Great minds think alike :P

@figle Thanks for following up on seeing about possibly adding this feature. I think it represents a good compromise and is in keeping with "clean" spirit that MM and Ivo are discussing.

I do find myself at a big disadvantage in anon games now because some people have a lot of time to try to figure out who is who, and they gossip about it, and it is a real distraction from the game. I have a job and a family and a life, so I dont have time to spend so many hours researching every possible opponents profile. BUt I have a style like Plastic H, where I know a few players who I want to play against or even avoid. So the way anon games are set up now, I find they can figure out who I am and reserach who they want to ally with, and I cant do that, so I feel at a disadvantage.

Knowing the anems of the 6 opponents would put us all at a more level playing field that way and take away that big silly distraction.

*knowing the names

Most the time it doesn't really matter to me, but it's nice having the anon option when playing with friends.

@crazy - Sorry, its not worded well, but http://forum.webdiplomacy.net/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=549

I never get invited to these mystical private anon games. :( *sniffle*

Oh, and here's another problem with anon games. I cant tell why the person hasnt answered me , has he not logged on recently? Or did he get my message and is stalling, gaming me, or checking with his other friend before responding? That is all key data that I use to decide if he is telling the truth

@Figle , I think it is worded fine Thanks

@ crazyter.Agreed silence with someone is usually a sign that they intend to stab at you or not support a move for fear they may upset other players or alliances they have formed.However it is not always the case some people have busy lifes.
More to the point some people use silence to make someone they suspect of a stab to make the first move.Or to test a partner in an alliance.If your using silence as the only criteria to plan your next moves you may make an error your ally may be testing you good players will do this I find.
And yes it can be a sign of a stab as alot of us just don't have the nerve to tell some that they intend to go a differnt route and take the easy way out.
And then you have the talkers they will keep talking to you and some even tell you what they intend to do even after the first stab.They just enjoy talking.
That's why we play every sitution is different and how you react or don't react is what seperates the good players from the rest they learn quickly from there mistakes.

You just gotta realize that deception is part of the game. You use non-commital words like "That's an interesting idea." or even "I can do that." The first is a comment and the last is a true statement even if you don't do it because capability doesn't imply you will do something.

@Draugnar
If I suggest someone supports me somewhere and they reply "I can do that", I will suspect support.
If they don't and give me some BS about the exact meaning of 'can', I'll do all i can to turn others against them.

That's fine. But if they were going to stab you anyhow, my suggestion deceives you for the moment rather than giving away that they are going to stab and they don't have to lie about it.

Oh, and their deceiving you over support is stupid as it probably won't cripple you. One should only stab when one is certain of the eventual outcome.

Draugnar, there is no jury here - it does not matter if tour statement us legally binding or not. The only thing of importance is what the other side thinks. If you give me such a BS excuse I'm not going to argue semantics, but you have to be very deluded to expect much good in return :)

I don't need a proof or evidence to attack you. Acting like a moron will do just fine :)

Do you really play like this? This is ridiculous? :)

Not really, but I don't just tip my hand by going silent. It's like poker. You need to act the same whether you plan to stab or be a faithful ally. SAnything else is just a tell your opponent can use against you.

In 1/3 no-limit Texas Hold-em, if I have a hand worth playing, I always raise to $13. It may be suited, connectors, small pocket, or something huge by pockets rockets, cowboys or big slick, or even a stone-cold positional bluff. The bet is always the same so my opponents don't know what I've got. Here, I continue to chat and act as if all is well right up to the point I whip out the knife and shove it in their back.

What me and I think Ivo are getting at is why bother saying something technically correct like "I can support you" rather than just lying and saying "I will support you"?
Either way your ally's gonna be angry.

This was for those who don't want to lie. I have no compunction against lying in the game (just ask Dingle). Other's do so this provides a means that their conscience might be able to live with and not tip their hand. To me it's just a game and I'll lie, cheat, and steal within the rules of this site to get a win, or not as my record clearly indicates I tend to stay in to the draw.

I think if you only stab when you are certain it will succeed you might be playing it too safe. Just like poker you have to play the odds in this game taking into consideration of not just the risks but the payoff. I have played games where I have found myself thinking "it's now or never... Sure this move might backfire, but if I don't make I can kiss my chances of a solo goodbye".
That said, I think I play it too safe quite often myself.

I sometimes have the same feeling I am playing "too safe" (my record told that too).
And then I come to a question: what´s better overall, playing really offensive and maybe you got 1 win and 6 defeats or playing safe and getting 7 draws out of 7?

7 draws: you'd have never lost.
Not quite sure where the cross-over would be though.

I think you always need to change it up based on the specific game and situations, not just play one way, but adjust as needed to maximize results. The number one goal is to win, but if the chances are 0.01% that you can get a solo and 80% you can get a draw, focus on the draw and wait to go for the solo when the odds are more in your favor.

Sorry to be so proud, but of the last 22 games finished on my profile, I have 4 wins and 18 draws. The number one goal is to win, but I try to take baby-steps, try to be a part of a group to draw and if a good solo opportunity comes about, I'll try to go for it. It would likely be better, if I wanted to maximize my victories, to focus on a solo first and when that is not looking good, to THEN go for a draw, but I'm still fine tuning my strategy a bit.

MM, is this some hidden PR campaign :)

Brilliant result otherwise. Well done!

However, if you really wanted to convince us you're now a team player, who just wants to be a part of the group, etc. may I suggest working more on your 'defeated' stats :)

Those are fine stats MadMarx. A bit like mine actually, except I have fewer wins and draws and more defeats ;)

Ivo, of course it is, have you not heard flashman's accusation that I'm the biggest self-promoter this site has ever had?! ;-)

PS - I do have a defeat on the way, but it's part of an anonymous game, so hasn't shown up yet.