Blatant cheating but you can't call it cheating ???

[Stonecoldore]

The * is clearly a kingmaking duo with another player. A simple game history and replaying their 1-2 games will make it obvious how this player reached at no. Of position.

But doesn’t look like they get moderated. Why is this the case?

I can understand that it’s impossible for moderators/BGA to ensure there’s no cheating involved like this but the easiest way to tackle this task of kingmaking duo cheating the ranking system is observing the players *
This way the motivation to cheat and reach top is killed at the source but hey, it’s BGA

*Moderation Edit: please do not use the Forums to call out specific tables or players by name, this is what the Moderation Reports are for. The Forums should remain a general discussion.

[euklid314]

XXX is clearly a kingmaking duo with another player. A simple game history and replaying their 1-2 games will make it obvious how this player reached at no. Of position.

But doesn’t look like they get moderated. Why is this the case?

I can understand that it’s impossible for moderators/BGA to ensure there’s no cheating involved like this but the easiest way to tackle this task of kingmaking duo cheating the ranking system is observing the players in TOP ELO or just No.1 ELO.
This way the motivation to cheat and reach top is killed at the source but hey, it’s BGA

There are hundreds of games at BGA and even checking the game history of the top10 of each game manually cannot be expected from BGA. If BGA had only a single game on its platform it would be easy to write game-specific code for an automatic check.

That is what the reporting system is for. Go the players profile, click "Report this player". If you are asked about the problem, choose "Show all" such that you can see all options and choose "XXX uses several user accoutns to gain ELO-points". In the next option choose "The accounts are playing against each other to cheat the ranking system". Then you are asked for the other players account(s) that cheat together with XXX. Please add all the game numbers of fishy games and very specific details why it is obvious they collude. Add move numbers and statistics (e.g., in 30 instances in games .... the robber was placed 28 times on the 3rd player, only twice on the colluding players, OR the two players trade exclusively with each other in games ...).

Add at least 5 suspicious games (that you analyzed) in the moderation report.

Whenever I did above procedure the respective players have been moderated and their ELO has been reset to 100. Sometimes even harsher moderation penalties have been awarded.

[Limitless_90]

First of all the moderation that goes around BGA is excessive. No warnings just straight to silencing or removal of reputation (just my personal opinion). But when you report a cheater it gets hidden under the rug. But if you call someone out or say something minutely offensive bam action taken like a itchy trigger finger. Anyway I’ve noticed a pair of accounts that have done the same as OP. Reported it and guess what…nothing happens. Unfortunately it’s a steep uphill walk for reporting cheaters so good luck OP.

[Meeplelowda]

First of all the moderation that goes around BGA is excessive. No warnings just straight to silencing or removal of reputation

I once said something BGA moderator believed I shouldn't and I was given a warning.

But when you report a cheater it gets hidden under the rug. But if you call someone out or say something minutely offensive bam action taken like a itchy trigger finger. Anyway I’ve noticed a pair of accounts that have done the same as OP. Reported it and guess what…nothing happens. Unfortunately it’s a steep uphill walk for reporting cheaters so good luck OP.

So you'd rather all the baseless cheating accusations to be out there? Because they far outnumber the legitimate ones.

Making cheating allegations is actually easy. Reporting alleged cheating is pretty straightforward, too. Gathering enough proof (not just vibes or sour grapes) should be and is hard.

[BusterVA]

First of all the moderation that goes around BGA is excessive. No warnings just straight to silencing or removal of reputation

I said something very similar to this once - they muted my chat for 10 days and cut my karma down to 50/100.

I won't comment further as I don't want the same "punishment" again, but I will say I have a lot of feelings I wish I could share...

[claremaher19]

I like to play Catan with my daughter, we can't play a 2 player game so we for example play a 3 player game, we don't cheat we just play as normal, but it's the only way we can play together as we dont have a third person we know that plays

[Stonecoldore]

I like to play Catan with my daughter, we can't play a 2 player game so we for example play a 3 player game, we don't cheat we just play as normal, but it's the only way we can play together as we dont have a third person we know that plays

Have you heard of the “friendly mode”?

[Meeplelowda]

I like to play Catan with my daughter, we can't play a 2 player game so we for example play a 3 player game, we don't cheat we just play as normal, but it's the only way we can play together as we dont have a third person we know that plays

Have you heard of the “friendly mode”?

How does that solve the problem of not having a third person to play with?

[Suoivax]

I like to play Catan with my daughter, we can't play a 2 player game so we for example play a 3 player game, we don't cheat we just play as normal, but it's the only way we can play together as we dont have a third person we know that plays

Have you heard of the “friendly mode”?

how does that make a 3 player minimum game suddenly 2 player?

[Stonecoldore]

I like to play Catan with my daughter, we can't play a 2 player game so we for example play a 3 player game, we don't cheat we just play as normal, but it's the only way we can play together as we dont have a third person we know that plays

Have you heard of the “friendly mode”?

How does that solve the problem of not having a third person to play with?

Isn’t it quite onvious?

Only reason players play in friendly mode is to actually enjoy the game and not care about results as there is no elo motivation. Besides if there is cheating or unfair practise, other players can quit without karma penalty.

And people who know each other always tend to be a bit biased and partial. Rarely it is competitive without bias in such cases so it is better to play in friendly mode if you play with someone you know outside of BGA or find all 3/4 players you know outside BGA and play with them