The tournament format at The Big House 5 will feature multiple waves of bracket pools per phase, which progress day-by-day throughout the tourney and conclude with the final brackets on Sunday.
Of course, this means the end of the round-robin pools format seen at the previous four Big House installments. A quick word on that: I believe it’s logistically impossible to run round-robin pools at a tourney bigger than TBH4. Last year’s installment was the biggest Smash tourney ever to run round-robin pools, and the next closest tourney to do so is hundreds of entrants smaller. We reached the ceiling.
I’m confident the number of friendlies and quality of spectator value at the event will be more than enough to make up for this.
Please refer to the Google Doc below while reading.
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Melee Singles
Phase 1
In: 1320 players
Format: Double-Elim Bracket Pools
64 bracket pools of 20-21 players each. Top 4 players in each pool advance.
Out: 256 players (half in winners, half in losers)
Phase 2
In: 256 players (half in winners, half in losers)
Format: Double-Elim Bracket Pools
16 bracket pools of 16 players each. All players will be directly placed using a pre-determined bracket map, with no re-seeding from the previous phase. Top 4 players (half in winners, half in losers) in each pool advance.
Out: 64 players (half in winners, half in losers)
Phase 3
In: 64 players
Format: Double-Elim Final Bracket
1 final bracket of 64 players (half in winners, half in losers). All players will be directly placed using a pre-determined bracket map, with no re-seeding from the previous phase. Play out until the end of the tournament.
Out: 1 player (winner)
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Melee Doubles
Phase 1
In: 256 teams
Format: Double-Elim Bracket Pools
16 bracket pools of 16 teams each. Top 2 teams (half in winners, half in losers) in each pool advance.
Out: 32 teams (half in winners, half in losers)
Phase 2
In: 32 teams (half in winners, half in losers)
Format: Double-Elim Final Bracket
1 final bracket of 32 teams (half in winners, half in losers). All teams will be directly placed using a pre-determined bracket map, with no re-seeding from the previous phase. Play out until the end of the tournament.
Out: 1 team (winner)
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Wii U Singles
Phase 1
In: 516 players
Format: Double-Elim Bracket Pools
32 bracket pools of 16-17 players each. Top 4 players in each pool advance.
Out: 128 players (half in winners, half in losers)
Phase 2
In: 128 players (half in winners, half in losers)
Format: Double-Elim Bracket Pools
8 bracket pools of 16 players each. All players will be directly placed using a pre-determined bracket map, with no re-seeding from the previous phase. Top 4 players (half in winners, half in losers) in each pool advance.
Out: 32 players (half in winners, half in losers)
Phase 3
In: 32 players
Format: Double-Elim Final Bracket
1 final bracket of 32 players (half in winners, half in losers). All players will be directly placed using a pre-determined bracket map, with no re-seeding from the previous phase. Play out until the end of the tournament.
Out: 1 player (winner)
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Wii U Doubles
Phase 1
In: 128 teams
Format: Double-Elim Bracket Pools
16 bracket pools of 16 teams each. Top 4 teams (half in winners, half in losers) in each pool advance.
Out: 32 teams (half in winners, half in losers)
Phase 2
In: 32 teams (half in winners, half in losers)
Format: Double-Elim Final Bracket
1 final bracket of 32 teams (half in winners, half in losers). All teams will be directly placed using a pre-determined bracket map, with no re-seeding from the previous phase. Play out until the end of the tournament.
Out: 1 team (winner)
Q: How does the tournament run?
A: At the beginning of the tournament, players are divided into double-elim bracket pools of several players each. Each pool progresses until there are only a few players left; these players advance to the next phase of the tournament.
Q: How do I know when and where my pool is?
A: Pool assignments include a letter and number that tell you the time and location. For example, Pool C12 means you’re playing in Wave C (Friday 3pm-5pm) at Station 12 in the venue. The TO staff will not announce matches at the venue; you are responsible for knowing your pool assignment and showing up at the right time and location.
Q: Do losses carry over phase to phase?
A: Yes. Players who drop into losers bracket during a phase will start in losers bracket in all subsequent phases, if they advance. Each player is afforded two losses in each tournament event before they’re eliminated.
Q: What is the tournament ruleset?
A: See the Rules page at UM Smash.
Q: What are the payouts?
A: See the Rules page at UM Smash.
Q: Are wireless controllers legal?
A: No. Wireless controllers of all kinds are banned due to logistical issues of interference at large-scale events. Only wired GameCube controllers are legal.
Q: Can I do gentlemen’s clause with an opponent?
A: No. There is no gentleman’s clause at this tourney. Players may NOT play on any stage that is not on the legal stagelist, and players may NOT agree to change the number of matches to be played in a set.
Q: Where can I play friendlies?
A: There will be a friendlies-designated area of the venue where 16-32 Melee setups are available for friendlies throughout the entire weekend. Players who use tourney-designated setups for friendlies will be DQ’d promptly.
Q: How do I avoid getting DQ’d?
A: Check-in early (preferably Thursday night), always know your pool assignment(s), and show up to your pool 10 minutes early.
If you’re as excited about The Big House 5 as I am, join the social media discussion! This year’s installment is set to take place on October 2-4, 2015 in Dearborn, MI.#TBH5Facebook
The end of an era..