Forum Behavior/Sportsmanship...

[Talking Poker]

We all know what happened surrounding last week's forum challenge (for anyone who doesn't, the threads are still here). Regardless of the mostly innocent and good natured motives behind what happened, things ended up getting somewhat ugly.

A lot of people were offended by the behavior of a few TPF regulars - and I don't just mean people from the other forums. Here is a Private Message I received a couple of days ago. Before anyone jumps to any conclusions and says we're better off without this person, etc, let me tell you, you're be wrong. This came from a respected poster who was an asset to this forum:

(I did edit this slightly so as to not give any hints about who posted it)

I will not say who sent me this PM, so don't ask or bother speculating. If this person wants to come forward, so be it, but this exact example isn't the point. The point is, whether you agree with it or not, we lost at least one good poster because of what happened last weekend (there could certainly be more who didn't care enough to PM me).

I'm not going to make up any rules for behavior, nor am I going to start censoring anything (other than Brian's movie spoilers), but I wanted to make everyone aware of this, since it had a direct negative effect on our community.

Again, I'm not assigning blame or even saying anyone did anything terribly wrong, but in the future, please try to be respectful of everyone who posts here and everyone we play against in forum competitions, etc. You might be just kidding around, but if just one person reacts to it negatively, it can snowball, and the next thing you know, this forum has a bad (and inaccurate) reputation and we're losing good posters. And that's not cool.

Thanks guys.

[Talking Poker]

In last night's Private tourney, there were a couple of guys from ProTilt - one guy was playing and another was railbirding. As Geoff and pshabi can confirm, the railbirding guy was really going off in the beginning - totally out of nowhere. He was doing a little name calling and really seemed to really have it out for anyone he knew was from TP.

Instead of firing back though, we were all cool. I asked what he was going off about and said I wanted to keep things friendly, and next thing you knew, everything was cool and friendly. I chatted with the ProTilt guy who was playing quite a bit - he's a good guy. I even played in another private tourney with him later on - he invited us all to play and even put a $20 bounty on his own head.

The point is, we're all adults. There's no need to resort to childish name calling, etc. And by being above that, everyone has a much better time.

Personally, I enjoy a little good natured smack talk amongst friends (see my posts directed at Geoff before last night's tourney)... but with strangers especially, you have to be careful. Things can snowball fast.

[ChipFish]

I know this is not what you are looking for TP, so I'll apologize for it in advance, but:

Whatever level of respect I had for the guy who sent you the PM as relates to poker, was lost 3-fold by the level of "Pansyness" of such an action.

I mean, come on.

It's just sad.

[Talking Poker]

You're entitled to your opinion, but whether you agree or disagree with this person's actions, the fact remains: We lost a good poster.

[TajaUk]

The person in question was me.

The response you posted ChipFish is indicative of my reasons for leaving. Just not my style bud to lose respect for people I don’t know. It’s not difficult to lose respect for people that don’t let their poker do the talking.

Where none of the actions from last week were particularly bad, it just not my style or way I wish to conduct myself, or be associated with.

Hence why I made a simple courtesy pm to TP to give a heads up of my decision.

Normally I wouldn’t even bother responding to crap like this, but I think TP deserves a bit more, even from the self-proclaimed best player on the forums Chip.. A little less shouting at everyone and more listening to TP wouldn't go a miss.

Over and Out.

[Aequitas58]

Nevermind. Wrong guess.

[Penguinfan]

You know what Chip, weather it be right/wrong/indifferent or "pansy" some people take life/things a bit more serious than you do and thus the differing opinion on things. I am not saying you are in the wrong, just saying everyone's opinion counts and as a moderator part of your job here SHOULD be to keep people here and try to bring new ones. Calling them names on the way out the door probably is not the best way to do that.

I'll be as honest as I can, your a big part of the reason I wasn't posting here for a while, probably more my fault than yours, but I don't like personal insults even if they are not directed at me, just happens to be a sore spot. I probably took you too serious and since I have been back I think we get along just fine and I have enjoyed railing and rooting for you in some of the games you were in. I only mention that to show you that some people (me for example) may not take everything you say in the manner you think they do, is that your fault, no, but the end result is the same reguardless.

My .02's worth.

Hope all is well either way.

[Aequitas58]

Well, you've made a decision, and you're choosing to stand by that. I respect that. One thing I would like to say, so take it for what it's worth:

When Chip got involved with the other forum, things got way out of hand. He was messing around with them, telling them we were going to win, and some of them started name calling. Having a back-bone, I'm glad he stuck up for himself over there. Now, the reason ProTilt they left was NOT because of ChipFish and this pre-tourney exchange of words.

PT was convinced that there was collusion going on, which of course, they didn't want to be apart of. Funny thing is, there WAS no collusion. Sadly, when 3 of the 4 final players are from one forum - anyone will call foul. The problem is that PT seems to be RUN by that Hutton guy. I don't know him that much, but my limited exposure to his posts and how he handles things leads me to believe that he's a nutjob. Do I wish him ill-will? Surely not, but I do have to say, this is very childish.

I think this little forum has grown well over the last few months, and if we lose you because of another person's views - that really is sad. There was no collusion, and Chip was just trying to stir up friendly rivalry.

But, again - people will do what they want to do, so what I have to say probably won't change anything, including your decision to stay. G'luck at whatever forum you find, and don't forget to gimme a shout out when you see me at a final table or two. I'll do the same for you.

[PShabi]

Stay.

I say give it a shot. Play in Sunday's game. I'll bet it's a different atmosphere.

[omahilo]

TajaUK...

I was eliminated way before any of this happened but I just want to say that you cant look too deeply into what people are saying on the internet. I mean they are hiding behind a PC screen and will say stuff they wouldnt say if they were face to face with you.

I mean if you like the TP forum (Im sure you do) you should just stay and hang out.

Cant take internet trash talk too seriously.

[SirFWALGMan]

At least it is not Kurn, lol. Just kidding Taj! Hey good luck in what you decide. It is a personal decision and I respect it. You have to stand up for what you beleive in. I think that everyone here is normally well behaved. I personally was not offended by Chip and have seen him do some stand up things. However I can see how you might be offended. Anyway, good luck! Hope to not see you at the tables (your too good). heh.

[TajaUk]

Read what I posted.

Nothing upsets me, esp something online.

Nothing over last weekend really bothered me, it was more a reflection of something I prefer not to be a part of.

No single persons views on this forum effected me leaving. EF from Protilt did NOT think collusion took place so lets nip that one in the bud.

People are missing the point of TP's post and why I left, but I guess thats not a problem.

[ChipFish]

Yes. He was a good poster. It's unfortunate.


I stand by my post. If you were to leave a forum every time you run into a poster that you don't agree with (both in actions and/or opinions) where would you go?

I can think of several players on this forum that I think are better than me.
But I would play each and every one of them. Because I am cocky.

Unfortunately, some people take things tooo serious. Just my opinion.


#1, I do bring people in here.
#2, I would like to think that I do make positive and negative contributions. That's what makes a forum interesting. (to me anyways.)
#3 IF TP would like someone else to be moderator, by all means I could care less, It's only a title.



It's not so much in "the manner I think they do" so much as "if they get it, they get it.... If they don't, they don't. *Shrug* Welcome to the internet, where tone is lost in a text message.

I wish I could say the same. Not about the staying part, I hope you do TAJA.
About the atmosphere.....
I have a pretty good feeling that there will be the odd railbird or two popping in with some crap.

This post should be a stickyed right at the entrance to the forum

[ChipFish]

OK. I am good and drunk and was hoping for some comments.
If you think I fly off the handle when I'm sober, Man it would have been fun now that I am a wee bit tipsy.

[GeoffM]

I hear that TP. The only reason I was upset was because this is exactly word for word what I had posted on protilt and I ended up being banned. Now I can't post there but still receive emails from Hutton.

[Talking Poker]

Sounds to me lie it's not a place you'd really want to post anyway....

[GeoffM]

No, actually, the site looked ok. They had an O8 forum and they actually looked like a decent bunch of guys on the whole.

[PShabi]

In one of the House Party movies (Kid n Play) a very wise comedian had this line. It has stuck with me my whole life:

If people don't like you for who you are, FUCK 'EM!!!!!!!! FUCK 'EM UP AGAINST A WALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ChipFish]

Excuse ME. But Why is there no reminder about "Forum Behaviour" When there is a member who openly tried to scam one of the founding members?

I just don't get it.
Some wimp whines about how he doesn't like how this forum is going, and sends a PM crying about how he won't post here anymore and There's a post about "forum behaviour" ?

[Talking Poker]

Thanks for the bump. I guess this is as good a time for a friendly reminder as any.

As for the "scam" in question... people are innocent until proven guilty here at TPF. I borrowed that idea from the good ol' U.S. of A.'s judicial system. I'm not sure how things work up there in wacky Canada these days. Do you guys still burn witches and whatnot?

[ChipFish]

Only on Halloween.

And we give a proper inquiry into all hangings.
Things take a little longer now that we moved to the 24hr clock.
Those 2 extra hours make the day a little longer.

[GeoffM]

Use to egg houses, but that was years ago and many stories have been told since.