I think this would be useful too. I think that the Komi column currently displays “Auto” when the Handicap is “Auto”, so something like
Auto (2 stones) Auto (+2.5)
seems fine, and useful info to be able to see quickly, especially on small boards where the komi does make a noticeable difference and can be anywhere from 0,5 to 7 in handicap games (or maybe even reverse komis ?), depending on the handicap and rulesets.
The headers are currently next to each other already, too, so that should be fairly easy to do.
My stats for Blitz games played in March: 101 games (even or handicap) were played normally, and 19 games were cancelled by my opponent among which
even games: 2
H1 games: 3
H2 games: 8
H4 games: 1
H5 games: 5 (often by the same opponent).
I don’t know how many games are cancelled because of handicap, at most 17/120 = 14%, and I haven’t played enough games to check whether “cancellation based on unexpected handicap goes up dramatically with handicap amount” since high handicap games are relatively rare, at least around my rank, and when using automatch. I don’t know about the experience of other players with a different rank and/or who use custom games.
I can also imagine that when using custom games you could put a game name like “WARNING!!! AUTO HANDICAP!!!” that people wouldn’t read.
I didn’t notice a big problem with cancellations when I played 100 handicap 9x9 games in March. If someone cancels, I just try again. But with free handicap, most people seem to not realize what is going on and get stuck. Half the time I don’t notice either, even though I created the game. I reflexively play tengen then sit there stupidly waiting for White to play…
A notification prior to the first move would be helpful at least in this case!
You apologize when you feel you do something wrong. When you get a button “cancel” for a few turns at the start of your game you may not feel wrong to push it. Like you are covered by the OGS system.
It’s like canceling became a regular normal process. Players rushing to be the first to accept a challenge and then cancel if it is not what they want.
Besides I stay curious how you are sure that every canceling you got are due to the handicap setting.
Actually, I’m sure that cancellings are not 100% caused by handicap surprised, but I’m sure that a high number of these cancellings are due to handicap.
