Handling Problem Players

We all get them: the incessant rules lawyer who challenges your every call; the “loopholer” who will exploit everything not nailed down in the rules to gain that extra +1 advantage; the player who takes everything that happens to their character as an attack on themselves…

Dealing with problem players is never easy. Here’s a collection of resources to help you when you’ve got no idea where to turn:

• [Ask RPG] D&D 4e: Need Luck-type Rewards: Using in-game rewards to curb problem behavior.
• Dealing with a Player Who Wants It All: Dealing with a spotlight-stealing player.
• Dealing with Disruptive Players: A forum discussion. About half way down the page is a good checklist of things to do when dealing with a problem player.
• Dealing with Problem Players: Why GMs tend to make poor players.
• Dealing with RP Attention Hogs: How to deal with players who want all the spotlight.
• DM Advice for Difficult Players?: Dealing with a rules-lawyer.
• Friday Chat: Dealing with Aggressive/Jerk Players: Just what the title says. Be sure to read the comments for further ideas on how to deal with these players.
• Group Therapy with Dice: Identifying problem players.
• Happy Jacks RPG Podcast — Season 01 Episode 02: A podcast about dealing with players.
• How Do You Deal with Die Fudgers?: Tips for dealing with players who cheat on their die rolls.
• How to Deal with Competitive Players: Dealing with players who just has to “win”.
• How to Kick Out a Player and Respect Yourself in the Morning: A step-by-step guide for removing disruptive players from your game.
• The Next Level #13: Solving a Disruptive Player: Ideas for dealing with a disruptive player without booting them out.
• Problem Players of a Different Sort: Dealing with “Console Drones”, inattentive players and players who bring their personal issues into the game.