Welcome Jessica.
You need to know the password.
Some passworded games might games between friends (in real life). Others might invite only (tournament games or players who know each other through the site). Others are forum recruited games - often semi anonymous. This is an excellent way of making sure you get some good quality players.
Have you played Diplomacy before?

I have only seen my father playing it when I was a little and cute kid >:-)
I have read the rules and they look pretty straightforward to me. Maybe somebody wants to invite me to a game?

What kind of game are you looking for? A live game (5 to 10 minute phases) or one with a longer game phase, usually 24 hr phases, 36 hours or 48 hours or more. I would suggest, for your first game, try a long phase game. That will give you a chance to really experience the "diplomacy" aspect of the game. Strategy and tactics are important, but diplomacy is the most important aspect of the game.

Also there are a few variants. The standard game is full press (global and one to one messaging). There is also Gunboat (no messaging) and Public Press (everyone sees everyone's messages). Full press is the classic game. I suggest you star with full press.

You also have to choose between WTA (winner takes all the points) and PPSC (points per supply centre). The former is the *real* game - it is a much more satisfying game. You risk losing more points, but this is not much of an issue as points get reimbursed if you fall to low. PPSC is sometimes favored (by noobs especially) but it distorts the in-game incentives (PPSC sux).

The other thing is, if you join a game, you must not quit, even if things go badly. So if you promise to stick it out you might find some experienced players who will give you a go. But experienced players get really annoyed at quitters.

If you would like to play with some other inexperienced players I suggest you create a game and then lost an ad in the forum.
Include the following:
game ID ( the URL)
Phase length
Number of points
Game type - standard full press WTA (you will need to access the advanced options to choose WTA - but it is worth it).

typo... I suggest you create a game ands then *post an ad in the forum.

I should have added that you should state that your looking for relatively new players.

never known you lot to be so helpful :p

Sexism in diplomacy doesnt stop at the gamemaster assuming you're male.

Thank you for the help :-)
I have created a game! woohoo me :-)

http://webdiplomacy.net/board.php?gameID=68154
It is 2 days long and you need 65 to join!
I was brave and decided that this is going to be a winner takes all the points kind of game. :-)
How do I send you the password, though?

Sicarius, behave >:-)

You can send a private message to someone if you go to their profile by clicking on their name.

I don't know anybody here... So, who wants to join? O:-)

"Sicarius, behave"

I was merely pointing out why I think everyone was so abnormally helpful.

if you click on someones name you can send them a private message.

I don't think it was abnormal, Sic. I'm extraordinarily liberal on gender issues, and saw nothing sexist about this. The community is generally pretty welcoming of new people, and I see nothing out of character.

That doesn't mean the community isn't sexist (they are, often), just that it isn't in this instance.

Jessica that's a four-day phase game. That could take around 6 months to finish. Maybe even longer.
If you want a two-day phase game I suggest you cancel and start another game. Also you can set the joining time separately from the phase length (by default these are the same). Set at least 7 days for the join. You might get lucky and the positions will fill overnight but 7 days should guarantee that the game fills before time is up.

I'd play. I've never played with a girl before, with the exception of my COUSIN who's also named Jessica.

Sicarius I am alway helpful :-)

I'll play but only if the phase length is either 1 1/2 days or 2 days (I would consider 24 hr maybe).

You are right, silly me! I meant it to be 2 days! How did it become 4? :-(

I have created the new game, but the link is WEIRD :-(

This is the link!

http://webdiplomacy.net/gamelistings.php?page-games=1&gamelistType=New

I called it 'My second game :-)'

Bet you anything she's not new and will kick all of your arses

"little and a cute kid"..... not a dating website! ;-)

gameID=68158
That's the link to your game.

Hang on - this isn't another KA personality is it.....

Thank you! The password is 'smile' :-)

i am tempted it has to be said

You can only get into passworded games if you were invited or if you are a hacker.

its been a long time since i played with you, sic. and a noob for that matter.

i think this could be fun.

i warn you. no quarter. i'm actually the best diplomacy player in the world, according to the new york times. i wouldn't know, im just repeating what theyve said.

How do I know how many players have joined a game? When will my game start? :-)