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Subject: Re: Computer accounts DO cause ratings inflation

Author: Tim Mirabile

Date: 10:26:36 03/17/99

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I should add that in a small pool there could be some problems, especially is
the extra points are significant enough to give new players high provisional
ratings, or worse, if the new players are allowed to play against the program
directly.  But this is always a problem in a small rating pool where new players
are allowed to get high initial ratings by playing the strongest players first.

On March 17, 1999 at 13:17:59, Tim Mirabile wrote:

>On March 17, 1999 at 09:25:35, James T. Walker wrote:
>
>>On March 17, 1999 at 08:56:49, Albert Silver wrote:
>>
>>
>><snip>
>>The problem is that 500 points were spread out in the pool and
>>>they don't properly represent an increase in strength on the opponents' part.
>>>When I get back, I don't go to 2800, but a bit higher as I am now playing the
>>>same opponents, but with slightly higher ratings.
>>>
>><snip>
>>                                  Albert Silver
>>Hello Albert,
>>This all sounds reasonable to me.  One cure might be to allow only one
>>"Registered Program" per computer account.
>>Jim Walker
>
>Actually, it's wrong.  In a closed pool, everything should eventually balance
>out again as the program rises back to where it used to be, since the rating
>formula is symmetrical.  In reality, there should still be some deflation as
>slightly overrated players drop out and never give back their points.  But the
>natural deflationary effect of new players coming in low and then improving
>would be slightly mitigated as they will achieve slightly higher provisional
>ratings than normal.



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