CURRENT
HISTORY
SB MASTERS

SUMO GAMES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

FAQ
CONTACT

FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What is the SUPER BANZUKE?
The SUPER BANZUKE is an overall ("World") Ranking which includes the top internet sumo games currently active, combining points players accumulate in each individual game, to arrive at a ranking of players reflecting their "overall" gaming abilities.

Which games are included?
Currently, the SUPER BANZUKE is comprised of 19 individual games - in no particular order: Bench Sumo (BS), Sumo Game (SG), Hoshitori (TH), Guess The Banzuke (GTB), Internet Sumo Pool (ISP), Upside-Down Hoshitori (UDH), Juryo Game (JG), Das Große Deutsche Sumo Tip-Spiel (DSTS) and Sekitori-Toto (ST).  From Aki 2002, the SUPER BANZUKE also includes Gunga's Internet Sumo Pool (GISP).  From Kyushu 2002, two new games were also added, Odd Sumo (OS) and Sekitori-Oracle (SO).  From Hatsu 2003, RotoSumo (RS) and Chaingang (CG) were included.  From Natsu 2003, the first Japanese game, Paper Oyakata (PO), was included.  From Hatsu 2004, Fantasy Sumo (FS) has also been included.  Three more games, Norizo Cup (NC) (the second Japanese game to join), Salarycap Sumo (SC), and Sekitori-Quadrumvirate (S4) have since also joined the fray.

Note: due to inactivity, Odd Sumo has been temporarily excluded from the SUPER BANZUKE.

Why isn't (insert game name here) included?
The games chosen to comprise the SUPER BANZUKE ranking are all widely popular "prediction-type" internet sumo games which require players to showcase their expertise of sumo competition through picking winners and/or losers during each Basho.  Games that are of a genre other than "prediction-type", as well as games not widely played, and games that lack the necessary statistical archives/rankings, have not been included.  For a new game to be included in the SUPER BANZUKE, it needs to have more players ranked on its banzuke than the game that has the lowest number of current players on the banzuke that is already a member.  Should a new game emerge that qualifies in the genre of "prediction-type" and gain enough popularity, it shall be included in the SB.  Already the SB has grown from its 9 original games to 19.

What if a game is discontinued?
In that event (and we hope it never happens), the points earned in that particular game will be phased out over the next 3 Basho.  After a particular game is discontinued for 1 Basho, it will get "Kosho" status and full points will remain (this has already happened once with GISP).  After 2 Basho in a row, all points earned in this game will be counted HALF.  After 3, the game will be removed from the SUPER BANZUKE System entirely, until and if it resumes. 

Who makes the SUPER BANZUKE?
SUPER BANZUKE was conceived by Jean-François "Hoshifransu" Morgillo, who had the original idea to compile an overall ranking for internet sumo gaming.  Implementation of the SUPER BANZUKE is done by Maximilian T. H. "Zenjimoto" Suchy.  But it is really YOU, the internet sumo gamers, who truly "make" the Banzuke, as it is wholly dependent on all your performances!  All we do is compile the information that is already out there.

How do you calculate it?
Without going into too much detail, points for the SUPER BANZUKE are earned by placing in the top-42 overall (or, if applicable, Makuuchi division of the Banzuke) of each of the 19 included games.  Players earn points from 1 point for 42nd place all the way to 42 points for 1st place.  Special bonus points are awarded to Sanyaku players in each game (2 for Komusubi, 4 for Sekiwake, 6 for Ozeki and 10 for Yokozuna), or as deemed appropriate by the SUPER BANZUKE KYOKAI (SBK), making the maximum possible score 52 points per game (for Yokozuna East, if there is one).  The points earned in each game are then multiplied by each game's multiplier-factor to arrive at the total score for each player in each game.  All scores from each game are then added together to arrive at each player's overall SUPER BANZUKE points score.  

Why do you show the pictures of the Sanyaku above the Super Banzuke?
It is a special honor to the world's top sumo gamers to be immortalized in this way.  :)

Why don't I show up on the SUPER BANZUKE even though I play some of or one of the games? or: Why don't I get points for my participation in (insert game here)?  or: I played well in (insert game here) last basho, but didn't get any points for it! (THE MOST ASKED QUESTION(S) IN THE HISTORY OF THE SUPER BANZUKE!)
Only the top-42 (or Makuuchi, if applicable) Rikishi of each game are assigned points for the SUPER BANZUKE.  So if you want to be in it, make it your goal to reach the top-42 in at least one of the games :)  Usually that means, the Makuuchi division.  But in some games, such as Hoshitori or UDH, you may be "Makuuchi" ranked and not receive points.  You need to be in the top-42!  Btw: if you email the STK about this question, instead of reading the answer here, I reserve the right to smack you should I ever meet you in person :-)

Why do you only use the top-42 of each game, and not assign points to every participant of every game?
To keep the amount of data manageable, we opted for the top-42 concept (else, we may have about 400-500 different Shikona to deal with!).  Most world rankings work that way anyways (where the top-X in tournaments earn ranking points, not ALL participants) - this way, it also becomes an extra goal and privilege to players to be featured in the top-42 or Makuuchi division of a game, 'cause that's when they start earning points for the SB!

What about the games which have a Banzuke where there are more than 42 "Makuuchi" ranks?
In such games (for example Hoshitori and the UDH), only the top-42 of the Banzuke are utilized.

Do the usual "rules" of Banzuke making apply to the SUPER BANZUKE?
Not really.  Since we are not dealing with overall win-loss records to determine who goes where on the SB, but rather derive the ranking from accumulation of all earned points, the Kachi-koshi/Make-koshi promotion and demotion rules do not exist here.  Rather, players move up and down the SB depending on their cumulative points totals from one Basho to the next.  So it is quite possible for an Ozeki to fall back to Maegashira within just one basho, should their performance be poor enough in some of the games.  Likewise, players may make bigger jumps upwards (such as from Maegashira to Ozeki) if they happen to have an overall excellent gaming Basho.  So, the usual conventions for Ozeki and Yokozuna promotions/demotions/re-promotions do not really exist either, and of course a SUPER BANZUKE Yokozuna will never be expected to "retire" if he/she happens to be demoted from the rank. 

Generally, the SB should always feature 10 "Sanyaku" ranks - 2 Yokozuna, 4 Ozeki, 2 Sekiwake and 2 Komusubi, or a variation thereof, depending on how close or far apart points totals of the top rankers are to each other.  The top-10 in the rankings will be the 10 Sanyaku on the SB.  The SB will be displayed in a hybrid format that shows the overall "World Ranking" as well as the traditional Banzuke rankings, for maximum edification for those who wish to follow it.

What is the purpose of the SUPER BANZUKE?
FUN!  And, we felt it was also interesting to see just how the greats of internet sumo gaming might measure up against each other when we combine all the games into one SUPER ranking.  But even then, hey, it's all about FUN, right?  A good reason not to take the SUPER BANZUKE too seriously :)

Is this an "official" ranking?
Not as of yet, nor may it ever be ("official" of what, anyways?).  The SUPER BANZUKE makes no claim to being "official", or to be in any way representing the games that are included in its make-up.  However, the SUPER BANZUKE KYOKAI is certainly VERY interested in earning the "official endorsement" from the individual games that are included (earning the SUPER BANZUKE the designation "Officially endorsed by (insert game here)" and making the game itself an "Official Member Game of the SUPER BANZUKE System" - currently, the SUPER BANZUKE has a mutual recognition arrangement with Guess The Banzuke, UDH, Juryo Game, Sekitori-Toto, and Sekitori-Oracle.)

Certain players only play a few of the games - aren't they at a disadvantage?
Are they?  Perhaps... Some are "specialists", playing in fewer games, with less points earning potential, but they may do better in those few games they concentrate on.  Compare it to the Skiing World Cup - you compete in more disciplines, you get more chances for points for the overall World Cup, right?  So, no sweat, no glory.  And, indeed, one of the not-so-secret hopes of the SBK is that most of the top players in the world will participate in most or all of the games in the future, trying hard to give themselves the maximum SB points earning opportunities! :)   Merely playing many games, however, does not guarantee a top spot - you also have to be GOOD at them! :)

I am using different Shikona in different games, and see them both/all listed separately in the SUPER BANZUKE - can you combine them?
Sure, this is rather common, and has already been implemented for the ones we know of to date.  You may notify the SUPER BANZUKE KYOKAI (SBK), requesting the appropriate arrangements, listing which Shikona you use in what game.  Just be aware that the SBK will be scanning for "double entries" in the same game, which may be cause for disqualification in some of these games!  Generally, the SBK STRONGLY endorses the "one Shikona (or entry) per game" approach - if double entries are detected, the involved Shikona will remain on the SUPER BANZUKE individually, and will not be combined!  Hopefully this will eventually also serve as a bit of a deterrant not to make double entries.

There is no nation (or the wrong nation) listed by my Shikona!
We were making (un)educated guesses in some cases, and didn't even try to guess in others - input welcome!  Contact email link is on the top menu!

Can I opt out of the SUPER BANZUKE?
Sorry, but NO.  People may or may not have various reasons for not wanting to be on the SUPER BANZUKE, but we can't get into the business of special treatments - first of all, it will be extra work to keep track of who to include and who not.  Secondly, with people missing from the ranking, the ranking itself becomes inaccurate.  If you play sumo games and rank appropriately high, you will also show up in the SUPER BANZUKE. 

What is the SB MASTERS SERIES?
The SUPER BANZUKE MASTERS SERIES is "The Ultimate Internet Sumo Competition", combining all 19 SUPER BANZUKE associated sumo games to determine a "Super Yusho" winner for each Basho.  Players earn points towards the SBMS by finishing in the top-10 of any of the 19 games in that respective Basho.  Player who accmulates the most points will be the SB Masters Champion, and receive the (cyber-) Green Mawashi.  To win the Green Mawashi has become the ultimate achievement in internet sumo gaming!

Please note: players' performances in the SB MASTERS will have no actual impact on their ranking on the SUPER BANZUKE, or any of the individual games' banzuke, but separate SB MASTERS rankings will be maintained, and an overall SB SUMO GAMES WORLD CHAMPION will be proclaimed at the end of each year!

More about the SB Masters Series can be found here.

What was the "original" SB MASTERS SERIES?
The SUPER BANZUKE MASTERS SERIES used to be quite different, pitching the top-10, or Sanyaku Rikishi on the SUPER BANZUKE against each other in EVERY game included in the SUPER BANZUKE, with everyone battling everyone in each of the games, establishing a GRAND MASTERS CHAMPION for each Basho based on their overall performance in all games!   Since this competition lacked a broad appeal (only the top-10 players get to participate), and was very laborious in determining the winners, it was discontinued.

What was the LADIES' LEAGUE (LL) MASTERS SERIES?
The LADIES' LEAGUE MASTERS SERIES was a parallel competition in the style of the "original" SB MASTERS.  While the SB MASTERS was open to the top-10 players on the SUPER BANZUKE, the LL MASTERS was created for fun to include some of the most competitive and passionate about sumo games female players.  Since the LLMS also was very laborious in determining winners and standings, it was discontinued at the same time as the "original" SBMS.  The games' top female players are now also competing for the Green Mawashi in the new version of the SBMS.

Once more: what happened to the "original" SB and LL Masters Series??
Compiling the scores for these two events had become quite a lot of work with the increase in games.  There had been some talk of partially automating that process with the help of a macro-spreadsheet, data base, or the like, but plans did not materialize.  Seeing that the manual scoring is rather work-intensive, and due to the lack of broad appeal in the series (even though the results from the two Masters were not published after Natsu 2003, only two people inquired about it - and they were two of the most hard-core game enthusiasts), the "original" SB and LL Masters are discontinued.  The "original" SBMS and LLMS pages have been taken off the main page liks bar, but the old pages can still be reached at these links: original SBMS and LLMS.  They are both replaced by the new SBMS.

What is the SUPER BANZUKE Sumo Games World Championship?
The "Sumo Games World Championship" takes all points earned by all players in the SBMS all year, and combines them to find the year's top gamer, who will be proclaimed "World Champion" and receive a pretty darn nice Chalice cup/trophy!  For more on the Sumo Games World Championship, visit its page.

What's with the Kensho banner thingy?
Since the Chalice trophy costs a pretty penny (but the shipping will probably cost even more, depending on where in the world the trophy will be shipped), this was a crazy idea to maybe offset the costs a bit.  Rather than charging players any money for "being eligible" to win the trophy, individual "sponsors" can buy one of the Kensho banner spots for a small fee, and there display their web site logo and link, or any other advertisement they would like to make.

Do you honestly think somebody will hire a Kensho banner?
I have no clue.  Maybe not... after all, the "advertising value" is not exactly the same as putting your ad on the Yahoo front page.  But then, the price isn't the same, either! :-)  Basically, the Kensho sponsorships are really equivalent to donations.  Let's see how it goes - if no one buys, the STK will have to swallow the bitter pill and bear the cost of the trophy itself, which is fine, too... for the good of the games! :-)

Update:  YES, people DID buy kensho banners for 2004 - thank you, the cost of the Chalice was covered!  Hopefully these and other sponsors will again commit for 2005! :-)

Are you crazy?
Yeah.

I found a mistake!
Tell us!  Contact email link is on the top menu!

What do you think of doing *this* or *that*?  I think it would make the SUPER BANZUKE or SB MASTERS better...
Suggestions are always welcome, so have at it - but we can't guarantee that we'll like, or even implement them! :)