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Wizard
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August 13th, 2019 at 7:36:35 AM permalink
After some discussion, site ownership and management have decided to make a new rule forbidding non-gambling and non-Vegas topics, especially those concerning politics, religion, and sexuality. This is not necessarily permanent. We will reevaluate after the dust has a chance to settle.

As to implementation, I will be immediately closing all active threads that are causing all the problems. Discussion of the new rule will be allowed here. For a period of 24 hours, to end at 8:00 AM, Pacific time, Aug 14, I'll allow posting of a "final word" of a nature of soon-to-be-banned topics in this thread only. So write your best manifesto for what you believe today here or forever hold your peace. Manifestos will still be subject to prior forum rules.

I would like to encourage posters who prefer to discuss now-banned topics to take it to Diversity Tomorrow or any other forum of your choice. Have a good day.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
ams288
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August 13th, 2019 at 7:47:09 AM permalink
Dumb rule. Say goodbye to most of the traffic this forum gets.
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
AZDuffman
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August 13th, 2019 at 7:49:54 AM permalink
No complaints from me. Just a constructive suggestion/request on 2 things.

1. Decide what is "Vegas" and let folks know. Is it just "gaming Vegas" or can people talk about whatever? (Raiders move for example.) Not that it will much involves me, but in the past you have encouraged us to give constructive feedback and have as well been grateful when we found a small hole or two and suggested a small fix.

2. Please encourage that it is about gaming EVERYWHERE if that is your intention. Lots of gaming news coming out of PA at the moment for example. For whatever reason, PA is heavy represented here. Thus I and others want to be sure it is all OK to post about PA news. I am sure it is but I have been around from Day 1, others have not.

As always, if you do not like or care feel free to tell me to go jump in Lake Mead, I hear the water level is up this year.
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August 13th, 2019 at 7:50:08 AM permalink
I'll likely be a casualty of this new rule. I started coming here because of my interest in gambling/math. But I have remained because I found a group of generally very smart people that I enjoy bantering back and forth with. The forum software allows me to block any thread I have no interest in, or a thread that bothers me, as The Gay thread does to some here. I guess I'm just not interested enough in the 83rd iteration of a blackjack side bet to make it a point to come here.

DT is no longer a good option for adult discussion as long as the poison that is Nathan is allowed to be there.
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August 13th, 2019 at 7:54:38 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

After some discussion, site ownership and management have decided to make a new rule forbidding non-gambling and non-Vegas topics, especially those concerning politics, religion, and sexuality. This is not necessarily permanent. We will reevaluate after the dust has a chance to settle.

As to implementation, I will be immediately closing all active threads that are causing all the problems. Discussion of the new rule will be allowed here. For a period of 24 hours, to end at 8:00 AM, Pacific time, Aug 14, I'll allow posting of a "final word" of a nature of soon-to-be-banned topics in this thread only. So write your best manifesto for what you believe today here or forever hold your peace. Manifestos will still be subject to prior forum rules.

I would like to encourage posters who prefer to discuss now-banned topics to take it to Diversity Tomorrow or any other forum of your choice. Have a good day.




Will discussing Atlantic City still be allowed?

Cutting off issues in all non Vegas gaming cities from discussion seems silly for a gambling forum?

I think this is a poor decision regardless as the vast majority of traffic in this site lately has been to the political threads.... DT is pretty dead and there is not much interesting debate there.....
ams288
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August 13th, 2019 at 7:57:22 AM permalink
Quote: SOOPOO

I'll likely be a casualty of this new rule. I started coming here because of my interest in gambling/math. But I have remained because I found a group of generally very smart people that I enjoy bantering back and forth with. The forum software allows me to block any thread I have no interest in, or a thread that bothers me, as The Gay thread does to some here. I guess I'm just not interested enough in the 83rd iteration of a blackjack side bet to make it a point to come here.

DT is no longer a good option for adult discussion as long as the poison that is Nathan is allowed to be there.



Well said. I completely agree.

How will this forum be any different than VMB now, which has a much higher number of active posters than we do here?
Ding Dong the Witch is Dead
Gandler
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August 13th, 2019 at 7:57:24 AM permalink
Quote: SOOPOO

I'll likely be a casualty of this new rule. I started coming here because of my interest in gambling/math. But I have remained because I found a group of generally very smart people that I enjoy bantering back and forth with. The forum software allows me to block any thread I have no interest in, or a thread that bothers me, as The Gay thread does to some here. I guess I'm just not interested enough in the 83rd iteration of a blackjack side bet to make it a point to come here.

DT is no longer a good option for adult discussion as long as the poison that is Nathan is allowed to be there.



I agree I enjoy the diverse backgrounds this forum attracts, making any kind of discussion more interesting here. Restricting other topics will slowly shed away many regular members.

As for DT, I have no clue who Nathan is, but that forum is dead and there is not much discussion of anything.
Wizard
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August 13th, 2019 at 7:58:55 AM permalink
Quote: Gandler

Will discussing Atlantic City still be allowed?



Yes, discussion of gambling anywhere will be allowed.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
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August 13th, 2019 at 7:59:11 AM permalink
This is a good idea. I've stayed away from the forum not just because of non-gambling threads, but also because often when gambling content is posted, certain members come along and derail the thread with little more than a "could not happen would not happen" comment, or hijack the thread with an insult intended to troll the OP, and then follow their comment or insult with some completely unrelated political or other strange discussion. This long post by Mission146 details some of that,
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/general/33442-the-gay-thread/11/#post734484



and Mission146 goes on to point out how certain members contribute nothing of value, and should simply be banned.




I blocked most of the offending members a little while back, they seem to have nothing useful to contribute and evidently don't even gamble anyway, so I haven't been privy (thankfully) to what has been going on at this forum for a while, but this is part of why I started the thread about the Forum being Dead
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/general/33311-is-this-forum-dead/
which lately with the bizarre off topic non gambling related threads, it has been Deader than Dead, it's been pointless.

Good riddance.
I tell you it’s wonderful to be here, man. I don’t give a damn who wins or loses. It’s just wonderful to be here with you people. https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/betting-systems/33908-the-adventures-of-mdawg/
Wizard
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August 13th, 2019 at 8:00:26 AM permalink
Quote: ams288

Dumb rule. Say goodbye to most of the traffic this forum gets.



Speaking for myself, I won't miss that traffic. Goodbye.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Wizard
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August 13th, 2019 at 8:00:26 AM permalink
Quote: ams288

Dumb rule. Say goodbye to most of the traffic this forum gets.



Speaking for myself, I won't miss that traffic. Goodbye.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Gandler
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August 13th, 2019 at 8:10:05 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Yes, discussion of gambling anywhere will be allowed.



I guess I should have been a little more specific. Local political issues, such as state takeovers of the running of the city, local vs state issues impact of the local economy?

There is a lot of political issues that relate to gaming in AC/NJ (I am sure that is the case in other cities as well).
rsactuary
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August 13th, 2019 at 8:12:19 AM permalink
I"m happy to see them go.
Wizard
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August 13th, 2019 at 8:14:50 AM permalink
Quote: Gandler

I guess I should have been a little more specific. Local political issues, such as state takeovers of the running of the city, local vs state issues impact of the local economy?

There is a lot of political issues that relate to gaming in AC/NJ (I am sure that is the case in other cities as well).



I will say that discussion of politics will be allowed only to the extent that it directly affects the gaming business.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
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August 13th, 2019 at 8:15:00 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Speaking for myself, I won't miss that traffic. Goodbye.



You have always had that attitude towards some here, so I wouldn’t expect it to change. Disappointing if that is directed at AMS. He just recently posted a trip report that many found helpful and interesting.

The issue I see is how much is there to actually discuss about gambling? Nobody is sharing anything good and if they do, they get grief for sharing it. Understandable when it is affecting someone’s livelihood. And over the years we lost some good gambling content contributing members. Won’t mention names, but it’s obvious who they are to most.

I also understand the owners singular goal is to get hits for online casinos. Most of us don’t do that so we really are not valuable members to the owners here.

What will happen is that a few sites that are not managed as well as this one is will gain traffic, basically bashing this one. Making their voice louder as more read their rants.

All of that said, you and the owners site, your decision. I will say you have always been fair to most members here and ran a good site in a business filled with bad ones. And in a world of cesspools filled with anonymous posters, many here know and have met each other. It’s a community of people from diverse backgrounds who disagree at times, but are good people. Not easy to replicate that on a forum.

Best wishes Wizard.
AZDuffman
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August 13th, 2019 at 8:17:50 AM permalink
Quote: Gandler



As for DT, I have no clue who Nathan is, but that forum is dead and there is not much discussion of anything.



Because DT is the same 7-8 people. DT was supposed to be the "relief valve" for this site, taking all the threads that were just banned under the New Rule/Rule of 8/13. All that is happening is we are getting back to the rules as they were the day after DT was created.

I just ignore Nathan.
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August 13th, 2019 at 8:26:13 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

After some discussion, site ownership and management have decided to make a new rule forbidding non-gambling and non-Vegas topics, especially those concerning politics, religion, and sexuality. This is not necessarily permanent. We will reevaluate after the dust has a chance to settle.

As to implementation, I will be immediately closing all active threads that are causing all the problems. Discussion of the new rule will be allowed here. For a period of 24 hours, to end at 8:00 AM, Pacific time, Aug 14, I'll allow posting of a "final word" of a nature of soon-to-be-banned topics in this thread only. So write your best manifesto for what you believe today here or forever hold your peace. Manifestos will still be subject to prior forum rules.

I would like to encourage posters who prefer to discuss now-banned topics to take it to Diversity Tomorrow or any other forum of your choice. Have a good day.



Took a long time coming and not before time. Wizard of Vegas is suppose to be a gambling related site, such a turn off and many give this board a wide berth having to trawl though some of the non-gambling crap that permeates this board.

Maybe put Spike in the headlights, he knew the game he was playing by starting that thread, thankfully as time moves on, such closeted people will become fewer.
Wizard
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August 13th, 2019 at 8:26:16 AM permalink
Quote: AZDuffman

I just ignore Nathan.



Thank you! How this idea escapes the anti-Nathan sect escapes me.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
AZDuffman
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August 13th, 2019 at 8:26:35 AM permalink
Quote: Boz



I also understand the owners singular goal is to get hits for online casinos. Most of us don’t do that so we really are not valuable members to the owners here.



I would disagree there. The content brings the lurkers who see the ads. Many is the forum I have stumbled in but not stayed. Those eyeballs have value. Even Wizard would not be able to recreate all the content from all the people. Or the breadth of advice we can all share. I have given casino party advice which while Wiz can blow me away in the casino math he probably cannot tell someone how to do a party night as well as I can. This goes on for all kinds of issues up and down the core group.

All that happened is the owner of the bar told the rowdy patrons to knock it off as the noise is bothering the other customers.
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August 13th, 2019 at 8:29:16 AM permalink
To me the political threads were like the richest junk foods. I knew they were bad but I could not stop anyway.

I always felt this site was for gambling

To be interesting it needs more than combinatorial math breakdowns.

It needs stories, fact or fiction. People want to read about events. Trip reports are good although the better ones tell a story rather than just how much was won or lost.

I tried more than any other poster I believe (except perhaps for Mission) to post gambling stories, and "secrets" within limits but those are so ridiculed by the other AP's.

One of the most interesting threads this year was "AN AP NIGHTMARE" because it wasnt political, it was what this site should be about. Gambling related stories (good or bad). But anyone who followed that thread saw all the vitriol that came of my just relating an honest nightmare situation I faced.

Well, lets see where this site goes now. But the gambling advantage secret holders will probably be the ones who keep the site from gaining any traction imo

I am advocating giving away the farm. But hiding the farm exists makes no sense either
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August 13th, 2019 at 8:31:22 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard


I would like to encourage posters who prefer to discuss now-banned topics to take it to Diversity Tomorrow or any other forum of your choice. Have a good day.

At least this forum has the tireless efforts of beachbumbabs as moderator, DT does not.
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August 13th, 2019 at 8:31:45 AM permalink
Quote: ams288

Dumb rule. Say goodbye to most of the traffic this forum gets.



I would generally agree.

Not sure if it's applicable, but I think it is... we have a similar "wish to control" in my sim racing league. Many folks deride the amount of classes as they feel they dilute the overall mob. They felt with fewer choices, it would group everyone back up again. But these aren't push pins, these are people. If you take what they want, they don't migrate to where you want them. They leave entirely.

If you take my CTS-V, I'm not gonna hop into a Z4 and rip it just to stay with a particular group. I'll just find somewhere that doesn't mind turd tanks and weight penalties and race with them instead. And so I have.

It CAN be done, and I've seen it before. But with near 100% certainty, the only leagues that survive are those with a rock solid and supremely dedicated base that is wholly on board with the vision. These survive because, IMO, they're self sustaining. With a dedicated base, they can afford the strife. The pop is low, yes, but their vision is strong and they are successful. It CAN be done.

But, IMO, I don't see that here. It appears to me that most of the "base" that makes up your dedicated gaming population are AP in nature with much of the communication done under shroud. That's not going to sustain a public forum. Another group would included those in it for the math, which while interesting, is kinda finite and niche. The rest seem little more than toe dippers with a trip report or anecdote to share. All of it good and fine, none of it (IMO) capable of serving as a foundation.

I'd typically end with a tossing of the hands and a statement to "do whatever", but I will leave a warning this time - Choose wisely. Thinking to my sim race experience, rarely can these bells be un-rung. There's no such thing as a "test run".
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bahdbwoy
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August 13th, 2019 at 8:32:08 AM permalink
Go NCAA style and adjust win/post counts accordingly and see what happens lol.
darkoz
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August 13th, 2019 at 8:42:42 AM permalink
How stringent is the new rule for individual posts.

A post that compares denying AP exist to climate change deniers enough for a banhammer?

Or mention of Trump in a post (which invariably brings taut replies).

Are certain topics going to be handled like profanity on this site? Grounds for banning?

I am not being funny. Tryjng to gauge the extent of the enforcement.
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Gandler
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August 13th, 2019 at 8:53:25 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

I will say that discussion of politics will be allowed only to the extent that it directly affects the gaming business.



Fair enough, thank you for clarification.
Mission146
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August 13th, 2019 at 8:56:38 AM permalink
This is awesome! This is better than anything I could have hoped for. It's not often that someone comes up with a more extreme solution to a problem than whatever I have proposed, but I'm on board with this 100%!

Hell, I might even ask to become an Administrator again. The only thing about resigning that was something of a blessing was not having to read almost all of the threads anymore, now I'll likely WANT to read almost all the threads.

I do recommend at least keeping, "Miscellaneous Discussion Thread," as long as it does not get political. Every Forum should have at least one thread where people can just chat.

Quote: ams288

Dumb rule. Say goodbye to most of the traffic this forum gets.



Are you referring to the fact that you'll be posting some 95% less?

Quote: SOOPOO

DT is no longer a good option for adult discussion as long as the poison that is Nathan is allowed to be there.



Nathan had a single thread here and that was too much for people. Everyone just had to gang up on Nathan. I've got even money says she wouldn't be at either site if the people who don't like her had just ignored her, so to those upset with her presence at DT, I say, "That's what you get." May she post there forever.

Quote: Gandler

Will discussing Atlantic City still be allowed?

Cutting off issues in all non Vegas gaming cities from discussion seems silly for a gambling forum?

I think this is a poor decision regardless as the vast majority of traffic in this site lately has been to the political threads.... DT is pretty dead and there is not much interesting debate there.....



That would be awesome were this WizardofPolitics.com. I think the, "And," in the OP was meant to be an, "Or." Gambling OR Vegas.

Quote: MDawg

Everything MDawg said



Thank you and I agree 100%!

Quote: CyrusV

Took a long time coming and not before time. Wizard of Vegas is suppose to be a gambling related site, such a turn off and many give this board a wide berth having to trawl though some of the non-gambling crap that permeates this board.



It sounds like we may see you posting here more often, that would certainly be welcome!

Quote: Darkoz

Well, lets see where this site goes now. But the gambling advantage secret holders will probably be the ones who keep the site from gaining any traction imo



Them not talking at all beats outright sabotage.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
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August 13th, 2019 at 9:02:28 AM permalink
I welcome this new rule; it is a great relief. Thank you.

IMO, every Wizard ruling on this thread about what is an allowable topic has been perfect. It is simple common-sense as to what is allowed.

To be fair to EvenBob, I think his recent thread "What Are You Reading?" has been wonderful and I enjoy it. It is not divisive and we share thoughts about authors that we enjoy. It is possible to be off-topic without being divisive and having confrontational discussions that enflame and enrage.
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michael99000
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August 13th, 2019 at 9:08:47 AM permalink
Very happy with this new rule.

As for the topics, discussions , and members that this weeds out .. I won’t miss any of them.
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August 13th, 2019 at 9:08:56 AM permalink
Quote: darkoz

How stringent is the new rule for individual posts.

A post that compares denying AP exist to climate change deniers enough for a banhammer?



Probably.

Quote:

Or mention of Trump in a post (which invariably brings taut replies).



I one wanted to refer to one of the casinos that previously bore (or is it "barred") his name, that would be fine. Since he still has a condo with his name in Vegas, it's fine to talk about that. Basically, his name or brand would have to have a direct impact on something gambling/Vegas related.

Quote:

Are certain topics going to be handled like profanity on this site? Grounds for banning?



Yes.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
ams288
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August 13th, 2019 at 9:10:06 AM permalink
Quote: Mission146

Are you referring to the fact that you'll be posting some 95% less?



Is anyone actually going to be posting here more now than they did previously?

To start, perhaps a select few people who couldn't figure out how to block threads they didn't like will post more to try to prove a point. But that will die off.
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August 13th, 2019 at 9:11:17 AM permalink
Quote: ams288

Dumb rule. Say goodbye to most of the traffic this forum gets.

If it will keep you around - I can start a new thread about Cissy Bottoms that should be well within the new forum rules.
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ams288
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August 13th, 2019 at 9:21:35 AM permalink
Quote: Puckerbutt

If it will keep you around - I can start a new thread about Cissy Bottoms that should be well within the new forum rules.



What in God’s name is a “Cissy Bottom?”
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Mission146
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August 13th, 2019 at 9:22:10 AM permalink
Quote: ams288

Is anyone actually going to be posting here more now than they did previously?

To start, perhaps a select few people who couldn't figure out how to block threads they didn't like will post more to try to prove a point. But that will die off.



Judging from a few replies in this thread, yes. To your second two sentences:

1.) They shouldn't have to block new threads every day. If you guys could have just had one or two politics threads and been happy with that, then this wouldn't have happened.

2.) Blocking threads is not available if you are not a member of the site already. They think they are coming to a gambling forum and see 7/10 non-gambling threads on the recent threads list and we look like a joke. Are they going to create an account and block threads on a site they don't think discusses gambling that often in the first place?

3.) Hopefully, this extends to not accusing every new member of being some kind of a sock. They either make a gambling post, or they do not make a gambling post. Either respond to the post or do not respond to the post. Accusing people of being socks is not going to have a negative impact on someone who is actually a sock, only on those who are not socks.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
ams288
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August 13th, 2019 at 9:35:59 AM permalink
Quote: Mission146

2.) Blocking threads is not available if you are not a member of the site already. They think they are coming to a gambling forum and see 7/10 non-gambling threads on the recent threads list and we look like a joke. Are they going to create an account and block threads on a site they don't think discusses gambling that often in the first place?



So we should ban politics threads because people who are too lazy to register and post and instead just lurk, offering nothing to the site, may not like to see the politics threads in the recent threads lists. Makes sense.

And we all know if they do register and start posting they're just going to get torn to shreds at first by the APs who want to protect their "trade secrets."
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Mission146
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August 13th, 2019 at 9:42:53 AM permalink
Quote: ams288

So we should ban politics threads because people who are too lazy to register and post and instead just lurk, offering nothing to the site, may not like to see the politics threads in the recent threads lists. Makes sense.

And we all know if they do register and start posting they're just going to get torn to shreds at first by the APs who want to protect their "trade secrets."



I didn't realize that what I say is so baffling and the implications of my words difficult to dissect:

POLITICAL POSTS HAVE NO VALUE TO A GAMBLING FORUM, GAMBLING POSTS DO.

It's not just you, it's me, it's everyone. Every post you have ever made in the political threads? Garbage. Every post I have ever made in the political threads? Garbage. The only exceptions being the ones that relate back to my politics betting articles, those articles and posts are fine because they relate to gambling.

It's not that they are too lazy to register, it's that they don't WANT to register and they don't want to register because of what Recent Threads list has made this forum look like. I write here. I was an Administrator here. If I had never been here before and saw the Recent Thread list as it was earlier today, I never would have registered here in the first place.

I'm not naming any names or categories, of posters (like AP's) but I think there are definitely some individual saboteurs in our midst. Accusing people of being socks is a really convenient justification for jumping on new members and getting them to go away.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
Rigondeaux
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August 13th, 2019 at 9:51:24 AM permalink
Probably for the best. Of course, it will mean the forum will be on life support.

This will be the third forum I've been on that's been turned into a ghost town by politards.

Said before, but I see politics as being a form of mental illness at this level. People lose touch with reality, their relationships deteriorate and they can't have a normal conversation. They support and engage in behavior that would normally go against their nature.

All ideological madness is based on a cult mechanism. The dogma says, if you believe the dogma, you are automatically morally and intellectually superior to other people. That's why people become addicted to it. Especially people who are insecure in other areas of life. They are constantly reassuring themselves that, even though they are bad with women or professional failures, or weren't cool in high school, or whatever, they are the wise and moral ones. They know the real truth and everyone else is a fool and a bad person.
Ayecarumba
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August 13th, 2019 at 9:53:31 AM permalink
Are the blogs also subject to the same topic restrictions?
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unJon
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August 13th, 2019 at 9:57:53 AM permalink
Are threads on gambling on political elections ok? Like Intrade strategies?
The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; but that is the way to bet.
GWAE
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August 13th, 2019 at 9:58:51 AM permalink
I have no idea how I feel about this. I just took a look at my last 20 threads to see where I fall as to what I have started discussion with and I think I am pretty inline with how the forum is wanting to be run.

I then took a look at my last posts and I mostly posted in gaming or betting threads with the exception of weight loss, food, and miscellaneous.

I then took a look at a handful of people who I will not name and they last 100 posts were 95% not gaming or gambling related.

The reason that I am on the fence is because I came here for a gambling reason but stuck around so long because other discussions have lead to some friendships. I talk to some people outside of here and are wondering if that would have happened without the other banter that happens. I really do enjoy the lighthearted conversations that surround a random thread in miscellaneous where people post random crap that only gets discussed for a few hours and the camaraderie between some people via the weight loss threads (even though I am still fat and seemingly getting fatter). I will check into this site multiple times a day and at night multiple times in an hour while watching TV. Without all of the other stuff I may only check 1 time a day or maybe less.

Saying all of that there are so many topics that I do not read and wish they were not on this site. Threads regarding politics, or gun control, or religion I feel do not belong on here. I have a few long term friends that I have no idea how they have ever voted and we just do not discuss such things. During this last month I have lost a lot of respect for a few people based on how they have been posting in some of these threads that I happen to read.

IMO I think there should be a little less of a drastic measure taken. Why can't there just be a rule to ban all controversial topics. I know some people couldn't care less about food topics which can easily be blocked. The politics ones can also be blocked but anything controversial seems to spill into other topics quite easily. I have never seen a food topic spill into another thread and cause havoc over there.

I agree with what Mission said as far as new members. If they come and see 10 current threads and they see 3 political ones, 2 gun law ones, and a food one they are probably not going to stick around.

So with all that rambling I would like a happy medium. Make a list of banned topics and that list can be expanded at any time but still allow some of the light hearted miscellaneous talk.
Expect the worst and you will never be disappointed. I AM NOT PART OF GWAE RADIO SHOW
Mission146
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August 13th, 2019 at 10:04:45 AM permalink
Quote: unJon

Are threads on gambling on political elections ok? Like Intrade strategies?



Of course! I'm not an Administrator, but I'm going to need to be banned for (future) politics gambling articles, if not.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
Gandler
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August 13th, 2019 at 10:08:20 AM permalink
Quote: GWAE

I have no idea how I feel about this. I just took a look at my last 20 threads to see where I fall as to what I have started discussion with and I think I am pretty inline with how the forum is wanting to be run.

I then took a look at my last posts and I mostly posted in gaming or betting threads with the exception of weight loss, food, and miscellaneous.

I then took a look at a handful of people who I will not name and they last 100 posts were 95% not gaming or gambling related.

The reason that I am on the fence is because I came here for a gambling reason but stuck around so long because other discussions have lead to some friendships. I talk to some people outside of here and are wondering if that would have happened without the other banter that happens. I really do enjoy the lighthearted conversations that surround a random thread in miscellaneous where people post random crap that only gets discussed for a few hours and the camaraderie between some people via the weight loss threads (even though I am still fat and seemingly getting fatter). I will check into this site multiple times a day and at night multiple times in an hour while watching TV. Without all of the other stuff I may only check 1 time a day or maybe less.

Saying all of that there are so many topics that I do not read and wish they were not on this site. Threads regarding politics, or gun control, or religion I feel do not belong on here. I have a few long term friends that I have no idea how they have ever voted and we just do not discuss such things. During this last month I have lost a lot of respect for a few people based on how they have been posting in some of these threads that I happen to read.

IMO I think there should be a little less of a drastic measure taken. Why can't there just be a rule to ban all controversial topics. I know some people couldn't care less about food topics which can easily be blocked. The politics ones can also be blocked but anything controversial seems to spill into other topics quite easily. I have never seen a food topic spill into another thread and cause havoc over there.

I agree with what Mission said as far as new members. If they come and see 10 current threads and they see 3 political ones, 2 gun law ones, and a food one they are probably not going to stick around.

So with all that rambling I would like a happy medium. Make a list of banned topics and that list can be expanded at any time but still allow some of the light hearted miscellaneous talk.



Those are good points, I know this rule was aimed at political threads. But, it cuts at everything that is not gaming or Vegas-tourism related.

No more food discussions, no more news, no more random stories, personal issues, etc......

Basically, I predict if this rule stays this forum will have the occasional new game thread, trip reports, the occasional betting system thread, and some random poker chatter, but it will be far fewer posts. There simply is only so much you can say about the same games (and most new threads are pretty much repeated past discussions.....)

As others have said, the most exciting thing gaming related is AP opportunities, but those threads quickly get hardballed...

I love gambling, I love blackjack, I love poker, I love the atmosphere in many casinos, but realistically speaking, the topics are minimal, and almost everything has already been said (generally many times over)....
Mission146
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August 13th, 2019 at 10:17:30 AM permalink
Quote: Gandler

Those are good points, I know this rule was aimed at political threads. But, it cuts at everything that is not gaming or Vegas-tourism related.

No more food discussions, no more news, no more random stories, personal issues, etc......



I should think that there would be some degree of discretion exercised in actual banning vs. closing a thread or merging it into another thread. For one thing, I think a Miscellaneous Discussion thread, a thread is necessary because it's important for the community to be able to chatter and get to know one another outside of gambling-related topics.

That is not something that happens 99.7% of the time in the politics-related threads. It's just a bunch of arguing that will never lead to anyone changing anyone's mind about anything and, if nothing else, only serves to convince one side that the other side is absolutely nuts. It does not build a community and it does not build friendships...it perhaps threatens some friendships that have already been built here.

Also, there is Diversity Tomorrow for those who have become friends on here, thoroughly enjoy politics discussions and believe those discussions can be maintained in a way not threatening to any friendships. There are a few people who seem to be there and prefer those discussions to the extent that we don't really see them here much anymore (if at all) and that is fine. Perhaps slightly regrettable, but fine.

I don't enjoy political discussions so much that you're likely to see me there very often.

Quote:

Basically, I predict if this rule stays this forum will have the occasional new game thread, trip reports, the occasional betting system thread, and some random poker chatter, but it will be far fewer posts. There simply is only so much you can say about the same games (and most new threads are pretty much repeated past discussions.....)



If this Forum dies, at least it will die as it lived: a gambling forum. One gambling-related post is worth countless other posts if your goal is to be a gambling forum.

Quote:

As others have said, the most exciting thing gaming related is AP opportunities, but those threads quickly get hardballed...



Start the thread!

Quote:

I love gambling, I love blackjack, I love poker, I love the atmosphere in many casinos, but realistically speaking, the topics are minimal, and almost everything has already been said (generally many times over)....



Start the threads! Hopefully, new visitors will see this is a forum for legitimate gaming discussion and join. If they do, then while the subjects will be similar, we may have new gambling conversations with new ideas.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
Hullabaloo
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August 13th, 2019 at 10:19:56 AM permalink
I've been participating in forums for decades and I can't recall a single one where politics or controversial discussion was allowed that didn't turn into mayhem. I'd also guess that the number of people who changed their mind about politics due to reading or discussing a subject in all the forums throughout the country is probably somewhere under "1".

It's a worthless endeavor, but the oligarchs that run the country do love to see the division.

Sure, some may leave but in my opinion most that do are probably not people I'll miss. I go to forums to have some fun, learn a little and perhaps once in a while dispense my own wisdom in the hope that it will help others. I don't want or need the drama, and there are plenty of other places where people can pursue that if they wish.
kubikulann
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August 13th, 2019 at 10:22:32 AM permalink
A well-known advice in pre WW1 France was for a dinner host to prevent any discussion on religion, politics or the Dreyfus case. Later on, Dreyfus has been substituted by football (soccer).

Why is that? Because these topics have people come with their opinion without any readiness to change it. And that is because there ARE no reasons to change. Such opinions are not rationally based, there is no argument whatsoever to switch your favourite team or your religion. So... better not discuss it. De gustibus et coloribus non disputandum.

As a consequence, I would suggest banning such kinds of topics: politics, religion, sex preferences, sport team support, Trump’s intellect and overall chauvinistic nationalism (not everyone here is American, we love America and like to discover the insides of American culture in those discussions, we don’t need to be told America is the best this and the wonderful that).

As for other off-topic subjects, Weight Loss or What are you Reading? are harmless. Also, limiting to Gambling Or Vegas would eliminate Math Problems, which is the first reason I signed up years ago.

A stat tool that could help: record the thread types that have caused the most exclusions/bans and suppress these prioritarily.
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Wizard
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August 13th, 2019 at 10:24:42 AM permalink
Quote: Ayecarumba

Are the blogs also subject to the same topic restrictions?



Good question. For now, the restrictions won't apply to blog posts as long as the titles, which can be seen on the main forum page, are not too divisive.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
RS
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August 13th, 2019 at 10:25:46 AM permalink
IMO, it should just be "no politics / religion / etc..." for the new rule. I don't think it should be "must be related to gaming / Vegas / etc..." Are threads like GWAE's terrible "Miscellanious discussion" gonna be gone? What about the thread about where we update what we had for dinner and DRich is like, "I had candy for breakfast, chips for lunch, and tortino's pizza roles for dinner"?

If the fun but off-topic threads are gone, then I think the forum would pretty much die instantly, and I don't want to see that happen. I think the political and whatnot threads should be gone, though. I don't need to read stuff about politics on here. Subscribe to r/The_Donald for better political discussions.

Also, in lieu of these new rules, I propose we plan a fun activity. We should bring Nathan back! :)
Wizard
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August 13th, 2019 at 10:26:18 AM permalink
Quote: unJon

Are threads on gambling on political elections ok? Like Intrade strategies?



Yes. As long as they don't degenerate into political statements. For example, I can say the odds on Andrew Yang to win the primary are x, but I can't state his positions or comment on them.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Wizard
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August 13th, 2019 at 10:28:48 AM permalink
Quote: RS

IMO, it should just be "no politics / religion / etc..." for the new rule. I don't think it should be "must be related to gaming / Vegas / etc..." Are threads like GWAE's terrible "Miscellanious discussion" gonna be gone? What about the thread about where we update what we had for dinner and DRich is like, "I had candy for breakfast, chips for lunch, and tortino's pizza roles for dinner"?



I think we all know the purpose of the rule. Posts on where and what DRich ate for lunch are not the problem. Posts about sexuality, politics, and religion will get the greatest scrutiny, in that order.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Mission146
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August 13th, 2019 at 10:29:47 AM permalink
Quote: kubikulann



As a consequence, I would suggest banning such kinds of topics: politics, religion, sex preferences, sport team support...
As for other off-topic subjects, Weight Loss or What are you Reading? are harmless. Also, limiting to Gambling Or Vegas would eliminate Math Problems, which is the first reason I signed up years ago.

A stat tool that could help: record the thread types that have caused the most exclusions/bans and suppress these prioritarily.



I don't think we have any threads specifically dedicated to sports team support. With that said, I should think that anything related to the NFL should be permitted in the WoV Picks Game Discussion Thread. The thread exists with a fundamental purpose of playing a gambling game and anything football-related is relevant to that topic in that context.

Anything related to math is, by definition, relatable to gambling, in my opinion. If you want to understand gambling, then you need to understand math. Therefore, I suggest that anything related to Math may contain useful concepts that can then be applied to gambling threads in the future.

Another key difference with math is a large percentage of it is NOT based on opinion. An answer is either right or wrong.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
DRich
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August 13th, 2019 at 10:34:27 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

I think we all know the purpose of the rule. Posts on where and what DRich ate for lunch are not the problem. Posts about sexuality, politics, and religion will get the greatest scrutiny, in that order.



Thank you, I really hope this site gets back to gambling material.

BTW, today was beef jerky for breakfast. Tonight's dinner will be at Juan's Flaming Fajita's. Tomorrows breakfast will be a slurry of Propofol and other anesthetics for surgery.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
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