Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: December 12, 2025

Find answers to common questions about the games platform at games.stephenharlow.com.

General Questions

Is the games platform free to use?

Yes, all games are completely free to play. There are no premium features, in-app purchases, or hidden costs. The platform is ad-supported.

Do I need to create an account?

Yes, you'll need to sign in with Google to play. This lets us track your stats, maintain league rankings, and send you notifications when it's your turn. The sign-in process is quick - just one click if you're already logged into Google.

What devices can I play on?

The games work in any modern web browser on:

  • Desktop computers (Windows, Mac, Linux)
  • Laptops and Chromebooks
  • Tablets (iPad, Android tablets)
  • Smartphones (iPhone, Android)

No app download is required - just visit the website in your browser.

What browsers are supported?

The platform works best on:

  • Google Chrome (recommended)
  • Firefox
  • Safari
  • Microsoft Edge

Internet Explorer is not supported.

Multiplayer Questions

How do I play with friends?

  1. Create a new game room
  2. Share the room code or link with your friends
  3. Wait for them to join
  4. Start the game when everyone is ready

Can I play with people in different locations?

Yes! The platform uses real-time multiplayer technology (WebSockets) to synchronize gameplay instantly between players anywhere in the world.

What if my friend's connection drops?

The platform handles connection drops gracefully:

  • Brief disconnects automatically reconnect
  • Game state is preserved on the server
  • Players can rejoin an ongoing game

How many players can join a game?

Player limits vary by game:

Game Active Players
Gin Rummy 2-4
Scrabble 2-10
Texas Hold'em 2-9
UNO 2-10
Cribbage 2-4
Trash 2-6

Additional players can often join as spectators.

Can people spectate games?

Yes, most games support spectator mode. Spectators can watch the game in progress without participating. This is great for learning or tournament viewing.

What is Hot Seat mode?

Hot Seat mode lets multiple players share a single device, taking turns on the same screen. The game hides hands between turns. This is perfect for:

  • Family game nights with one tablet
  • Playing while traveling
  • Situations where not everyone has a device

AI Opponent Questions

How smart are the AI opponents?

The AI offers three difficulty levels:

  • Easy: Makes random valid moves; good for beginners
  • Medium: Uses basic strategy; provides moderate challenge
  • Hard: Plays optimally; challenging for experienced players

Does the AI cheat?

No! The AI uses the same information available to human players. It cannot see your cards (in hidden-hand games) and doesn't know what's coming from the deck. The AI wins through better strategy, not cheating.

Can I add AI players to multiplayer games?

Yes, you can fill empty seats with AI players in most games. This is useful when you want to:

  • Play games that need more players than you have available
  • Start playing while waiting for friends to join
  • Practice against AI in a multiplayer setting

Account and Data Questions

What information do you collect when I sign in?

When you sign in with Google, we receive:

  • Your email address
  • Your display name
  • Your profile photo

We do not receive your Google password or access to other Google services.

How is my data used?

Your data is used only for:

  • Identifying you in games and leaderboards
  • Tracking your game statistics and rankings
  • Sending push notifications (if enabled)

See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Can I delete my account?

Yes. Contact us to request account deletion. Your game history and statistics will be permanently removed.

Game Rules Questions

Where can I learn the rules?

Each game has a detailed rules page:

What are house rules?

House rules are optional rules that modify standard gameplay. Many families develop their own house rules over generations. Our platform lets you toggle common house rules on and off, especially in games like UNO.

Can we change rules during a game?

In some games (like UNO and Scrabble), you can vote to change rules mid-game. Any player can propose a change, and a majority vote is required for it to take effect.

League and Ranking Questions

What is the league system?

The league system allows competitive play with ELO ratings. You can:

  • Track your wins and losses
  • Earn an ELO rating that reflects your skill
  • Compete on leaderboards
  • Participate in tournaments

What is ELO rating?

ELO is a rating system originally developed for chess. Your rating goes up when you win and down when you lose, with the amount depending on your opponent's rating. Beating a stronger player earns more points than beating a weaker one.

Do I need an account for league play?

Yes, you must be signed in to participate in league games and have your rating tracked.

Technical Questions

The game is running slowly. What can I do?

Try these solutions:

  • Close other browser tabs and applications
  • Refresh the page
  • Try a different browser
  • Check your internet connection
  • Clear your browser cache

I'm having trouble connecting to multiplayer games.

Connection issues are usually caused by:

  • Unstable internet connection
  • Firewall or VPN blocking WebSocket connections
  • Corporate network restrictions

Try disabling your VPN or connecting from a different network.

Can I play offline?

Hot Seat mode against AI works with limited connectivity once the game loads. However, multiplayer features require an active internet connection.

Does the game use much data?

The games are designed to be data-efficient. After the initial page load, ongoing gameplay uses minimal data (typically a few KB per move). This makes the platform suitable for mobile data connections.

Accessibility Questions

Is the platform accessible?

Yes, accessibility is a priority. The platform includes:

  • Full keyboard navigation
  • Screen reader support
  • Semantic HTML structure
  • WCAG-compliant color contrast
  • ARIA labels for interactive elements

Can colorblind players use the platform?

Yes. Card games use both color and symbols/numbers, so colorblind players can distinguish cards. Our theme options also include variants made with colorblind users in mind.

Contact and Support

How can I report a bug?

If you encounter a bug, please note:

  • What game you were playing
  • What you were doing when it happened
  • Your browser and device type
  • Any error messages you saw

Then contact us through the information on the About page.

Can I request new games or features?

Absolutely! We're always looking for ideas. Feature requests can be sent through the contact information on the About page.

Is the source code available?

The platform is privately developed. For technical details about how it works, see our Technical Architecture page.

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