Board Game Arena

So before searching for an opponent I make the settings so that I can be matched with someone who is two levels above or two levels below me and start the search.

The matchmaking then sets me up against the 28th best person on BGA, an Expert. I've just been demoted to Bronze Level 1 so this person must be who knows how many levels above me.

So how is that even possible or are the matchmaking settings just ignored?

I'll play this person as heck I love the game and should learn things but this just seems very strange and my question is does the matchmaking actually work from your experience and maybe this is just a one off due to all the database and server problems at the moment or should I be posting this in bug reports?

"Levels" in Arena means only Arena leagues. So if the best person in the world is playing Arena for the first time, they'll be bronze too, and in your league.

It also depends on how many levels exist for a particular game - some only have Bronze, Silver, Elite (some even just have Bronze, Elite), which means that two levels above you is Elite even when you're Bronze. In those cases, you may want to restrict the game to players at your level or just one above or below.

Many thanks for the explanation and the tip nik592.