Time Limits?

[RogerAstro]

I've been playing against bots, but am curious about playing live online.  But I'm not the fastest, and sometimes ponder a play. What is the rule/courtesy about timeliness in play? Especially at the beginning of a game, when the cards are first revealed?

Appreciate the guidance.

[jsh]

Time spent on turns varies from game to game, but please please please click start game immediately. There nothing worse than waiting for someone to read every card when you need to know your opening split to actually think about the game.

[josh bornstein]

There will be some people (okay, I'll call them jerks  ) who will be upset with you, and will likely make mean comments, if they perceive you as moving too slowly.

I expect that 98% of that will be eliminated if you--just when the game is beginning--make sure to immediately type into the chat section, "I am a beginning player.  I will move as quickly as possible, but my first few moves may be slow, as I review these new cards."   Or, "Three of these cards are new to me.  I'll need a few minutes right now to review them; but after that, I can move quickly."

The possible bad reaction is because there are a very few players who take pleasure in slow-playing opponents (ie, moving very very slowly, intentionally), just to be mean.  I think that just about everyone remembers what it was like when we ourselves first started and did not know all the cards, and therefore moved a bit more slowly.  Your main responsibility is to write and tell people that you're a newbie, so that they do not confuse you with one of those awful intentional-slow-players.  If you write nothing, then it's reasonable that you'll encounter hostility.  If you do write, and explain in advance, and other players are STILL mean . . . well, then they are the jerk, not you!!!  :-)

p.s.  As a general rule: If, during any game, you need to take an unusually long period of time, it is only common courtesy to write something in chat.  "Someone just knocked on my door.  Will be 2 minutes."  Or, "Complicated move.  Will need a few minutes to think about this."

As long as you show your opponents simply respect, it's been my experience that the people on this site are incredibly kind and patient.  When I was a beginner, I even had players offer suggestions on some of the more complicated card combinations, or explain why they did a particular move.  I've tried to also do this, under the theory that (a) It makes for a more friendly game, (b) If it brings up your skill level, then it will make future matches more even, and therefore more fun for both of us, and (c) it's just a nice thing to do.

I hope your playing experiences here are as stress-free and as enjoyable as my own have been for me.

[josh bornstein]

p.s.  jsh posted first, while I was typing my own response.  Great suggestion, and one that I'll make sure to adopt myself, in my own games.

[RogerAstro]

Thanks to both of you for your great responses.  Josh, especially, for taking time to write.  JSH for a tip I will definitely bear in mind.  Between the "begin immediately" and "explain my delays", it makes a lot of sense. 

Glad the game does not impose time limits, although I can see where some tournament-rated games might adopt some time-limit rules.

Regards, and Happy Holidays!

[Ingix]

Just to be clear: After 4 minutes of you 'doing nothing' when you have to make a decision, the opponent will get the option to make you resign (kick you). Of course, if you explain that you are thinking (or need a bathroom break or whatever), they'll probably not do that.