Most times when I log into the lobby, I find it empty. What I do is run the game in window mode, and do something else like surf web while waiting for someone to show up (and not quit too soon when I fail to quickly accept his challenge or reply to his greeting).
I managed to get quite a few games this way. Not the most of any online player (135 to Brian's 173, way to go), but I suspect Brian and Zemsta of being buddies, since Zemsta seems to only have games vs Brian
But yeah, unfortunately the lobby is empty most of the time. Or at least, it is empty of anybody but me while I'm in