To Greet or Not To Greet? Is it wrong if players do NOT use generic terms to acknowledge yahtzees or at the beginning or end of games? (For example saying gl, gg, hf, wtg after a yahtzee, etc.)
This week at FreeTheDice.com, we asked our community whether you should you take turns, or should everyone play at the same time? Our poll results were evenly split, with 50% of players preferring to take turns and 50% opting for fast, simultaneous play. Let's take a look at some of the views expressed by our players.
We recently held a discussion in our Discord around a simple question: should players be expected to use common phrases like "gl", "gg", "hf", or "wtg" when playing Yahtzee?
The results were clear. Only 11% of respondents felt that it is wrong if players do not greet others or acknowledge big moments like a Yahtzee. The majority, 89%, said that it is not wrong, and that players should not be required to follow these conventions.
While the result was one-sided, the discussion itself showed a range of views on how players approach this.
Habit or Expectation
One of the points raised was that these phrases are often used out of habit rather than intention.
"This is contentious for me because I really, really don't ever write 'hi gl hf', but I feel that many people only do it because they are fearful that others will criticise them if they don't do these social conventions."
This suggests that what looks like politeness can sometimes be driven by expectation. When something becomes standard, people may follow it even if it does not reflect how they actually feel.
The same player also commented on the use of "gg":
"Similar with 'gg' when you thrashed me by 200 points, no it wasn't a good game, I sucked!"
This raises the question of whether these phrases are meant to reflect the actual experience of the game, or simply serve as a routine way to close it.
Courtesy Without Requirement
Another view was that greetings and acknowledgements are appreciated, but not necessary.
"I do greet and I appreciate a greeting back, but in my mind it's not required. Regarding gg, you might not have had a gg, but they did."
This reflects the idea that players can have different experiences of the same game. One player may not have enjoyed it, while the other did. A phrase like "gg" can reflect that difference rather than contradict it.
Playing While Doing Other Things
Some players pointed out that they are not always focused solely on the game.
"I try to post GL in each game, I also TRY to say WTG after anyone rolls a Yahtzee, but I am usually doing other things same time as playing and I dont always see it."
In these cases, not responding is not a deliberate choice. It is simply a result of attention being divided.
The same player added:
"It doesn't bother me if the other players doesn't post anything, communication isn't necessary, just don't play so slow that my cookies burn from waiting my turn."
For this group, gameplay itself is the priority, and chat is secondary.
Competitive Approach
Some players avoid these phrases entirely because of how they view the game.
"I usually actively avoid wishing people good luck before a game or saying 'wtg' after Yahtzee. I don't want to lose games haha, I am not cheering my opponent on."
From this perspective, phrases like "good luck" or "well done" can feel unnecessary during play. The focus is on competing rather than interacting.
Even when expressed lightly:
"I hope other people enjoy the game, but lose by one point."
the approach is still clear.
Acknowledging Good Rolls
Another point raised was that acknowledgement can depend on the situation.
"I normally don't say 'wtg' after someone gets a yahtzee, sometimes I will, but not often. Also if that same person rolls another yahtzee, I'm definitely not saying it because at that point, I'm probably getting crushed."
Here, recognition is selective. A single good roll might be acknowledged, but repeated success changes how it feels.
Choosing Not to Chat
Some players prefer not to use chat at all. They play the game without greetings or comments and leave when it is finished.
This is consistent with the poll result. If most players do not see greetings as required, then not using them becomes a normal option rather than an exception.
Social Expectations
Even though most players do not think these phrases are required, there are still expectations around them.
Some players appreciate greetings and notice when they are absent. Others feel no need to use them. This creates a situation where different approaches exist side by side.
There is also a difference between expecting something and appreciating it. Many players appear to be comfortable with either approach.
The Meaning of "gg"
The phrase "gg" was discussed in more than one way.
For some players, it is a simple and neutral way to end a game. For others, it can feel inaccurate in one-sided results.
This shows that the same phrase can serve different purposes depending on how it is used and how it is interpreted.
Timing and Context
The timing of these phrases can also affect how they are received.
- "gl" at the start of a game is generally neutral
- "wtg" during the game can be seen as recognition or unnecessary
- "gg" at the end can be polite or feel out of place depending on the result
Because of this, there is no single way these phrases are understood.
Points of Agreement
Despite the different views, there are some common points:
- Greetings and acknowledgements are generally seen as optional
- Most players do not consider it wrong if they are not used
- When they are used, they are usually seen as a positive extra, not a requirement
This reflects the overall poll result.
A Contrasting View
Despite these results, it is likely that a number of players in the wider online gaming community do not see it this way.
There are players who expect some level of acknowledgement, whether at the start or end of a game, and who notice when it is not returned. For them, these conventions are part of basic interaction, and the absence of them can be seen as unfriendly or dismissive.
This perspective did not form the majority in this discussion, but it remains part of how some people approach online play.
Conclusion
The discussion shows that this is mainly a matter of preference.
Some players use these phrases regularly. Others use them occasionally, or not at all. Most do not expect them from others.
At the same time, expectations are not the same for everyone, and some players do place value on these small interactions.
As a result, both approaches continue to exist alongside each other in normal play.
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