New in poker world

Originally Posted by scott_owen

How many people that can't handle a brief bit of criticism from a stranger on the other side of the world will be able to handle their emotions at a poker table well enough to win long term?

Absolutely agree.

Every single person posting in this thread has said that sometimes people are treated harshly or unfairly. No-one has said the tone is always respectful or any malevolence is quickly stamped on. So I think Bikes has the answer to his question.

Various people have attempted to justify this with what appear to me to be very feeble arguments. Well they would, wouldn't they? These are the people who don't mind the harsh treatment, because they have stuck around and participate. Those who don't like it have long since moved on.

No Jyms, I don't need to give FTR more credit. I can read the good advice and use FTR to improve my game without ever contributing. And when I win the WSOP Main Event in November, I can credit 2p2 for my success. FTR is a business. It needs to make me (and others) feel that it is a forum that I want to be involved with and contribute to, otherwise it dies.

Someone once bothered to write and post a set of forum rules. I have always wondered why these are so selectively enforced. Spammers are cut off before they can spam, but you can mock, ridicule and jeer with impunity. I am not talking about direct or straightforward constructive criticism. In fact, when someone suggests calling with AA on the button after 5 limpers because they never win with aces, failure to criticise and posting that this is good play is the kind of thing I am talking about.

Would it really kill a mod to post after a mocking comment: "Please keep your replies respectful"? Would any of the people, who think that you should not be playing poker if you can't handle a bit of criticism, be so offended by such a comment that they would leave the site for good? It is a harsh world, but why is it in FTR's interests to toughen up its contributors so that they are able to face the trauma of the online poker sites? If FTR was perceived as a friendly, welcoming site where players of any standard are always treated with respect, why would that be such a bad thing?

Some thoughts from a female perspective.

The whole 'get your tits out or gtfo' is obv a joke. Girls who take it as a serious offense need to chill the fuck out. I'd maybe hold off until they get a bit more comfortable in the forum as girls tend to be a bit more timid, but hey ho, boys will be boys and who knows, maybe you lot will strike lucky sometime!

Sure, it can be intimidating for girls to enter such a male-dominated community, but as a girl joining ftr, I found you all to be very welcoming, and I also felt like you cut me a little more slack. I didn't receive half as harsh the responses as some of the other noobs, which I was really grateful for. I'm a tough cookie, but I must admit, I do shy a little away from posting and will mull stuff over for ages before submitting. That's more to do with pride and not liking being told I'm wrong rather than fearing abuse, and that's an issue I've got to overcome personally.

The advice here is sound. Sure it can be harsh at times, but beginners need to be set in their place and their attitudes corrected. I've noticed a lot of folk coming in with loads of ego who disregard advice dispensed by well respected folk and continue in their misguided ways. I don't think there's place for folk like that in communities genuinely willing to help you improve. Waste of space imo.

Regarding any hostility, I was a little surprised by it at first, but mods etc do have a good feel for who are spammers/trolls/dumbasses, and time and time again they're totally spot on about who won't be back. Good riddance.

If you approach this with a good attitude and put plenty of effort in and take things on board, ftr offers plenty of support, and I don't think you guys should worry too much about changing your approach.

Finally, working on recruiting more girls to the forum, you all better be on best behaviour!