Should the Service Play Thread be kept?
RightAngle
Admin
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Should the Service Play Thread be kept?
Owning a service myself, I have always had reservations about allowing service plays to be posted here, but since it is such common practice at most sports betting forums and it is so popular among readers, I have kept it up.
But does the Service thread really help anyone win?
I would estimate that no more than 2 to 5% of all services are profitable over the long term (3 or more years, 1000 or more plays). Even when you take a look at those few services who do win, in most cases (RAS or Dr Bob are good examples) their success has generated a big enough following to quickly move lines when their plays are released, so by the time a play gets posted on a forum its value is significantly diminished.
Lately it seems that more and more services are being posted that no one has ever heard of. A service goes on a big losing streak, changes their name, and comes back the next week under a new name. Eventually they or someone else goes on a 17-5 run and are hyped as the next coming.
I would prefer a forum where users who post original handicapping content are coveted more than users who post Root's Millionaire Game of The Week, etc.
Please post all comments and thoughts in this thread.
Thanks,
Edward
Should the Service Play Thread be kept?
Owning a service myself, I have always had reservations about allowing service plays to be posted here, but since it is such common practice at most sports betting forums and it is so popular among readers, I have kept it up.
But does the Service thread really help anyone win?
I would estimate that no more than 2 to 5% of all services are profitable over the long term (3 or more years, 1000 or more plays). Even when you take a look at those few services who do win, in most cases (RAS or Dr Bob are good examples) their success has generated a big enough following to quickly move lines when their plays are released, so by the time a play gets posted on a forum its value is significantly diminished.
Lately it seems that more and more services are being posted that no one has ever heard of. A service goes on a big losing streak, changes their name, and comes back the next week under a new name. Eventually they or someone else goes on a 17-5 run and are hyped as the next coming.
I would prefer a forum where users who post original handicapping content are coveted more than users who post Root's Millionaire Game of The Week, etc.
Please post all comments and thoughts in this thread.
Thanks,
Edward
Comments
I do agree that occassionally some useful information can be found in some of the write-ups, but I wonder how many people really put this to good use. Other than this and the entertainment value of seeing who is on what, I don't know if the pros of keeping it outweigh the cons.
No surprise that most people are voting to keep it though.
Edward
etc......and if I happen to get their game of the year on the thread I will play them.....but the
problem being most handicappers are not in their league (but RAS and Ed are).....You check
the sports monitor and I think you will see the same creditable handicappers each and every
year....But like they say .its not a sprint but rather a marathon....Too bad we cant seperate the good
from the bad and the honest from the dishonest scammers.....This is one great site.....GL
GL
The only reason I look at the service thread is to find a consensus of the same selection- so I fade the results.
but does it make sense for you to do so from a business stand point? I only worry that dumping that thread lowers traffic and hits significantly. would that have an adverse affect on site sponsors? please don't do anything that would jeopardize BT's viability. less banners and ads equals less revenue equals added pressure on your bottom line. although i have no idea how much it actually costs to run such a forum or site. how many people join strictly for the service play thread?
can't remeber the last time i even looked in the service play thread.
additionally, i would prefer people come here to learn and work hard or at least just accept the hard work of others and not bash people. seems like the longer guys stick around, the less attacks they launch, but that just may be me.
finally, it is your site. you have to balance what is best for your business (hits and traffic?) and what is best for your forum members. as Horn said, lots of dangerous stuff in their for folks that are either new to gambling or touts, or both.
kudos for seeking input. extra kudos for airing your hesitiations because you run a service yourself, a conscience is an impossible thing to buy.
I follow and track it every day and it helps me to select winners.
I rarely check the service thread, but I do check it once in awhile. I like that I can skim through it really quickly and not waste a lot of time at a service play thread. Something will catch my eye from time to time.
Don't fix it if it ain't broken.
As everyone going to school or working full time will agree, time is at a premium, we just can't manufacture enough of it. Thus, I am sure everyone will attest that getting a plethora of information in one place from various sources saves us time (and hopefully money) and allows us to make fully informed decisions.
Perhaps you can make a disclosure at the top of the thread warning new comers to be aware of the tout industry.......
My vote is to please keep it.
Anyway, it's better people check out the service plays forum than support loser fraudsters.
Edward