As noted in other posts, the admin strongly believes that Season 6 should be a season of consolidation with as few changes as possible.
Season 7 will likely see a new admin team. By then, we should have had more experience with the new expansion kits and who knows - it may be SOPRO 3.
The only areas where changes are proposed are:
- stable limits/restrictions due to growing participation
- major handicaps
- D&D
Stable Limits
At the start of the season, stable limit will be 25 with at least one increase of 5 during the season. If the number of trainers doesn't increase massively, we will simply allow another increase of 6 during the season so that stable limits will remain the same.
I will also introduce functionality that will allow the number of entries per week to be limited as another possible control altho this won't be used unless we are overwhelmed with new trainers.
Major Handicaps
The handicaps have been an issue since season 1 and the fact that trainers can easily rort the ratings.
There is no simple solution and any judgement is subjective and no objective ie it's very difficult to police.
To make things 100% transparent:
1. default rating of 51 remains
2. major handicap minimum is set to 60
3. no other restrictions will apply
This provides a better balance between the risk and reward of deflating a horse's handicap rating. As much as possible, we will simply legitimise the tactic which will allow all trainers to do what they think best for each horse with the risk of missing the minimum.
D&D
The D&D will remain at the start of the season. We've learnt from the mid-season D&D and I've changed my mind on the need to limit D&D horses in restricted races.
Next season:
1. Trainers will be limited to the number of D&D horses the y can have
2. Only trainers with less than 5 wins in Season 6 will be eligible for the draft
3. D&D horses won't be eligible for banded races.
4. Only trainers who are eligible for banded races will be allowed to enter D&D horses in restricted races.
The last point is the only major change from current rules.
The proposed rules will simply concentrate the D&D on the trainers who will get the most benefit.
I have yet sorted out the time frame for Season 6 but will discuss with the admin team.
Comments below please.
Season 7 will likely see a new admin team. By then, we should have had more experience with the new expansion kits and who knows - it may be SOPRO 3.
The only areas where changes are proposed are:
- stable limits/restrictions due to growing participation
- major handicaps
- D&D
Stable Limits
At the start of the season, stable limit will be 25 with at least one increase of 5 during the season. If the number of trainers doesn't increase massively, we will simply allow another increase of 6 during the season so that stable limits will remain the same.
I will also introduce functionality that will allow the number of entries per week to be limited as another possible control altho this won't be used unless we are overwhelmed with new trainers.
Major Handicaps
The handicaps have been an issue since season 1 and the fact that trainers can easily rort the ratings.
There is no simple solution and any judgement is subjective and no objective ie it's very difficult to police.
To make things 100% transparent:
1. default rating of 51 remains
2. major handicap minimum is set to 60
3. no other restrictions will apply
This provides a better balance between the risk and reward of deflating a horse's handicap rating. As much as possible, we will simply legitimise the tactic which will allow all trainers to do what they think best for each horse with the risk of missing the minimum.
D&D
The D&D will remain at the start of the season. We've learnt from the mid-season D&D and I've changed my mind on the need to limit D&D horses in restricted races.
Next season:
1. Trainers will be limited to the number of D&D horses the y can have
2. Only trainers with less than 5 wins in Season 6 will be eligible for the draft
3. D&D horses won't be eligible for banded races.
4. Only trainers who are eligible for banded races will be allowed to enter D&D horses in restricted races.
The last point is the only major change from current rules.
The proposed rules will simply concentrate the D&D on the trainers who will get the most benefit.
I have yet sorted out the time frame for Season 6 but will discuss with the admin team.
Comments below please.
