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I'm a personal fan of the PON, PON, POCT because although it is ricky, it seems like the best option for a team that is playing away and is undermatched. Most playoff home teams in the finals will play POCT, PON, POCT because that is the normal natural thing to do. The only catch is you have to hope that you are good enough to win at home without putting more effort in and hope that with the saved up enthusiasm, and their lack of enthusiasm for POCT the first game (which many teams will do), you can beat them in the third match. I simply hate the POCT, POCT (Hope you win it in two games) method because if you don't you are pretty much screwed in the last game.

@Xamos: When I say "throw" I'm not talking about PON-ing. I'm talking about leaving your starters on the bench or not dressing them. (I was being a little tongue-in-cheek when I said "greedy bastard." You're right, the game gives every incentive for managers to want three games. The only disincentive is the increased possibility of injury in playing a third game for a superior team with HCA.)

PON, PON, POCT all depends on what you think will happen in G2. Let's look at it in the different scenarios:

1) You are the superior team and can survive on -1 effort @ home.
• Concede G1, take G2, flip the coin for G3

2) You can win at home on equal effort, but not at -1 effort.
• Concede G1, pray they PON G2, pray for a miracle in G3

3) It's a toss up at home on equal effort.
• Concede G1, pray they throw G2, pray for a miracle in G3

4) You will lose at home on equal (or less) effort.
• Concede G1, pray they throw G2, pray for a miracle in G3

In scenarios 2-4, the team with HCA is likely to PON, PON, POCT. And if you match their strategies, you neither gain nor lose any advantage and are stuck praying for a miracle in G3. But you can improve your chances if your opponent POCT's G1 – which might make a difference in scenario 2, but won't do you a lot of good in scenarios 3-4.

In scenario 1, you can win if you can either steal an away game on equal effort (in which case you're clearly the superior team) or your opponent POCT's G1 or G2 (in which case they've basically given you the trophy).

After pondering all these strategies, I was inspired to make a strategy guide: (236531.1) It'll show you what I think.

After pondering all these strategies, I was inspired to make a strategy guide: (236531.1) It'll show you what I think.

And in studying, you must have learned that man is mortal so you would have put the poison as far from yourself as possible, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of me.

They were both poisoned. I spent the last few years building up an immunity to iocane powder.

I think PON/PON/POCT is the riskiest strategy because it depends on your opponent POCTing G1 and and throwing G2 (like a greedy bastard). If they don't POCT the first game you're totally screwed. And if they've got HCA and the better record, they likely also have the better team and are therefore less likely to POCT.

In this situation, I'd expect a G1 PON from the opponent (based on the OP's description to the team). So I wouldn't recommend this approach. But for a team in this situation that was expecting a G1 POCT, I'd go for it.

The other thing to do in these games (if you're not doing it already) is to blank and LCD. That can squeeze a little more out of your guys.

OK, I'm done laughing at the Princess Bride references and ready to really think this out ...

I think he's going to go PON in G1 because he already has the better team, HCA and the Ent advantage. He might be a little worried about losing the 60K center, but I doubt it. He was dominating before he got him.

Assuming he wins G1, whether he's being greedy or not, he's going to go PON in G2 because he can possibly win on the road anyway and if he doesn't he's all saved up for G3. Then if there's a G3 he plays POCT.

At least that's what I would do in his position. That way even if I go POCT in G1 and surprise him, he has good Ent advantage the last two games and can go POCT in both.

So then, what's my countermove? It comes down to asking if my best chance is in G1 or G3 to get the second victory. If it's G1 with all those factors against me, then I have to go POCT and hope I win and still have enough to win G2 (no easy feat either). If it's G3, then I'm gonna go PON in G1 and put all the hopes on G3.

One reason the PON, PON, POCT idea works is that I have an injured player who could be back for G2 and/or G3 and that could make a difference somehow.

...

Now, a separate question. I have never done blank and LCD. Does this mean not assigning starters either? Just pick tactics and assume he'll go with the best personnel for them?

Anybody want a peanut?

Blank means leave all the slots open. But be sure to set "Let coach decide" or you will get screwy players on odd positions.

OK, thanks. It makes me a little nervous to test that in the finals, but maybe it's my best shot.

Nearly a complete non sequitor, but I've always wanted to persuade somebody to rename their team "The Dread Pirates." And then they could get all players with the last name Roberts. Unfortunately all the Wes Robertses are retired... as is this guy: (265986).

Nearly a complete non sequitor, but I've always wanted to persuade somebody to rename their team "The Dread Pirates." And then they could get all players with the last name Roberts. Unfortunately all the Wes Robertses are retired... as is this guy: (265986).

Inconceivable!

The only problem is that my team generally couldn't beat anyone in a battle of strength, skill, or wits. I'd be the poster child for a team called the Humperdinks, though.