Multiplayer Elo
Elo generalised: a six-player free-for-all becomes every pair of duels inside it, with the K-factor scaled down so one match does not count six times over.
Pairwise Elo with K/(n-1) scaling per match
Best at
Long histories with a stable group and mixed table sizes — the default serious choice, and it scales to global boards.
Where it misleads
More players per match means more noise per match, so it takes longer to settle than a duel ladder.
How it works
Multiplayer Elo extends the classic Elo rating system to work with free-for-all games where 3 or more players compete. It decomposes each match into all pairwise comparisons and updates ratings based on placement order.
How it works: A 4-player game produces 6 pairwise comparisons (every possible pair). Each pair gets an Elo update based on who placed higher. The K-factor is scaled down by (n-1) so a 4-player game shifts ratings by roughly the same total as a 1v1 game -- no inflation.
When to use it: Board game groups, party games, or any context where 3+ players compete and you want a single skill rating. Works alongside standard Elo -- use Elo for your 1v1 games and Multiplayer Elo for group games.
Watch out for: With more players per match, there's more noise per game. Ratings take a few more matches to stabilize compared to standard 1v1 Elo. The system works best when there's a clear placement order (scores or explicit rankings).