how do i get a ranked/rated game on KGS?

[xgenra]

ive been trying to score a ranked game to figure out my rank....
because i just started playing, i wouldnt be suprised if i was the very bottom of the barrel.
is a ranked game something i would have to pay for?

[oren]

Easiest way is to look at the "Play Go" menu at the top and click on automatch.

[Dusk Eagle]

http://i.imgur.com/sLQFn.png
http://i.imgur.com/pvQIy.png
http://i.imgur.com/4HUPI.png

[Solomon]

http://i.imgur.com/sLQFn.png
http://i.imgur.com/pvQIy.png
http://i.imgur.com/4HUPI.png

The continuation: http://i.imgur.com/FR8mA.jpg

[daal]

...and no, you don't have to pay for it.

[Solomon]

I'm not complaining as I find it quite easy to go from [?] to solid rank, but I know a lot of people new to the server find the task a little difficult and I also had trouble with it for the first few months so I'm just poking small fun .

[Li Kao]

I recommend using automatch. I did that when I was a beginner and I had no problem finding games.



If the ranked game checkbox isn't enabled you need to register first. Guests can play no ranked games.

It may take a few minutes to find a game, but usually it's quite quick.
The first game might take a bit longer since many players have disabled playing with unranked people.

[wms]

Also, maybe play a ranked robot once or twice. Once you have a rank of your own, even if it is just from playing robots, you'll probably find it easier to get rank games with other people.

[LordYunzi]

...and in front of the names on the players list, you see "R" for someone who wants to play a ranked game, and "F" for the free game..

[Li Kao]

Also, maybe play a ranked robot once or twice. Once you have a rank of your own, even if it is just from playing robots, you'll probably find it easier to get rank games with other people.

Why are there so few ranked bots in the SDK range? Those are really useful to quickly get a decent rank. I heard something about the KGS administration dislikes having several (ranked) instances of the same type of bot playing.
I think there is clearly a high demand for such bots since for the few that there are the games are gone withing a few seconds.

[wms]

Not sure about that. If that is a policy, then it's the first that I've heard of it. I just assumed that the problem was that there weren't enough people who wanted to leave their computer on all the time, playing go.

[perceval]

http://i.imgur.com/sLQFn.png
http://i.imgur.com/pvQIy.png
http://i.imgur.com/4HUPI.png

The continuation: http://i.imgur.com/FR8mA.jpg

lol so true, until you use the rankbot at least

[Li Kao]

Not sure about that. If that is a policy, then it's the first that I've heard of it. I just assumed that the problem was that there weren't enough people who wanted to leave their computer on all the time, playing go.

I just asked on the computer go channel. And it seems like there is an unofficial policy that at least gnugo bots won't be approved(for having a rank), because there are too many of them already. They want to see original bots.

Personally I disagree with that notion. I think that more ranked bots in rooms like "The Ranking Room" would be helpful. Even if they're boring old gnugo. If one fears the influence of bots on the ranking system/rank inflation for bot abusers once could limit the number of ranked games a human may play against a bot, instead of limiting the number of ranked bots.

[Numsgil]

If one fears the influence of bots on the ranking system/rank inflation for bot abusers once could limit the number of ranked games a human may play against a bot, instead of limiting the number of ranked bots.

I would assume this would cause the bots' ranks to be deflated, and so it would be rather hard to game the system effectively.

[hyperpape]

If one fears the influence of bots on the ranking system/rank inflation for bot abusers once could limit the number of ranked games a human may play against a bot, instead of limiting the number of ranked bots.

I would assume this would cause the bots' ranks to be deflated, and so it would be rather hard to game the system effectively.

I don't see how. If anything, it should increase the bots ranks because you can't learn their weaknesses and play them repeatedly to push up your rank.