[CSGibson]

One thing that is beign ignored is why people overrate themselves. I know that I've been tempted to move my rating from advanced to expert, even though I do not believe myself to be an expert, usually for one of the following reasons:

1) I played against/know a self-rated expert and thought myself a better player for xyz reason. The theory being "if they're an expert, than I'm definitely one". (Although in all fairness I'm sure some of these are legit experts who aren't playing at their best, or sober, or taking it seriously, or whatever).

2) I am almost always playing in pick-up games where I don't know the individuals. It's easier to pick up a better class of unknown partner if I self-rate as an expert than if I self-rate as advanced.

3) I want to play against the best competition, because that is what I believe will get me to become a better bridge player. There are a number of locked expert only tables that I would love to sit for a session in, but will not be accepted because I self-rate as advanced.

I'm probably not alone in thinking this way, which is probably why there are a number of fringe experts.

[brianshark]

I just mark myself as private and let me bridge speak for itself. Expert only games will often accept privates if there is something intelligent on the profile that might suggest a competent player, or rather a lack of content on the profile that would suggest a novice.

[adhoc3]

Here's a quick survey:

There're 36 stars right now logged-in BBO, of which 13 of them do not rate themself (private), 7 of them claim as World Class, 12 experts, 3 Advanced and 1 Beginner!

The beginner is a Japanese. So we can see more issues involved here, nation, culture, race..... shall we tolerate difference as much as we can:)

[slothy]

As Christmas is on the blurred horizon, and i want to write something before my liver starts decomposing those alcohol molecules,

can i just make one suggestion :-

Who really, really gives a lump of faeces as to HOW we rank ourselves?

Who really, really gives a lump of faeces as to WHY we rank ourselves the way we do.

• If someone self-indulgently judges himself as a World Class / Expert player, does it affect you?
  
• If someone self-effacingly judges herself as a beginner or an intermediate and is really better, does it affect you?
  
• If someone decides NOT to rank himself at all [eg private], do we need to read any ulterior motive into why she decided to do so, and make a judgement ourselves on that basis?

I come on here to enjoy myself and play the best bridge i can, at the same time hopefully making the experience more than just a (virtual) bridge game. I certainly dont judge the experience by looking at their profile before, during or after the game.

Maybe it is about time we all did the same.

On that note

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Alex

ps not apologising for mixing up my pronouns in 3rd list item