A question please!

[Stefany93]

Hello folks,

I am 14k on KGS, and I have had this sign ~ next to my rank since I was 17k. I have no idea what it means and more, I have no idea how to remove it. Please, tell me!

Thank you very much!
Best Regards
Stefany.

[topazg]

Hello folks,

I am 14k on KGS, and I have had this sign ~ next to my rank since I was 17k. I have no idea what it means and more, I have no idea how to remove it. Please, tell me!

Thank you very much!
Best Regards
Stefany.

IIRC, it means you play too many people stronger than you, and not enough your rank and weaker.

[CarlJung]

From KGS FAQ

Why is there a tilde (~) after my rank?

One way to improve is to play against stronger players. However, if everyone only played stronger players, then beginners or less-experienced people wouldn't have a chance to improve. Therefore, KGS assigns a tilde (sometimes called a squiggle) next to your rank if you don't play weaker players often enough. The tilde doesn't prevent you from playing stronger opponents, but it becomes more difficult to get a game if you have a tilde. The KGS community recognises that it's important to teach as well as learn, so players with a tilde generally have a more difficult time getting a game.

To remove the tilde, start playing weaker players. When you have played a sufficient number, the tilde will go away. Moving forward, you can then play a mix of weaker and stronger players to ensure that the tilde doesn't return.

Some more info here:
http://www.gokgs.com/help/tilde.html

[Stefany93]

Thank you guys. That will not stop me from playing games with players stronger than me

[CarlJung]

Thank you guys. That will not stop me from playing games with players strong than me

Oh, don't stop. Just play weaker players too.

[Kirby]

Free games also count, I believe.

[topazg]

Thank you guys. That will not stop me from playing games with players strong than me

Good, I'm glad to hear it

Remember though, it may make them want to not play you! Just keep a good number of games going against weaker players, or, even better (in my opinion), [?] players who really benefit from someone helping them get a stable rank, and the ~ will soon go.

[Bill Spight]

Thank you guys. That will not stop me from playing games with players strong than me

I disagree with the advice to play weaker players. You have not been playing for a year yet. Why pick up bad habits?

I strongly agree that people should play weaker players. But not while you are learning the game. Believe me, there will be plenty of time to play weaker players and impart such wisdom as you have, but it would be good to get the wisdom first.

[topazg]

I don't know about that Bill, that would imply there's some kind of cut-off at which point it becomes valuable, before which it isn't. I'm certainly still learning the game as I write, and a 14k is surely capable of helping show a 25k some of their bad habits?

[Kirby]

Perhaps there is not a cut-off where it suddenly becomes not valuable to play against stronger players. I think that it is probably always helpful.

But maybe there is a point where it is more difficult to find strong players. At that point, I guess it's a good idea to share your knowledge.

If I had less self-pride, it would probably be beneficial for me to play as much as I can against stronger players, still. It's just not fun for me to lose all of the time.

I guess that's another reason why I will probably never get really strong.

[Bill Spight]

I don't know about that Bill, that would imply there's some kind of cut-off at which point it becomes valuable, before which it isn't. I'm certainly still learning the game as I write, and a 14k is surely capable of helping show a 25k some of their bad habits?

Oh, I am not saying to a 14 kyu, don't play a weaker player. A chacun son gout. But I strongly disagree with the idea that a beginner should play at least 1/3 of her games with weaker players. Please do not stigmatize her for not doing so.

Now, someone who has played regularly and has been 14 kyu for a year is not in danger of picking up bad habits from weaker players, that's different. But while you are forming habits, it is good to watch and play the strongest players you can. And the strongest players should play teaching games and not foist the job off on DDKs.

[topazg]

Oh, I am not saying to a 14 kyu, don't play a weaker player. A chacun son gout. But I strongly disagree with the idea that a beginner should play at least 1/3 of her games with weaker players. Please do not stigmatize her for not doing so.

Now, someone who has played regularly and has been 14 kyu for a year is not in danger of picking up bad habits from weaker players, that's different. But while you are forming habits, it is good to watch and play the strongest players you can. And the strongest players should play teaching games and not foist the job off on DDKs.

Was anyone stigmatising her?

I agree with all you write here too

[Bill Spight]

Oh, I am not saying to a 14 kyu, don't play a weaker player. A chacun son gout. But I strongly disagree with the idea that a beginner should play at least 1/3 of her games with weaker players. Please do not stigmatize her for not doing so.

Now, someone who has played regularly and has been 14 kyu for a year is not in danger of picking up bad habits from weaker players, that's different. But while you are forming habits, it is good to watch and play the strongest players you can. And the strongest players should play teaching games and not foist the job off on DDKs.

Was anyone stigmatising her?

I agree with all you write here too

Yes, the tilde is a stigma, in the precise sense of the term. As was pointed out, some people may not play her because of it.

[topazg]

That would be wms...

Maybe, but that wasn't the impression I got from the FAQ. Not only was it very clear that the "black mark" was unintentional, but it also is designed to help rated players play more ? players (if you think it's hard getting a game with a ~, try with a ?) and encourages a balance of stronger and weaker opponents, which helps the community as a whole.

I'm not saying it doesn't have a stigma associated with it, but that's different to say that it was intended that way.

[CarlJung]

(if you think it's hard getting a game with a ~, try with a ?)

Automatch is great for this.