Ive been doing pretty good in Swiss theros drafting (3 packs + 2 tix) often going 3-0 and was wondering if I should do the 6 booster Sealed for 20 tix for a better payout / cost average or stick with what im doing?
Or should I jump to 4-3-2-2 instead?
swiss draft is pretty slow and boring
Plus when I do go 3-0 = I pretty much break even adding up the average value of the cards opened unless I get lucky
Speaking strictly from an estimated value point of view, 4-3-2-2 is worse than both swiss and 8-4 queues (it pays one less pack overall). However, it still offers a quite reasonable middle ground between the boredom of swiss and the high risk, high reward model of 8-4. By going 4-3-2-2, you'll be losing on average 1/8 of a pack each draft in comparison to other queues, which is hardly the end of the world unless you're playing for hardcore efficiency and draft several times per day.
Winning the first round on a 4-3-2-2 queue, for example, is much more meaningful than doing that in the other queues, since you'll already be more than halfway through to funding your next draft. To even gain anything from a 8-4 queue you'll have to win two straight matches against players that are in general better than the ones elsewhere, while swiss prizes can never match what you spent to enter in the first place (3 packs is the maximum prize, while it requires 3 packs and 2 tickets to enter, meaning you'll 100% lose money every time unless you open expensive rares).
Also @ RickCorgan: Yes, 4-3-2-2 has merrit, but it's really only when you start 1-0 into 1-1. However, that start can also lead you to 2 packs in swiss, so the merrit is marginal at best, while you lose the chance at 8 packs.
The problem is, in swiss, you still have to play and win another round to maybe get there. And there's the problem I mentioned - you can never get more in prizes than what you paid to enter, which is the one reason why I never play swiss.
But yes, each format definitely has its own merits to different kinds of players. If you're still not very experienced in drafting as a whole, or if getting the most playtime bang for your buck is important to you, swiss is definitely a fine option to have.
Depends on the experience you are looking for. I love the challenge of sealed. Drafting is super fun too, but having a little more control over your pool makes it a different animal altogether. The raw randomness of sealed is a really good exercise in deck design and is a little more fun in my opinion.
I have started play Swiss drafts because I am a new player and very inexperienced. I figure swiss gives me the most play time and a chance to get some packs to pay for further drafts. Last night, I played in my first Swiss draft and won 2 packs. I think thats pretty decent for a new player. I have only been playing around a month. I am having a blast.
I play Swiss because I don't have the illusion I am part of the <1% of players that make a profit out of drafting and because I want to actually play the game.
This. My problem with direct elimination is not so much the very real risk of walking away with nothing, but that you could just play once with your deck. You didn't even get entertainment out of your money. And if that loss occurred because manascrew/flood, you are in for a world of rage.
I'm calling it right now- worst rare in the set. Even good limited players will find better bombs at common and uncommon no sweat. Worst. Episode. Ever.
I really do predict this to be our worst rare in set award winner. I'd be happier opening a jar of eyeballs, so I think anything worse is highly unlikely. This card wont just have zero constructed potential, but not be significantly better than a mass of ghouls in a draft.
Just to reiterate everyone else's sentiment, don't do 4-3-2-2 events. They are just not worth it.
If you're interested in the math behind this (besides the obvious that there is less packs given out in a 4-3-2-2), check out this article I wrote for PureMTGO
Or should I jump to 4-3-2-2 instead?
swiss draft is pretty slow and boring
Plus when I do go 3-0 = I pretty much break even adding up the average value of the cards opened unless I get lucky
so that's why im asking
Winning the first round on a 4-3-2-2 queue, for example, is much more meaningful than doing that in the other queues, since you'll already be more than halfway through to funding your next draft. To even gain anything from a 8-4 queue you'll have to win two straight matches against players that are in general better than the ones elsewhere, while swiss prizes can never match what you spent to enter in the first place (3 packs is the maximum prize, while it requires 3 packs and 2 tickets to enter, meaning you'll 100% lose money every time unless you open expensive rares).
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ricklongo and RicardoLongo on MTGO
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Visit my gaming blog: http://www.gamingsweetgaming.blogspot.com
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Check out Rick's Picks, my PureMTGO article series
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But yes, each format definitely has its own merits to different kinds of players. If you're still not very experienced in drafting as a whole, or if getting the most playtime bang for your buck is important to you, swiss is definitely a fine option to have.
*****
ricklongo and RicardoLongo on MTGO
*****
Visit my gaming blog: http://www.gamingsweetgaming.blogspot.com
****************
Check out Rick's Picks, my PureMTGO article series
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[Clan Flamingo]
This. My problem with direct elimination is not so much the very real risk of walking away with nothing, but that you could just play once with your deck. You didn't even get entertainment out of your money. And if that loss occurred because manascrew/flood, you are in for a world of rage.
If you're interested in the math behind this (besides the obvious that there is less packs given out in a 4-3-2-2), check out this article I wrote for PureMTGO
http://puremtgo.com/articles/value-new-4-booster-sealed-events-0
A comic about the world's most addictive game, Magic: The Gathering.