Bracket manipulation

Splitting is the act of two players facing off against each other in tournament making an agreement for one of them to throw the set, to then split their prize money between themselves (or any amount of money being given to the losing player) after the tournament. The reasons for splitting may vary, but a typical reason it is done is when there's a third player in the bracket that one of the players plays poorly against. So to secure a higher placing and a higher payout, the player makes an agreement to split their prize money with another player, who will then throw their set, and face off against the threatening player in the losers bracket to knock them out of the tournament.

For example; Player A, who mains Falco, has reached the winner semifinals, and is about to face off against Player B, who mains Marth. Player A however, notices that Player C, who mains Pikachu, has been dominating the losers bracket and is set to face the loser of his or her set with Player B. Player A, knowing Falco is hard countered by Pikachu, and remembering his or her losing history with Player C, decides to split with Player B, knowing that Player B's character counters Pikachu, and that Player B previously defeated Player C in the winners' bracket. Player B, seeing that the winner of his or her set with Player A is set to face Player D in the winner finals, who mains King Dedede, a character he or she plays poorly against that player A will counter, agrees to the split. Player B then proceeds to intentionally lose their set against Player A, and goes on to eliminate Player C from the tournament, while Player A defeats Player D and secures a spot in the grand finals. While Player B does eventually get eliminated by Player D in the losers finals, Player A defeats Player D again in the grand finals to win the tournament. And through splitting that prize money, both players make more money than they would have if they played out their set with Player B winning.

For the money earned in this scenario assuming the tournament pays out $500 in a 55/30/10/5 payout:

1. Player A ($275)

2. Player D ($150)

3. Player B ($50)

4. Player E ($25)

Through splitting their earnings, Player A and B earn $162.50.

For the money earned in the scenario where the players don't split, resulting in Player B winning their set, to then lose to Player D, while Player A is eliminated by Player C:

1. Player D ($275)

2. Player B ($150)

3. Player C ($50)

4. Player A ($25)

While Player B gets a higher placement in this scenario, they earn less money. And Player A, having been eliminated by Player C before the final four, earns nothing.

Controversy

Splitting, while a practical method to earn more money in a tournament as demonstrated above, is extremely controversial in the Smash community. Many players see it as immoral, as it manipulates the bracket, and interferes with the bracket progression of other players. As seen in the above scenario, Player C is prevented from placing high enough to earn money by having to face Player B sooner than they would have if the splitting didn't occur. They also say splitting harms the integrity of the tournament, and waters down the event for spectators as the players splitting will not give it their all in their set.

There are a few supporters of the right to split however. Common claims in support of splitting include that it's the players' money, so it's their right to do what they want with it, and that the other players that are prevented from advancing by the splitting wouldn't have their bracket progression interrupted if they "played better". Despite the small support for splitting, it is generally looked down upon, and TOs will generally punish players that are caught splitting.

Major incidents of splitting

The most notorious incident of splitting in competitive Smash was when Mew2King and ADHD were caught splitting at MLG DC 2010. This resulted in both players being disqualified and banned from participating in the rest of the 2010 MLG Brawl circuit. This event is said to have damage the reputation of the competitive Smash community, as two of the best players should be model representatives of the community, and not be caught partaking in underhand activities. This incident is cited as a major reason for MLG dropping Brawl after the 2010 circuit.

See also

• Unity Ruleset Committee
• Tournament legal
• MLG