Backgammon Etiquette

Etiquette

Dealing with droppers

From:   Bill Hill
Address:   billh70@hotmail.com
Date:   7 December 1998
Subject:   FIBS:Don't get dropped
Forum:   rec.games.backgammon
Google:   B291D0A096683DB9D@whills.demon.co.uk

Hi Folks Since my backgammon is going through a sort of quiescent state at the moment I thought I'd write a little guide about how to deal with droppers instead. First off, don't just assume that because someone disappears suddenly (even if it's at a crucial stage of the match) that they are definitely a dropper. If you are not paying for phonecalls and can afford to wait, hang around for at least 10mins to see if they log back in. If their computer crashed it might take them this long to restart it and log back in. After about 5mins you could consider starting a 1 pt match just to fill in the time, bots don't usually mind if you break off half way through a game:-) So, they didn't come back? The next stage is to leave them a message using the message command "message nick 'message text'", be polite, just ask what happened and when they will be available to resume. If you get a reply then things look hopeful. If they have an Email address (use "whois nick") you could try this as well. No replies? or stalling messages? Then it looks like you might have hooked yourself a dropper. If it's someone with low experience you might consider writing it off and forgetting it. If however they have been playing for quite some time, they have more to lose and it is probably worth while pushing it. Next time you log in and see them playing watch the match and "kibitz" to find out what's going on. Be sure to make their opponent aware that this player has a match to finish with you. If they try to ignore you it's a sure sign they are a dropper, so most will waffle a bit instead and say they will finish later or they don't have time right now. Try to pin them down. Don't let them finish their match and start another without comment. Be sure to "shout" this time so everyone can hear. At this stage you want to make sure everyone knows what's going on. If the dropper says nothing then that adds weight to your arguement. Usually though they will try some more waffle or get abusive, so much the better. Now suppose they have claimed they are too busy, you have to nail this lie. Or they simple log out everytime they see you. So, each time you log in and they are not around do a "whois" on their nick and see if there is a pattern to their login times. If so, make sure you login 5mins before them and wait. Now, when they login, they are obviously not to busy, so you should "shout" that they either leave of finish your match. With any luck no one will come near them with a bargepole so they just have to sit there or leave. At this stage some droppers are inclined to cave, if not repeat the dose a few more times till they get the message. Even if you don't manage to get a concession you know that the dropper is reduced to playing novices or a small circle of friends. At this stage you might want to message the sysops of the server but without a lot of proof you are unlikely to get much joy, especially as it's free. A more insidious form of dropper is one who plays and drops a lot of matches in a sort period and then simply doesn't login till most of them have expired, you can't do a lot about this but do note their names and don't get stung twice. What do you do if you have started a match and someone comes along and says your opponent is a dropper? Well it depends on the credence you give to the teller but it would be worthwhile finding out the exact situation in their match. If their match is all but over I would tend to insist that they finish off before continuing. Or if I'm right at the start and the teller is well known to me I'd probably decline to start, leave the match and see what s/he does. Of course, if you know the droppers State, birthday, ISP, surname, you could always do a net search.....find his/her address and let the boys pay a visit, but this might be a bit excessive:-) Kindest Regards and Merry Christmas to one and all (even ex-droppers, you know who you are!) Bill Hill P.S. I think my idea about a dropper only server is a great one!:-)

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