Description
This article is from the College Bowl FAQ, by George Atendido aten0001@tc.umn.edu with numerous contributions by
others.
2) What is the difference between CB and ACF? (College Bowl)
CB is an academic quiz game created by Don Reid which pits two teams of four
players each against each other. The game is now administered by CBI in
partnership with ACUI.
ACF is a similar game created a couple of years ago by a few schools,
mostly in the Southeast. This group created the ACF format because they
were dissatisfied with the CB format and with CBI. The ACF proponents have
attempted to create a more academically rigorous format, a reaction to
what they claim to be softness in official CBI questions. In addition,
the ACF founders sought a format with lower costs and fewer restrictions
on student eligibility.
There are numerous and vociferous adherents to each camp, and a great many
people are comfortable with both formats. Rather than seeing each format
in an adversarial light, these people look at the difference in formats as
an opportunity to sample two different but not mutually exclusive formats.
While the RCT's for CB and ACF strictly follow their own formats, most
invitationals combine elements of both formats.
The rules for CB and ACF have some similarities. Both are based on individual
games involving two teams of four players each. There are two types of
questions: toss-ups and bonuses. A toss-up question is read first. If a
player signals and answers the toss-up correctly, the player's team receives
10 points, and is read a bonus question which only that team has a chance to
answer. If the player answers the toss-up incorrectly, a player from the
opposing team may signal and answer. A five point penalty is assessed
against the team if the player signals to interrupt the toss-up while the
question is being read, and gives a wrong answer; otherwise there is no
penalty for guessing. Players work individually on toss-ups, but work
together as a team to answer the bonus questions. Toss-up questions
require single answers and are worth 10 points each; bonus questions may
require single or multiple answers, and have a maximum value of 30 points.
--==--
A COMPARISON OF COLLEGE BOWL AND THE ACF (after Peter Freeman)
CB ACF
Time: 7-minute halves 20 questions, untimed
(8 minutes in HCASC)
Recognition: Wait until called, Varies by tournament. Usually
either by name or not enforced.
number.
Graduate students: Official team may no limit on grad participation
only have one. (Was
supposed to have been
reviewed for 94-95
season, but no final
decision was announced.)
Eligibility: 6 years of RCT or For RCT and NCT play, until
NCT play. Must be a a terminal degree (i.e., a
registered, for-credit Ph.D.) is earned. Non-credit
student courses count for eligibility
How to get to Win your RCT Finish in the top three at one
Nationals: (geographic repre- of the ACF Regionals; or host
(see question 13a) sentation) a tourney with 8 schools or
more; or request a wild-card
(good schools with bad travel
funds); or host the ACF region-
al; or win an ACF-registered
tournament (registration done
by contacting the ACF ahead
of time)...
(non-geographic representation)
[Note: these are subject to
change, depending on the cap
on size of field]
How may teams may One per school As many as you can qualify
go to the RCT/NCT?:
Intramural Tourney: Required Not required
(all team members
must play at least
one game)
Question buying: At least 10 packets Not required
at a full cost of
$62.50 a piece to be
allowed into regionals
(these packets are
used for the intra-
mural). Early order
and quantity order
discounts can bring
price down to $50 for
established programs
and $43.75 for new
programs.
[Note: prices are
subject to change]
Types of questions: Speed-oriented pop Deeper, more rigorous. Little
fluff, some gems hidden current events or pop culture.
inside, more "everyday
experience" questions,
whatever that means.
Mix of categories tends Packet consistency varies
to be very consistent by tournament.
in CBI packets, less so
at invitationals
Relies on a few Relies on submissions from
professional question (hopefully) talented
writers amateurs, though this may
change somewhat in the near
future for RCTs and the NCT.
Faults: Vague lead-in followed Questions can be too long.
by concrete clue, which A typical CB player from Joe
means many questions Schmo St. would think they are
can be survival of the too hard.
quickest.
Requires an intramural Does not require an
tournament, getting intramural.
the whole campus
involved.
Can be insipidly easy. Can be impossibly obscure.
We pay their salaries. Nationals is like any other
Graduate students may invitational, no Radio, TV,
participate, but one or awards banquets.
per team rule limits
their involvement. Lack of eligibility limit
may allow "dinosaurs" to
continue playing for years.
The program is still in its
growing stages.
Advantages: Been around since 1953, Allows grads a competitive
it's the leader. forum.
Puts on a good show LOW COST.
for Nationals.
ACUI partnership gives ACF was founded by and is
it the support of many run by many well-established
student union adminis- school programs and players
trators nationwide
Requires an intramural Does not require an
tournament, getting intramural.
the whole campus
involved.
Quote from the other "Too much fluff!" "Too hard!"
side: "Face it, State U. "None of that timed-match
would wipe Tech excitment!"
out...so why can't
they play at Nationals?"
As far as information about how to sign up with the ACF goes, you can contact
Vishnu Jejjala at vjejjala@wam.umd.edu or Jim Dendy at mrpbody@aol.com.
Schools are encouraged to participate in both formats.
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