How many amateur players are there? Fifteen!
They actually list 1383 amateur polo players.
He’s placed 16th with 218 points.
The top four amateurs have at least twice as many points as Top, so it’s unlikely he’s going to creep into the highest echelons, but he must be pretty good. He comfortably sits in the top 25 amateur players in the world.
I have tried to understand how points are calculated and below is the explanation AI provides. It’s incomprehensible … but possibly not quite as difficult as trying to find out what Jon Rudkin actually does at LCFC.
Awarding player points and determining rankings in Polo
World Polo Tour points are calculated
based on a player's performance in specific, highly-competitive tournaments throughout the year, while a player's individual handicap is a separate rating system based on skill. The tour ranks players based on points earned from their finishing positions in these tournaments, with the points varying by tournament category (e.g., Challenger, Cup, Masters, Grand Slam). The individual handicap, which ranges from -2 to 10 goals, is a separate skill rating assigned by national polo associations and is not directly used to calculate tour points, though a player's handicap can influence which tournaments they participate in.
World Polo Tour points
- Calculation: Points are awarded for performance in designated tournaments. The number of points varies based on the tournament's category, such as Challenger, Cup, Masters, and Grand Slam.
- Ranking: The ranking reflects the sum of a player's points over a calendar year.
- Tournaments: Not all polo tournaments are included; the World Polo Tour uses a specific list of events to calculate its rankings.
Individual handicap
- Purpose: A player's handicap is a rating that reflects their skill level, not the number of goals they score in a game.
- Scale: The handicap ranges from -2 (beginner) to 10 (world-class professional).
- Factors: It is determined by a player's ability to hit, ride, their strategic thinking, and their value to the team.
- Team handicap: A team's handicap is the sum of its four players' handicaps.
- Assignment: Handicaps are assigned by national polo associations and can be adjusted at the end of a season.
