I think the fact that you're all talking to each other and stabbing each other would make it look implausible that you're multi-accounting. From what I understand, there's more to it than just IP address.

I'm not a mod, but from what I understand, having hosted friend-games on this site in the past, it's okay to do so long as you let the moderators know...

And if you host a game with some of your friends and regular WebDip users, be sure to bring it up in the forum and PM all non-friend players that join (for the sake of full disclosure)...

Well our searches might catch you, and if you let us know yes we can remove the password.
However, we never act without checking, so if (/when) the data comes to light all that you'll have to do is answer a couple of questions from us and probably will be fine. I say probably because you never know, it could turn out that some of your friends activities *are* deemed unfair, but this is no more likely than in any other case. So basically my point is go for it, there won't be an issue.

Opening the game. If you need players I will happily change the password to one you are happy to share, but I won't unlock it completely. For a game that is heavily dominated by players that know oneanother, it would seem fair that anyone joining knows and accepts this.

If we don't have enough guys to start the game, I'd make it very clear to anyone else that want's to join that we know each other. And that it will be a teaching game, so things may not run very smoothly. I suspect even if we all team up against a good player, we won't do so good. It's going to be a VERY noob game :)

Thanks for getting back to me. I'm glad it shouldn't be a problem to host the game here. And thank you also for offering to adjust/remove the password if we need it.

One final question on the topic, if we're short guys, and we remove the password, is it possible to also extend the pre-game just a bit (a day?) to allow others to join?

"if we all team up" - well if you do it best be for diplomatic reasons.

Yes you can

Since it is an arranged game, just set the start time to 7 or 10 days. Non-"live" games start as soon as 7 players have joined so it won't really delay things.

If you are short a player or two, post on the forum asking for some filler people. Make it clear it is a group of friends but that you will be more than happy to stab each other as much if not more than the filler people. If it is a teaching game, make sure to mention that too so you get the right sort of filler people.

Just make sure you remember the password and you can either post the password as part of the forum message, or you can say that you'll send it via PM to those that express interest in joining.

The other benefit of keeping the password in place is so if one friend goes into civil disorder you won't have other people replacing him or her and messing up the game. Especially if you expect that person will be back. And if you think they have dropped out for good then you can go back to the forum to recruit again if it is worth having that spot filled.

Oh right yeh, what he said.
I rather assumed you'd already started pregame.

Well, he does have one that has less than 2 days left to start, but he can just cancel it and setup a longer one too.