You guys have to fix the quote feature, I just had a huge comment freeze up on me. I can't even go and cut and paste it as it is completely frozen.
To parapahrase...
Major-
I must have been one of the hundreds of bannings/suspensions that were only temporary or something. Or maybe it was JJ when he got the administrative password, but I don't think he even "existed" then. I simply never went back and tried once I tried a couple times and realized I couldn't post anymore.
As for the idea...
I listed a group of books that over the years have been touted and subsequently crucified by players/forums. In no particular order: Aces, New Age(NAB), Jazz, Bluegrass, Camelot, Blue Marlin, Little Nasa, Big Nasa/Omni, Betpanam, Black Rhino, Pro5, Cascade, BetMega, Millenium, Royal, Yahoops, Goliath, Homebets, DSI, Beverlyhillsbookie, and a few I have forgotten I am sure, so feel free to add. But ALL these books were first touted and defended, and THEN when all was lost "offical warnings" were given, but FAR too late for most people.
I also remember some negative comments about Pinnacle, Olympic, CRIS, Canbet(before they were sold), Cascade, Hollywood, SIA,BoDog and some others for sure. But some of those negative comments caused runs on banks, players closing accounts, and bashing the places mercilessly with little or no information.
It is a mob mentality. People pile on for better or for worse. A couple negative comments might not be enough to hurt a major book, but add some comments form "respected" posters and that tide will turn. Pinnacle and Oly the top 2 books on most people lists had MAJOR runs on them because of poeters. Oinnacle was new at the time, but the allegations against them were totally unfounded, and when they survived, they basically took over the sportsbetting world.
The funniest thing is the STIFF books always got defended or had people coming to their rescue, while the Olympics and Pinnacles had to rely on their character and ability to take the storm to help themselves. Sure a few posters might try and help, but when the mob is stirred it doesn't help.
That is why having a poster rating system is pretty useless. On the surface it seems like a great idea. But for the most part it will be the same ass kissing fest for the great books, the critical comments a for the "recreationl" players only books, and the crucifiction of the most obvious scam books. You can get that by doing a search of the forums.
Then there are the possibities of schills and paid posters giving positive feedback to a place just to help the rating. Or players that are trying to get paid keeping silent so THEY get paid, and not alerting people of what they know is going on. Touchy subject, but one that most people would handle the same way...watch out for number one.
People have no clue what these books do. As long as they get pad they are happy, if they don't they piss and moan. Other thanhtat they know nothing. Even if you think you are buddy buddy with a lineman, a manager, an operator, or some other lackey. You still don't know much. Think they are going to tell you anything, let alone the truth?
So the first thing you should do is make sure people commenting actually play at these books, and secondarily what their history there is in terms of time. Also whether or not someone is scalping or middling, bonus chasing, or trying to past post. Whther theyare a "recreational player" or an habitual action junkie, or someone trying to win.
Obvious these criteria makes it more difficult, but when you are allowing people to judges, they should be held to some standards as well. Logistically it probably isn't possible. But not having some requirements makes the whole rating system null and void.
It is difficult to be objective, especially if you got caught doing something you probably shouldn't have done. A lot of judgement calls out there in terms of disputes. Having posters make an assessment is very touchy, since usually there are 3 sides, the players side, the books side, and the truth.
So an otherwise good book, might have cancelled a wager, and be crucified for it, when the whole time the player was taking a shot. Then there are some that go both ways, where the book and the player were both wrong, how do you judge them? Cascade is a great example there. Sure they paid (donated to a charity) a guy who took a shot, and got caught. BUT, they changed their rules AFTER the fact. There haven't been any instances of flagrant problems with them since, but that one sticks a little. They survived their financial problems (apparently) so they might be better for it now, a lot of people like them.
But that is another thing, posters opinions change more than their underwear. One day they might love aplace, and on a dime they are crucifying the place. Whether they play there or not. The mob mentlity I mentioned before. Even peole that claim they know, don't really know. All they know is what has happened to them, nothing more, nothing less. Everything else is conjecture.
Good idea, but IMO not a reliable one.
