problem joining an arena table

[MatMey1987]

Hi,
For a few days now I've been having problems getting to an arena table. More specifically, when I click on start, it doesn't last and I keep having to restart the search for players. Are you experiencing the same problem?

[springiest]

i have had a similar problem on a number of occasions this season.
one time i clicked START and i got put into a queue with one other player. then i invited a friend to fill one of the remaining spots, which they did. and indeed the queue updated to 3/4 players. but then 30 seconds later, to my surprise, my friend got a game (with the same players or not, i dont know) while i was still stuck in queue with one other player.
idk how arena queues work and how people are matched together, but clearly it is not a simple "first in first out" system. i wish the admins were more transparent with why such kind of weird stuff happens in the queue.

[reveiIIe]

If you attempt to start an arena game and join the queue but it doesnt tell you "Searching for x players", it means you were blocked (red thumbed) by someone who is already in the arena queue and on that table. Annoying how it works but such is life.

[KenH]

The top players use the thumbing system to avoid playing with partners they consider unacceptable or with newer players. In games like Azul with thousands of players, this isn't an issue. But, Tichu has a relatively small number of players so this manipulation of the thumbing system is just short of outright cheating.

I'm sure that the designers of the thumbing system did not intend for it to be used this way. But, BGA is a such a huge platform now, this seems like a minor issue. But, it should be addressed.