# Staggered Start

> A handicap planner for lopsided games among friends or family. Name one game, how it is won and an optional target score, how many games you played together and each player's wins. The page sizes a head start for every trailing player by a fixed rule and draws everyone on a running track with staggered start lines; one metered run turns each size into a handicap in the game's own terms.

URL: https://staggered-start.skillsafe.ai/
API: https://staggered-start.skillsafe.ai/api.html

## What it does
- Free, in the browser: the track drawing (SVG and PNG downloads) and the page's own head-start size per player.
- Size rule: the leader has the most wins. For each player r = (leader's wins + 1) / (player's wins + 1). Below 1.5: no head start. Below 2.5: small, 10% of the way to winning. Below 4: medium, 20%. Below 7: large, 30%. 7 or more: too wide for any head start.
- Verdict for the table, first match wins: switch (any gap too wide), stagger (any large head start), nudge (any small or medium one), level (none needed).
- When a target score is given, the head start is that share of it, rounded to the nearest whole number (a half rounds up, never below 1).
- Metered task `level` (gpt-terra): one entry per player with the size, a handicap that fits the game and the reason from the wins; one catch-up or turn-order rule for the table; another way to play when a gap is too wide. The page re-checks every size, the verdict and every amount. Games with money riding on them (bets, stakes, cash) are declined.

## Input (task `level`)
All strings: task, game, win_rule, target (a whole number or "not given"), games_played, player_count, players (one numbered line per player: name | wins | note), optional retry_note.

## Reply
One JSON object: task, status (ok or declined), reason, verdict, players[{n, tier, handicap, why}], house_rule, switch_idea, closing.

## Sources
- Built on the SkillSafe skill @absolutelyskilled/game-balancing (MIT): https://skillsafe.ai/skill/@absolutelyskilled/game-balancing

## Notes
A games-night toy for play among friends - not coaching, sports-classification or professional advice. Handicaps are never ones that risk injury, remove safety gear or involve alcohol.