user8194: It seems that when one loses a game against a compatibly rated opponent, the (USCF) rating point decrease is more significant than when one scores a win.
For example, between two 'C' players, losing an over-the-board game may cost a player 12 points, whereas wining, the increase in rating is 7 points.
This is an odd phenomenon in the Elo system. Is there an explanation?

user4362: How much rating you lose or gain depend (besides your and your opponents rating) on the K-factor. If your opponent has a different K-factor than you do, the gain/loss of rating can be asymmetrical. 
In the Fide Elo system the K-factor depends on rating and age. Apparently the USCF has a K-factor that is dependent on the number of games played overall and in the current tournament.
So, that is probably the reason for the discrepancies you noticed. But it has nothing to do with asymmetry between winning and losing.

user657: I suspect it's a result of you not really knowing the rating of the player you're playing. Posted rating for a player in a tournament is typically already out of date. You can see it in more detail by checking the actual rating report of the event you played in (http://www.uschess.org/datapage/event-search.php) and you can see what the real rating of the player you played was at the start of the event. Keep in mind it changes with every round.

8194: <p>It seems that when one loses a game against a compatibly rated opponent, the (USCF) rating point decrease is more significant than when one scores a win.</p>

<p>For example, between two 'C' players, losing an over-the-board game may cost a player 12 points, whereas wining, the increase in rating is 7 points.</p>

<p>This is an odd phenomenon in the Elo system. Is there an explanation?</p>
 4362: <p>How much rating you lose or gain depend (besides your and your opponents rating) on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elo_rating_system#The_K-factor_used_by_the_USCF" rel="nofollow">K-factor</a>. If your opponent has a different K-factor than you do, the gain/loss of rating can be asymmetrical. </p>

<p>In the Fide Elo system the K-factor depends on rating and age. Apparently the USCF has a K-factor that is dependent on the number of games played overall and in the current tournament.</p>

<p>So, that is probably the reason for the discrepancies you noticed. But it has nothing to do with asymmetry between winning and losing.</p>
 657: <p>I suspect it's a result of you not really knowing the rating of the player you're playing. Posted rating for a player in a tournament is typically already out of date. You can see it in more detail by checking the actual rating report of the event you played in (<a href="http://www.uschess.org/datapage/event-search.php" rel="noreferrer">http://www.uschess.org/datapage/event-search.php</a>) and you can see what the <em>real</em> rating of the player you played was at the start of the event. Keep in mind it changes with every round.</p>
