I've been spending a lot of time reading the Limit-->NL forum lately and I notice many posters starting their replies like this. I have been paying particular attention to advice given by Grunch, as he is always clear in his analysis. Nor does he appear to engage in any silliness.

So what's the joke/reference here? TIA

Grunching refers to replying without reading the other responses first. It may be counterintuitive, but many feel this improves the overall quality of the advice given. People are uncomfortable giving an opinion which is in the minority, so if the first few responses agree, or say the decision isn't interesting, then it is hard to get any other advice, even if this was just a bad sample.

* Grunch *

It goes back to a recommendation made long ago by a long time forum member of the same name.

He said that when someone posts a hand and asks for advice, and there have already been several replies, that you should read the hand, and then post your recommendations without reading the other replies first. Then go back and read the entire thread including your own reply.

That way you can compair your recommendations to the recommendations made by other forum members, some of them very expreienced and respected. If your advice is similar, then it shows you are thinking like an experienced player. If your advice is differant, then it gives you something else to think about.

Also, it keeps you from reading something you hadn't thought of and just saying "Oh, that's obvious..." even though it never occured to you. Grunching first keeps you honest.

Lots of times people doing this will start their post with "GRUNCH." This lets readers know that, if the post just rehashes something someone already said, it isn't intentionally deating a dead horse. Also, it lets readers know that the reply is as much a learning experience for the poster as it is advice to the OP.

This is particularly cool, since you can spend an hour "grunching" through old posts any time you have a mind to improve your game.

very well said.