Pythagorus: The bug was that the points awarded for matches weren't variable according to the rating diference. Previously, playing someone within 400 points meant a gain or a loss for both players of 8 points and only 8 points.

The new system is that the 16 points are now apportioned according to the rating difference.

The first system favoured the higher-rated player (at whatever level, eg it would favour someone at 1600 playing someone at 1400).

The new system is correct for skill based games but for Backgammon it heavily favours the lower rated of the pair.

Both systems are flawed for Backgammon.

For backgammon:
At FIBS the average rating is 1500 and the top is 2000+.
At Vog the average ratings is 1600 and the top is about 2100.
Thus the top half of the playing pool is spread out over 500 points.

Here the average for backgammon is 2000! And the top players are at about 2200.
This squashes the top half of players into a mere 200 points. A ridiculously small range.

In Hypergammon the average is 1930 and the top 20 starts at 2100. A range of 170 points.

In Nackgammon it's average 1675 up to 1875 for #20 giving a range of 200.

Chess: Average 1675 to #20 at 2207. A range of 530.

It's a Chess formula. It works for Chess. It doesn't work for Backgammon.


alanback: The high preponderence of provisionals in the top 20 is a result of that squashing. The startup formula awards opponent's rating + 400 for a win. A new player need only win against a few average players and their rating will be 200 points higher than the top established players.


Fencer: A crazily high average and a squashed range? Provisionals who shoot way beyond the top just by beating average players? It's very flawed. I wish you didn't hold the Backgammon community in such contempt.

Maybe you and others don't think you do but it sure seems like it.

1] A serious (ie. it has caused much discussion and argument) bug which has been known about for over two years!. No action.

2] At least a small addition to the rules to alleviate the upset caused by the bug? Two years and no action..

3] Pro backgammon. No progress. No information. No visible action..

4] A proper rating system. No intention.

5] Your priority for these is "lower than average". Well, considering 1] and 2] it's way below average.

That's what I mean by contempt. And I'm not alone in wishing that it wasn't that way.