Playing an online match with a friend

Sometimes CSGO seems to think you are not logged into steam. The only way i fixed this happening to me when it happens was to have every party in the lobby completely close steam, reconnect and then re-open the game and then it was usually ok.

Another time this has happened was a problem with steams servers experiencing above expected traffic. Eventually as servers calmed down it functioned agian.

You'll be placed against players of your rank as your friend doesn't have a rating yet.

It does not matter who opens the lobby.

The cooldown is 24 hours, once your friend has a rank the smurf protection goes away. Although if your friend's rank is too low after placements you'll not be able to play together unless you get a 5 man team.