Silver Oak Casino Review (I know, white noise, but they jacked me good)
The play was smooth, the bonuses seem great and they take US Players...
So I deposit $125 and ask for the "No Rules 270", thinking that meant play all games...While speaking to the service rep they said that was slots only...So I asked if they had any bonus' that were non-restrictive, cause I wanted to play blackjack/video poker etc...they didn't tell me what it was called but gave it to me and I started playing.
When I first started, there were "locks" on all the nonslot games...I had asked for a non restrictive bonus, but these were unav to me at first, so I played slots...
I must have cleared the wagering requirements because when I came back all the "locks" were gone...So I played Let Em Ride, some blackjack and some video poker.
Up and down, then I have some crazy hits and am sitting on $2k in my account...
Today I send in my doc's and ask for a $1,500 withdrawal...Request is denied, all funds voided...all $2k
They said I played Roulette (which I did) and because of that, everything else was voided. They did state that I had cleared the wagering requirements before I played any Roulette, but that didn't matter...
They said my bonus was related to table games only Blackjack/Baccarat/Video Poker etc...thing is, I specifically asked for a non restrictive bonus so I didn't have to worry about what I could/could not play...
Why would they let me play blackjack and video poker, but not Roulette...when Roulette has a better house edge.
They told me only 10% was played at Roulette and my Requirements had been met...but didn't matter - the entire $2k was gone. My options were to start over with $125 or get a refund. They then proceeded to tell me I was banned and couldn't play anymore...
I find it absurd and really crappy to be treated the way I was - the banned me w/out a 2nd thought - and the $2k (won at Let Em Ride and slots) are just gone...no 1/2 or anything...
I cleared the WR before 1 spin at Roulette...I asked for the lower, non restrictive bonus and was never told I couldn't play Roulette (how does Roulette NOT count as a table game for that matter...)
I feel completely cheated by Silver Oaks and the abusive customer service was even worse...happy to screw me out of $2k and ban me just for requesting fair treatment
There are many player issues at Silver Oak Casino, including the above mentioned slow and non-payment of winnings for players. The casino is one that you should definitely avoid as you will almost certainly lose your hard-earned money."
-WizardOfOdds.Com
If it's blacklisted by the Wiz, I won't even consider visiting their site, let alone playing on them... but I'll be sure to note how horrible that site is and what cheats they are. Thanks for the heads up.
Quote: EntireleHm... so proceeding from the fact of existing blacklist I can fully trust it? I mean that there are real frauds in this list? I thought that such list were invented forums-competitors to dishonor theor opponents in such threads or.. I`m wrong?
The Wizard's reputation as an impartial and honest party in this area for over a decade is pretty much unparalleled. His blacklist entries do not come about without rigorous testing and evaluation, followed by investigation into the parties involved, with their cooperation if possible. When there is an issue, he is on it like a dog on a bone. And, to my knowledge, he cannot be bought off or baffled by excuses.
If you are going to trust anyone on this, ever, it is the Wizard. It's not just his business, it's his passion.
There's that word baffled again.Quote: beachbumbabsThe Wizard's reputation as an impartial and honest party in this area for over a decade is pretty much unparalleled. His blacklist entries do not come about without rigorous testing and evaluation, followed by investigation into the parties involved, with their cooperation if possible. When there is an issue, he is on it like a dog on a bone. And, to my knowledge, he cannot be bought off or baffled by excuses.
If you are going to trust anyone on this, ever, it is the Wizard. It's not just his business, it's his passion.
Given this forum's standing penchant for "logically" entertaining essentially unsubstantiated claims (of AP glory, etc), wouldn't it be nice to see some critical analysis or facts of which the Wizard has accomplished specifically, as well as generally, with "his blacklist". Are we talking about rogue casinos here, the stuff of the Casinomeister forum?
I suspect what I seem to recall the Wizard having stated in the past about how little impact he, himself, has on the gambling industry as a whole is more the truth here. It's one thing to take a casino down a peg, but quite another to do the perfunctory slap on the wrist thing so that everyone comes off the diplomat again.
What independent reports, newspaper clippings, etc, might corroborate your own over-the-top anecdotal musings? Does Casinomeister recommend, or better yet, defer to, the Wizard's involvement in such cases?
Quote: TheGrimReaper13There's that word baffled again.
Given this forum's standing penchant for "logically" entertaining essentially unsubstantiated claims (of AP glory, etc), wouldn't it be nice to see some critical analysis or facts of which the Wizard has accomplished specifically, as well as generally, with "his blacklist". Are we talking about rogue casinos here, the stuff of the Casinomeister forum?
I suspect what I seem to recall the Wizard having stated in the past about how little impact he, himself, has on the gambling industry as a whole is more the truth here. It's one thing to take a casino down a peg, but quite another to do the perfunctory slap on the wrist thing so that everyone comes off the diplomat again.
What independent reports, newspaper clippings, etc, might corroborate your own over-the-top anecdotal musings? Does Casinomeister recommend, or better yet, defer to, the Wizard's involvement in such cases?
I don't think that the Casinomeister has been consistently impartial or unbiased, so I don't think their opinion is particularly useful. I don't know what their opinion is of the Wizard, and I wouldn't place a lot of stock in it, even if it aligned with mine.
I have been circulating in the gaming industry for a couple of years now, and have seen a rare consensus among designers, distributors, operators, and other people about the Wizard's integrity and knowledge. As in, the ONLY person universally respected and cited as an authority when the conversation turns to such things. And I've met many more people than those involved with this site.
I also look at the many things the Wizard has done to make the industry more transparent to the players, often at his own expense. FOIA requests and game math exposure, these websites and their collective guidance, his consistent goals towards providing ways of gambling more intelligently for anyone who wants to hear it, his earlier work in certifying gaming systems, and his work on exposing crooked casinos, online or B&M. There's lots of evidence that he puts in the hours and does the work.
So let's ask you the question in reverse: what facts are in your possession that would call what I said into doubt? When a guy stands alone in excellence, regardless of his area of expertise, it should be acknowledged. I'm not asking your opinion, which seems to be based on what you might recall (as you said above), but something of substance. Otherwise, IMO you're sitting in his living room dissing your host, and who needs that?
It's a much bigger and more established forum than this one? Odd that you know something unsubstantiated though critical about them, yet you can't say that they have heard of the Wizard.Quote: beachbumbabsI don't think that the Casinomeister has been consistently impartial or unbiased, so I don't think their opinion is particularly useful. I don't know what their opinion is of the Wizard, and I wouldn't place a lot of stock in it, even if it aligned with mine.
You must really hate Casinomeister, if you wouldn't support their view which agreed with yours. Hard not to. Why might that be?
Who in particular is vouching for the Wizard's overall gaming prowess in the industry, other than the moderator(s) of this site? At any rate, we ought to hear from some independent sources. Gotta be at least a couple given the continued (unsolicited) boost for the Wizard from someone "circulating in the gaming industry". BTW, what exactly are you to the gaming industry; and what's your motive for putting in so much time here? Seems strange to me.Quote: beachbumbabsI have been circulating in the gaming industry for a couple of years now, and have seen a rare consensus among designers, distributors, operators, and other people about the Wizard's integrity and knowledge. As in, the ONLY person universally respected and cited as an authority when the conversation turns to such things. And I've met many more people than those involved with this site.
You're digressing, and it seems into more unchartered territory. Am I to know what is FOIA?Quote: beachbumbabsI also look at the many things the Wizard has done to make the industry more transparent to the players, often at his own expense. FOIA requests and game math exposure, these websites and their collective guidance, his consistent goals towards providing ways of gambling more intelligently for anyone who wants to hear it, his earlier work in certifying gaming systems, and his work on exposing crooked casinos, online or B&M. There's lots of evidence that he puts in the hours and does the work.
I've never heard of a "reverse question". At least not one by which the person who asked for detailed information from the persons who claim to be the experts but stall, more or less, it appears, is then asked to thus answer his/her own question. You have to provide your facts and supporting data before I can counter. You should be able to rattle off a good list, from what I hear.Quote: beachbumbabsSo let's ask you the question in reverse: what facts are in your possession that would call what I said into doubt? When a guy stands alone in excellence, regardless of his area of expertise, it should be acknowledged. I'm not asking your opinion, which seems to be based on what you might recall (as you said above), but something of substance. Otherwise, IMO you're sitting in his living room dissing your host, and who needs that?
As for dissing someone, I simply ask a question. Should I be dissing someone? Sorry, but I don't have time for those games. Actually, I expected more from YOU. I don't think that the Wizard is getting a heck of a lot out of this either.
I hear the train a comin, she's comin round the bend.......
It's not up to me to cite other people I meet with by name. I stand by what I said I've been told. As for me, I designed, marketed, and sold a casino game about a year and a half ago, with the great assistance of several professionals on this site, as well as the website resources. I'm now working on a couple of others. I was asked to be a moderator almost 2 years ago, and accepted. I'm a volunteer, as are we all below Wizard level. But then, if you knew what's available on this forum and other Wizard resources, you'd already know all of that. I'm on here because I'm willing to do the work to keep the resource going. Why are you here?
I'm not digressing; I'm talking about a body of work that substantiates the experience and expertise leading to the credibility I place in the Wizard. FOIA is a Freedom of Information Act, a formal, 1st Amendment-based (of the US Constitution) document which compels the release of information supporting a claim, such as Truth-in-Advertising laws. It can be a long and expensive process, as it was for Mike. I'm guessing you're not US based, so may not know how that works.
Again, if you knew enough to have a basis for your vague criticism, you'd have read both websites thoroughly and know these things. Mike has been thorough and articulate in documenting his many activities; it's on you to read it, not me to try and provide details. That's just nonsense from you; you have the first person accounts available, as does everyone. Do the work yourself.
I've never claimed to be an expert; in fact, this board (my posts, anyway) is filled with my honest disclaimers about my level of expertise. I am retired from my area of expertise which is unrelated to gambling.
So, your turn. Convince me you're not simply trolling this site, Mike, me, and/or anybody else who cares to speak on his behalf.
Quote: TheGrimReaper13It's a much bigger and more established forum than this one? Odd that you know something unsubstantiated though critical about them, yet you can't say that they have heard of the Wizard.
With respect to online gambling? Maybe. But, then, so is LatestCasinoBonuses.com the owners of this site. With respect to CasinoMeister, there have been multiple occasions (I could go over and find the threads again if you call me on it, but would be very grateful if you just took me at face value on this one) where they have made questionable decisions with respect to player complaints and the like.
But, everyone makes a decision that someone else might call into question, so that in itself isn't really a big deal.
What I will say is online gambling, historically speaking, has not been Wizard's #1 thrust, nor that of this site. With the purchase by LCB a little over a year ago, that's changing a bit. That being said, I would suggest that both the CM and LCB blacklists are longer than the WoO Blacklist, so for an online casino to have gotten on our radar in the past, you know it is for an extremely serious and readily verifiable issue.
That's likely the case with LCB and CM, too, but I haven't done the research to definitively say that. I also believe that Wizard and the owner of CM were or are friends, actually.
Quote:You must really hate Casinomeister, if you wouldn't support their view which agreed with yours. Hard not to. Why might that be?
Babs can speak for herself, but I imagine she was simply saying that any opinion of that site would not sway her either way. That seems more like neutrality than hatred.
Quote:Who in particular is vouching for the Wizard's overall gaming prowess in the industry, other than the moderator(s) of this site? At any rate, we ought to hear from some independent sources. Gotta be at least a couple given the continued (unsolicited) boost for the Wizard from someone "circulating in the gaming industry". BTW, what exactly are you to the gaming industry; and what's your motive for putting in so much time here? Seems strange to me.
I don't know, LCB, who paid multi-millions for this site? Bob Dancer, Eliot Jacobsen, James Grosjean would tell you, I should imagine. Anyone appearing on Gambling With an Edge when Wizard was a co-host, I would say.
As far as her motive for working on the site is concerned, Babs can answer you if she likes. What is your motive for asking pointless questions, though? What possible difference does Babs' motives make to either you or the topic at hand?
