It just seems so odd that there are barriers in place to avoid 'undo', playing offline, etc., and a lot of consternation when someone is manipulating ELO scores, but the use of cards is simply dismissed with the wave of a hand. My comment about card users (i.e., Tony is honest about it, but there may be others hiding in the weeds) was in part a response to the anger being dished out whenever this topic is broached. Considering that the majority of players here are 8x4 only, I doubt many of them would use cards either. I don't play variants that would even remotely justify cards.

It takes ten times longer than on the software. Somehow trying to prove one is, in some perceived way, 'better' than others seems like a secondary goal, restricted to those who have baser (can more or less be translated as that 's' word) motivations.' If only because the (main) point of playing is to challenge oneself. I believe the very vast majority here *don't* cheat. Message: 'For some reason.I have a bit more faith in my fellow man (and woman) than you. However, the NYT makes a vivid distinction between those who accept hints from the software and those who do not that is, the equivalent of using external aids. Players can change their answers easily and endlessly. Crossword puzzles, such as NY Times puzzle online, make no demands about filling out the puzzle in 'ink'. >Message: 'Someone using cards is no different than someone using a pencil on a crossword puzzle.' It's very easy to dismiss the arguments that a few of us put forward about card use, but the only counter argument with even a modicum of validity is that banning the use of cards is unenforceable. You must agree that your ELO would be significantly smaller if you didn't use cards. Your use of cards changes the landscape of records by skewing times and (in my opinion) artificially reducing the number of losses associated with a given game. However, I do wish we could create a different category for users of external aids. And, I admire how open you are about the use of cards and how you trudge forward through the criticism with a (mostly) positive spirit. I doubt that I could solve the very difficult games you win. Tony, there is no question that you are a gifted player. I find using cards VERY rewarding, and it gave me a new personal best Elo-score!' It is something that nobody else has done, and I am very pleased. Some of us buy into the concept that using cards provides an unfair advantage that is contrary to the spirit of the game.

>Message: 'Players who refuse to use cards are just too impatient, imo, and are doomed to lose more often than necessary.'

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