Concise description:
Allow folks, as an option, to select a "slot limit" game, open to those 3 ranks above and 5 ranks below their rank.
Specifics:
This would be an option, "slot limit game". It would be a public game, but one that would exlude folks much higher or lower in rank than the person starting this game.
The actual limits can be debated. Initially, I was thinking setting an upper limit of no more than 3 ranks above and a lower limit of no more than 5 ranks below thier rank when the game is set up OR the person's rank at the time the game is joined (this would depend on programming ease. Either the limits would be set when the game is begun OR would be 3 ranks up, 5 ranks below whatever the initiator's rank is when the new person decidedes to join the game.
This will improve the following aspects of the site:
This is definitely a variation on an old theme. I fully recognize that CC has a long-standing policy that all games should be scored, etc. However, I think it is time to review that policy. I have noticed fewer and fewer public games for some time now. At first, I thought it just the "summer blip" or some such. BUT, when I have forgotten to check "private" when searching for games, I am shocked to see over 200 open private games... compared to less than a dozen public ones (sequential, 2 person particularly, but also other game types). Further, the public games are largely limited to a few folks who like to post 30 of the same game type and such.
On the one hand, there is nothing "wrong" with people playing their friends. It is part of what makes this site work. HOWEVER, at some point CC is going to become a mostly private site with few public games. I don't think that is really what you wanted in this site.
I don't know if my solution is the best. I am certainly interested in other ideas. I see two suggestions already out there. Cicero's and another each asking for differentiated score boards. I felt Cicero's idea, while well thought out, would be too arbitrary and too easy to manipulate. The other idea I just thought too complicated. (yes, ME saying that! : ) lol). This is an idea I have considered for some time.
The advantages of a slot limit are that it would be changeable as someone's rank (and skill changes.) Ideally, the "slots" would be broad enough that they would offer competition, both up and down, but just eliminate the out and out "out of my league" folks on the up side and the "this guy will ONLY win by luck ... and make me lose a bunch of points" on the downward side. The actual limits I suggested are absolutely debateable. (In fact, we may need a special rule to deal with cooks, since there are a number of folks who go out of their way to get that rank, though they actually are good players.)
I decided on 3 for an upper limit and 5 for a lower limit because I consider myself a basic sergeant in skill. I figure games with majors are reasonable, though I expect to lose. On the down side, I am actually happy to play even a cook, but I can see where those more into obtaining points would object.
But, the idea is that I could set a game, as an OPTION, that folks with very low rank or much higher rank could not join.
