14
votes
Accepted
Does reading strategy guides before a game count as cheating?
This is all about your social contract1 - some groups play to win, in which case the behaviour you've described seems perfectly reasonable. Other groups play more for fun, and fun can often be reduced ...
- 10.2k
13
votes
Are there any time limit per move in Ticket To Ride?
There is no time limit for each turn and etiquette for turn length depends on the group that you are playing in. The best suggestion that I can make for you is to remind your wife that she can start ...
- 13.9k
12
votes
Accepted
Etiquette for the Stack in MTG
What is legal?
Cards go on the stack when you cast them. They remain there until they resolve or are otherwise removed from the stack.
According the the Tournament Rules, the current zone of any ...
- 13.7k
12
votes
Accepted
Can opponents ask for "alerts" in bridge?
Law 20 of The Laws of Duplicate Bridge deals with review and explanation of calls. Quoting partially:
F. Explanation of Calls
During the auction and before the final pass, any
player may request, ...
- 5,773
10
votes
In Scrabble, what happens if a player has to leave the game early?
While there are no explicit rules in Scrabble to handle this, it's pretty straight forward to do this in Scrabble with minimal disruption. I've done this on several occasions.
Leave any tiles on the ...
- 17.9k
10
votes
Are there any time limit per move in Ticket To Ride?
There's no time limits in the rules.
In the online version of the game, one can set an amount of time per player. Even 7 minutes per player (total, for the entire game including time spent choosing ...
- 47.6k
7
votes
Backgammon stacking rule
Stacking pieces on the same point is not necessary unless it would otherwise be unclear where those pieces are meant to be. There are no rules about how you place pieces on a point; it is only common ...
- 3,521
6
votes
Accepted
Is it good etiquette to gg the opponent when they gg you, even if you haven't won yet?
Disclaimer: Arena emotes, beyond maybe one "Hello" at the start of the match, are a touchy area all round. I'd honestly advise either just turning them off or ignoring them; nobody will ...
- 10.2k
6
votes
Accepted
How to keep the game interesting if a player is 95% certain to win?
This is a common problem in come strategy games where a "tipping point" is reached, after which victory is assured for one player or faction, but the end game conditions are such that play must ...
- 541
6
votes
How to keep the game interesting if a player is 95% certain to win?
If your goal is to keep that same game fun even though you're certain to lose, then perhaps you could rebalance on the fly by choosing a more attainable goal, e.g. "We can't deal 15 damage and win, ...
- 11.1k
6
votes
Etiquette for the Stack in MTG
There is no rule that specifically governs the physical location of cards on the stack, so you should put them wherever makes the game state clearest. That usually means that you should put them in an ...
- 80.9k
5
votes
Accepted
Under what circumstances is a declare allowed to "pause" upon seeing the dummy?
Always - it is a recommended action.
As Declarer I always pause for the 5 or so seconds you recommend when Dummy comes down; as East I will do so (by initially playing my card to the first trick face ...
- 11.9k
4
votes
Accepted
Is it ok to show my cards when I know I I’m the only one with spades left
The rules (in most spades rulesets) prohibit showing your cards, yes.
That said, what you describe is a pretty common practice in friendly games, as (as you note) the rest of the hand's play is ...
- 10.8k
4
votes
Is there a penalty for constantly calling a revoke to disrupt the play?
Absolutely! This type of disruptive behaviour is in no way acceptable by any player.
The Laws of Duplicate Bridge (2017) provide mechanisms under which the Director can act in such a circumstance of ...
- 11.9k
4
votes
Are reminders spoken before looking at the cards bad bridge etiquette or ethics?
No, I don't believe there is anything improper here. Referring to the Laws of Duplicate Bridge (2017 revision), I observe the following.
Law 17 (The Auction Period), Part A (Auction Period Starts) ...
- 5,773
4
votes
Does reading strategy guides before a game count as cheating?
Nope it is not cheating and should not be considered such at all. The problem is that assuming you can't would mean that you are limited in what you can do to improve your skill at the game which may ...
- 13.9k
3
votes
Accepted
Can you change your mind after discarding during Monolith Arena?
I don't know this game at all but will answer this in a broader etiquette sense.
In games people make mistakes or they start taking a move and realise that they want to do something different. When I ...
- 10.5k
3
votes
What is the etiquette behind "thanking" partner for dummy?
As you say, whatever you do, be consistent. Good contract, bad contract, plays itself, requires incredibly careful play, whatever. If you do not do that, the opponents know.
Yes, sometimes that ...
- 2,548
3
votes
Discarding before laying down a hand
This sounds more like a question of sportsmanship and the play-style of people you choose to play with rather than an actual rules question.
Yes, discarding is the last thing you do on your turn; when ...
- 74.2k
3
votes
Under what circumstances is a declare allowed to "pause" upon seeing the dummy?
Declarer should always pause - for 15 seconds or so, not just 5 - upon seeing the dummy - to give defenders time to analyze the hand without giving away information. The amount of time is even ...
- 2,194
3
votes
Accepted
How do I deal with 'take backsies', particularly in Twilight Imperium?
You need, however annoying it may seem, to formalize a policy that deals not only with minor 'take back' adjustments, but with mistakes that were not noticed at the time. Before the next game, ask the ...
- 2,608
2
votes
What is the best way to deal with cheats?
If you're playing in any kind of organised play, there should normally be a store owner, tournament organiser or some kind of official you can report this to. This is normally the best approach as you ...
- 424
2
votes
Is it ok to show my cards when I know I I’m the only one with spades left
This is a common play, called: The rest are mine (TRAM).
Wikipedia:
A common play among more experienced or skilled players is for a
player who realizes that he cannot help but win all remaining ...
- 4,105
2
votes
Is it ok to show my cards when I know I I’m the only one with spades left
This procedure, called Claiming or Conceding as the case may be, is common in Contract Bridge (both Rubber and Tournament). However it is also error prone for beginners and can be used unethically by ...
- 11.9k
2
votes
Accepted
Should black pass in this situation?
The marked spaces are what's called dame they are empty spaces that are of no interest to either white or black because the spaces will not effect the outcome of the game and do not need to be filled ...
- 231
2
votes
Does reading strategy guides before a game count as cheating?
I think it's a particular issue with this game, which can be played at two different levels - as a 'friendly' game with family or friends, where people unfamiliar with the game stick to the most ...
- 21
2
votes
In Scrabble, what happens if a player has to leave the game early?
Leaving in the middle of the game is not covered by the rules.
Your question is ultimately: what happens when we don't/can't follow the rules of the game? The answer is always: your house rules are up ...
- 10.8k
2
votes
Can you change your mind after discarding during Monolith Arena?
Yes, it is against the rules. The rules (as you quote) do not permit drawing a tile directly after discarding it.
Rather than "is it against the rules?" (a question you seem to already know ...
- 10.8k
2
votes
Are there any time limit per move in Ticket To Ride?
Have you considered a chess clock? (Multiplayer clocks/apps exist if you play more than 2 player).
Each player gets a fixed amount of time they are allowed to use per game. You can penalise them ...
- 2,032
1
vote
What is the etiquette behind "thanking" partner for dummy?
Once dummy's hand is laid down, there is no restriction on declarer's speech as far as hiding information goes, as dummy is a non-participant in play beyond turning over cards at Declarer's behest. ...
- 4,053
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