The scoring dynamics of professional sports are the subject of increasing interest. While these events are not perfectly predictable, they do follow a few common patterns. For instance, the tempo and balance of the game are closely related to a Poisson process, while the number of scoring events and their timing varies according to the lead.

Scores can also vary depending on the type of sport. Individual-based sports often use a points-based scoring system. These points can be abstract quantities that are defined by the sport or a natural measure, such as distance. In either case, the competition is won by the athlete with the highest score or lowest score.

The tempo of a game can be measured as the percentage of scoring events won by one team. This is referred to as its maximum likelihood estimator. This statistic is commonly used in sport games, and is used to assess the balance of a game. It is also useful for assessing the performance of individual players.

Various sports have different scoring systems, and the most popular is the goal. In soccer, basketball, and football, goals are scored when the ball or puck enters an opponent’s goal. This total is then displayed as a match score.