Leela-zero: [Question] Why are all match games always starting at 4-4?

[StanTraykov]

A KGS user pointed out something interesting: all network match (not self-play) games always start the same way, with 4-4 points (and then standard 4-4 joseki).

I checked the file all_match.sgf on the site (only goes through Jan 30) and some random recent matches, and it's true. When I run Leela normally (no randomness, no switches), it starts with other moves as well, such as 4-3 points (in exactly the same situations).

Is this somehow connected to the limited number of playouts on match games or what could be the cause? Is it a normal/good/bad thing? Just a phase or to be expected to continue? (The earliest match games are obviously not all 4-4s).

[remdu]

the 4-4 have a strong policy recommendation, so you need more playouts for others to rise above them, especially since there is apparently not much of an advantage to playing 4-3 rather than 4-4.
As to why it converged on 4-4 rather than 3-4, I think the reason is that there are four 4-4 on the board, while there are eight 4-3 (2 per corner). So the policy recommendation for 4-3 will be divided between all possible 4-3. Which lead to less policy for each. Maybe this wouldn't happen if we didn't use rotations/symmetries like in alphazero.

[roy7]

I do see in RoyalZero vs RoyalZeroSlow, RZS will somtimes open on a 4-3 point. Always fun when that happens. RZ pretty much sticks to 4-4. Like @Eddh said, it takes more playouts to move off 4-4 apparently.

[Splee99]

I checked some of the selfplay games with 4-3 opening. Most of them are lost. It takes long time to get familiar with one opening and one or two trainings are not sufficient. I think that is why it never get promoted.

[StanTraykov]

They do not anymore.