Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:
No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
Times and dates in your local timezone.
Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.
If you are already a member then feel free to login now.
2025/06/11 17:22:31
Subject: Re:What tabletop or card games tend to attract "problem players"? Why do you think that is?
Lathe Biosas wrote: So... what's the solution to dealing with "problem players" at the table?
What do you do when you are across the table from one of these fine, upstanding pillars of the gaming community?
Don't stoop to their level.
But make it clear that their behavior isn't warranted or accepted. Decline future games with them, unless they show improvement.
If there's an authority figure that's appropriate to speak to, try speaking to them. That could be a TO, a store manager/owner, whatever.
Clocks for the clockmaker! Cogs for the cog throne!
2025/06/11 17:25:15
Subject: Re:What tabletop or card games tend to attract "problem players"? Why do you think that is?
Lathe Biosas wrote: So... what's the solution to dealing with "problem players" at the table?
What do you do when you are across the table from one of these fine, upstanding pillars of the gaming community?
\
I would be interested in hearing about how folks have handled this. It's been a long time since I regularly gamed at a shop.
I host my club at my home and whether it's because they are good people or just feel societally constrained to behave in someone else's home, we've had almost no problems. If such a person did show up, it would certainly be easier to bar them from my home than to negotiate some kind of accommodation between an offensive player, a shop and myself.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2025/06/11 17:26:02
On the Surface of the Sun aka Florida in the Summer.
I've only ever had one really bad experience in a 40k Tourney.
My opponent was clocking in a 22 minute movement phase (He was playing CSM), and nature was calling.
I said that I had to use the restroom and I'll be right back.
When I was approaching my table, I had my opponent, the TO, and the guys who were playing next to me arguing and pointing to my Knights.
Apparently my opponent decided that my units were not in the right spot and decided to move them. The guys at the table next to me witnessed this and called him out on his shenanigans.
Things got heated, a TO came by... and I was asked by the TO if my Knights were moved. (My brain is still wired to AT firing arcs, so I position my Knights to point at what they are going to shoot at/charge.)
He hadmoved my stuff.
He was disqualified from the entire tournament. I felt bad for a bit, because the tournament wasn't free, and you wonder how bad someone's life us if they have to cheat at a war game.
2025/06/11 19:25:50
Subject: Re:What tabletop or card games tend to attract "problem players"? Why do you think that is?
He was disqualified from the entire tournament. I felt bad for a bit, because the tournament wasn't free, and you wonder how bad someone's life us if they have to cheat at a war game.
Yeah, it’s sad more than anything else. Fact is that the hobby does attract people with poor social skills. At least they’re going outside though instead of just rotting away playing video games all day every day.
2025/06/11 19:48:00
Subject: Re:What tabletop or card games tend to attract "problem players"? Why do you think that is?
Lathe Biosas wrote: So... what's the solution to dealing with "problem players" at the table?
What do you do when you are across the table from one of these fine, upstanding pillars of the gaming community?
Dreadsock.
Depends a lot on the situation, exactly what they are doing, your position, how comfortable your are, etc.
The end goal should be getting them to become a better player and member of the hobby. Good sports, etc. but everyone is different, and has different reasons for how they behave.
The safe answer is just to not play them again. Eventually they will either shape up, or leave. But it might take more self awareness then they have to change.
My actual response is generally to go full cutthroat and just win the game. No take backs, no leniency. Most people like this aren't actually very good and find success exploiting people who don't know better. They crumple against players that know their stuff which is why they're generally stuck in the middle tables. I don't like playing that way, but I am fully capable of doing so if the situation calls for it.
2025/06/11 20:44:58
Subject: Re:What tabletop or card games tend to attract "problem players"? Why do you think that is?
Lathe Biosas wrote: So... what's the solution to dealing with "problem players" at the table?
What do you do when you are across the table from one of these fine, upstanding pillars of the gaming community?
Dreadsock.
I'm not sure that putting a plastic model in a sock is going to be helpful.
Ahh you youngens with your plastic dreads!
You gotta get yourself a proper old-boy dread in metal!
7.4oz of the Emperor’s finest.
Because I was curious.
For reference a plastic boxnought was exactly 1oz, and the ballistus was 2.6
I don't have any metal dreadnoughts, so I thought I might try a Dicesock.
The weight of a single die: 4.1 grams
The total weight available: 7.4 pounds
Convert pounds to grams, then divide the total weight in grams by the weight of a single die.
1. Convert pounds to grams: 1 pound is approximately 453.59 grams.
7.4 pounds is 7.4 times 453.59 grams = 3355.946 grams.
2. Divide the total weight in grams by the weight of a single die: 818.71 dice
3. Round down to the nearest whole number: Since you can't have a fraction of a die, round down to the nearest whole number. Approximately 818 dice.
The Dicesock will have 818 dice to approximate the 7.4 pounds of an old metal Space Marine Dreadnought.
BorderCountess wrote: Just because you're doing something right doesn't necessarily mean you know what you're doing...
Lathe Biosas wrote: So... what's the solution to dealing with "problem players" at the table?
What do you do when you are across the table from one of these fine, upstanding pillars of the gaming community?
Dreadsock.
I'm not sure that putting a plastic model in a sock is going to be helpful.
Ahh you youngens with your plastic dreads!
You gotta get yourself a proper old-boy dread in metal!
7.4oz of the Emperor’s finest.
Because I was curious.
For reference a plastic boxnought was exactly 1oz, and the ballistus was 2.6
I don't have any metal dreadnoughts, so I thought I might try a Dicesock.
The weight of a single die: 4.1 grams
The total weight available: 7.4 pounds
Convert pounds to grams, then divide the total weight in grams by the weight of a single die.
1. Convert pounds to grams: 1 pound is approximately 453.59 grams.
7.4 pounds is 7.4 times 453.59 grams = 3355.946 grams.
2. Divide the total weight in grams by the weight of a single die: 818.71 dice
3. Round down to the nearest whole number: Since you can't have a fraction of a die, round down to the nearest whole number. Approximately 818 dice.
The Dicesock will have 818 dice to approximate the 7.4 pounds of an old metal Space Marine Dreadnought.
Math check, he’s 0lb, 7.4oz. So a little less then half a pound.
Not something you want upside the head, but not 7+ pounds worth of angry table-side justice.
Lathe Biosas wrote: So... what's the solution to dealing with "problem players" at the table?
What do you do when you are across the table from one of these fine, upstanding pillars of the gaming community?
Dreadsock.
I'm not sure that putting a plastic model in a sock is going to be helpful.
Ahh you youngens with your plastic dreads!
You gotta get yourself a proper old-boy dread in metal!
7.4oz of the Emperor’s finest.
Because I was curious.
For reference a plastic boxnought was exactly 1oz, and the ballistus was 2.6
I don't have any metal dreadnoughts, so I thought I might try a Dicesock.
The weight of a single die: 4.1 grams
The total weight available: 7.4 pounds
Convert pounds to grams, then divide the total weight in grams by the weight of a single die.
1. Convert pounds to grams: 1 pound is approximately 453.59 grams.
7.4 pounds is 7.4 times 453.59 grams = 3355.946 grams.
2. Divide the total weight in grams by the weight of a single die: 818.71 dice
3. Round down to the nearest whole number: Since you can't have a fraction of a die, round down to the nearest whole number. Approximately 818 dice.
The Dicesock will have 818 dice to approximate the 7.4 pounds of an old metal Space Marine Dreadnought.
Math check, he’s 0lb, 7.4oz. So a little less then half a pound.
Not something you want upside the head, but not 7+ pounds worth of angry table-side justice.
You can have approximately 51 dice in 7.4 ounces.
That's a much more realistic number. I was having trouble looking for socks that could hold 818 d6.
BorderCountess wrote: Just because you're doing something right doesn't necessarily mean you know what you're doing...
Lathe Biosas wrote: So... what's the solution to dealing with "problem players" at the table?
What do you do when you are across the table from one of these fine, upstanding pillars of the gaming community?
Depends. Some players can be turned around with some help. Some can't. I'll try to work with someone once or twice to test the waters, but there ARE limits to what I'll put up with.
Lathe Biosas wrote: So... what's the solution to dealing with "problem players" at the table?
What do you do when you are across the table from one of these fine, upstanding pillars of the gaming community?
Dreadsock.
I'm not sure that putting a plastic model in a sock is going to be helpful.
Ahh you youngens with your plastic dreads!
You gotta get yourself a proper old-boy dread in metal!
Lead fishing weights are way cheaper, and easier to replace if the sock breaks.
7.4oz of the Emperor’s finest.
Because I was curious.
For reference a plastic boxnought was exactly 1oz, and the ballistus was 2.6
I don't have any metal dreadnoughts, so I thought I might try a Dicesock.
The weight of a single die: 4.1 grams
The total weight available: 7.4 pounds
Convert pounds to grams, then divide the total weight in grams by the weight of a single die.
1. Convert pounds to grams: 1 pound is approximately 453.59 grams.
7.4 pounds is 7.4 times 453.59 grams = 3355.946 grams.
2. Divide the total weight in grams by the weight of a single die: 818.71 dice
3. Round down to the nearest whole number: Since you can't have a fraction of a die, round down to the nearest whole number. Approximately 818 dice.
The Dicesock will have 818 dice to approximate the 7.4 pounds of an old metal Space Marine Dreadnought.
Fishing weights are far cheaper and easier to find than expensive older minis, and more durable than dice.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2025/06/12 20:26:22
CHAOS! PANIC! DISORDER!
My job here is done.
2025/06/17 11:39:03
Subject: What tabletop or card games tend to attract "problem players"? Why do you think that is?
Inquisitor Gideon wrote: WHF most certainly has more than it's fair share of obnoxious players and snobs. When i started back with Middle-Earth, there was more than one occasion when they would come over and mock it as the inferior fantasy game and players. Turned me right off the game for a while and it's still there even today with the constant back biting against AoS and Middle-Earth still. Never known such an insecure community before.
To be fair, AoS did come from the killing off of WHF, and its a completely different
Spoiler:
and far shallower
game. People where understandably pissed.
And? Doesn't give the playerbase the right to harass kids or other people playing it. You're proving my point right here.
LunarSol wrote:They can be pissed at GW all they want, but that doesn't justify taking it out on players of other systems.
Funnily enough, the shots where first fired by the AoS crowd with a lot of gloating over the destruction of WHFB and the simplification of the game.
All said though, it doesnt really bother me much, I stopped playing GW games years back. Theres far better out there and for far cheaper too, the GW fans can get on or bicker to their hearts content.
Free from GW's tyranny and the hobby is looking better for it
DR:90-S++G+++M++B++I+Pww205++D++A+++/sWD146R++T(T)D+
2025/06/17 11:49:23
Subject: What tabletop or card games tend to attract "problem players"? Why do you think that is?
I think its important to realise that the AoS and OW fanbases are not some kind of unified community groups. They are all made up of individuals and if SOME fans were nasty then that's an issue on those individual people and group segments.
Inquisitor Gideon wrote: WHF most certainly has more than it's fair share of obnoxious players and snobs. When i started back with Middle-Earth, there was more than one occasion when they would come over and mock it as the inferior fantasy game and players. Turned me right off the game for a while and it's still there even today with the constant back biting against AoS and Middle-Earth still. Never known such an insecure community before.
To be fair, AoS did come from the killing off of WHF, and its a completely different
Spoiler:
and far shallower
game. People where understandably pissed.
And? Doesn't give the playerbase the right to harass kids or other people playing it. You're proving my point right here.
LunarSol wrote:They can be pissed at GW all they want, but that doesn't justify taking it out on players of other systems.
Funnily enough, the shots where first fired by the AoS crowd with a lot of gloating over the destruction of WHFB and the simplification of the game.
All said though, it doesnt really bother me much, I stopped playing GW games years back. Theres far better out there and for far cheaper too, the GW fans can get on or bicker to their hearts content.
How do you draw that conclusion when there was no such thing as an AoS playerbase until after fantasy was gone? Let alone having anything close to an established playerbase until well after it was launched.
2025/06/21 10:19:37
Subject: Re:What tabletop or card games tend to attract "problem players"? Why do you think that is?
Bringing your own minis or deck makes things a bit edgier.
Play a game at a convention where the GM has supplied the scenario and both armies. Play a game of UNO where the deck is preconstructed. Play a draft Magic setting.
Play a historical bard game where the armies and rules are set by the designer. Most of these situations involve just playing the game and enjoying it. usually after the game you will say, "The French won". Much less "I won".
Once people have a major investment in time and money buying and painting an army they tend to act in a much more biased manner regarding rules and trying to win.
The closest analogy I can give is if someone has a group of kids playing ball it is usually pretty chill. Throw in some angry parents on the sidelines demanding every call goes in their child's favor and things are different. I witnessed children in tears in the outfield after being berated by a parent for missing a ball. It really was a curious spectacle.
It may be obnoxious on my part, but I choose not to spend time playing tournament game style. I like set piece scenarios. I have had enough unpleasant interactions to have concluded I will not waste time on a game that is just not my style.
2025/06/21 11:45:55
Subject: Re:What tabletop or card games tend to attract "problem players"? Why do you think that is?
kenofyork wrote: Bringing your own minis or deck makes things a bit edgier.
Play a game at a convention where the GM has supplied the scenario and both armies. Play a game of UNO where the deck is preconstructed. Play a draft Magic setting.
Play a historical bard game where the armies and rules are set by the designer. Most of these situations involve just playing the game and enjoying it. usually after the game you will say, "The French won". Much less "I won".
Once people have a major investment in time and money buying and painting an army they tend to act in a much more biased manner regarding rules and trying to win.
The closest analogy I can give is if someone has a group of kids playing ball it is usually pretty chill. Throw in some angry parents on the sidelines demanding every call goes in their child's favor and things are different. I witnessed children in tears in the outfield after being berated by a parent for missing a ball. It really was a curious spectacle.
It may be obnoxious on my part, but I choose not to spend time playing tournament game style. I like set piece scenarios. I have had enough unpleasant interactions to have concluded I will not waste time on a game that is just not my style.
I think you're onto something here causally through I'm not sure about your solution.
Some people are just rude, but when there is are many hundred of dollars on the table, there may be some real internal pressure to make the financial investment pay off emotionally with a win.
Perhaps even more so for MtG where nearly everything in your deck has an expiration date for usability in the most common formats.
The "Parent on the sidelines" analogy works a bit better if you add in the aspect that the parent has invested allot of cash in special instruction and traveling teams and views this sport as key to their child's college future. It's probably easier for that parent to have a n unreasonable reaction that matches the unreasonable amount of their time and resources they have invested into their child's athletics.
As for your solution, there's nothing obnoxious about only playing set piece battles and I see the advantages, especially for historical players. However, it's just not a realistic solution for fantasy and sci fi players. Our goal isn't historical simulation. We create other worlds in our minds and our miniatures are an extension of that. Conventions and special events aside, most of us aren't going to be content using someone else's minis and/or lists severy week.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2025/06/21 11:53:50
2025/07/07 05:53:30
Subject: Re:What tabletop or card games tend to attract "problem players"? Why do you think that is?
Worst one I ever witnessed, already the bloke had a name "Grouchy" and a reputation.
Round 3 / 4 of a Tourney. My mate helped the guy. Let him take back every move. Let him reroll shots.
But my mate still tabled the guys Tau in 3 turns. I think he was playing Guard but I cant recall.
He smashed his minis on the ground, and then gave my mate the lowest possible score for sportsmanship. My mate gave him full marks.
My mate then lost the sportsmanship award by 1 point.
I don't think *games* attract bad players, but that they are looking for a niche where they can subjugate people easily.
Actually tied for first place with the guy who was hosting a 2 day Battletech narrative campaign at his house, and after losing the first day, cancelled the second day so no one else could enjoy themselves.
I actually maintain I have only ever won like 3 games max in my entire 15+ years playing these games, so losing is like a familiar friend I hang out with every time I play. If I cant extract enjoyment from the game itself I wouldnt pick up the dice.
In highschool we sort of adopted this guy who would simply bi*ch constantly that he was going to lose through the whole game. Didn't matter. I think he was attracted to tabletop games because we tolerated him. The second we stopped tolerating him he found new hobbies.
2025/07/08 18:08:23
Subject: What tabletop or card games tend to attract "problem players"? Why do you think that is?
I've been playing MTG for 26 years now and 40k for 22. I've been very fortunate to only have encountered serious cases of this once in MTG and twice in 40k in all that time. (Though the first 10 years of both was mostly kitchen table games with friends, do I'm not sure how much that counts).
In MTG, it was at the New Phyrexia Pre-release and I was playing against a regular who was usually a pretty chill guy, I'd never seen him explode and anyone before. We were in the... semi-finals IIRC, and I was playing Bant good stuff. However, in my first game, I'd not gotten any of my white mana and had won with only Blue/Green. He noticed I didn't sideboard for game to and brought a couple cards in on his end. On turn three of game 2 he pays 4 life and drops a Norn's Annex. I then proceed to play several plains in a row and run him over. He stood up, full rage yelled, ripped the Norn's Annex in half and stormed out of the store, leaving his deck and everything behind. We played many times before and after that and I never had a problem with him, but he also never wanted to bring up that incident afterwards either. My best guess is that he had something really stressful going on in his life at the time and that was just the straw that broke the camel's back.
In 40k, once was with a friend of mine. We were only about 13 at the time, so I chalk this one up to youthful stupidity. We were playing at our local GW, 4th edition IIRC. He ran a bunch of power weapons into my Terminator brick and I made 7/7 5+ invul saves. He got so mad that he smacked me with those old red measure sticks GW used to make. Despite me telling the staff that I wasn't hurt and wasn't mad at him, they still kicked him out of the store.
Lastly, and by far the most recent, was in a casual Slow Grow League back in 9th I was playing Kroot which were pretty underpowered at the time, but I'd been doing well in the casual league and was in the semi-finals against a sisters player. Before the game, we were talking about our previous matchups and he said how he took down a big Dreadknight list with lots of meltas. I told him that I was playing Kroot and he said "oh I know, I saw one of your previous games." When he pulled his army out, not a melta in sight, but he was loaded to the gills with flamethrowers. He then proceeded to try and Deep Strike Turn 1, say that his sisters fired full at Rapid Fire like Space Marines did at the time, and was constantly rolling and scooping up dice whenever I looked away for a moment. Despite all this, I was still holding my own and we were about dead even going into round 3, but it was getting late and I was trying to hurry. I rolled a few LD checks in quick succession, but noticed right as I rolled a die that this final one was a key one I needed to pass. Before the die stopped I said "wait I CP auto pass that one" the die then landed as a failure and he goes "yeah no, you rolled it" Against anyone else, I would have just said whatever and moved on, but after all the crap he'd pulled I wasn't having any of it. I called the TO over and explained the situation and since it was a casual league the TO took my side. The guy then through a temper tantrum that would put my 5 year old to shame and to get out the the situation the TO somewhat caved to him. He said "the rules state that if ever something can't be resolved, you roll off on it and the winner makes the call. Do that and move on." We both agreed, though I did so reluctantly since the TO had already sided with me. As soon as I won the roll off he full on melted down again, calling me all forms of insults, then scooped up his models and stormed out of the store. He was subsequently banned and not allowed back, not surprisingly, he'd done something similar to everyone else he'd played with as well.
Looking over all that, I think it's really a person to person thing. Sometimes a person is just having a rough go of things in like and it comes out when they get frustrated during their relax time. Sometimes it's someone just being a little to immature about things. And sometimes you get the WAAC jerk who seems to base their entire self worth on if they are able to be the best at anything the ever attempt.
Ultramarines, 3rd Co. and friends, 16k+ 
4k 
4k Points
Competition Index
