[bobzzz]

I wanted to make a suggestion regarding players leaving the table. BBO would arrange, for any player that leaves in the middle
of a hand (including clicking on and then, immediately, off), that the server disables that player's username for, say,
2 minutes. This is long (and frustrating) enough that it would, I believe, cut down on the vast majority of players
doing this; but no so long that people would spend time devising workarounds (such as having numerous usernames). I don't
want to irritate or penalize people, just encourage players to finish out hands.

[Vampyr]

What about people who have been disconnected? Perhaps a considerably longer delay would be more effective, as long as it didn't apply to people coming back to the same table.

[bobzzz]

Yes -- I like the idea of not having it for those coming back to the same table. (I was thinking that, since it
normally takes a minute or two to get back on after disconnection, those who were disconnected wouldn't suffer
much). Alternatively, BBO can presumably determine whether it was a disconnection or a click off (since in the
case of the latter the player goes off the system at the same time as leaving the table), and simply not
impose the 2 minutes on such players.

[Zelandakh]

So, being a kind and considerate new user, I read the official files and find out that I should sit at a table and ask the host if it is ok. Unfortunately the host replies: "Sorry, I am waiting for my regular partner" and I leave to make space. And now I cannot sit at another table for 2 minutes or more. "What wonderful software! I think I will give up on online bridge until they make a better system."

[helene_t]

good point, Zel.

people leave tables for so many reasons. The host being asleep is another example. I think it will prove impossible to distinguish the justified deserters from the unjustified ones.

and leaving a table midhand already affects your table completion rate.