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{{ArticleIcons|series=y|competitive=y}}
{{ArticleIcons|series=y|competitive=y}}
{{disambig2|the competitive term|the item|Sandbag}}
{{disambig2|the competitive term|the subject of the [[Home-Run Contest]]|Sandbag}}
'''Sandbagging''', sometimes formally referred to as "'''intentional underperformance'''", is the act of playing poorly on purpose. Originating from [[wikipedia:Glossary_of_cue_sports_terms#sandbag|Billiards slang]], referring to the concealment of one's ability to play, sandbagging in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series generally consists of players using characters that are not their [[main character]]s, selecting stages that normally counter their character, or playing below their proven capabilities, amongst other actions. Sandbagging can occur at any level of play, and even at top-level tournaments players have sandbagged on occasion, with some smashers, such as {{Sm|Isai}} and {{Sm|Mew2King}}, being well-known  for their frequent sandbagging.
'''Sandbagging''' is the act of playing poorly on purpose and/or intentionally using a character that the player would perform worse with. Most of the time, players sandbag in friendly matches to keep others from learning their style. Players also often sandbag against weaker players in tournament, and when playing friendlies, to have lower stress matches and avoid draining themselves before later tournament matches against stronger players.


Sandbagging is sometimes done in friendlies in order to prevent spectators or opponents from learning their playstyle with their mains. If the skill difference between two players is particularly significant, higher-skilled players can also potentially sandbag. The reasoning for sandbagging can vary, though in both cases, it can be used by players to relax in lower-stress matches, as well as potentially allow for an opportunity to work on other characters; in the case of differences in skill, the sandbagging player can also give their opponent a "fairer" match.
Sandbagging is often seen as a sign of disrespect when done in serious settings, as it is seen as the player not treating their opponent as an equal nor as a threat, as well as depriving their opponent of a pure competitive match. Due to compromising a tournament's competitive integrity and disrupting the [[bracket manipulation|natural progress of the tournament bracket]], it is not uncommon for tournaments to have a rule forbidding intentional underperforming at the threat of being disqualified from the tournament altogether. This is a controversial ruling though, as it's not always clear cut if a player is sandbagging, thus making it difficult to enforce, as well as some players claiming it's the right of the player to perform however and use whatever character they want. Despite the negative connotations behind it, it is not uncommon for players to use the [[john|excuse]] that they were sandbagging when they lose.


Sandbagging, however, can be seen as a sign of disrespect when done in serious settings, as it is seen as the player not treating their opponent as an equal nor as a threat, as well as depriving their opponent of a pure competitive match. Due to compromising a tournament's competitive integrity and [[bracket manipulation|disrupting the natural progress of the tournament bracket]] should a sandbagging player lose against a lower level opponent, it is not uncommon for tournaments to have a rule forbidding intentionally underperforming at the threat of being disqualified from the tournament altogether and possibly banned from future tournaments. This is a controversial ruling though, as it is not always clear if a player is sandbagging, thus making it difficult to enforce. Additionally, there is the argument that it is the right of the player to perform however and use whatever character they want. There is also the argument that a player may simply enjoy playing as the character even if they do not normally play them seriously.
Sandbagging occurs at all levels of play, even in top level tournament play, where {{Sm|Isai}} in particular is infamous for rarely trying his best to win, even if a substantial amount of money is on the line.


==Notable incidents of sandbagging==
==Notable incidents of sandbagging==
*{{Sm|Mango}} went through a period where he adopted the persona of "{{Sm|Scorpion Master}}", and used {{SSBM|Mario}} at several tournaments; the most well-known of these instances was [[Apex 2010]], where he placed 25th in ''Melee'' singles instead of his usual top 4 placing.
*At the ''[[Smash 64]]'' tournament in [[Apex 2012]], {{Sm|Isai}} only used the [[Tier list#SSB tier list|bottom tier]] {{SSB|Link}}, though he still managed to place second, only losing to {{Sm|SuperBoomFan}}, which regardless of the sandbagging, was a remarkable feat with a bottom tier character.
*American ''Smash 64'' player Isai is infamous for his frequent sandbagging at tournaments for the game, often by refusing to use his main {{SSB|Pikachu}} in high-stakes matches or by using low or bottom [[tier]]ed characters throughout a tournament.
**Also at Apex 2012, in an exhibition match against {{Sm|Captain Jack}} in ''[[Melee]]'', Isai [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyfxNPkp67Q played in an obvious sandbagging manner], much to the audience's dismay.
**At [[Apex 2012]], Isai only used the bottom-tiered {{SSB|Link}} en route to a second place finish to {{Sm|SuperBoomFan}}. In an exhibition match against {{Sm|Captain Jack}} in ''[[Melee]]'' at the same tournament, Isai used his ''Melee'' main, {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}}, but [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyfxNPkp67Q played in an obvious sandbagging manner] against Captain Jack.
*At the ''Smash 64'' tournament in [[Apex 2013]], Isai would again sandbag with his character choice, this time using {{SSB|Mario}}, despite the crowd yelling for him to use {{SSB|Pikachu}} several times. He placed second again, this time defeating SuperBoomFan, but losing to {{Sm|Kikoushi}} in Winner and Grand Finals.
**At the ''Smash 64'' tournament in [[Apex 2013]], Isai again sandbagged with his character choice, this time using {{SSB|Mario}}, despite the crowd yelling for him to use {{SSB|Pikachu}} several times. He placed second again, this time defeating SuperBoomFan, but losing to {{Sm|Kikoushi}} in winners' and grand finals.
*{{Sm|Mango}} went through a period where he adopted the persona of "[[Scorpion Master]]", and used {{SSBM|Mario}} at several tournaments, including the ''Melee'' tournament at [[Apex 2010]] (where he placed 25th instead of his usual top 4 placing).
**At the ''Smash 64'' tournament in [[Apex 2014]], Isai once again sandbagged by exclusively using the mid-tiered {{SSB|Jigglypuff}}. Unlike Apex 2012 and 2013, however, Isai placed first in singles without losing a single set, with {{Sm|Moyashi}} placing second below Isai.
*At [[Genesis 2]], {{Sm|Mew2King}} was red carded by the [[Unity Ruleset Committee]] for using {{SSBB|Ganondorf}} and {{SSBB|Falco}} in a losing effort against female smasher {{Sm|Sade}} in [[pool]]s, after defeating everyone else in his pool with his usual {{SSBB|Meta Knight}}.
*Canadian Fox main, {{Sm|Ryan Ford}}, incited controversy at [[Revival of Melee 5]] by refusing to play his main against {{Sm|Mew2King}} in the grand finals, [[john|claiming]] to be tired, likely as a result of the controversy that had already occurred.
*Canadian Fox main, {{Sm|Unknown522}} incited controversy at [[Revival of Melee 5]] by refusing to play his main against {{Sm|Mew2King}} in grand finals, [[john|claiming]] to be tired, likely as a result of the controversy that had already occured.  
**Ford would then cause similar controversy in [http://www.smashboards.com/threads/nec-13-road-to-apex-2013-results.330624/ NEC 13] by again sandbagging against Mew2King in winners' bracket.
**Unknown would then cause similar controversy in [http://www.smashboards.com/threads/nec-13-road-to-apex-2013-results.330624/ NEC 13] by again sandbagging against Mew2King in Winner's bracket.
*Mew2King regularly sandbags in ''Melee'', mostly in locals, smaller tournaments, or pools against opponents he does not deem to be competent enough, or if he is already guaranteed first seed in a given pool. This is done mostly to give himself more of a challenge and entertain spectators, and most of his opponents have reportedly not minded this habit. Mew2King's sandbagging generally consists of using bottom-tiered characters like  {{SSBM|Pichu}}, {{SSBM|Mewtwo}}, {{SSBM|Roy}}, and {{SSBM|Mr. Game & Watch}}; if he is using {{SSBM|Sheik}}, he may also opt to [[transform]] into {{SSBM|Zelda}} at the end of a clearly uphill match. Mew2King also allows the opponent to choose any stage they want via the Gentleman's Rule, and may even allow players to turn [[item]]s on or use the game's various [[Special mode]]s, resulting in unusual tournament matches. Notable examples include:
*Mew2King has recently picked up a habit of sandbagging in ''Melee'' (although not in a losing effort as he did to Sade years earlier), mostly in locals, smaller tournaments, or pools against opponents he does not deem to be as competent as he is. Various examples include him winning against {{sm|Keitaro}} with {{SSBM|Pichu}} at a bi-weekly [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5bGZYy6mDU] and defeating a low-leveled {{SSBM|Bowser}} player in dittos at Fight Pitt III [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJts4rxdoKQ].
**Winning against {{Sm|Keitaro}} in a biweekly using Pichu [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5bGZYy6mDU].
**At [http://www.smashboards.com/threads/omegacon-2013.340887/ Omegacon 2013] Mew2King sandbagged the second half of his grand finals set against {{Sm|Milkman}}. After winning games against Milkman with his usual Sheik and Fox, he shocked the audience when he chose {{SSBM|Mewtwo}} and {{SSBM|Roy}} to fight subsequent matches [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVMYW58juKs&t=5m20s]. Despite this, Mew2King still ended up winning the set with Roy after losing with Mewtwo.
**Defeating a low-leveled {{SSBM|Bowser}} player with his own Bowser and Mewtwo [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJts4rxdoKQ].
***Mew2King recently tried doing this again at [[The Big House 3]] on {{Sm|Toph}} after being guaranteed first place in his pools. Toph, however, still managed to defeat Mew2King 2-0.
**Choosing Mewtwo and Roy to fight against {{Sm|Milkman}} in Grand Finals after winning the first two matches with his usual Sheik and Fox [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVMYW58juKs&t=5m20s].
**Choosing {{SSBM|Ness}} and {{SSBM|Dr. Mario}} against a low-leveled Link player, and allowing him to strike to [[Venom]] and counterpick [[Onett]] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2KV5CSmKpc].
**In Grand Finals, fighting his opponent in [[Tiny Melee]] with Mewtwo on [[Fourside]], then [[Lightning Melee]], then with [[Poké Ball]]s on [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1hYd_mktRY&t=38m0s].
**A controversial case of sandbagging, however, occurred at the ''Brawl'' tournament at [[GENESIS 2]]; Mew2King was red carded by the [[Unity Ruleset Committee]] for using {{SSBB|Ganondorf}} and {{SSBB|Falco}} in a losing effort against {{Sm|Sade}} in [[pool]]s, after defeating everyone else in his pool with his usual {{SSBB|Meta Knight}}.


==See also==  
==See also==  
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*[[Spam]]
*[[Spam]]


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