Is Intentionally Waiting a Turn to Win Kingmaking?

[kelvinlam]

I played a 4 player game with two players earlier. Throughout the match, they never contested each other’s resources, which in itself might be acceptable if it were openly declared as an alliance. However, they provided no communication whatsoever—no chat or clarification—while effectively working as a team, which I believe constitutes collusion.

However, on the potentially last turn, one player had a clear path to win immediately but deliberately chose not to (drawing and discarding the same resources), allowing the other player —who was in last place—an extra move to score just enough points to climb into second place. This maneuver pushed me and the other player down into third and fourth, respectively.

I was confused until I saw their game history that they intentionally play with each other: https://boardgamearena.com/gamestats?pl ... me_id=1394

• They've played 92 games together, all in 3 or 4 player matches.

• Their next most common opponent was 7 games.

When I called this out, they claimed that it's not cheating because he's allowed to win anytime he wants, but given their continuous ability to avoid contesting each other's resources without public chatting (and therefore contesting the other two players' resources), I think the cheating was quite obvious.

In my view, any “partnership” that significantly alters game outcomes should be announced openly at the start. Doing so covertly gives those two players an unfair advantage, undermines the competitive integrity of the match, and puts others at a disadvantage. The final play of intentionally delaying a win just feels even more egregious.

Thoughts here?

[FrankJones]

Very clear and obvious collusion and cheating. Report it.

[Meeplelowda]

I played a 4 player game with two players, Laksono and buttercup3 earlier. Throughout the match, they never contested each other’s resources, which in itself might be acceptable if it were openly declared as an alliance. However, they provided no communication whatsoever—no chat or clarification—while effectively working as a team, which I believe constitutes collusion.

However, on the potentially last turn, Laksono had a clear path to win immediately but deliberately chose not to (drawing and discarding the same resources), allowing buttercup3—who was in last place—an extra move to score just enough points to climb into second place. This maneuver pushed me and the other player down into third and fourth, respectively.

I was confused until I saw their game history that they intentionally play with each other: https://boardgamearena.com/gamestats?pl ... me_id=1394

• They've played 92 games together, all in 3 or 4 player matches.

• Their next most common opponent was 7 games.

When I called this out, Laksono claimed that it's not cheating because he's allowed to win anytime he wants, but given their continuous ability to avoid contesting each other's resources without public chatting (and therefore contesting the other two players' resources), I think the cheating was quite obvious.

In my view, any “partnership” that significantly alters game outcomes should be announced openly at the start. Doing so covertly gives those two players an unfair advantage, undermines the competitive integrity of the match, and puts others at a disadvantage. The final play of intentionally delaying a win just feels even more egregious.

Thoughts here?

Don't just report it. Report it and delete all specific references to these players and this game in your post or you will be moderated.

[FrankJones]

Don't just report it. Report it and delete all specific references to these players and this game in your post or you will be moderated.

What exactly are the rules regarding references to games? I know we are not allowed to reference a game if the intent is to call someone out in a negative manner. But are we allowed to make a strategy post along the lines of, "Hey everyone, I just played game # [GAME NUMBER], can anyone review some of my moves and give strategy tips?

[Meeplelowda]

Don't just report it. Report it and delete all specific references to these players and this game in your post or you will be moderated.

But are we allowed to make a strategy post along the lines of, "Hey everyone, I just played game # [GAME NUMBER], can anyone review some of my moves and give strategy tips?

Yes, you can do this.