Moosegun wrote:Interestingly I couldn't find more than a handful of public games played by the top 40 players that were true risk format,
4-8 players, flat rate, sequential
....
Personally only like to play 6-8 player, standard, flat rate / no cards, sequential. If this means that I am going to struggle to get to the top of the rankings then so be it, it is my choice. I don't have a right to force that choice on other people.
Agree with your sentiment that other's game choice is a matter for them, and the important thing is that the player is enjoying himself/herself...
However, thought I'd just make a couple of points:
1) Original rules of risk are actually escalating cards

2) Whilst there is probably some element of rank protection in playing private games, I know for myself and the majority of high rankers who I know and play with, the
main reason for playing private games against fellow high ranks is for the competition... I know there is not going to be an easy win and you have to work hard and be at your best to win games. So to me it is more enjoyable to play competitive games against high ranking players than to play against players who perhaps do not yet have as sophisticated a strategy.
Think of it in terms of sporting analogies - you have some sporting leagues which are mainly social, players of all sorts of mixed abilities play in them because they enjoy mixing - these are like the public standard games you play in, a good choice if you enjoy it... other sporting leagues are streamed by ability*, so top Premier League teams do not play against your local park football team - for those who love the challenge it is their game choice.
So to be honest I would guess for most players private games are played first for the competition and second to reduce rank fluctuations... for each player the mix of motivations will be different.
*I know that rank does not directly correlate to ability - but it is fair to say there are a higher number of skilful players in the higher ranks than at other rank levels