How in the world do you invite people?

[Kolbex]

I am pretty new to BGA, but I have run into a brick wall on this issue. I have exactly one reciprocal friend listed on my profile, and I have tried to invite this person to play games with me, as I have seen others invite me to play games. However, I cannot find any way to do this from the new table screen.

Whenever I click to make a new table for a game, I am given 30 seconds (seriously?) to peruse the screen before the table is made open to everyone. Aside form this being completely unwelcome "functionality," it hasn't given me a lot of time to poke around. I did, however, see that I can "reserve" a spot for a specific player, which is possibly the same as inviting someone? However, whenever I try to reserve a spot for this friend, by typing in their username and then clicking on it when it pops up in the menu, I am given a message that it is impolite to reserve a space for someone I don't know. This person is, though, a reciprocal friend on my profile, as I mentioned.

It seems impossible for me to invite players to games, but I have clearly seen it done. What am I missing?

[Oso]

Maybe you can create a game, and after it you can send the URL of your table, is easier I think .

[alexsim]

I think you pretty much have it, Kolbex.

The first thing I do when I create a new game is click "Restrict table access" and then Restrict to group "My friends". That way I have time to figure out the settings I want without worrying about someone I don't know (and who may even speak the same language) joining the game. You can even remove those restrictions once you get things set.

When you save a place for a person, they will get a link saying "you are expected at table #9999999" (or you can send them an email). Once they click on the link, they will still have to join the game (people often forget that second step). Then you will have to start the game and all the players will have to accept.

You can even invite people who are not on your friends list. I wouldn't worry too much about the message about inviting people you don't know, except as a chance to check your spelling and make sure you have the nickname right (Maybe instead of "Donna7" it's "Donna07" or "Donna_7". BGA isn't picky about capitalization, but some sites are.)

The 30-second countdown timer before starting a game always bugs me. If it's a game I don't know well, it can take me longer than that to figure out the options. If it's a game I know (or with no options), waiting 30 seconds adds no value.

[Jest Phulin]

Going along with what alexsim said, there are options for closing the table to others quickly -

Create the table, and uncheck all the skill levels. This will make it so that only non-beginners, non-average, non-good, non-master, non-expert players can play. In other words, nobody. Then, reserve the spot for the person you want. Yes, it is rude to reserve it for someone you don't know, but the site doesn't know that you do know them, so it gives a warning message.

This way, people don't have to be on your friends list to have a spot at your table.

As a side note, when you get the message "You have been suggested to join table yyyyyy" it is because someone has clicked the "send an invitation" button when they set up the table and are waiting for players. This was created when BGA was only live play, and people wanted to get their tables filled quickly. The list of people is the people who have stated they want to play that particular game, and are online.