How a set format could work
I propose two seperate formats. The first is outlined for one of the textbook ranking events (Welsh Open, Shanghai Masters, China Open, one of the new rankers, or more than one of the above).
The second is one that could potentially work for the UK Championship. To be fair, the UK's main problem is where it is held, and if they got that sorted out it would probably work with the format it has. But I think a set format would work quite well as it's a tournament than is need of a bit of revamping. That said, I accept that few people would want to mess with one of the majors. Therfore, I won't be pushing that one as much, but feel free to give your thoughts.
The main reasons I put such formats forward is that it gives variety. In darts you have legs formats and sets formats, and both work very well.
A sets format is not interfering with the actual play of the game, it does not significantly alter the length of matches and is can satisfy both modern thinking fans and more traditional ones.
Each set would be best-of-3 frames.
I feel Format One is a definite runner. It means matches with a minimum of four frames, and a possibility for nine. The final would have a minimum of eight frames, and a possibility for 21 (though it is very unlikely that all seven sets would go the distance, it means we have the potential for a longer format). It offers two seperate quarter-final options, one giving us a super Friday and the other sticking with a traditional two table format.
The UK format drops the present four table set up. It would mean three extra days, and a midweek start for a Sunday, though I don't think that would be a problem as many events now kick off midweek. Matches for the opening three rounds would be best-of-5 sets, a minimum of six frames and a maximum of 15. I can accept that a potential race to six frames UK match would not go down well with traditionalist fans, nor would a maximum of just 15 rather than 17, but I feel the UK wouldn't be served too badly with shorter earlier rounds and longer later ones. The semi-finals would be best-of-7 sets, a minimum of eight and a maximum of 21.
I have two options for a final. Both are held over two days. The first is best of 9 sets, with no afternoon session on day one. I feel this would be beneficial to the finalist who played a potential twelve frame session in their semi-final the night before the game. There would be three sessions of 3 sets. The second option would be best-of-11 sets, with a two set afternoon session on day one. It would have a later 15.30 start as you have the potential for a very short four frame session, and a maximum six frame one. I accept that this would not be ideal in many people's opinions.
Format One
Day One: 1st round matches, best of 3 sets, three tables
14.00: Matches 1, 2 & 3
19.00: Matches 4, 5 & 6
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Day Two
14.00: Matches 7, 8 & 9
19.00: Matches 10, 11 & 12
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Day Three: evening session sees second round commence, two tables
10.00 Matches 13 & 14
14.30 Matches 15 & 16
19.00 Matches 17 & 18
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Day Four: 2nd round matches, best of 3 sets
10.00 Matches 19 & 20
14.30: Matches 21 & 22
19.00: Matches 23 & 24
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Day Five: Quarter-final matches, best of 3 sets, one table
10.00: Match 25
13.00: Match 26
16.00: Match 27
19.00: Match 28
Or
Two tables
14.00: Matches 25 & 26
19.00: Matches 27 & 28
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Day Six: Semi-finals, best of 3 sets, one table
14.00: Match 29
19.00: Match 30
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Day Seven: Final, Best of 7 sets
15.00: 3 sets
19.00: 4 sets
Format Two (UK Format)
Day One: 1st round matches, best of 5 sets, two tables
11.00: Matches 1 & 2 (2 sets)
13.30: Matches 3 & 4 (2 sets)
16.00: Matches 1 & 2 (to a finish)
19.00: Matches 3 & 4(to a finish)
---
Day Two
11.00: Matches 5 & 6 (2 sets)
13.30: Matches 7 & 8 (2 sets)
16.00: Matches 5 & 6 (to a finish)
19.00: Matches 7 & 8(to a finish)
---
Day Three
11.00: Matches 9 & 10 (2 sets)
13.30: Matches 11 & 12 (2 sets)
16.00: Matches 9 & 10 (to a finish)
19.00: Matches 11 & 12 (to a finish)
---
Day Four
11.00: Matches 13 & 14 (2 sets)
13.30: Matches 15 & 16 (2 sets)
16.00: Matches 13 & 14 (to a finish)
19.00: Matches 15 & 16 (to a finish)
---
Day Five: 2nd round matches, best of 5 sets)
11.00: Matches 17 & 18 (2 sets)
13.30: Matches 19 & 20 (2 sets)
16.00: Matches 17 & 18 (to a finish)
19.00: Matches 19 & 20(to a finish)
---
Day Six
11.00: Matches 21 & 22 (2 sets)
13.30: Matches 23 & 24 (2 sets)
16.00: Matches 21 & 22 (to a finish)
19.00: Matches 23 & 24 (to a finish)
---
Day Seven: Quarter-finals, best of 5 sets, one table
11.00: Match 25 (2 sets)
13.30: Match 26 (2 sets)
16.00: Match 25 (to a finish)
19.00: Match 26 (to a finish)
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Day Eight
11.00: Match 27 (2 sets)
13.30: Matches 28 (2 sets)
16.00: Match 27 (to a finish)
19.00: Match 28 (to a finish)
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Day Nine: Semi-finals, best of 7 sets
14.00: Match 29 (3 sets)
19.00: Match 30 (3 sets)
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Day Ten
14.00: Match 29 (4 sets)
19.00: Match 30 (4 sets)
---
Day Eleven: Final, best of 9 sets
19.00: 3 sets
Day Twelve
14.00: 3 sets
19.00: 3 sets
Or
Day Eleven: Final, best of 11 sets
15.30: 2 sets
19.00: 3 sets
Day Twelve
14.00: 3 sets
19.00: 3 sets
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Tubberlad - Posts: 5009
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