Announcement: Minor Changes for how things are done around here.

Quick announcement regarding the state of the poker forum recently.

The mods have discussed it and we are going to be clamping down on low content threads, and the occasions when threads are dragged off topic. We don't get much feedback from posters about how the forum is run, which we like to think as an indication that everyone thinks we're great.
Recently though, there have been comments from people that are respected posters, so we've decided that there should be some changes around here.

These changes are not permanent. They are a trial to get higher poker content back in the forum. If they don't work then we'll think of something different to do. There hasn't been any progress on a forum split or on creating new sub forums for poker, so you will have to bear with us while we
do what we think is necessary for the greater majority of posters and their enjoyment of this forum.
The mods on any forum are trusted to make the forum good for all users, this is what we're doing, and we are answerable to the admins/site owners.

What the mods will be doing:
1) Locking "bad" threads. Threads/posts that belong in the BB sticky may be merged there, or we may just lock the thread. This is at the mods discretion and it's not personal. If a thread starts badly, or is a bad beat in disguise but creates a good discussion, we will obviously let it run.
2) Asking people to stay on topic, and being strict about it.
3) Banning people if we need to. We are just about the most lenient mods on the whole of boards.ie but we'll be handing out bans (a couple of days, a week, a month, perm) to users who disrupt or persistantly don't follow these guidelines.
4) We will also be welcoming feedback from all users. Either by private message, or on this thread.
5) Generally being harsher on conduct that we see as not entertaining or educational for the forum.


What we need you to do:
1) Stay on topic in threads. If someone creates a thread about how to play a pair and flush draw in a certain situation, then please don't begin a conversation with a mate in that thread about something totally different.
2) When replying to a hand history or commenting on how someone played a particular hand, think if your message is genuinely helpful before you click 'Submit Reply'. Does it raise important points about table information or the strategic situation. Try to avoid "Just reraise all-in, gamble!" type posts.
3) Before creating a new thread, ask yourself if it should be in the BB Sticky, or the tournaments forum.
4) Use the Private Message feature on boards to talk to your friends. Don't use a thread for talking to someone when the rest of us have no interest in the conversation.


None of this is personally directed at individuals here. You might disagree with what we're trying to do or think that the poker forum is fine as it is. You're entitled to your opinion as are you entitled to use the 2+2 forums, Antesup.com forums, request a private forum here on boards, or use MSN, IRC or whatever.

Finally if you have a serious problem with the mods or these changes or how the poker fourm is run, then please use the Helpdesk and Feedback forums to get the views of the SMods and Admins (and everyone else in the case of Feedback).

I'm serious about the bans.

Laf.