1. Rebut their strongest point first
The AI judge weights direct, on-target rebuttals higher than anything else. Open every round by attacking the strongest version of your opponent's argument, not the weakest. This is the single biggest score-driver across thousands of judged debates on the platform.
2. Bring evidence, not adjectives
Quantified claims, named sources, and specific examples all score. Vague intensifiers ('insanely', 'literally', 'objectively') score nothing. If you can replace an adjective with a number, do it.
3. Steelman before you strike
Restate your opponent's argument in its strongest form, then dismantle it. The steelmanning bonus is real — the judge rewards intellectual honesty and penalises strawmanning.
4. Frame the resolution
Whoever defines the terms of the debate usually wins it. In round one, spend ten seconds defining what 'works', 'safe', 'fair', or 'better' means for this resolution. The rest of the debate then plays on your field.
5. Concede the small to win the big
Conceding a weak point looks like strength. Pivoting from a conceded point to your strongest argument scores higher than refusing to budge on a losing position.
6. End the round with a takeaway
The last sentence the judge transcribes is heavily weighted as the round summary. Land your strongest, cleanest line as the buzzer goes.
7. Practice against the generator
Use the AI argument generator to steelman the opposition before you go live. Top debaters drill 4-7 practice rounds against generated arguments for every live debate they take.
Frequently asked questions
What is the single biggest factor in winning a debate?
Rebuttal quality. The AI judge weighs how directly you respond to your opponent's strongest argument more than any other factor. Restating your own point does not score; dismantling theirs does.
Does talking faster win more debates?
No. The AI judge transcribes everything, so speed buys nothing. Clarity, concrete evidence, and clean rebuttals win.
Should I concede points?
Yes — strategically. Conceding a weak point and pivoting to your strongest argument actually scores positively under the steelmanning component of the rubric.
How do I practice?
Use the AI debate generator and the AI argument generator to drill new topics every day. The top KHAOSRANK debaters average 4-7 practice rounds for every live one.