I inadvertently checked "include unrated players" on a recent game invitation. While I'm happy to play against unrated players, I thought it was bloody ridiculous to see that I will get 0 points for a win, -12 for a draw, and -24 for a loss. How on earth are unrated players meant to get to play against rated players. How about setting up some sort of rating system which is fair to players with an established rating, and which also gives new players an opportunity to move up the ratings reasonably quickly to reach their level,

I might even be prepared to accept 0 points for a loss in a game of skill, but in games like backgammon, which is maybe 70% skill and 30 % luck (I bet that gets some reaction) it seems a bit silly to award zero points for a win - why would anybody interested in ratings ever play against an unrated player?