lol- random generation of powers- and i think also what number player you are when u join. i find if i am the last player to join i am almost ALWAYS Austria

that is impressive homer :p. You are just destined to play England.

You better get good at England now... And yeah, it is completely random, in one tournament of 5 games, 3 I was turkey... But it is random.

You know, usually when a new player asks this question, all kinds of trolls try and convince him of something crazy. You're lucky you came in with this kind of crowd, homer.

thanks to all the non-trolls, I will stop wondering.

I'd heard that it was based on how often each player had played a specific country, but I can't confirm that. It sure seems random to me. I kept getting Italy when I started, especially for live games.

Got stuck with NearEast in two consecutive World Map games... Talk about annoying!!

It's random to start with, but once you've finished a few games the country selection algorithm starts reducing your chances of being awarded the same country too often by adding in a selection weighting. However, even after you've finished dozens of games it might not save you - if you start (say) 5 games at the same time then the same selection weighting will be used for all of them. Also the algorithm has to balance everybody else in the game too, so you might still get the same country several times in a row because others in those games have had that country more times (percentage wise) than you.

i just started a tourney with 5 games and have drawn one country in 2, and another in the others....... so not a good random selection.... 2 countries for 5 games

That is kinda funny, I suppose it depends on what countries you have, it also gives you a chance to try different strategies with the same countries in different games, mix it up a bit. I still have you as joint favourite :-)

glad u are amused

whys that?
thought i had long odds

I've seen you play, I know you're a bit tasty :-)

I believe the random selector weights what country you're going to get based on your past 7(?) completed games. So, if you start several games at once, you may actually be more likely to get several of the same country. Of course, the aim is for it to balance out as you play more games.

With over 1200 games, it balances out. I still get he same country multiple times if I sign up for multiple games at the same time. Games you are in don't count for randomization only completed games.

you lucky dog !!!
i have to cruise the open games like an old tart and buy in to games to get to play England, & it's invariably in "distressed condition" scratches in the paintwork, drink stains & cigar burns on the furnishings etc.

I got Italy both times in the World Cup gunboat games. Boo hiss....