Does playing for ELO count as Kingmaker behavior?

[eastwoodsgolfer]

Hi all,

I am newer/returning to BGA and am not quite clear on the collusion rules. I get sometimes players who are friends might not move the robber on eachother early game even if it may be a more correct move, but there seems to happen suspiciously often.

That aside I had a more clear situation at the end of last game I played...

Playing 4 players A, B, C. and D. I, player A, am not rolling well but did manage to jockey away the longest road from Player D the turn before making it so I have 7 points no development cards, player B has 7 points no development cards, player C has 8 points no development cards and player D has 5 points 1 development card that was likely a victory point. I have like 2 resource cards so I pass. Players B and C both have around 10-12 resources cards, without a 7 it is very likely player C will win the game this turn. Player B rolls and is seemingly unable to end the game this turn... he uses a port to trade 3 wheat to play 4 roads to take the longest road card from me making the points A5B9C8D5(6). It is clear he could have afforded at least 1 victory card instead (very little draw on cards this game and monopoly was still there and I think largest army was still up for taking). Our only hope to extend game was to have Player C role a 7 and keep him in check with knights or monopolies. Instead Player B took longest road in an effort to make me last to save ELO points. I never blocked him that game and stole mostly from Player C who led most of game and eventually won.

My question is, does this merit a red thumbs down (the everyone should avoid kind) for kingmaker play or is playing for ELO when the game starts to look unwinnable acceptable?

Thanks

[JackHH]

For Catan, the ELO system should treat everybody who is not the winner as equal losers. A game of Catan where there is no concept of 2nd is a more fun and interesting game because it means the players who are behind are mutually incentivized to team up against the leader.

[Mathew5000]

For Catan, the ELO system should treat everybody who is not the winner as equal losers. A game of Catan where there is no concept of 2nd is a more fun and interesting game because it means the players who are behind are mutually incentivized to team up against the leader.

I fully agree with this. But it does not answer OP's question. On this site, the non-winners are not treated as "equal losers", so it ought to be acceptable to play to maximize your own Elo, which sometimes means, for example, helping the player currently in first to reach enough points to end the game.

[eastwoodsgolfer]

Yes Matthew, that was my point. I have adjusted my strategy so if it is likely the last one or two turns and a loss is inevitable I will play for second. However, if I have a shot at all then I am honorable and I make an attempt to prolong game. I don't know how much longer I will play on here as it just takes the fun out of the game, not only does the elo system encourage kingmaker behavior from individual players, but in like 3 of my last 5 games players were blatantly playing with a partner. What satisfaction do people get from cheating at a free internet game?

I went and bought Tabletop Simulator on sale, I might have paid for premium on BGA but this really shows its not worth it. I will just try to find reasonable games and try to learn Azul better. I am terrible at Azul but at least it seems like less people cheat there.