There is another 1000 entry vegas event today and tomorrow. This one is a 1250 max partners. I looked at the calcutta list and noticed a few names that I believe are very underrated. So I said to myself if I can't beat them, I'll join them, and planned to bid. I was so mad at myself I dogged the bidding and the team I had as a huge favorite closed before I could bid. I did manage to bid on two other teams that each had one of the Filipinos that I saw play in person on the 2 I participated in, but I was outbid. So I'll put my 3 picks here and see how they do.
EDIT: Lucas wasn't able to make it and was replaced at the last minute. His original partner is still in with a new partner. So my #1 pick is no longer this team.
My #1 pick. Lucas is a kid, just turned 18. He regularly beats opponents in the 620 range. I don't think he's gaming the system at all, he's just young and getting good very fast. His partner I don't know, but a source told me he's about 700 speed. I put this team as #1 if my source is right. I was prepared to bid 2k on them, and it closed without me realizing it.
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This is my #2 pick. Arnel got 3rd in the 578U I played in 2 years ago. He's a Filipino and was playing a level above the other players I saw. I commentated on one of his matches as well at that time. He's also entered a couple of the other 1000 entry events at higher caps, and cashed. I don't know his partner at all. I did bid on this but it got too high for my blood.
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This is my 3rd pick. Joshua won the 567U in Jan of this year. He plays like a 650 from what I saw with my own eyes. I don't know his partner at all, but I'd figure someone way under the radar would seek similar from a partner. Now these two are WAY under the cap of 1250, which is not a good place to be for a 1000 entry capped event. They were at like 100 with 30 sec to go. I bid them up to 500 with the Tim person going back and forth. I finally bailed out at 500. If this pair was right at the cap I would have made them the favorites to win over Lucas' team.
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I don't know any of the other players in the field. Its probably full of professional sandbaggers, haha. Doubles events are the best places for them to hide. So these picks might in reality be dogs. Of note, Joshua has his ratings public for this event, as its a requirement. I bet he turns it off again the day after.
Edit: Bracket was just posted. 71 teams. (I made my picks before it was posted):
https://digitalpool.com/tournaments...FdHUCOJJ7ebyqoK8hg_aem_JzXI3APkiqwmWRIWOeWI9g
