Friday, July 17, 2009

PCS Rankings and Prizes: The Domination of UBragg

Well, it's a foregone conclusion that UBragg has won the middle third of the puzzle season. Congratulations! Mr Customer comes in 2nd, essentially flip-flopping the previous prize-time rankings.

So UBragg, this is what you've won: your choice of either the chance to create a puzzle for your fellow puzzlers sometime in the last third of the season, or the lovely media guide pictured below, courtesy of SoSG Orel:

Mr Customer, you get what remains. Here are the full rankings:

(800 possible points)

Current
Rank
Previous
Rank
Player (Wins)
PCS Tour
Points
1
1
ubragg
720
2
2
mr customer
533
3
3
fanerman
461
4
6
bwrightson
428
5
5
quadsevens
374
6
8
j steve
350
7
4
jose
331
8
9
josh s
298
9
7
berkowit28
276
10
13
drewdez
175

Others receiving votes: erin 135, mlasf 134, loney fan 130, keven c 130, neeebs 90, fred's brim 90, karina 80, gil gamesh 75, wicks 70, msti 60, ll cool l 50, midnightdrive 50, awesome 35, rbnlaw 35, dangarion 30, dusto magnifico 25, brandon 15.

...and did somebody say...graph?

(click image to enlarge)

What's that? Nobody said 'graph'? Too late. Here are my observations:

  • UBragg and Mr Customer were neck-and-neck through Puzzle #7. Starting with #8, UBragg created modest but consistent separation between himself and Mr C, who himself had modest but consistent separation from the rest of the field. But with this last puzzle, UBragg shut the door on everybody.
  • Fanerman is Mr Consistency. Consistently very good, but can he be great?
  • BWrightson is rocketing up the rankings at an unprecedented pace. But interpret his steep upward curve with a grain of salt, for as a relatively new puzzler, he has yet to encounter the rolling 7-puzzle-methodology succubus enchantress that has brought veteran puzzlers to their knees. Oh, she's coming for you, BWrightson. Oh yes. She's coming for you.
  • Quad is Mr First Half. Last year he dominated the first half, then faltered (relatively speaking) in the 2nd half. This year he led through the first 5 puzzles, but when he was barely edged out for a prize spot at Puzzle #6, he nosedived before staging a moderate recovery the last 2 puzzles. What will the last third of the season bring?

So them's my thoughts. UBragg, please let us know which prize you want, either in the comments or via email. And tune in for SoSG Orel's debut puzzle offering on our next off-day, Thursday, July 23, 7am!

12 comments:

Nostradamus said...

Looking forward to finding out what Orel brings to the table. (Ubragg too?)

Josh S. said...

Choose the puzzle, Ubragg!

QuadSevens said...

I feel like I'm getting back into my puzzle solving stride. I'm going to finish strong this year and make a run for the top spots.

Nostradamus said...

Quad,

We're in the home stretch. Every puzzle from here on out will factor into the final standings.

Ubragg's had me on the ropes for most of the middle third, but we'll see if we can't put together a late inning rally.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

Yeah, 25 points for saying "I have no idea what the answer could be".

Nostradamus said...

I'm starting the rumor that they keep Ubragg in cryogenic stasis between off day puzzles to preserve him for future generations.

MR.F said...

Ahh. I think I'd be fired if I strived for greatness.

BWrightson said...

My first time on some sort of SoSG graph! I'm getting butterflies.

Josh S. said...

"Ahh. I think I'd be fired if I strived for greatness."

Yep. I have a new goal of getting a job with the Dodgers so puzzle days would be off-days for me, too.

ubragg said...

By popular demand, I'll make a puzzle!

Nostradamus said...

Ubragg,

Awesome, I'm giddy with anticipation. The consolation prize isn't too shabby either.

Eric Karros said...

Cool deal UBragg, I'm also looking forward to what you'll come up with. We'll be in touch with you shortly via email...