http://www.curlingzone.com/curlwithmath Kevin Palmer takes a look at the numbers behind the roaring game. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:21:33 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I’m struggling with this event called the Road to the Roar or more aptly named Pre-Trials.   It reminds me of the NFL deciding to increase playoff teams from 10 to 12 in order to generate more games (and more revenue) on opening “Wild-card” weekend.  It’s not that the entertainment isn’t ... http://www.curlingzone.com/curlwithmath/2009/11/15/notes-from-the-pre-trials-aka-%e2%80%9croad-to-the-roar%e2%80%9d/ Well, the new Curling Season is here and though I’m disappointed in the end to golf season I am anxious for the Olympic Trials. The Olympics themselves, sadly, I’ve never had much interest in.  Why is it every four years I’m suppose to get excited about sports which I’ve never ... http://www.curlingzone.com/curlwithmath/2009/10/30/new-season-begins-and-world-cup-final-koe-vs-howard/ What is it that makes sports entertaining?  Is it watching the thrill in victory, or the agony of defeat?  Do we admire and respect our sports figures for their immense talent and skill, something we do not possess, or for their ability to face the challenge and, sometimes, fail to ... http://www.curlingzone.com/curlwithmath/2009/04/26/team-martin-can%e2%80%99t-hold-down-the-haggis/ During his round robin game with Ontario, Kevin Martin says to TSN: “It’s a real Math Test out there!”  Could he perhaps be a fan of this blog?  Does he have his own computer programs to analyze data?  What goes on in his mind during a game and will he ... http://www.curlingzone.com/curlwithmath/2009/03/20/brier-notes-martin%e2%80%99s-math-test/ Jennifer Jones’ Team Canada rink made some interesting decisions in their round robin game against Ontario at the 2009 Scott Tournament of Hearts (Scotties).  During the 6th end, Team Canada (TC), one down without hammer, could have chosen a more aggressive route during the latter part of the end.  Instead ... http://www.curlingzone.com/curlwithmath/2009/02/20/scotties-decision-by-team-canada-and-middle-game-strategy/ There were several decisions made during the 6th and 7th ends of the 2009 BDO Quarterfinal between Glenn Howard and local favorite Kerry Burtnyk.  This month I will attempt to breakdown some of the decisions and determine how math could be applied to each scenario or shot call to support ... http://www.curlingzone.com/curlwithmath/2009/01/26/end-game-strategy-bdo-quarterfinal-%e2%80%93-howard-versus-burtnyk/ We’ve finally gathered data for Women’s Curling events.  This data is taken from 4-rock games played during Provincial, Scotties (i.e. Canadian National Championship), World Championships, Olympic Trials, Olympics and WCT events over the last several years.  Unfortunately our sample size is larger (more than double) for the men’s events.  However, ... http://www.curlingzone.com/curlwithmath/2008/11/26/statistics-for-womens%e2%80%99-curling-and-what-is-control/ Back during the era of the Grand Old Game; before push brooms, The Ryan Express and Shorty Jenkins ice moved us all to Free-Guard Zone; it was often heard at most every club by players at every level (of play and inebriation) that “Curling is a battle for the hammer”.  ... http://www.curlingzone.com/curlwithmath/2008/10/26/is-curling-a-battle-for-the-hammer/ One of the most difficult situations towards the end of a game is one down with hammer playing the next to last end (9th or 7th).  Statistically, the lowest probability of winning when one down with hammer is in the next to last end (34.9%).  In the last end or ... http://www.curlingzone.com/curlwithmath/2008/01/14/what-strategy-should-i-employ-when-one-down-with-hammer-in-9th-end/ I was recently doing some research on available documents related to strategy for Curling.  Needless to say, there is very little available.  I discovered Russ Howard is writing a book and, given the lack of current information, I’m looking forward to seeing if it includes much strategic material.  If anyone ... http://www.curlingzone.com/curlwithmath/2007/11/12/curling-myths-how-do-we-calculate-the-truth/