Hairy_Scot Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 I am sure there have been discussions in the past on this topic, but I could find no thread in the present forums so I am not sure if this is even the correct forum for discussion of this topic.Anyway, here goes:-The current self assigned "skill level" seems to have certain drawbacks:-1. In general people will tend to grade themselves a bit higher than they should.2. In general players will tend to prefer partners, and probably oponents, of a similar skill level and will be reluctant to entertain lesser mortals who never then get the opportunity to test themselves against "better" oponents.3. Point 2 will certainly lead to an increase in the instances of point 1 and also probably is the cause of a high percentage of "permission refused" when a player attempts to join a table. Given that BBO holds a history of all hands played by a player would it not be possible to implement a computerised rating system which would give a "skill level" based on a player's record? Regarding refusal of permission to join, would it not be possible to give the host a couple of polite refusal messages that can be used to ease the pain of refusal? 4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrTodd13 Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Hairy, It has been the experience that systems which use a computer calculated ratings system still have problems with your #2 and #3. Rather than people overestimating themselves, they'll spend all their time complaining about how the rating system doesn't reflect their true ability. Do you think this is better? The true downside is that people become ratings obsessed. The first bad hand with someone and they leave for greener pastures. The vitriol is much more intense when ratings are at stake. Some of us have been suggesting anonymous, subjective, cross-rating rather than self-rating. This decreases the chance of vitriol because if you make an ass of yourself people are likely to rate you lower rather than higher. Todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matmat Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 how about no rating at all?what's with this obsession with level? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helene_t Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Hi Scot, Welcome to the forum, hope you will enjoy it! This has been discussed a million times. I'm not blaming you for not finding the old threads since it is not so easy to search on the forum. What Todd says pretty much summarizes the discussion. Many of us (me included) are "rating-refugees" who are here on this wonderful rating-free site because of frustrations related to the rating-infected sites where we used to play. As for permission denied, don't take it personal. I deny most request myself because I will look for a friend to join before admitting strangers. I suspect it would be a bad idea to increase your level in order to improve your chances of admission since those host who reject you because of your level are probably not the ones you would like to play with anyway. Just a suspicion, I might be wrong. Helene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrTodd13 Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 Like it or not, people generally want to play with people of their own skill level. There will always be a demand to know how good someone is who you haven't met before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sceptic Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 I have no opinion on the subject, I will ask my wife, what I think, ok she says I over rate myself because I am weak and have an inferiority complex, she also says, that I am so inconsistant that the current catogories do me no justice at all and my arguement for over rating myself because I get rejected so often in the mbc if I have anything less than advanced showing is a very poor justification I have no idea what the answer is, maybe just play with people you know, this is great if you know people, but a bit rough if you don't.... the only problem I see with rejecting people based on ratings, is you can miss making some new friends, there are some really nice people about that are fun to play with ....... you are either a total novice or world class, the level in between could be divided up by a thousand catogories and people would still be rated incorrectly and experts idea of an advanced player is probably different from and intermediates idea of an advanced player There is no hope for this thread, just by taking part in it, you are doomed to a life of worry and frustration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy_Scot Posted February 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 ;) Thanks all!! ;) Some interesting thoughts there.I must confess I am not too concerned about the "skill level", my query was prompted by a friend who maintained that one has to rate oneself highly to avoid rejections, so I just wanted to get a feel for the opinions of others. In addition, being a computer type I tend to think that we can solve all problems by programming (It can't go wrong go wrong go wrong.....................) :) So please excuse my curiosity. All in all I find BBO a wonderful site and I hope to have many more enjoyable hours frustrating the "experts". Again, thank you all for your responses. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tola18 Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 About setting a extra high level. The big hole is of course, can you play according to that level?? If yes, there is no problem. But it will be probably a no... Thus you will only cause people will be dismayed and irritaded and boot you. A novice must have somewhere to do hishers training. Thus I always play out at last some deals with a novice before I quit. And if shehe is a nice person, I often set himher on friends list. But a self appointed expert who apparently isnt no expert gives usually only contempt. (although I may tolerate himher if shehe is a nice person). Lesson? Being a nice person, you will always find both friends and a place. The level you play on comes by itself. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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