games won't block high ELO players

[Meeplelowda]

I have my settings at playing just 1 above my level.

You keep referring to your "level." The only settings that filter using the word "level" are these: https://imgur.com/a/Kvpbm5D

But those are Arena settings. Are you using settings that look like that? If so, they won't affect your non-Arena games.

Or are you using filters that are worded like this: https://imgur.com/a/vifq19t

[Shivaware]

I have my settings at playing just 1 above my level.

You keep referring to your "level." The only settings that filter using the word "level" are these: https://imgur.com/a/Kvpbm5D

But those are Arena settings. Are you using settings that look like that? If so, they won't affect your non-Arena games.

Or are you using filters that are worded like this: https://imgur.com/a/vifq19t

The first image you linked to is also showing up in the non-arena automatic game settings.

[Meeplelowda]

I have my settings at playing just 1 above my level.

You keep referring to your "level." The only settings that filter using the word "level" are these: https://imgur.com/a/Kvpbm5D

But those are Arena settings. Are you using settings that look like that? If so, they won't affect your non-Arena games.

Or are you using filters that are worded like this: https://imgur.com/a/vifq19t

The first image you linked to is also showing up in the non-arena automatic game settings.

You are right. I'd forgotten about that because I never filter by ELO that way. Is it possible that the OP set these for one game and expected them to apply to all?

[Jellby]

Usually, when you set the options for one table, they will be remembered for other tables of the same game (not for different games). But, at least for manual tables, I have seen the settings occasionally forgotten. Sometimes it seems to happen when I join someone else's table, they quit before starting and I inherit the table; sometimes I have it as real-time fast, someone times out, and the next table I create is back at real-time normal. So, unless you explicitly set the filter before queuing, you cannot say that "it didn't work", perhaps it was just not set to what you believe it was.

[gmrsmrt]

Usually, when you set the options for one table, they will be remembered for other tables of the same game (not for different games). But, at least for manual tables, I have seen the settings occasionally forgotten. Sometimes it seems to happen when I join someone else's table, they quit before starting and I inherit the table; sometimes I have it as real-time fast, someone times out, and the next table I create is back at real-time normal. So, unless you explicitly set the filter before queuing, you cannot say that "it didn't work", perhaps it was just not set to what you believe it was.

I did it several time and it doesn't work. After it went wrong a few times I paid attention. I went through the setting BEFORE queueing and still it
didn't work. It works fine if I OPEN the table but not if I join automatic queue.

[nik592]

I did it several time and it doesn't work. After it went wrong a few times I paid attention. I went through the setting BEFORE queueing and still it
didn't work. It works fine if I OPEN the table but not if I join automatic queue.

There are two different sets of options - filters are set on a table at creation. They apply specifically to that table, no exceptions. As far as I know, they do not have any bearing on tables you join automatically.

Preferences are found under the gear icon next to the game as displayed in the old lobby (Play Now). Most of them are in and ordered form (never/reluctantly/prefer not/prefer, I think) - so if you set different levels for different options, automatically selected games will initially search for a game matching your "preferred" options and if one is not found, it will shift to your "non-preferred" options, and so on down the order. As far as I know, these preferences have no impact on the tables you can create yourself. They also cover a lot more than player level, karma, etc. - they cover what player count you prefer, what expansions you want to include, whether or not you want live scoring (if that's an option), etc.

Please note, the above is all anecdotal based on my own experience, YMMV.

[JohnnyCyclops]

I believe for the Play Now > Simple Game then choosing ELO simply becomes a table setting for when you are creating a table. It’s similar to other options such as minimum reputation level, or game settings such as player number or in-game options such expansions to activate.

If the OP is automatically joining Simple Game tables then none of those settings will matter. The settings of the person who did create the table will apply. Best to switch from automatic to manual table selection. This will show for any given game the open tables and a summary of their settings, including ELO experience level as chosen by the person opening the table.

Or, open your own tables with your own preferred choices. But the narrower your choices then the slower your table may take to fill with opponents.