Statistics

    

Rating Systems for Gameplayers, and Learning

Authors: Warren D. Smith

This report studies rating systems: systems that produce quantitative measures, called "ratings," of the ability of players in a league, based on game results. By "quantitative,", it is meant that win odds for a game between two players in the league may be estimated from their ratings. We consider both "static" and "dynamic" systems. The latter update the ratings after each game. Attention is given to noise in rating systems and to thedistribution of ratings in the player population. Some real-world data is also included. This subject may be of interest to gamblers, gaming leagues, psychologists, consumer groups, and industry.

Comments: 20 Pages. Based on my 1984 bachelor thesis at MIT and the basis for the rating system used by the "internet chess club." Now uploaded to VIXRA for archival purposes.

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Submission history

[v1] 2026-07-14 19:28:17

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