Rotosumo

[Yangnomazuma]

Ok, I get the idea with the points and it seems you're ranked within your division during the basho, but when all is said and done, how are promotion/demotions worked? As a newbie, I'm down in Jonokuchi...I'm middle of the pack pointwise. Would this translate to an 8-7 or 7-8 and promotion/demotion accordingly?

An aside; this game is strange in that the top of Jonokuchi far outperforms the bottom of the upper divisions. I'd imagine that it would still take many basho to move up, even considering outstanding performance. Perks of being in the game since Methusalah was young. That said, it would also seem that all one needs to do to be a permanent Maegashira is to consistently score right around average despite the fact that many folks below are scoring much higher.

[Asashosakari]

That said, it would also seem that all one needs to do to be a permanent Maegashira is to consistently score right around average despite the fact that many folks below are scoring much higher.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, and there's the rub. :-P It's actually not quite so easy to score even average results on a permanent basis. Because the scores are very close together at the middle of the pack, all it takes is one really bad pick in Makuuchi (e.g. like Toki and his 2-13 last basho, or worse, somebody who goes kyujo early) since you can easily lose 100 points or more compared to the rest of the players just by that.

[Zentoryu]

Ok, I get the idea with the points and it seems you're ranked within your division during the basho, but when all is said and done, how are promotion/demotions worked?  As a newbie, I'm down in Jonokuchi...I'm middle of the pack pointwise.  Would this translate to an 8-7 or 7-8 and promotion/demotion accordingly? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Your final score is compared to the average score of all the rikishi in your division. You are then awarded an equivelent win/loss record based on how far your final score is above or below the KK/MK dividing line.

For instance, the current average score in Jonokuchi is 252 points. Your score is 262 points. If the basho finished right now you would be 10 points above the kk/mk line and would be given a 4-3 record. If you were 10 points below the line you would receive a 3-4 equivelent record.

The greater the difference between your score and the average score, the better (or worse) your record will be.

An aside; this game is strange in that the top of Jonokuchi far outperforms the bottom of the upper divisions. I'd imagine that it would still take many basho to move up, even considering outstanding performance. Perks of being in the game since Methusalah was young. That said, it would also seem that all one needs to do to be a permanent Maegashira is to consistently score right around average despite the fact that many folks below are scoring much higher.

The top of Jonokuchi may be performing really well right now, but as a whole the division is the lowest scoring in RotoSumo right now. The average score in Jonokuchi is 252 while the average score in Makuuchi is 257.

This may not sound like much of a difference, but what this means is that right now there are 3 players in Jonokuchi who have scores that place them above the KK/MK line in that division. Those same scores would put them below the KK/MK line in Makuuchi. So it's harder to get a winning record in the top division than it is in the bottom division.

Historically speaking, Jonokuchi is always the lowest scoring division. Juryo and Makushita are usually pretty close together scoring wise, with Juryo often getting the edge. Makuuchi is almost always the highest scoring division.

As for taking many basho to move up, that can be true if you turn in a 4-3 performance every basho and mix in a few MK's. But the banzuke for the lower divisions is designed to work much like the real lower division banzuke. If you get a really good 6-1 or 7-0, or even a 5-2, you can expect a really good jump. So a couple of outstanding performances can get you up to the Sekitori ranks really fast.

And, as anyone who has played the game for a long time would tell you, it's not easy to maintain even an average score. Just ask the Roto Ozeki, whose scores vary wildly from basho to basho. (Dripping sweat...) (I am not worthy...)

[Doitsuyama]

And, as anyone who has played the game for a long time would tell you, it's not easy to maintain even an average score. Just ask the Roto Ozeki, whose scores vary wildly from basho to basho.  (Dripping sweat...)  (I am not worthy...)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As a perennial Sekiwake I can only tell that the average scores ARE easy to come by. :-) The outstanding scores to snatch the Ozeki promotion are difficult for me at this point.

[Zentoryu]

And, as anyone who has played the game for a long time would tell you, it's not easy to maintain even an average score. Just ask the Roto Ozeki, whose scores vary wildly from basho to basho.  :-)  (I am not worthy...)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As a perennial Sekiwake I can only tell that the average scores ARE easy to come by. (Applauding...) The outstanding scores to snatch the Ozeki promotion are difficult for me at this point.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'd hardly call your scores average. I wish I could score like you do every basho. (Dripping sweat...)

Above average would be a more apt description. You are one of the best players in this game (in all games in fact). I have no doubt you will be an Ozeki sooner rather than later.

Edited January 11, 2005 by Zentoryu

[Asashosakari]

I wonder if Rotosumo still tops these stats...I suspect that its high ranking from Hatsu 2004 was partially due to the fact that it was still pretty new and thus had mostly the hardcore gamers on top by default, but you never know. :-)

Oh, and Doitsuyama nagging that he's not a Roto-Ozeki yet when The Rest Of Us are struggling to even get out of Makushita is the kind of thing that makes me throw stuff against the wall in frustration. (I am not worthy...) (Dripping sweat...)

Edited January 11, 2005 by Asashosakari

[Yangnomazuma]

Oh, and Doitsuyama nagging that he's not a Roto-Ozeki yet when The Rest Of Us are struggling to even get out of Makushita is the kind of thing that makes me throw stuff against the wall in frustration. (You are going off-topic...)  :-P

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I can feel the love flowing around here, can you Doitsu-san?

I'm certainly not complaining, just trying to figure out how it all works. Thanks all for the explanations. Now, if I can only remember where I left my cyber-mawashi...