Evolution of Posting Forums - Are they becoming the print medium version of a Springer Show?

[HateTheRiverCard]

I can remember just a short time ago Sports Posting Forums which were actually helpful to the Bettor. It was a wealth of information shared amongst posters with at the time one common goal, to WIN. Now although that information still exists, it has been buried by an almost Jerry Springer type atmosphere. Poster vs Poster or Poster vs Sportsbook with matters that most often are trivial at best. On any given day you'll find 5-6 new threads with a poster asking a question about the book they play at that can be easily answered by picking up the phone and calling. Some posters can offer comical relief at times such as BTJ or a medication JJ Gold and some can serve up interesting topics for discussion like Jazz or Journey or McIrish (if limited to a word count) but something has to be done about the endless threads with posters slamming each others records or the ever puzzling "Just asked for a withdrawal at Pinnacle, will let you know how it goes" type threads.

Lets get back to making the forums information highways without all the pollution!


HTRC

 

[Jazz]

HTRC, good post. I think what you say has merit in it.

I personally don't post selections because I'm not a handicapper, I'm an S&M guy (Pancho can explain if necessary). But I am interested in a number of topics, and I think the goal to have the bettor win has been minimized overall.

I am seeing most forums become a screaming match between posters with agendas - and as it is usually impossible for me to determine who is lying and who is telling the truth, I am adopting a progressively 'off hands' attitude.

It has gotten to the point where I don't believe ANYONE. Not out of dislike for anyone, but because I have seen so many knock-down, drag-out arguments without being privy to the actual facts that the only logical course for me is to believe no one. Fox Mulder got it right, IMO ('trust no one').

I have already reduced my exposure in books from around 13 to about 8. It will be reduced further in the next week to about 6, who I consider to be the least risky. If I see a wager worthwhile at another book, I'll make it by moving the cash in specifically for that bet, otherwise to hell with it.

There's an old saying: 'you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas'. I haven't been bit yet myself, but I've decided I'm going to apply a lot more flea powder based on recent events (Royal, Ewinner, etc).

I'll also say this - what I have posted last year 'across the street' was not a wise move, inasmuch as it could not have helped but only have hurt me, if people picked up my techniques (and books became wiser). I'll never do that again, and I will never post anything of real substance that could actually substantially help fellow cappers that books COULD read and negate - the stuff they cannot do anything about, I'll continue. But no longer will I aid books in the mindset of someone actually trying to win their money.

It's always been a paradox - these forums almost always exist only because of the advertising revenue from sportsbooks - so how COULD they primarily be for the bettor? They cannot be.

Anyhow, good topic - thanks for opening it

 

[Tekari]

Yes I agree totally. I would love to see people work more on capping and sharing info than arguing and carrying on.

 

[TheGeneral+]

The mixture is good IMO. What we have is a group of people who have different ideas and strategies. The forum is full of winners if studied. There is a handicapping college here. You just have to optimistic, drop the negatism and go find it. It will not reach out and grab you. I read so many complaints with so few suggestions on improvements. People still laugh at me for seeking a friendly forum without name calling but that is an ingredient for success. And just because one has been around for several years is not a reason to allow them the right to present a negative attitude all of the time. The veterans should try to set the example. Everytime I see one mention that the forum lacks handicapping info or strategies, I take a look at their posts and what do I find the greatest majority of time?

I find that those who are complaining have no recent attempts at teaching anything. Pick a sport if YOU have the knowledge. Start a thread and go to teaching. Maybe that will rub off on posters and before long you have a whole forum of good teaching. Spreading negatism soley is not going to make anything better.

Lead by example

 

[Fishhead]

That was a good post General!

 

[HateTheRiverCard]

General, I admire your positive outlook on things. It would be great if some of those points came to be but right now it does seem a bit of a longshot. It just seems that the last few months have brought out the adversarial side in some around here, not sure why but hopefully things get back on track soon.

On a side note: Penn St +1

HTRC

 

[TheGeneral+]

HateTheRiverCard,

Thanks. All I can do is try to be positive and hope it rubs off on some.

 

[5teamparlay]

HAPPY 70TH JERRY!!!

<aside class="content">[h=2]Jerry Springer[/h]TV Show Host <iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.famousbirthdays.com%2Fpeople%2Fjerry-springer.html&send=false&layout=button_count&width=44&show_faces=false&font&colorscheme=light&action=like&height=21" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="border: currentColor; border-image: none; width: 44px; height: 21px; overflow: hidden;" allowtransparency="true"></iframe></aside><section class="know-card"><aside class="card"> <label class="label text-muted">BIRTHDAY</label> <time itemprop="birthDate" datetime="1944-02-13">February 13, 1944</time>
</aside><aside class="card"> <label class="label text-muted">BIRTHPLACE</label> England
</aside><aside class="card"> <label class="label text-muted">AGE</label> 70 years old

</aside><aside class="card"> <label class="label text-muted">BIRTH SIGN</label> Aquarius

</aside></section>

 

[Willie99]

wow, he was saying this in 2003

I wonder what he would think now?