I think there are a few issues with making the Monarchist Cookbook games 'Monarch player exclusive'. I play the games in order to get the tips of 'experienced' players and to see how they play the same round that I just played. If all of these players were to leave to higher level games then I don't feel that I would learn as much.
At the same time, these more experienced players saves should not be considered to continue the game. But, then the question is 'how do we define whose saves are to not be included'? I don't think the idea of going with the trash save is good, because while that may be a challenge for those more experienced players, for the Monarch level players (like myself) it may be too tough to come back from. So, the idea of picking a 'middle of the road' save is a good one.
I feel that there should be two small changes to the way things are currently done...
1. Allow players to remove their own saves from the runnings. This would allow experienced players to give an example of how things should be done, but their saves won't be considered for continuing the game.
2. Vote on which saves (of those who are self-confessed Monarch players) are best. The top half of saves (however many this might be--if there are 6 saves, then top 3, of 4 then top 2) get props for playing 'above average'. This would put a more positive spin on things, so that monarch players can feel like they did really well, rather than feeling like they did poorly when their save is compared to those of more experienced players. The save that is at the top of the 'average' saves will be the one that is used.
As I see it, one big problem with the 'trash pick' type games is that it isn't as fun to be picked as first. By still congratulating (and maybe pointing out what they did right) those players who are first among Monarch level players, we keep that competition alive... but at the same time, we don't use the save of whoever came in first in order to keep the challenge alive...
The more experienced players also deserve to play a challenging game, so the idea of an Immortal/Emperor level game is totally a good idea.