Allow spectators to watch

[Wreckage]

It would be a useful tool to be able to allow spectators to see your hand. Sort of like having someone look over your shoulder while you're learning.

[melancholy29]

Yes, I can clearly remember it from my time on Brettspielwelt (which was short but intense). They had a system where you could navigate and execute functions by commands, and /peek was one of them. You enter it together with a player's name and then you see the game from his perspective, given there are personal items like cards or ressources for each player. If it's effortless to program I would see it as a very useful feature.

(not restricted to Hanabi though, just saw it in this subforum and wondered why)

[_Gargantua_]

I believe that would open a easy path to cheater..
Or it should notive the player to agree.

Yeah, most of us (i hope), are here to have fun, but right now that may not be the case.

[melancholy89]

How would that be an invitation to cheaters, if it's not feasible for players taking part in the game?

And yes, still on BSW there was the requirement for the given player to accept it, as far as I can remember.

[Chris69]

Would be great to have this option (perhaps with consent from other players)!

[tikhon]

I agree, this would be a nice addition. I can see that it would potentially open the door to cheating, but my game group plays exclusively with each other and many times, there are too many people online for everyone to play the game (some come later). It would be nice for them, while spectating/waiting for us to wrap up, to be able to see what we're doing, just so they feel a little bit included--even if they aren't actually commenting. Plus, we play in Training mode, since we are just on for the fun of getting together, not for any other reason (we played in person until the pandemic(thanks, 2020). Perhaps with consent or in Training mode, this could be allowed.

[Khoo1]

Would be great to have this option (perhaps with consent from other players)!

Good suggestion.

As for cheating, if anyone wanted to cheat, all they had to do is subscribe to 2 BGA accounts, play both accounts against each other and full view of the game. BGA would be rich

Guess that's why BGA prefer to block out spectator mode LOL

[Isayla]

I approve this excellent suggestion !
To learn, it’s easier to look at a party, see the cards and see the players’choice.
With real cards, as spectator you see all cards.
It will be easier to understand the game with visible cards.

[MoiMagnus]

As for cheating, if anyone wanted to cheat, all they had to do is subscribe to 2 BGA accounts, play both accounts against each other and full view of the game. BGA would be rich

Cheating with the consent of the other players at the table is something.
(In fact, if there was no ELO, I would see no reason consider it "really cheating". With ELO, that's more arguable.)
Having the ability to open a second browser (or the same browser in private mode) to watch the game as a spectator and "fake" being clever by always interpreting correctly the hints given to you is much worse. And I believe it's what BGA was trying to prevent here.

[By the way, creating an alternative account to play against yourself and increase your ranking is one of the very few things forbidden by the rules of BGA. While they don't have easy ways to enforce it, it would not be just cheating at Hanabi, it would make you banned if discovered.]

[RicardoRix]

Best way to learn is to play yourself, what's the worst that's gonna happen.. Oh no!!! I lost a game. Big whoop.

Learning through mistakes is how you play this game, especially for beginners. Then you'll get the proper taste of victory when it finally comes.