The only exceptions I've had to this rule are in Team Fortress 2, where thankfuilly enough people are shit that sometimes I can do alright
And Left 4 Dead, but that's mainly due to the co-op nature and playing with people I know.

I stuck a toe into Quake 3 online once. Never again.
( Theoban What of it, Tue 2 Jun 2009, 15:45, archived)

Can anyone tell me what the matchmaking service is like on xbox LIVE?
Could I get a game with other people who are alright, but don't spend 18 hours a day on it?
( RR I love you ... in a way, Tue 2 Jun 2009, 15:46, archived)

it was ok on Halo AFAIK
you had levels of ability based on badges (earned through online play), and you get grouped with people with similar levels.
( spangolin - the odds are good but the goods are odd, Tue 2 Jun 2009, 15:47, archived)

depends on the game
a fair few of them have trueskill ratings, where it matches you up with people it estimates are around your skill level

of course other games just tend to dump you with whoever, but those ones tend not to get played online that much
( Lightguy hail satan, Tue 2 Jun 2009, 15:52, archived)