I agree with Selene. My prior attempts to contact BGA support involved a frustrating menu that had options that did not match what I wanted to ask about. The way it is designed seems to be aimed at minimizing the extent to which BGA staff would need to respond to people's specific inquiries; instead attempting to route them through a series of menus that BGA hopes will answer their questions. This is understandable, given what is likely a small staff on a site that has a large number of members.
But that does not make it any less frustrating.
One of the most common issues I see discussed in the forums are rules issues. Rules of etiquette or rules of the BGA site, not specific game rules.
When people post issues in the general discussion forum, which we are currently using for this thread, members often reply with, "you should probably contact BGA support". But, where in that menu list is there an option to contact BGA regarding rules of fairness? In a very recent thread near the top of this same forum, there is a question of whether it is acceptable for a player to receive outside advice from another member or player for a current move in an in-progress game. No BGA staff has responded, and apparently the written rules are vague, hazy, or unclear about this.
I would think such a question would be iron-clad and crystal clear in the BGA site rules, and I would expect that rule to be: "Asking for or receiving strategic advice from another member or player regarding a game in progress is unacceptable and can result in severe penalties."
There are various BGA rules aimed at protecting the fairness and integrity of games and the Elo ratings (not all of which make much sense or actually accomplish the goal), but having another person literally make a move for someone is, in my opinion, the most egregious breach of integrity and fairness.
Because there apparently is no clear rule about this, players are currently debating whether this is acceptable or not. Some players believe this is okay. How is this possibly okay? So, someone could just befriend a high-rated player and ask that player, "Hey, I'm in a tough spot, what should I do here on table [xxxxxxx]?"
Even when reporting a player, there is no option for "this player is giving or receiving advice from another member or player regarding a game in progress". The closest things is, "This player says inappropriate things in the chat", which is hardly descriptive of the seriousness of the actual issue.
Maybe this falls into the category of "Kingmaking," which is against the rules, but the definitions and applications of "kingmaking" are unclear. This should be clearly written to state, "Kingmaking can take several forms, including giving one player an advantage over the opponents by giving advice, whether by a player in the game or a bystander/observer of the game. This also includes soliciting or receiving advice from another player or member."
Other examples should be listed as well. It is far better to have a longer, more descriptive list on this subject than a vague short list.
In other threads, players discuss what types of "assistance" are allowed. BGA is also unclear on this. The rule simply says, "no software is allowed". Technically, "software" includes any computer program or app. BGA itself is "software". Is a player not allowed to review and study completed games? His or her own games? Other players' games? Watch online strategy videos or read online strategy guides? Use the in-game notes feature to track tiles or cards? Use personal notes that form a personal strategy guide or opening book? Install browser extensions to count or track publicly visible but difficult-to-remember information?
Some people interpret "no software allowed" as meaning, "You may not use a computer program to think and tell you which move to make", but that other forms of study and analysis are allowed, as long as the human player is ultimately making the decision on which move to make in the specific situation in question.
Clarity would be very helpful here.
There should be a long list of exactly what is allowed and what is not allowed. Ultimately, for some games, it is likely impossible to prevent all forms of cheating, but at the very least, blatant and obvious forms should be stopped and should be explicitly against the rules. Most players are not going to cheat. Most players will abide by the written rules.
And many players will do something that many other people may perceive as unfair but is not explicitly against the rules.
