[ba-poker] tournament alternates

[Rodney Chen <rchen(deleted the rest)>]

I've started seeing this practice used more often in tournament poker, as
folks bust out in the the preliminary rounds they are replaced by folks on
an alternates list.  In the WSOP $10k event, apparently the 200 alternates
to the 2400 in the main field have their chips "blinded" off at 50 chips
every 40 minutes, a relatively insigificant amount against the starting
level of blinds.

Is it generally an advantage (reduced exposure to being snapped) or
disadvantage (missing playable hands) to being an alternate?

Rodney

PS Also, if given a choice, would you start on Day 1 or Day 2?