Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

It has been announced that the Affiliates/Rakeback forum will be closing at the end of the month. Regulars of that forum are wondering what is now to become of RB discussion on 2+2. Some possible scenarios:

1) Discussion of RB is allowed in the Internet Bonuses forum.
2) Discussion of RB will only be allowed in the sponsored RB forums, which will remain where they are.
3) Discussion of RB will only be allowed in the sponsored RB forums, one or both of which could be moved to the position where A/R now is.
4) General RB discussion (IE other than questions directed to the sponsors in the existing sponsored forums) will not be allowed.
5) ???

Thoughts?

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

1) Unfair to us who also have a sponsored place for rakeback discussions

2) We can live with that, or somehow Merge the 2 exsisting rakeback forums (What is left of the network after ThisIstheNuts and Rakebreak sold?) RTR would have to agree to something like that

3) Obviously for this

4) Meh..

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

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1) Unfair to us who also have a sponsored place for rakeback discussions

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so if we had a Taco-Bell forum, it would be unfair to allow Chipotle discussion in a different forum?

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

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1) Unfair to us who also have a sponsored place for rakeback discussions

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This is the case today with the A/R forum in place. Unless you mean the fact that RTR sponsors the IB forum.

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2) We can live with that, or somehow Merge the 2 exsisting rakeback forums (What is left of the network after ThisIstheNuts and Rakebreak sold?) RTR would have to agree to something like that

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This would be the ideal for 2+2 members, but I don't know how realistic this is for you and the Rakeback Network, or if this addresses the concerns of the Admins IRT the current setup.

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3) Obviously for this

4) Meh..

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Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

Ya Bobo, that is exactly what I meant. Since RTR already sponsors the IB forum. It would be like (If I might use the other posters example) If we sponsored a Taco Bell forum, then suddenly you attached rakeback to it.

I think it would be a little unfair to RTR if that happend.

As far as the rakeback network, I am not sure how much of that is left to be honest with the selling of 2 sites \ new ownership, but I guess that is up to RTR.

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

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Ya Bobo, that is exactly what I meant. Since RTR already sponsors the IB forum. It would be like (If I might use the other posters example) If we sponsored a Taco Bell forum, then suddenly you attached rakeback to it.

I think it would be a little unfair to RTR if that happend.

As far as the rakeback network, I am not sure how much of that is left to be honest with the selling of 2 sites \ new ownership, but I guess that is up to RTR.

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that is not what i was saying at all.

i view the sponsored forums as specific discussion regarding the services you provide. if someone is using somebody else, it is none of your business and you shouldn't be allowed to restrict their discussion in other forums.

it makes it look like you are trying to force people to use you or not be allow to freely discuss the topic at all and that stinks imo.

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

You make some good points, By-Tor, but this situation is a little unique. RTR sponsors the IB forum. RTR is also part of the Rakeback Network, the sponsor of one of the sponsored rakeback forums - RakeReduction is the other. I can see the cause for concern if RB discussion is moved to IB...although that would be convenient for 2+2 members.

I should add I have no personal bias here...I am actually a very happy customer of both RTR and RakeReduction.

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

Rakeback can still be discussed in any of the sponsored forums. That's where I want it to be discussed.

If the sponsor of the internet bonus forum discourages open conversation, that will drive more people to the other forums like yours. That seems like it would be positive for you.

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

Mat,

I have a couple of questions, if you don't mind.

1) Are there any plans to move the sponsored RB forums up to where the A/R forum is now? No one's suggested this would happen, I just thought it might be an interesting idea.

2) If I understand your last post correctly, 2+2 will allow RB discussion in the IB forum, as long as the sponsor (RTR) is okay with it...is that correct?

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

I have the same understanding about IB but it will require RTR to agree. I'm really on the sidelines here. I mod IB and A/R, I just want to know what everyone expects. Party rakeback has been banned from A/R but woth the recent Party affiliate issues I have been a bit lenient with the discussions there as long as they were rakeback request threads.

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

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I have the same understanding about IB but it will require RTR to agree. I'm really on the sidelines here. I mod IB and A/R, I just want to know what everyone expects. Party rakeback has been banned from A/R but woth the recent Party affiliate issues I have been a bit lenient with the discussions there as long as they weren't rakeback request threads.

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FYP?

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

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1) Unfair to us who also have a sponsored place for rakeback discussions

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so if we had a Taco-Bell forum, it would be unfair to allow Chipotle discussion in a different forum?

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The correct analogy here is,

so if we had a Taco-Bell forum, it would be unfair to designate another forum for Mexican fast food discussion?

Since they pay 2p2, I think it is.

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

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I have the same understanding about IB but it will require RTR to agree. I'm really on the sidelines here. I mod IB and A/R, I just want to know what everyone expects. Party rakeback has been banned from A/R but woth the recent Party affiliate issues I have been a bit lenient with the discussions there as long as they weren't rakeback request threads.

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FYP?

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Yes, were NOT thx.

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

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Mat,

I have a couple of questions, if you don't mind.

1) Are there any plans to move the sponsored RB forums up to where the A/R forum is now? No one's suggested this would happen, I just thought it might be an interesting idea.

2) If I understand your last post correctly, 2+2 will allow RB discussion in the IB forum, as long as the sponsor (RTR) is okay with it...is that correct?

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1) It's possible

2) Yes, that is the point of these sponsored forums. The sponsor gets to make most of the rules.

The affiliate forum, being unsponsored, was a bunch of free advertising for people offering rakeback.

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

Mat, then why not simply limit Affiliate linked accounts in that forum to advertisers only?

Closing down an unbiased forum where members can go to discuss issues they are having with affiliates, or out rogues and is on a topic which many members find has increased their overall earn, sounds like a reduction in forum value.

Are you saying that the A/R forum can't be properly moderated so that the Revenue to 2+2 vs Value to Members equation can be adequately balanced?

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

Is all that is needed is a sponsor to the rakeback forum?
Could we just sponsor it and leave things as they are?

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

That is a possibility, but you will have to contact Chuck.

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

Why is the AR forum being closed?

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

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That is a possibility, but you will have to contact Chuck.

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If the issue is that you are not happy with how I have been modding it then let me know what is wrong. I don't care if it is public or private. I certainly hate seeing it close, especially since it looks like there are more posters then I thought out there unhappy about this. Either way if it goes sponsored or merges with IB it looks like I would still have involvement in it so I would hope that Mat could let me know what they considerer unacceptable.

I've tried to keep modding down to a minimum but obviously that forum invites borderline spam threads. The removal of commercial handles and sigs from non sponsored forum members would be a good start. I only allowed them because they had already been allowed but never really liked the idea.

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

Very sad to see the A/R forum close. It has been a great source of information and probably as beneficial in many ways to the bankroll of online players as the poker knowledge gained from the other forums on 2+2.

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

I think we should have a Taco-Bell forum.

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

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Why is the AR forum being closed?

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Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

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Why is the AR forum being closed?

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as PA noted and i think mat supported, it was because of too much spam posting

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

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Party rakeback has been banned from A/R but woth the recent Party affiliate issues I have been a bit lenient with the discussions there as long as they weren't rakeback request threads.

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This is the natural and right approach to the Party issue. It's the Affiliates/Rakeback forum so it's appropriate to allow affiliates to discuss their endless problems with PartyPoker while also banning discussion of illegal rakeback.

Except it just isn't working. Rakeback is almost hopelessly intertwined with every meaningful Party thread. You can't moderate out all the rakeback references without destroying the integrity of the discussions. The recent thread concerning affiliate account freezes and retroactive MGR deductions is a good example. Plus any discussion of the Party affiliate program creates political problems that may force 2+2 to protect their business interests.

As we move forward I think we need a complete ban on PartyPoker discussion in A/R or whatever forum(s) replace it. It's a clear and easily enforceable rule and perhaps it would end many of the problems that have put A/R in constant jeopardy of being abolished.

This compromise would protect the poker-playing readership that relies on 2+2. We need a forum with open discussion of legitimate rakeback and the affiliates that provide it. Otherwise it's a field day for all the people who would cheat the players out of what they deserve.

Re: Affiliates/Rakeback forum closing, now what?
 

Has anything changed, or is A/R just closing and the posts will go where they go? I ask because there was some interesting discussion about a new sponsor, or the posts being moved to IB, etc, etc.