I felt that way about the one I got sent out on the last time I competed, not only did I lose, the member trashed me multiple times in the thread. It was fun!
I never do well in graphics competitions. I think it's because I usually sway more towards what I like visually versus the GFX flavor of the day, but it sucks to make a sig I love (which doesn't happen often) and then finish like 10th out of 12 entrants.
Can't wait to face boubabi then.
Might it be better to, for the first round, put all 10 into one poll, tell people to vote for all the ones they like, drop the lowest 2, then proceed as usual with the final 8?