What about giving a weaker player a pool of X rainbow mana that he can spend at any time during the game? It’s not absolutely perfectly even with respect to different kinds of decks, but probably better than adjusting life totals or hand sizes.

In games the mechanics are usually mastered by most players within a few play sessions. Turning cards, moving pieces, and adjusting stats are all ‘manuevers’ that each player can perform at the same level (though I feel making dinosaurs out of my reserve trains in Ticket to Ride does set me apart ). In most games you need to know and be able to execute all the mechanics just in order to play. However, ‘skill’ at these games is defined by careful and deliberate use of the mechanics, that all players can use equally, to achieve the goal.

This puts strategy at the front of games, while in sports it is generally second to ability. High performing sports players are definitely playing with strategy in mind, however, they have already mastered the mechanics necessary to execute those strategies.

For a naive example, say two players are playing a card game. One player is physically incapable of drawing a card every third turn even though the game rules say he has to draw a card every turn (regular lapses of Papyrophobia). The other player is at a mechanical advantage and thus a handicap requiring him to skip every 3rd turn of his would even the game out. This leaves the stragey, deck building and general play flow of the game unmolested while accounting for the other’s disability.

That is not to say one can’t use handicaps in games to make it more fun for all, it is just a more delicate operation. One often has to approach it from a ‘redesign and refine the rules’ perspective rather than changing the context in which it is played.

Thanks for the article

As I see it, deck building is a huge part of the skill curve, and making the best of a “bad” deck might be a fun exercise for a skilled player. Granted, it seems the more skilled player should still win more, since he/she understands the game better. But, at least it might make things a bit more sporting for gross mismatches.

The typical solution of giving the noob a “good ” deck only goes so far in helping because, in a lot of cases, the synergy of a good deck is wasted on the novice. If it is a teaching game, that is something different since the synergy should be explained as you go.

Also reducing starting hand sizes would be tough, because some decks can win with very few cards in hand while others can’t. I think the best way to handicap Magic is to reduce the effectiveness of your deck, which keeps it fun for both players, because then you’re playing with the same rules and have an “equal” chance at winning.