But P_A, you answered your own question earlier when you talked about how everyone has the same "luck factor" hanging over their heads at these tournaments. I think 4-1s have a decent shot in the top cut because that single loss might have occurred from a bad opening hand, a random donk, going second, missing an important energy drop, prizing important cards, and so on. Don't assume that TPCi pores over oodles and oodles of data like you said, and I won't assume that they don't. What I do know is that it's not uncommon for X-1s in the swiss to win tournaments. It's the reason top cuts exist in the first place: it further helps to differentiate skill from luck. This goes back to the tournament rules of course.
Also, I don't understand your statement about either the "luckiest" or "most skilful" player winning BRs. It's just not so black and white like that. There are so many factors that go into these tournaments it's ridiculous. There are, however, plenty of players who perform consistently well season after season. Having top cuts helps to differentiate those players, it's that simple.
This. As someone who's been playing Pokemon TCG since launch, and Magic and Star Wars before that, I can tell you there are a lot of factors that go into who wins a tournament:
- Base Skill Level and Game Sense: someone who knows the correct plays and can read probabilities
- Mental State: Players have bad days, long nights, work stress, party hangovers, and so many other reasons why they aren't in tip-top shape for a tournament. This is a strong effect on their base skill level.
- Reputation/Intimidation Factor: I know players as good as the "greats" in the game who rarely beat these top players, simply because they're afraid of them. It throws off their skill. There are also players who go to great lengths to be intimidating, showing up looking fresh out of jail, acting like a bunch of wannabe gangsters, etc. The effect is similar: an intimidated player isn't going to play as well.
- Judging: I'm opening a nasty can of worms with this one, but judges aren't perfect, and it can affect who wins a tournament if a judge makes a bad call. This can be for a lot of reasons, be it an honest mistake or outright collusion. Players should remember (unless it's changing in 2012) they have the right to appeal to the head judge.
- Cheating: It relates to the above, but players cheat. I find Pokemon cheaters get away with more than in other games, because the rules are a little looser and the mentality is more casual. As someone who's been on the serious side of TCGs for a long time, I sometimes wonder if Pokemon judges are on happy pills all the time. I do really wish for one thing in Pokemon above all else: stricter materials restrictions. Hand out dice at majors, and restrict sleeves at majors to matte single colour, just like MTG.
- Luck: It's a TCG, which means there's an inherant random element. People get lucky, and just win on that alone. Be it getting good matchups all day, or flipping five Agility heads in a row, luck matters.