The number of people in this thread defending the old system is mind boggling. Any system that would encourage people to neglect their personal health in order to win a house is pretty obviously unethical.

The only point any of them have is that before you could, through great acts of neckbeardery, improve your chances. Which is true, but it makes you look pretty bad.

Any anecdotes (too many in this thread to quote) claiming they just walked up to a placard and casually purchased a plot can be dismissed as either trolling or, much less likely, dumb luck.