The following set of does and don'ts should help you avoid any pitfalls in this area:

1. When in doubt keep your mouth shut.
   This is rule number 1. If you aren't sure how other players might take your comment, don't make it. Err of the side of caution.

2. Never join a game without asking first.
   If you enter a room and a there are players , but the game hasn't started, ask permission before you join. Imagine playing a game of Carcassonne at a local pub and a total stranger walks up to your table, doesn't say a word and picks up a tile and starts playing with you? You probably wouldn't like that, so don't do the equivalent online. Maybe the 3 people in that game were waiting for their regular 4th? Maybe they don't want to play a 4 player due to time constraints.

   In any event, ask first. If they decline, don't take it as an insult, say have fun, find a new game somewhere else.

3. Don't start a game you know you can't finish.
   If you are limited in time. Tell people before you begin. If they are unwilling to deal with your time restriction, politely excuse yourself and find a different game.

   When doing gameyells, if there is a time restriction, say so in the game yell.

4. Can the politics
   Brettspielwelt isn't the UN, it's a place to play games. Do people on Brettspielwelt have different views on world affairs? Sure they do. So what, we come here to game, not to debate security council resolutions.

   There is one exception to this rule. Attribut games. Political topics are fair game, just keep them witty and good natured.

5. Learn a little german, for heaven sakes.

   It won't kill you to learn a few german words and phrases. And it will be appreciated by our German speaking friends. It wouldn't kill you if learned a few French, Italian and Spanish words either.

   See our German Language Page for help in this regard.

6. When s server reboot happens,let people know if you will return.

   This way they don't end up wasting 20 minutes waiting for you.

7. Thou shall not abuse commands

   Players of a certain rank get commands like kick, summon and beam. Never use these commands just to annoy people.

8. Thou shall not quit a game just because you are doing poorly.

9. Inform your fellow players if 2 of you are on the same IP address

   2 players in the same game with the same IP address is perfectly OK and with the advent of home routers becoming more and more commonplace. Just because 2 players have the same IP address doesn't in any way mean they are cheating. However it can look that way to people that don't understand networking, so lets disclose this fact at the begining. That way if yor opponent has a problem with it, they can find a new game.

10. Try and find a replacement before you leave

    If you need to leave a game before it ends, tell the folks you are playing with as soon as you know and try and find a replacement. Emergencies do happen and people will understand, but if you have 2 minutes, at least do a gameyell and try and find someone to take your place.