as the most prolific (i.e. worst) thread starter on 2+2

I will let NVG be the judge:

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/29...hread-1548294/

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/29...t-gpl-1547252/

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/29...nners-1545238/

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/29...ioned-1544150/

I vote, yes, he has done something that seemed impossible only a few short weeks ago.

worst poster of all time: DaBadGuy

not sure if anyone remembers him or not. It was great entertainment while it lasted

Yes.

I guess this is a cue for me to defend myself. I am not upset, because I realize that with the exception of a couple haters, most people here read what I write with some interest (or ignore it). There is some worthwhile material mixed in with the easy-to-ridicule and I am proud to have contributed to the 2+2 Forum to a point where people know who I am - and I am not banned.

Let me take the four threads presented by OP in order:

1) Which players deserve their own containment thread?. This thread brings up an interesting point to me, that there are actually complex narratives contained within some of the lengthier threads, or (as the very term 'containment threads' suggests) groups of loosely related threads, or narratives within threads, that deserve/would be easier to digest if collected.

This points to the complexity and extreme length of some ongoing discussions. I sometimes use 2+2 as a source of research, particularly if a thread seems to be inhabited by posters I trust. i.e. my attempt to coherently describe the PLO Bot ring for a potential book, which will bring together a lot of aspects of what I find interesting/puzzling in poker. As intended, this drew out a well reasoned response that I will have to delve into further before having something I can put my name on as finished output.

Another serious aspect of the thread has to do with the increasing value of written content, given that the platform providers are providing a free (and now sponsored) service/platform for materials to be presented online. Could mrwong's posts hypothetically become a book that would be available for sale? (not that he would want that). Could Bilzerian's? (I am tempted to eat these words, but for whatever reason people find him interesting.) The bottom line is that the concept of authorship is rapidly evolving in our era of blogs and forums.

He puts up effort to write. Something you stupid ADD-Twitter-kiddies can't comprehend

He doesn't even know the difference between a set and trips.

A lot of people believe that. And that is not a bad position to be in at the table.

I'd like to put up a formal complaint about your using of dat avatar

2) The idea for seriously, what is the GPL? came when I realized that the GPI and Global Poker League were not one and the same - although both are owned by Alexander Dreyfuss. That mostly Chinese investors had put $4.9m into the proposition that an ongoing league of familiar faces might be popular among online viewers. I am pretty sure that whatever media narrative exists around tournament poker is not getting the general public that enthused or aware of today's top talent. So it is an idea worth looking into - not just "made for TV" high rollers events, but ongoing league play with a sports dynamic.

You're trying to be a poker writer. It would help to learn the basics.

Attempting to cover your tracks by implying you write poorly on purpose, to cultivate a table image, just makes your chances of getting paid employment a lot tougher.

yup

shulenberger plays every thread he starts like a set

Sure he posts some inane threads but after those pics/updates he provided for the Aria 500k he's okay in my book

...but he thinks it's trips.

Thanks. I have a concept to take photos with actual strategic meaning and provide audio/written coverage of the ringside flavor of high-profile tournaments. This is what I really enjoy and excel at. Many poker photographers don't play poker, or are not writers. They get confused by covering many tables, cannot tie the images to actual key moments in the hands (often the pictures presented are not tied to specific hands at all). Then there is the art of listening to table banter and bringing out interesting personalities and dramatic narratives.

The thing is, the casino-sponsored poker media at large seems to want elimination hands, generic player photos, and not much flavor. If I go it on my own I am going to need to build a platform, find a sponsor that is ok with unfiltered material. No leads so far, but 2+2 is a nice platform and has a community that appreciates hard work.

These are the four threads where I felt like I was able to create a nice narrative that added value to what forum readers experienced:

1. Uneven Seating (5-5-4) Controversy Erupts with 14 left in WSOP $50,000 PPC
2. Colman, Helmuth at the top as $111,111 One Drop Enters Second Day
3. $500k Super High Roller at the Aria (not OP)
4. Photo-rich WSOP + random

WSOP dealers $10.79 down, talk of mass walkout got me started, as I realized that NVG was where most traffic, discussion could be generated.

On the $111,111 One Drop thread I obviously got flamed for posting spoilers, which I totally understand now that I see how people interact with streaming broadcasts live. The last thread.. well I was pretty tired and the photos ate up a lot more bandwidth than I realized. Still the Stealthmunk big bluff pics are pretty revealing.

If you really believe that, you must not be paying much attention.

Your persistence and ambition is admirable, but this attitude sucks. It comes off as passive-aggressive bitterness in many of your posts. I saw it mentioned somewhere that you were turned down work this summer. Is that where it's coming from? Do you think this approach improves your chances?

If you keep working hard and refining your craft, I'm sure you'll be fine. It's not a combative cutthroat field. The biggest obstacles are getting your foot in the door and not burning out. Make friends with people working in the media and show them some respect. Many of them work hard, are very good at what they do, and are friendly people. Perhaps they could help you.

Wow you cant please ev1, going by those threads in the last post, pretty decent imo, the guys obv putting in the work.

SrslySirius I wasn't turned down work. I never applied. Basically, I have a lot of writing projects on my plate. I am only really interested in building a platform that will allow me to gain a steady audience at some point. If poker writing falls through, I am not super invested... if something emerges, I'll assess and go forward.

I understand that there are a lot of talented writers and photographers out there. But for the most part, the formats in which information is presented is not so great. Bland is a word that often runs through my head. Honestly, did you try and read the WSOP tournament feeds throughout the Series?

Compensation for those paid is not high. And PokerNews, which does have some excellent reporter types, seemed a bit demoralized by the way they were rebuffed by WSOP when requesting fair compensation for the service they provide. (WSOP is not a casino, so maybe industry-sponsored is the better term).

I didn't see much other real-time WSOP reportage going on, although it may exist. Definitely would like to look at some of the better ringside pieces, if you have links.

Of course he read the WSOP tournament feeds. We all did. Quite clearly there were far less floor reporters than previous years which meant far less updates were submitted, presumably as cost cutting exercise on the part of a financially struggling Caesars. What also became clear is that the number of floor reporters increased as the series went on.
There were some mistakes in reporting, but that was the same with Pokernews. A number of reporters who were previously working for Pokernews worked for WSOP this summer, if you didn't realise.
They key thing to remember though is that these were live updates, done on the fly. They weren't in a position to spend time fleshing out reports with colourful language.
Just because you had time to do this and post them after a period of time that would mean they could no longer be considered 'live' doesn't mean you would've been able to if you were given a job.

+1

Why?

well, I see what you are saying. Your point is that if I was doing hand-for-hand all summer I would have shrugged at some point and accepted the limitations of the job and reporting possible.

I understand this dynamic somewhat better after my experience covering a PPC series in Florida for a week (still a lot of fun). Tournament poker is an exciting game and conveying that to readers without bogging them down in minutia or offending recreational players - difficult as hell.

To put it another way, I went to Disneyland when I was five with my mom and dad. Eschewing daredevil coasters, I headed straight for the colorful balls you can swim in. During the process of having a lot of fun, I lost my sock. This was a major trauma, I was sure my dad was going to be really angry. But fortunately, I found a dollar among the balls. My dad, a gambler, could appreciate that and I got off easy (of course, it cost me a dollar).

How do you even type when your head is so far up your ass?

It took quite some time to find a new avatar to steal...

What I am saying is that poker is about stories. They are a part of poker and why I get up in the morning and read anything related to poker. Some people like the facts, that is fine.

Some people consider stories boring, ******ed. But to me they are the essence of poker writing. If I don't tell a story, why am I writing? If I don't present a compelling narrative at the table, why am I playing? If I tilt some people with my humor and basic way of viewing life, so be it.

Nobody move, nobody get hurt.