This is how ratings are recalculated after a game in Wordsteal. The algorithm, or method used, is this:

• rating_change = max(0, min(8 + (loser_rating - winner_rating + 50)/100, 16))

If that looks a bit strange, it's because it is. But working it out is in fact quite simple. The Wordsteal program can do it in one operation, whoosh. We need to do it in steps to make it understandable. We just go from the inside of the formula and work outward.

• Subtract the winner's rating from the loser's rating, and add 50.
• Divide the result by 100, and add 8.
• Take the smaller of 16 and the number from step 2..
• Take the larger of 0 of the number from step 3. Drop any part after the decimal point (do not round it!). This is the rating change. In a two-person game, the winner gains that many points, the loser drops the same number.

Example 1: Say the winner began with 1651 points, the loser with 1600. Then the steps would be:

• 1600 - 1651 + 50 = -1
• -1/100 + 8 = 7.99
• 7.99 compared to 16: Take the smaller, 7.99.
• 7.99 compared to 0: Take the larger, 7.99. Dropping the .99 gives 7, the number of points gained or lost in this example.

The formula ensures that higher rated winners get fewer points for a win over lower rated opponents. Conversely, lower rated winners get more points for a win if the higher rated player is way above them. But it also limits the most points won or lost to 16.

Example 2: Suppose the winner began with 1700 points, the loser with 2510. Here's the calculation:

• 2510 - 1700 + 50 = 860
• 860/100 + 8 = 16.6
• 16.6 compared to 16: Take the smaller, 16.
• 16 compared to 0: Take the larger, 16, which is the number of points gained or lost in this example.

Example 2 shows that a much lower rated (over 750 points difference) player will get the maximum points from the win.

If the higher rated player in Ex. 2 won the game, there would be a gain of 0 points.

In a 3 or 4 player game, the calculation is the same, but the winner's gain is is computed against each of the losing players ratings. The winner then gains the total of the points won from all the others. Each of the other players loses only the points to the top winner.