What makes the scores go up and down are that they are relative to everyone else's scores. So as new players play previous games or people go back and improve games it can cause your score to go up or down depending on how they score relative to yours. Likewise when you improve pn a previous game, it may cause others score to go down.
The problem is we don't know exactly what the formula is.
Plus it seems evident that at least a majority of the scoring is based on the last 30 days or so. Therefore as games drop off depending on whether it was a good score or not so good your score will go up or down.

Well, either way it's stinky. What's given shouldn't be taken away. A "score" in let's say, bowling, isn't reduced once the game is over based on all the other bowlers on a particular day.
(damn, that's great logic, but, no doubt, not relative to this site.)
I would think that Ranking would be based on overall, while score would be based on points (or something).
This is part of the reason I resisted registering; I do not like fun being called competition. I am pretty much uncompetitive (at least with games like this).
Human nature being what it is, given a score, one must understand it's relevance.
Grumble grumble grumble. (no one said I wasn't curmudgeonly).
Thanks for your response - I do appreciate it.

"I am pretty much uncompetitive" then why . . .
nuff said

@cunningstunt unlike bowling we are not all playing at the same time so that logic isn't relative. but I will say it is a bit of a oxymoron to competitively score "solitaire". Plus freezing scores at the end of the day would mean people who missed that day wouldn't be able to go back and play for score. Perhaps look at it this way. Each day is ranked for that day purely on the raw score of lowest moves and time. So if you like that way of scoring just compete on a daily basis. (in a uncompetitive way).

@Kimvictoria - inquiring minds just want to know. I see it, I don't understand it, I ask.
Besides, without registration, you have to keep track of what games you've played yourself.
I do like to redo a game to see if I can find something new.
This is the best Solitary site I've used. It will move the cards when you've cleared the 'piles'.
No other site does that, they require one to do all the moves.

"The problem is we don't know exactly what the formula is". Well said Fizz. Call me what you will, but I've always liked to know the rules of a game so I'll be able to play the game more competitively. I know over the last few days we have been changing between third and fourth place, but it seems I have to do really well to maintain my third place position. If I falter in the least bit, I'm suddenly behind twenty or thirty points and in fourth place again...

@usedart, have you tried going back into archived games and improving games you've played and seeing if that effects your score? When I was in first place it required being consistently at the top every game but there may be something to stabilizing one's ranking a bit by what you've done in archived games.
I played early when the site first started but didn't start playing regularly until over a year later. When I did, the scoring system then required me to go back and play ALL the archived games attempting to be at the top just to get near the top in rankings. It took me quite a while like I mentioned before but on the plus side helped my archived averages now. I never have been able to play all the games because of a glitch in the archives.

I started around November of 2009 which would mean I would have to go back and improve on almost a years worth of games... I'll pass on that and just quit with the groveling and see how things unfold...

You don't have to improve all of them, look for ones that you had your worst times on. Those are the ones hurting your average the most.

On October 9, 2010 Cunningstunt said: this Solataire site "will move the cards when you'
ve cleared the piles. No other site does that. They require one to do all the moves."
Can someone explain to me what that means with respect to number of moves? Am I adding unnecessary moves to my scores? I know this message is a little late, but if anyone reads it and can answer my question I will be very appreciative.

No @lilybelle, you are not adding moves to your score. The program moves the balance of the cards directly up so it's no different then if you did them yourself. The good news is the timers stops the moment all cards are uncovered and the deck is empty. For faster times it usually best to only move the cards necessary to empty the deck and uncover everything. And it's never too late to ask.

Hi,
When I finally noticed the "score," I started paying attention. It was then at 10 or 11 thousand. When I decided to go back and play every single game in the archives in order, my score quickly dropped to about 8000. I was told that no matter how many times you play or quit a game, only your very best score is counted. So I tried to improve my time and moves (apparently called 'attempts'. But my score keeps plumetting.

Hi, Grandai! On your profile, it shows that you have played eight of the last 34 active games. Instead of worrying about playing games from the archives, concentrate on the last 26 games that are current. When I missed a block of five or six games due to a family emergency, my ranking got worse. I never made up those games, but when they eventually dropped off the active games listed on my profile page, my ranking improved. If I were you, I'd play the game of the day and get the lowest score you can for moves, then go back and try to lower your speed as well. If you have time, play other games -- but start from yesterday's game. After several weeks, any unplayed games will drop off and you'll have a more accurate picture of your ranking. While you're playing the game of the day, you can post questions or join in the chat if you wish. See you then!

what I meant to say was: yes I see what you mean Feral Cats. I will probably stick to the latest games from now on.

Yes. The majority of the score is made up from the last 30 games.

Hi everyone, I feel so stupid next to ALL of you !!! I see games completed in 1 or 2
minutes !!! My rating is 178 -- I complete as many as I possibly can !!

Don't feel stupid, speed is a result of dumb persistence.

Hi fizzbut -- Not sure what you mean !! I look @ the times of each of the games
before I start & amazed how fast most people are.

It'splaying a game over and over again enough times that you have the moves memorized. It's when you have to stop and figure out what to move next that costs the most in time.