Supplemental queue sampling technique for packet scheduling

A technique for improving utilization of a data link coupled to a network. Scores are generated for one or more data flows that transfer onto the network via the data link. The scores are kept in a "scorecard" that represents a pool of data flows that are eligible to transfer data onto the data link when the data link becomes idle. Each score represents a rating of a particular data flow's eligibility to transfer data onto the data link when it becomes idle. A check is performed to determine if the data link is idle, and, if so, data associated with the highest scoring data flow are transferred onto the data link.