Sports betting forum guidelines/etiquette

[wayniac]

I thought I would post this in here, since I think it is important behavioural "tool" for bettors and falls under the "general betting help" umbrella. Please move it if you don't want it here boss.

Anyway, here are some guidelines about sports betting forum etiquette. I'm wondering if you guys disagree with any of these or have others that you would add. I personally have a problem with #1, as I think members should be free to describe their plays using language of their choosing. While I don't pick "locks" myself, I don't think this should be moderated. At another forum I'm a member of, it is actually a rule. Members who use this language suffer the indignity of having their thread moved to the "toilet" where it is hammered repeatedly. The problem is that new members will probably make such comments and not realise that they are doing something wrong. If these members are blasted, they may never come back which is a shame.

Sports Betting Forum Etiquette

The Internet etiquette or "netiquette" at sports betting forums involves some behavioural guidelines that are not present at most other online forums.

• It is considered a "jinx" when members use "sure thing" language when posting predictions. Commonly frowned upon terms include "a lock", "a guaranteed winner", or an outcome that is "in the bag" before it has been played.

• Spam is not popular on most forums, but it is treated particularly harshly on sports betting forums. Spammers who try to promote their sports books or tipping services are often ridiculed before being banned (and having their IP address blocked).

• While it is expected that bettors who have a good win will write celebratory posts, it is considered bad etiquette to boast about your win on a thread created by another member who did not fare so well. Sports betting involves real money and is taken seriously by the individuals involved. Posts of this nature are considered confrontational and often result in flame wars.

• When making a prediction on a sports betting forum, members are expected to provide a rationale for their "play" (as shown above). Simply stating the teams that you think will win does not help other members of the sports betting community.

• Members of sports betting forums are expected to post their predictions before the event. Celebrations about bets that were never posted usually lead to flame wars.

• While sharing experiences of betting agencies is encouraged, these threads are usually tightly moderated. The online sports betting community is a small one and word travels quickly. It is therefore important that members clearly explain their issues with the agency and that the thread does not deteriorate into mindless slander.

[spreadman]

Very useful post, there, Mr.W., I always try to be courteous and helpful if not a little quirky, to fellow forum members, in this, and any other forum that I visit.

On the first point, I believe most readers realise that posters are stating personal opinions and must judge on the person's previous track record whether their 'sure thing' comments are to be heeded or otherwise ignored.

Spam is generally dealt with, speedily by the mods, often before I can get my cutting , incisive comments posted to the 'spamee', to warn them off.

I always try to give one or more reasons for my statements, and warnings when or where I am uncertain about a betting situation.

'After-eventing' is an unforgivable sin. I am certain that 99% of posters who do this are reporting genuine wins, (I suppose after-eventing your losses is O.K.!!), and fail to realise that others could see it as 'making something up' to impress fellow PL'ers, or boost their own,low, self esteem.

PL'ers should not be 'publicly' seen to be defaming any other fellow member or 'competitive' forum, air your views, by all means, but not at the expense of upsetting the more 'delicate' forum visitor, or starting an inter forum 'war'.

If I disagree with a comment or betting strategy, system or statistic, I will courteously offer a helpful remark, without any personal defamation or derogatory statements.

I believe that, among other purposes, the forum should inform the novice, and share the experience and knowledge of the 'expert', in any area of betting, importantly, for free.

Of course there will be disagreements, but freedom of expression and opinion is most essential in a 'free' society.

I am sure that there are many of our foreign member brethren who, in the past, and perhaps even in this present day, welcome the chance to voice their opinions, democratically, and without censorship.

I hope that other members will put forward their own additional thoughts and guide lines to be considered, but you have started the ball rolling with a good basis on which we can build.

Maybe the Mods could make your post, or this thread, a 'sticky', if one does not already exist.

Well, I nearly made it through the post without a silly comment, but the tablets are starting to work......

Well done, once again, Mr. W.

[Xcout]

I agree completely with you, a nice post to be taken in consideration.

[andydurden]

Yes, agree with you completely