[Ralconn]

Definitely a Steam bug. Perhaps the fact that you're on Valve maps #1 is not the issue. This is just a thought, but perhaps you are doing something like connecting to valve maps with the console but other servers with the favorites list and when you connect with one it works and the other it doesn't. It shouldn't make a difference, but all I'm sayin is maybe there is something subtle that is making a difference.

Yah I was thinking something along the same lines originally. I tried connecting every possible way to other servers (auto join, console connect, regular join, etc.) and could not recreate the issue. I even went so far as to test servers with the same amount of players etc and couldn't recreate it.
Does steam maybe store cookie like settings on an individual server basis?