Split 42d0269e56 Major refactor: Convert from Glicko-2 to pure ELO rating system

- Created new ELO module (src/elo/) with:
  - Simple rating-only system (no RD or volatility tracking)
  - Standard ELO expected score calculation
  - Per-point performance scoring
  - Effective opponent formula for doubles
  - Full test suite (21 tests, all passing)

- Updated main.rs to use ELO calculator:
  - Per-point scoring: performance = points_scored / total_points
  - Effective opponent in doubles: Opp1 + Opp2 - Teammate
  - K-factor = 32 for casual play

- Created analysis tool (src/bin/elo_analysis.rs):
  - Reads match history from database
  - Recalculates all ratings using pure ELO
  - Generates before/after comparison (JSON + Markdown)

- Updated documentation:
  - New LaTeX report (rating-system-v3-elo.tex)
  - Simplified explanations (no volatility/RD complexity)
  - Plain English examples and use cases
  - FAQ section

- All tests passing (21/21 ELO tests)
- Code compiles without errors
- Release build successful

2026-02-26 11:35:07 -05:00

3.6 KiB

Raw Blame History

LaTeX Title Options (Pick Your Sass Level)

Option 1: The Carry Problem

"The Carry Problem: A Rating System That Finally Accounts for Your Terrible Doubles Partner"

Vibe: Funny, relatable, speaks directly to the v2 innovation (effective opponent) Subtitle works: "How I built a rating system that accounts for whether your partner is holding you back (or you are)"

Option 2: Self-Deprecating Journey

"I Needed to Know How Bad I Actually Was: Building a Pickleball Rating System That Doesn't Lie"

Vibe: Personal narrative, self-aware, honest Works well because: Sets up the journey (you built this to figure out the truth about yourself) Subtitle option: "And why your doubles partner isn't the problem (probably)"

Option 3: The Maximum Sass

"No More Excuses: A Mathematically Rigorous Rating System for Blaming Your Partner"

Vibe: Cheeky, acknowledges the real reason people care about ratings Subtitle: "(Or Finally Admitting It Might Be You)" Best for: Opening with humor but delivering rigor

Option 4: The Honest Take

"How Bad Am I, Actually? A Rating System for People Who Need to Know"

Vibe: Vulnerable, funny, direct Works because: Everyone who uses a rating system wants to know this Subtitle: "Plus, does my partner actually suck? (Math says...)"

Option 5: The Clever One

"The Carry Problem: When Your Rating Doesn't Match Your Ego"

Vibe: Self-aware sass, speaks to a real problem Best for: Rec players who know exactly what you mean Full title with subtitle:

The Carry Problem: When Your Rating Doesn't Match Your Ego
A Mathematically Principled Rating System for Pickleball 
(That Finally Accounts for Whether Your Partner Sucks)

My Recommendation

Go with Option 5 with this structure:

Main Title:

"The Carry Problem: When Your Rating Doesn't Match Your Ego"

Subtitle:

"A Mathematically Principled Approach to Rating Pickleball Players (And Proving Whether Your Partner Is Holding You Back)"

Authors:

Split (Implementation) & Dane Sabo (System Design)

Why this works:

Opens with the pain point everyone relates to (the carry)
Funny and self-aware
The subtitle delivers the rigor + the hook
"The Carry Problem" is specific to pickleball (team sport aspect)
Sets up the v2 innovation beautifully: the system DOES account for partner strength
Sassy but not mean-spirited

Alternative (If You Want Maximum Cheeky):

Main: "No More Excuses: A Mathematician's Guide to Blaming Your Partner (With Proof)"

Subtitle: "Building a Rigorous Rating System for Recreational Pickleball"

For the Table of Contents:

Whichever title you pick, the abstract can be:

"This paper addresses a critical gap in recreational pickleball: a rating system that distinguishes between your skill and your partner's ability to carry you. We redesign the Glicko-2 system with three key improvements: per-point expected value scoring, corrected rating distribution, and a personalized 'effective opponent' formula for doubles. The result is a mathematically principled system that is brutally honest about your actual skill level—and whether your partner really is the problem."

What I'll Update

Just tell me which title you want and I'll:

Update the LaTeX document title page
Update the abstract
Commit the change with a clean message
Everything else stays the same

My vote: Option 5 (The Carry Problem) — it's got sass, it's specific to the sport, and it perfectly sets up why v2's effective opponent formula matters.

What's your pick? 🎾

3.6 KiB Raw Blame History