Backgammon Online

10-Aug-2010
03:54 PDT

This is my proposal to solve the current ladder problem, where the number of games available is almost always close to zero, and moving up and down is like a roller coaster ride. I believe the following proposal will help a lot, based on my experience with ladders in other servers.

1. Joining the ladder

Any player with 10 completed rated games may enter the ladder. A player not online for 15 consecutive days without their holiday flag set will be removed from the ladder.

2. Who can I challenge in the ladder?

You can challenge the highest position of the following:
- 10 positions above your own (e.g. if you are 20th, you could challenge 10 positions above)
- 40% of the players above your position (e.g. if you are 70th, you could challenge 28 positions above)

- You can only challenge people when they have available "max number of ladder games" for their position. This number of games value is set as follows (cannot be chosen by player):
- 1st to 10th: 15 games (more games higher to the top)
- 11th to 50th: 10 games
- 51st and below: 5 games (less games here, because there are always a lot more games available at this level)

- You cannot challenge someone again on the ladder within 3 days of finishing your last game against them. (comments? I believe this will bring stability to the ladder positions)

- Non-subscribers can only have up to 10 outgoing challenges at any one time.
- Subscribers have no limit on number of outgoing challenges, provided it falls within their total games allowance.

4. Withdraw from a ladder?

You can withdraw from the ladder at any point. When doing so, all your current ladder games become standard games, and if you rejoin the ladder you must do so from the bottom.

10-Aug-2010
09:51 PDT

The only issue I have is dropping without losing. I took a 3 day vacation and dropped form around 10 to below 60. No losses. I disagree with the inability to challenge for any time. I take every game that is open, above, below new or old.

12-Aug-2010
12:28 PDT

On the ladder in general we should have 3 of them in a league table format with promotions and demotions etc.

It would mean more to aim for than just the single 1st place.

The one time I've played on a ladder system before was my school chess club and I think I recall it being 'reset' every so often, that might allow newer players a chance at the higher ranks.

12-Aug-2010
16:32 PDT

There are only 225 players on the ladder. If there were ore layers we could have multiple ladders.

14-Aug-2010
12:46 PDT

True but 'shorter' ladders would allow a few more chances?

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to fight my way up but once I get there I'd like for there to be somewhere else to go.

21-Aug-2010
08:17 PDT

I agree with Saurus on the original thoughts. I have been first on the ladder many times - not necessarily because I deserved to be, but because I was able to challenge the #1 slot from the 99th position and won, and then I just rechallenged at the end of the game (before they could say anything contrary). Moved up quickly that way.

I hear skulls pain as well - in fact, just from an overnight of not playing much (week-end, I was busy, whatever), I have moved down the ladder as many as 25-30 rungs (so from 7 - 37 with no games completed). I know it's dynamic, and people are always moving up, but it sometimes is a bit crazy I think.