The surprising reverse sweep by Team Whales over European fourth-seed Team BDS at the 2023 World Championship has settled the debate on whether best-of-ones should be scrapped in League pro play. Fans are now calling for best-of-threes as a minimum requirement, as they better showcase a team’s adaptability and problem-solving skills.
Team Whales’ stunning victories in games two and three against BDS during the Worlds 2023 Play-In stage have only solidified this argument. Many players believe that best-of-threes allow teams to fully unleash their potential.
However, there are some downsides to implementing best-of-threes. Riot Games tournament officials would need to increase the duration of regional tournaments like the North American LCS and European LEC, potentially reducing the number of teams competing each day. This would require longer hours and additional staffing to host events.
While some fans argue that pro players should be able to handle any situation, including one-and-done matches, many League players believe that reducing the number of best-of-ones allows teams to showcase their true talents. Regions like the LEC have already taken steps to reduce best-of-ones, while others like South Korea and China have embraced best-of-threes in their regular seasons.
The LCS and LEC previously used best-of-threes but reverted to best-of-ones due to viewership issues. Regardless of the format, they found that viewer numbers remained consistent.
This ongoing debate has been a topic of discussion within the League community for years. It seems that a consensus on the better format is elusive.
At Worlds 2023, best-of-ones are limited to the Swiss stage, with all Play-Ins matches being best-of-five series.
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Source: DOTESPORTS
