportunity to do one which does. It also means that to even place you have to do a valid solve in both rounds, something which is (from what I've seen) not guaranteed even for some of the best BLD solvers.

I letting people do as many solves as they can (up to a limit of maybe 3 or 5 (I'm sure Chris can manage five or more 4BLD attempts within an hour)) as long as they stay within a certain total time limit, is definitely a better solution. One interesting effect is that it kind of puts the qualifications and the final round together - if you are slow you do not get so many attempts that you waste time for the competition, but on the other hand if you are fast you will almost surely have enough attempts to be able to get the kind of time you deserve (and that is what will be ranked).

 

[DavidWoner]

I agree with Shelley that 3BLD times are not a good measure of 4BLD/5BLD skill, but certainly Old MultiBLD can be an indicator of New MultiBLD skill? If we use the qualifications you listed of 2 points in 10 minutes etc then Rowe, Alex Yu, Tim Sun, Alex Cook, and Andy Tsao should all prequalify. I think Mike should also pre-qualify, since in his 15/15 he earned a point about every 9 minutes. Even at that pace, he could easily get 4 points in an hour.

 

[Bryan]

letting people do as many solves as they can (up to a limit of maybe 3 or 5 (I'm sure Chris can manage five or more 4BLD attempts within an hour))

Looking at the regulations, 9d and (only allowed formats for BLD events are "Best of X") and 9f6 ("competitors get x (<= 3) attempts") it would have to be 3.

 

[4ZN_5H4D0W]

Another question, sorry. So when I register, after filling out the information on the first step, it goes to a second step, which is a payment page. Am I done from there? Because my name isn't on the pre-registered people list yet. What should I do after finishing the first step?

 

[DavidWoner]

Another question, sorry. So when I register, after filling out the information on the first step, it goes to a second step, which is a payment page. Am I done from there? Because my name isn't on the pre-registered people list yet. What should I do after finishing the first step?

You have to pay to complete registration.

 

[shelley]

You don't show up on the registered list until after you've paid. If you plan to pay in cash, email me and let me know. I'll mark your status as paid after I receive your payment.

 

[pjk]

I am looking to share a room with 1-3 others in the dorms:

2-4 bedroom units are $68.80/night per person.

If anyone is interested, let me know. I plan to arrive Thursday and leave on Monday. I may show up on Wednesday depending on when others show up.

 

[Anthony]

"There is the option for adults (18 years-old and over) to register for on-campus housing. Individual adults can register for $82.50/night. 2-4 bedroom units are $68.80/night per person.

Only people over the age of 18 can register for a room."

Does that mean that only adults can register for a room, or that only adults can stay in the room. I'm 15, but I'd very much like to stay in the dorms if possible. I would understand not letting kids under 18 stay in a room alone, but I feel like it would be okay as long as an adult is with them.. Could anyone clarify for me?
Thanks.

 

[byu]

I want to go, but I can't make it the day of the Preliminary Rounds. Is there anything I can compete in if I can't make it to the Preliminary Rounds?

 

[shelley]

I want to go, but I can't make it the day of the Preliminary Rounds. Is there anything I can compete in if I can't make it to the Preliminary Rounds?

http://caltech.cubingusa.com/usnationals2009/schedule.php

 

[byu]

Well, since the Speed and BLD qualifications are on Friday, I can't compete in either, and that was what I was looking forward to competing in. So I guess I'm not going.

 

[Neroflux]

Well, since the Speed and BLD qualifications are on Friday, I can't compete in either, and that was what I was looking forward to competing in. So I guess I'm not going.

what a coincidence lol.

 

[Tyson]

"There is the option for adults (18 years-old and over) to register for on-campus housing. Individual adults can register for $82.50/night. 2-4 bedroom units are $68.80/night per person.

Only people over the age of 18 can register for a room."

Does that mean that only adults can register for a room, or that only adults can stay in the room. I'm 15, but I'd very much like to stay in the dorms if possible. I would understand not letting kids under 18 stay in a room alone, but I feel like it would be okay as long as an adult is with them.. Could anyone clarify for me?
Thanks.

Hey Anthony, officially, I would say simply follow the rules. An adult must register for the room. Stanford will uphold that rule, that you must be 18 to register for a room. That is not something I have any control over.

Of course, if rules aren't followed, and I don't know anything about it, I can't do anything. That is the unofficial policy. As, if I don't know about it, it's not my responsibility.

 

[Tyson]

Well, since the Speed and BLD qualifications are on Friday, I can't compete in either, and that was what I was looking forward to competing in. So I guess I'm not going.

Hmm, let me see if I can change the entire schedule so that you can make it.

 

[boiiwonder]

Well..... I guess ill be making the drive up there.... Its not too far from my aunties house.

Should I teach someone how to solve the cube and bring them with me? or just go up there as a loaner and meet people?

hopefully its worth the gas

 

[shelley]

Well, since the Speed and BLD qualifications are on Friday, I can't compete in either, and that was what I was looking forward to competing in. So I guess I'm not going.

Hmm, let me see if I can change the entire schedule so that you can make it.

I don't think that's what he was suggesting. I'm sure he's not that dumb. He was just commenting that he wouldn't be able to make it.

 

[Bryan]

I want to go, but I can't make it the day of the Preliminary Rounds. Is there anything I can compete in if I can't make it to the Preliminary Rounds?

Sure. All of the events. Just pre-qualify at an upcoming competition.

I can't believe Stefan hadn't pointed this out yet.