Math Prof. I blather a lot during games.

Cooperating with other players in FFA ISN'T ILLEGAL folks -- many players are confused on this point but the rules are clear. Collaboration is illegal. What this means is communication in advance to work jointly in a game toward an end. There is no prohibition against analyzing play that has already happened if it does not affect play going forward. But planning play that has not yet happened in chat or elsewhere will get you sanctioned. If that's not clear, ask me and we can discuss.

Further there is a culture of the game in which one GENERALLY cooperates with other players under certain circumstances. You should learn this culture and have a good reason for deviating from it, as we all do for our own reasons. Just don't do so in ignorance. Again, if you wish to discuss this, look me up and we can chat.

And regardless of any considerations of player culture, it is almost always in your best interest to watch for opportunities to cooperate ... which means anticipating other players' moves and leveraging what they do -- and what they are likely about to do -- to your own advantage. Any other reason you might have for working with or for other players ... revenge, whimsy, self-immolation, gratitude, capriciousness, whatever ... are perfectly legal as long as there is no prior communication other than what they might glean from your play on the board. There are no rules governing your motives, only your actual concrete actions.

robertcraigen