Using Expel to Avoid a Loss

[woodsman1959]

During a recent tournament for Spacebase I was expelled late in the game. I get it, I missed the start date and so started with a negative clock. However, once I did join I played in a regular and timely manner. I probably wasn't going to win, as somebody else had a strong lead. When that lead became clear, another player expelled me, thus avoiding a loss for themselves. I've seen this happen several times and it really bothers me. I don't mind the loss of Karma to myself; I deserve it, but I really dislike somebody allowing play to go almost to completion and then expelling another player as a way of avoiding a loss.

I have a couple of suggestions:
1. More immediate notifications of game starts (I received the email notification after I'd already run out of time)
2. Either immediately expel a player that did not start a game or allow opponents to accept a clock extension, then reset the think clock once all players have accepted the game start.

[GeraldineMerida]

I receive email notifications of the start of tournaments I've signed up for one hour before they begin. Maybe you need to change your settings?

(I totally agree though that it's bad sportsmanship to expel someone only when it becomes clear you will lose otherwise.)

[Meeplelowda]

I have a couple of suggestions:
1. More immediate notifications of game starts (I received the email notification after I'd already run out of time)

I get notifications on my phone, but there is sometimes a delay. Sometimes the delay is so long that I've already timed out by the time I see it. So it should only be relied on as backup.

[Godsmurf]

This happens all too often. One player can literally ruin everyone else's game. Expelling a player with negative time should be voted on by ALL players with positive time.