Afraid To Join New Games

[SquashEngineer]

Only issue with this is that if you want to "Play Now" you need to be flexible with the games you play...otherwise it may take forever to find a game...let me know if I am wrong.

I find there are always a tonne of games to join at any given time on the "Play Now" page. I just join and see how the chips fall. Routinely I'm riding 50-100 open Turn Based tables simultaneously.

For OP: Stumble through the tutorial and join the game anyway. In Turn-Based I find most (all) people are very accommodating. Just write in the notes that you're a newb and don't know what you're doing. Most people don't care, and you can stumble along anyway, even go overtime without getting kicked out, as I do often/many times. Just push some buttons and play the best you can until you get a few reps under your belt.

It's obviously more difficult to learn Turn-Based and digitally, than seeing it in real time at an actual table. It's hard to see what your opponents are doing by reviewing the logs. Who cares? Just play, have fun, revisit the rules and a few Youtube videos, and the magic will happen.

Most importantly - ignore the haters, and the kickers - they are generally few and far between.

FWIW: I'm still afraid to join some big games I want to learn like GWT, Twilight Struggle, and Watergate.

[Ceaseless]

I hear you, the most annoying thing is that you get banned from chats. I tend to go over time A LOT, but not because I initially lag. Just got a pm..."Thanks for playing, but I had fast for reason"...why because you can't win if the player is using their brain for 15 seconds to find the best next move? There is a difference between players intentionally biding their time (or losing a connection) and players attempting to play the game with in the given time frame. I would say that the Karma getting into a game is pointless...I don't think it will generally affect you based on experience, but the fact you can't chat if below 50% is messed up. Furthermore, that you can lose 20% in 1 sitting, but then only earn at 2% each game is pretty ridiculous. All I can say is don't worry about it too much.

Still going on with this nonsense after ignoring the last few replies when you tried it. Players biding their time still manage to keep to the time of the game without trouble. But let's face it, to not be 100% karma the majority of the time is laughable. All you have to do is play games normally and your karma magically goes up with pretty much no effort. It's free karma. The joke that is a 10-20% karma reduction that requires you go so extreme someone has to actually kick you is meaningless; it could be 50% and being at 100% would still be easy. Players just fluctuate between the normal 100% and when they have the rare extreme moment they have to easily rebuild. They don't even cut karma if you go over time, you just stay where you're at. How's that for easy mode?

[cedarberry]

I totally understand the concern, I have anxiety about that sometimes too. I find that watching a tutorial video gor the game first and then doing the BGA tutorial after is helpful. That way I can get an idea of the game first without any fiddly aspects of the interface distracting me. If I still need more help/understanding, I like to watch a playthrough video. BGG GameNight! Videos and videos by the channel Before You Play are some of my favorites. I always like to play my first game in turn-based mode so that I have time to think, and can look up aspects of the rules if I get confused. Also, playing a friendly game first is always good if possible.

I would always be happy to play a game with you (I promise I am nice and super patient) - you can look at the games I have played to see if any interest you, or we can learn a new game together.

[susan144]

In general, people here are super nice. I had the same worry. In the beginning, I sent friend requests to the people that were nice to play with.
I have had two bad experiences. The first I forget. The second, everything was fine but then he went on rant when I beat him at Jaiper and I said Good Game. His rant was that his ELO score was a lot higher than mine, and I beat him, therefore it wasn't a good game. We had even gone 3 rounds since we each one of the first two.
For both cases it was very satisfying to ban them from playing with me. I was also able to vent to one of my BGA friends.
One idea send friend requests to people that responded.

[YahtzeeKal]

I totally understand how you feel.

BGA is an interesting contradiction; most of the games here are played by people who really, really know the game. They know the strategies, the interface, these are hardcore gamers. On the other hand, I have found that the vast majority of people really love the games they play and actually want to help others to play.

I highly recommend that you do try to play new games that interest you. You will probably lose the first game pretty significantly, but go into it as a learning experience and don't be shy to ask help in the chat. For example, I was playing a game that I knew from a real table but couldn't find something in the interface, something simple. I asked in the chat and my opponent actually told me how to do it. The other player thrashed me though, because I was new to the game and they were a super expert like most people here. But at least I could play.

I hear you about the time limit - you're trying to adjust, get to know the game, then the clock is ticking, the interface is confusing, maybe a slow internet and the first time you load the game it takes an age.... arrgh pressure!

So here's the solution. Yes, do as you are doing. Do the tutorials. Read the manuals. Then try to look for TURN BASED games. They allow you time to get to play, or play solo if the game has it. Then do play against others. Chat during the game. Expect to lose the first few games because people here are REALLY GOOD at the games. But it's ok, just enjoy and play.

Good luck!

Do please always try new games

[Ceaseless]

BGA is an interesting contradiction; most of the games here are played by people who really, really know the game. They know the strategies, the interface, these are hardcore gamers. On the other hand, I have found that the vast majority of people really love the games they play and actually want to help others to play.

You said there was a contradiction but never mentioned what it was. What was the contrasting element? Hardcore games that know the strategy, love the games they play, and want to help others play. An unsurprising combination. But you didn't mention what the other group was.

[Meereseule]

I play new games often times turn based. You can start a game with friend mode, then time will be no problem. And if you are the one opening the table, you can write something in the description. Like, that you are new and are just starting to learn, and that it’s nice if others would help, or something like this.

[Meereseule]

I find that watching a tutorial video gor the game first and then doing the BGA tutorial after is helpful. That way I can get an idea of the game first without any fiddly aspects of the interface distracting me. If I still need more help/understanding, I like to watch a playthrough video.

I watch YouTube videos, too. It’s very helpful, together with the tutorials on bga.