Explaining level changesThomas Baxendine v Charlie Pomphrey (Sun 08 Jan 2012)Match won by Thomas Baxendine. Result: 11-2,11-4,11-1. Starting level for Thomas Baxendine: 1,075, level confidence: 54%. Starting level for Charlie Pomphrey: 208, level confidence: 40%. Thomas Baxendine to win as he is currently playing 417% better than Charlie Pomphrey. Thomas Baxendine won all of the games and 83% of the points. This games result would be expected if he was better by around 55% or more. This points result would be expected if he was better by around 371% (PAR scoring). These are weighted and combined to calculate that Thomas Baxendine played 371% better than Charlie Pomphrey in this match. Due to the difference between the players' levels, allow for the likelihood that Thomas Baxendine was taking it easy by anything up to 43%. This gives him an allowed level range for this match between 347 and 1,075 without affecting his level. In this case, Thomas Baxendine played at level 981 and remained within his allowed range so his level will not be adjusted. Consequently, Charlie Pomphrey is considered to have not played better than expected and his level will also not be adjusted. Increase level confidence due to one more match played. Thomas Baxendine: 73%, Charlie Pomphrey: 63%. Reduce level confidence based on how unexpected the result is. Thomas Baxendine: 70%, Charlie Pomphrey: 60%. Final level for Thomas Baxendine: 1,075, level confidence: 70%. Final level for Charlie Pomphrey: 208, level confidence: 60%. Notes- This calculation is done in two main parts; first work out the adjustment needed to match the results
and then apply damping. This means that levels should always be 'about right' but the time taken
to get there or the volatility is dependent on the damping.
- A level also has 'level confidence' which drops if players haven't played for a long time or have had
enexpected results. As low confidence levels adjust more quickly than high confidence levels, it allows
these players to find their level more quickly without impacting their opponent's level too much.
- Point scores are used as well as game scores for accuracy - particularly important for 3-0 results -
though we can work with game scores only too, albeit with more damping.
- Mismatched players are allowed for - you don't have to hammer your opponent. See explanation above
if this applies to this match.
- The section on damping is where we still have some options. We have recently made a change to damp
league matches more than tournament matches and box matches even more than that. This gives added
weight to the more important matches.
- There are occasional, very small adjustments made to all players to keep the averages constant which
are not covered here.
- You don't get a bonus just for winning - if you want to go up you have to play better
than expected against your opponent.
- We have spent more than 5 years fine tuning the level calculations based on tens of thousands of match results
and a great deal of feedback from players, team captains and coaches. It's the most usable and accurate
ranking system there is in any sport, let alone squash.
- For a more complete explanation of how levels are calculated (on which this system is based) see the help file
here.
- If you have thoughts/opinions on the above or any feedback on the way levels are calculated or updated,
please contact us.
We welcome all feedback, although we are keen squash players ourselves and would pefer to be on-court than
in front of a screen so please be patient and please do try to see if your question has already been
answered on the help page. We are unable to
answer questions about hard anyone played in their match - we only get to see the results - and if your
level didn't increase as expected please make sure you've looked at the above explanation before
contacting us. If you want to go up the levels, train harder, listen to your coach and win more points.
Or just be incredibly talented!
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