A. longer games equals less downtime switching out teams which equals more playing time per team. 8 hours or 480 minutes divided by 10 minute games plus 5 minute switch out equals 320 minutes of playing time and that’s not is counting for mechanicals or minor injuries or late starts. 8 hours or 480 minutes divided by 20 minute games plus 5 minute switch out equals 384 minutes of playing time and there’s less chance of mechanicals or minor injuries lessening playtime. over 2 or even 3 days it’s hours more playtime per team.
B. theoretically speeds up the game since players do t have to conserves as they have subs.
C. subbing allows more dynamic team building and strategic line changing.
D. if one player gets injured or can’t make it to a tournament it isn’t catastrophic for a team.
negatives:
A. less potential playing time if you’re in a team where you’re benched.
B. tougher to exhaust your opponent.
C. more teammates equals potentially less cohesive teamplay.
Well, if you are only three players, you are guaranteed to play those 320 minutes. If you are in a team of 5 you will have to switch. Assuming every player plays the same time with well balanced switches and if my math doesn’t fail me, you’ll only play 3/5 of the time, or 384 * 0.6 = 230 minutes! That’s a 30% reduction from the previous case.
Besides that, I think longer games are kinda boring if the teams are not very even. It happens often in longer games that scores get ridiculous. Also, if you stop games after 5-difference (as an organizer, I am super in favor of this, mega time saver), teams play way shorter, and people from the bench may not even play.
We’ve been experimenting a lot in Berlin with bench and switches in the last few tournaments and in the Winter Liga, and I think the main advantage is being able to schedule a game even if someone from the team is not available. I don’t know, some people like it more than me.
I hate reffing squad. All the bullshit is amplified in longer games and also staying focused for 30 min as a ref is different than doing it for 15-20 min, then having a break before the next game starts.
As a spectator, to me most polo games that last more than 20 minutes get boring at some point (unless its golden goal). I prefer seeing more different games and teams. Shorter games seem more intense and dense. But yeah, 20 min 4v4 I have no problem with. It still seems to be the best compromise to me.