The situation many of us have found ourselves in is we get into a higher graded table (say 1600 and over) but it only takes one bad game to get pushed out. You can't stay in the higher board long enough to get a foothold. The following is subtle idea that works well in another sport.

Like kDice, Croquet [yes, croquet] uses the Elo rating system. Every player has a rating (or index). Your rating is also used to decide your handicap.

The handicap in croquet needed because the difference between two players handicaps decides the number of extra turns the "weaker" player gets. (Search on Automatic Handicap System for more details, one full explanation is given in http://www.croquet.org.uk/association/handicap_automatic.html) This is similar to the handicap used in golf.

The idea is that your rating gives you a "handicap" or for kdice a "level".

Just now we have open boards and 1600 plus boards. With levels you might call these "white" and "bronze". When you increase your rating to above 1600, your level would change from white to bronze. You remain bronze (and able to play on the 1600 + table) until you either get to the next cut off (say 1750) OR go below 1500.

This would give you the opportunity to get some practice at the 1600 level.

Please ask if you like more examples.

As I said at the start, this is a subtle idea which gives people a better chance to play on diffferent levels of boards. Programming issues aside, what do you think?

E.G.