At the start of a match, a player types "glhf." It stands for "good luck, have fun." It is a ritual. It sets a friendly tone before the competition begins. It is common in online games. It is polite. It is also a way to say, "I am here to play, not to fight."

GLHF is the opposite of trash talk. It is sportsmanship in four letters. It is often followed by a "gg" at the end. Together, they frame the match. Start with kindness. End with respect. The middle is the game. That is the ideal.

Related acronyms

• GG: good game, at the end.
• GGWP: good game, well played.
• HF: have fun.
• GL: good luck.

GLHF is not always sincere. Some players type it and then play dirty. Some type it sarcastically. But the convention remains. It is a small hope. It says, "Let this be a good match." That is a good way to start. It costs nothing. It might even help.