Forum Rules

Forum Rules

1. The forum rules may change from time to time, without notice. Be sure to check this page for the latest version. Anyone using the site agrees to the rules listed here.

2. This forum is only open to individuals of age 21 or older.

3. We have a zero-tolerance policy for spam. Anyone found or perceived to be spamming may be permanently banned from the forum.

4. This forum is designed to be self-moderating. If you find a post which is spammy, harassing, or illegal in nature, you are encouraged to flag that post as inappropriate. When enough members have flagged a post as inappropriate, it will be automatically removed.

5. Anyone abusing the "flag as inappropriate" feature will have their flagging rights revoked.

Here are rules 2.0, which went into effect on Nov. 12, 2010. Prior to that date, this forum had a more liberal free speech policy. However, flame wars erupted, and by a vote of 24 to 14, members decided some stricter rules were in order, for the greater benefit of the forum. Posts created prior to the enactment of these rules do not necessarily abide by these rules, and should not be taken as an example of permissible behavior.

1. No personal insults. If you disagree with another forum member, politely attack the writing, not the writer.
2. Respect copyright: Don't post entire articles from other sources. If you must quote without permission, do so sparingly, and properly indicate the source.
3. No spam. Spam is an unwanted message, usually an advertisement, meant to be forced up as many eyeballs as possible. I will not put up with disguised spam either. If you want to advertise, expect to pay for it. That goes for anywhere.
4. Respect privacy. Do not post any information about someone else that is intended to be private or quote from private communication.
5. Do not post the same message more than once. This includes posting the same message in two or more places, and re-posting because nobody replied the first time. If you didn't get a response the first time, chances are nobody else had anything to say about it.
6. Keep it PG. No pornographic or violent images or text. Profanity is not specifically prohibited, but should be used sparingly to emphasize a point only, or in quoting another.
7. No hijacking: Try to keep threads on topic. If you want to veer off on a tangent, please make a new thread for it.
8. Keep it legal: Don't post anything that would violate the laws of Nevada or the United States. For example, anything libelous, or promoting anything obviously illegal.
9. No thumbtacking. Don't post one or two words just to keep a thread in the top of the list. If that is your motive, at least add something substantive to say about the topic, or at least a joke.
10. Betting systems: Methods of varying bet size, based on previous wins and losses, not only can't overcome the house edge, they can't even dent it. However, if you're one of the many mathematically ignorant gamblers who think adding up negative numbers can result in a positive one, please keep your comments restricted to the betting systems sty. Betting systems may not be offered for sale anywhere on the site.
11. Multiple accounts: One account per person. Posting under multiple identities is cause for immediate expulsion. (Added 12/30/2010)
12. No bullying/trolling: Members are expected to act like ladies and gentlemen. Members may not be overly divisive or abusive to another member. This includes starting a thread only the for purpose of attacking another member. (Added 2/24/2012)
13. Nuclear option: Finally, if the site administrators feel that a member is so disruptive to the site, even while abiding by the rules above, a "nuclear option" may be invoked to permanently ban the offender. This will be used sparingly for only the worst of trolls. (Added 2/20/11)
14. Posting limits: For the first 30 days of membership, the number of threads you may start is equal to the number of days you have been a member plus two, and the maximum number of posts you can make is limited to the number of days you have been a member plus 10. This is to help combat spam. (Added 3/8/2012)

If you must blow off steam by making personal insults or using excessive profanity, then you may use the free speech zone. The other rules should be respected, even in there.

The punishment for violating these rules will be meted out on a case by case basis. Options include a warning, temporary ban, and permanent ban.