I had to rerate myself in state many years ago now, from 168 to 205. The problem without that rule is that there's always someone that ups their average significantly, like me and Cgeorge and they have a huge advantage, but only for that year. Problem is that each year there are people like that. Having been in that situation I can see both sides of the issue. I worked hard to improve my average and therefore felt that I deserved that handicap. Now, without that rule, its just a matter of which person each year is in that situation, they will win. If you got to state every year, this can get old real fast.

And we are not talking about those that artificially keep their average down. So it then becomes a battle on two fronts. Those that have improved and those that cheat.

All I can tell you Cgeorg is that I cashed in A LOT of tournaments that year. I was rerated several times and still cashed. I was rerated twice in one monthly tournament. So that's why I tell you to hit as many tournaments now as you can if you are in that situation.

Erin