[MeisterE]

To create competitive - the 4 players should be at or about the same self-evaluated skill level (imo). So I check the competitive play box, which is a completely superfluous check box (didn't take long to figure that one out). And here's my typical findings: Novice, beginners, intermediate, advanced, & expert (so called) players meshed in one playground. This causes many problems: first, it's not competitive play if everyone at the table is of a different caliper which induces the phenomenon of the 'hot-seat': players jumping around until they find a comparable player.

Why not create segregated rooms based on skill-level? MSN Gaming Zone had a great set-up; it's too bad they're not still around.

[mtvesuvius]

The obligatory once a month posting about skill level obv...

Anyway, I think having segregated rooms would be against the bridgebase theory and goal -- The self rating by itself is silly enough, splitting BBO up based on the ratings would be even sillier.

[Antrax]

MeisterE, I think there was an experimental feature in the new (flash) client, called "take me to an interesting table" (under "help me find a game"), that tried to match you with similar-level opponents.

[Rossoneri]

 Antrax, on 2011-July-11, 06:14, said:

MeisterE, I think there was an experimental feature in the new (flash) client, called "take me to an interesting table" (under "help me find a game"), that tried to match you with similar-level opponents.

Good suggestion. Theoretically this would work, but in practice...(we all know what happens)

[diana_eva]

 Antrax, on 2011-July-11, 06:14, said:

MeisterE, I think there was an experimental feature in the new (flash) client, called "take me to an interesting table" (under "help me find a game"), that tried to match you with similar-level opponents.

The feature you are referring to is still available on the web version and it is not experimental. Under Help me find a game > Play bridge there is an option to List interesting tables. This is a list of 10 tables or so, usually with locked seats, that the software selects as "most likely to suit you" taking into account various elements such as country, language, friends etc. I don't think skill level is one of them though.

[helene_t]

right, an interesting table is one with many kibitizers and/or with star players. Skill level does not factor in.

MeisterE: you will probably notice that most "experts" are very bad players while quite a few "novices" are rather good. Self rating doesn't work. It is not just a bridge thing. There was a poll showing that 80% of all americans think they have above-average driving skills.

[MeisterE]

 helene_t, on 2011-July-11, 14:58, said:

right, an interesting table is one with many kibitizers and/or with star players. Skill level does not factor in.

MeisterE: you will probably notice that most "experts" are very bad players while quite a few "novices" are rather good. Self rating doesn't work. It is not just a bridge thing. There was a poll showing that 80% of all americans think they have above-average driving skills.

I agree, Usually the U.S. players are not that good... But the Turkies seem to be great at any skill level.

[MeisterE]

 Rossoneri, on 2011-July-11, 10:19, said:

Good suggestion. Theoretically this would work, but in practice...(we all know what happens)

Theoretically? I may be old school, but MSN gaming zone used to have bridge in its repertoire; it had 3 rooms I believe: Casual Play, Intermediate, & Expert. Something like that; it was great.

[diana_eva]

 helene_t, on 2011-July-11, 14:58, said:

right, an interesting table is one with many kibitizers and/or with star players. Skill level does not factor in.

...

There is a List of Interesting Tables for playing too - not only for kibbing.

[MeisterE]

 mtvesuvius, on 2011-July-11, 06:05, said:

The obligatory once a month posting about skill level obv...

Anyway, I think having segregated rooms would be against the bridgebase theory and goal -- The self rating by itself is silly enough, splitting BBO up based on the ratings would be even sillier.

How exactly would creating competitive game play be against any theory or goal? Maybe we should put little league baseball teams up against professionals.

[mgoetze]

 MeisterE, on 2011-July-11, 15:56, said:

How exactly would creating competitive game play be against any theory or goal? Maybe we should put little league baseball teams up against professionals.

Don't worry - the chance that you will run into professionals playing random pickup games in the main bridge club is very very close to 0.

[barmar]

First of all, this seems very specific to BBO, not bridge in general. Why post in "General Bridge Discussion" instead of one of the BBO-specific forums down below?

Second, the "Competitive Play" checkbox doesn't mean "good competition" or "fair competition". It's just used to select which area of the BBO site to play in. There's the Main Bridge Club and the Relaxed Bridge Club. I assume if you check "competitive" it only looks for tables in the main club, if you check "relaxed" it searches the relaxed club, and if you check "I don't care" it will look in either.

[JohnLinGU]

Some of my friends click Refuse instead of Accept in 8-player game. I have asked them to aim right at Accept, but they did the same. Is there any way to do this instruction better? Or who has a screenshot to demonstrate it ? If you do, please email it to johnlin3699@gmail.com. Thank you very much. John L