Tipping Threads: Whats your opinion?

[*TT*]

Attn B&M regulars:

As you probably all know the B&M forum has very few rules. We ask that you act politely towards one another, that you avoid discussion about cardrooms of dubious legal nature, don't discuss underage gambling, don't post bad beat stories, and you don't post things that are common discussions in this forum that are asked about again and again.

This brings us to the topic of this community thread, how do you feel the acting moderators of this forum should respond to one of these repetitive topics: tipping threads.

This is a quote from the B&M FAQ discussing what cannot be posted:
[ QUOTE ]

4. Anything that's posted about ad nauseum. For example, tipping, 18+ casinos, how much money to bring to a casino. If you have a basic question, it's probably been asked and answered multiple times in the past. PLEASE USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION.

[/ QUOTE ]

Now some may disagree with us, but RR & I believe that the majority of the discussions that take place in B&M are rehashed topics, and there is nothing wrong with this. B&M is not a closed community, there are many people that come and go who do not follow this forum daily and therefore may not know that a previous discussion on the same topic already exists. Also as everyone who has ever spent time in a B&M card room knows tipping is a part of poker culture and community; but that doesn't mean that the reasons for tiping or the amounts to tip are known by all.

RR and I would like to permit more open discussion on tipping going forward, provided the B&M forum community agrees with this revision in policy. We will of course continue to lock threads if there is already another active topic about tipping, suspending users who start flame wars or are abusive to their fellow 2+2'ers in tipping related threads, and take appropriate action with users who have a history of "no content" posts.

So what do you think B&M... should we allow tipping threads for now on? RR and I would like to know what you think before we make a final decision.

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

[Nate.]

TT --

As far as I understand your position, I agree exactly with you and RR.

--Nate

[kassdog]

I agree but imo i'm new and when I ever try to do a search on something its hard as hell. I mean lets say i want to find something on tipping. I type that in and get just about everything possible but instead of displaying just the opening post thread it displays everyone and thus clutters up the search results. If you can some how make the search more user friendly that would be great.

[*TT*]

[ QUOTE ]
I agree but imo i'm new and when I ever try to do a search on something its hard as hell. I mean lets say i want to find something on tipping. I type that in and get just about everything possible but instead of displaying just the opening post thread it displays everyone and thus clutters up the search results. If you can some how make the search more user friendly that would be great.

[/ QUOTE ]

Its rather easy actually. Put a "+" before each work you want to include, and a "-" before each word you want to remove. For example to see all the tipping threads in the past week where the word tipping is either i the subject or in the body of the original post type +tipping -re: in the search box. Not the -re: qualifier removes all of the thread responses from the search results.

I hope that helps!

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

[Howard Burroughs]

Since I'm often tweaking my own tipping method, I always enjoy reading a good tipping thread. Sometimes I learn a thing or two.

Thanks,

Howard

[somapopper]

I vote for locking threads. Link to a couple tipping threads in the sticky.

Everything that could be said has been said.

It clogs up the front page, and wastes everybody's time who posts in it or reads it (granted they choose to do so, but in this case I'd like to see a little forum paternalism to keep energy moving to the good threads).

It drags down the forum's general level of decorum, as it's always a flame war. Half of the threads look like they're started as straight up troll posts. It's not like there's a dirth of peopling being nasty, rude, and full of themselves around 2+2.

Plus, I can't wait for the "we haven't had a tipping thread in a while so-- should I tip?" posts if the rules are changed.

All that said, threads about tipping other casino people might be ok, as they'd at least have some content, just leave the basic poker dealer tip thread off the page please.

edit: TT add a poll. Also, this thread may not be a good indicator as the title makes it look like a tipping thread instead of a meta-tipping thread. The only reason I clicked on it was that it was started by a mod.

[*TT*]

[ QUOTE ]

edit: TT add a poll. Also, this thread may not be a good indicator as the title makes it look like a tipping thread instead of a meta-tipping thread. The only reason I clicked on it was that it was started by a mod.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nope - no poll. We want opinions, polls pollute the opinion pool by twisting the results to fit the "polltard's" needs. Sure it takes longer to respond, that thats what we are trying to encourage - open communication.

PS: As I pointed out in the op, trolls and no-content posts will always be dealt with, therefore you wont see "we haven't had a tipping thread in a while so-- should I tip" active for long if it starts.

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

[VORP]

There are some interesting topics to be covered but for the most part they quickly disolve into flame wars. I could see tipping threads being useful, but only with heavy moderation, which would suck for you and RR.

[Durs522]

TT,

I don't post much so I'm not a "regular" but I have been around this forum for awhile. Tipping posts are a good thing IMO. When done constructively they allow people to figure out what is considered normal tipping. I'm sure the first time we all played live we didn't know much about tipping unless we had heard from a friend or a forum. Keeping that communication open is not a bad thing.

Poker rooms and casinos can be intimidating enough to people who are going for the first time. Knowing how to act, when to tip, who to tip, and how much to tip can make this experience better. This seems to be the goal of this forum, making our experience better in whatever live venue we play.

Another idea is to have a sticky thread that is kept open for posts about tipping. This will keep posters from making 2-3 threads per week about tipping, and will allow for a continuous discuss on the topic. Until the search function becomes easier to use for someone who is just typing in "tipping" I think this could solve the problem of too many threads.

[juanez]

How about a sticky titled "About Tipping Threads" that would link to the good discussions about tipping dealers and outline the rules for a new tipping discussion.

For instance: "Posts about tipping dealers will be locked due to the fact that it has been discussed at length many times. However, posts about tipping other casino personnel will be allowed". I simply don't read the new tipping threads...same old crap every time.

Having the bit about tipping posts in the FAQ is a good idea, but many new posters simply ignore the FAQ to begin with.