Our rating system operates off of a variation of the Elo system wherein:

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The "Score" variable is either 1 for a win or 0 for a loss.

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All players begin at a base of 1000. However, for the first tournament, competitors are deemed "provisional." Any round against a provisional player will result in a 32 point multiplier, rather than the typical 64. This is to minimize the risk of a strong or weak new competitor offsetting the ratings of others. Provisional debaters will change Elo regularly unless they are against another provisional debater, in which the 32 point multiplier will apply.