Whatever type of game you play, be it live sport, video games, or even piggy in the middle with the kids, everyone wants to win.
At the same time, we should always remember that playing games is about enjoyment. Unfortunately, people often try to evade the rules or – particularly in the digital world – become rude and disrespectful.
Naturally, when this happens, the level of fun goes down for everyone. This is why even if you’re playing online, it always makes sense to play fair, keep to the rules, and follow the basic principles of sportsmanship. Here is our guide on how to be a respectful online player.
Keep it in perspective
The first rule is to play hard, but never forget that it’s only a game. Whether it’s about a game of soccer or basketball between friends in real life, indulging in banter with opposing players in a frantic game of Call of Duty, or following casino etiquette in an online card game, the principle remains the same: always keep things in perspective. One can learn casino etiquette in various ways, such as by reading blogs on platforms such as Resorts Casino. Learning to maintain control will mean far less stress and a whole lot more enjoyment for everybody.
This is even more true online. Too many people see anonymity as a license to do anything, but the opposite should be accurate. After all, when you play at home with your friends, you have context; you know the boundaries – what’s acceptable and what’s not.
However, it is much harder to see what you can or can’t do and where the line is for your opponents, so sportsmanship is even more critical.
Be a good sport
Of course, it’s also worth taking the time to learn the rules. Sure, we all must start somewhere, but with any game, people expect you to have at least a basic grasp of the rules and do your best to follow them.
For this reason – and to give you a better chance of winning – it’s always a good idea to brush up on the rules before playing something new. Conversely, even if you have been playing a particular game for years, never assume that you know everything there is to know.
Of course, there is more to good sportsmanship than just following the rules. In online chess, for example, it is perfectly legal to take six minutes over a single move in a ten-minute game or refuse to resign when you are clearly losing.
Still, it’s definitely not going to be a popular move. An excellent online player should always practice fair play, be respectful of everybody, refrain from bullying or ganging up on individual players, and be kind and considerate in their language.
Respect your opponent
Indeed, effective, and respectful communication is essential in online play if we want everyone to enjoy the experience. While it’s true that many of the processes and communication functions are automated online, there are still plenty of times when you will find yourself interacting with other players, often from halfway across the world.
In some online multiplayer games you might communicate through your headset, while in many other instances, from online board games to many RPGs, most of the interactions will be via chat.
As we indicated above, the relative anonymity, when combined with the adrenaline and often the frustration of competition, means that most people will be tempted at some point to lash out at their opponent.
However, indulging in this kind of behavior not only might see you get a warning or even banned from the platform, but it also has the potential to cause genuine hurt and pain to the recipient.
While you might not be in the same room as them, it is essential to remember there is a real person on the other end of the line, with genuine feelings that should be respected.
Be respectful online
To put it simply, always try to be respectful and always mind your language.
And what about the other if someone else is rude to you?
Just don’t engage. It is far better to simply block them and report them when appropriate.
The good news is, if you succeed in following these few simple rules and add in a bit of understanding and patience, you can look forward to a lifetime of enjoyable play, both online and beyond.