Forum Forum Home Bandit’s Posts Today’s Posts

[andywilliams1187 WANTED $398 Blocked]

Afternoon all,

Just wanted to post this with regards to keeping posts on topic and everyone playing nice!

Over the last few weeks there have been a few posts in which people have posted about struggling with gambling or that they are at rock bottom etc. These posts start positively but a few quickly descend into “bullshit” or go completely off topic which is not really helpful to the original poster.

Ive had conversations with 3 “long term” users of the forum over the last few days and they have all wanted to start a topic regarding something that is happening in their lives, but wont as they feel that someone is going to jump all over it and say they are asking for handouts – we all know that any internet community is going to get trolls, but it shouldn’t put people off posting when they are in trouble.

I think that people have to remember that what is considered rock bottom or in the shit for some, is completely different for other people. I remember when I first went to GA about 12 years ago; I owed just over 100k and when it was my time to introduce myself I thought this story is going to be epic to this lot. It wasnt. At the end of the night, I actually realized how lucky I was compared to some of the stories that some people had told that night and it has stayed with me for a long time. One fella actually slept behind the church hall where the meeting was as he had absolutely nothing to his name. I felt a right twat on the way home worrying about how i was going to pay my car payment on a vehicle I didnt even need. If someone loses £100 and says their life is ruined, it may seam trivial to some people but to that person who has lost the money it feels like their life can be in freefall. Its all about perspective. Realistically if you have a roof over your head and can have the heating on then personally I dont see it as a major issue, but it doesn’t mean that people should be overly harsh on the poster. Just point out in a friendly way that the situation is not as bad as it first seams.

The forum has helped a lot of people over the last few months, and I know the Bandit helps a lot more off the forum as well but being the type of person he is he doesn’t shout about it on here. Which is truly a noble way to be.

If someone wants to have a rant, let them rant. No point in having a go at them. Most people see that they won’t get a handout; some people really are in dire conditions and need help and then it is up to forum members to decide if they want to help or not. As a rule, I never give out cash but I will support in other areas if I can (e.g. a hotel room or items that will help your current situation), but thats my decision.

No one should feel put off from posting just because of a few people constantly jumping all over posts; give people a chance to explain their situation, have a vent, and if you dont want to help then dont.

At the end of the day this is a gambling forum so there is going to be a mix of people posting winning and (mostly) loosing stories. Casinos wouldnt be operating if everyone won!

Just a normal Monday rant but it is something that I thought needed to say. Now sat awaiting the trolls lol.

[Ha Hacko1 WANTED $181 Outlaw]

Very well wrote Andy everybody has different problems and mostly down to themselves gambling on this forum (as expected) but sometimes it helps to vent these and hear about others problems to put their into perspective.

i currently have to deal with my eldest child having been diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition last year which is going to affect the rest of his life, he probably won’t be able to start to drive, he’s only 16 nearly 17, he’s had both eyes operated on last year, money issues mean nothing when faced with real issues.

ok I’ve vented now

[Green2711 WANTED $492 Outlaw]

I agree with every word you said and would like to apologise as I did veer off topic in the post you’re talking about but I got rubbed the wrong way by some of the replies, I know that’s no excuse. I’ve been wondering for a while now is there any chance of assigning more mods to the forums? It’s growing fast day by day I see the place filling up with new members and it seems a bit unfair on Seedy to have to mod the place on his own and having a few more mods would help nip these problems in the bud. If Steve did decide to appoint a few more moderators I would put your name forward as well as Bio.

The reason I’ve stuck around on this forum for as long as I have is that it’s a fantastic place to be with loads of different personalities on here and lots of interesting chatter going on – being able to share those bigs wins and big losses with such a great bunch of people is a marvel. Not only gambling related issues though it’s nice to see people helping each other out with advice and support with day to day life problems as well as being able to come on here to vent without people judging you. The vast majority of the people on here are helpful but it’s to be expected that we will get the odd dickhead every now and then.

I’ll leave it there and just end it with saying I do truly love this community, best gambling community out there!

[Thisgirl2019 WANTED $121 Outlaw]

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

[Haz40 WANTED $1,167 Outlaw]

Well said Andy. I’m glad you wrote that and not me. Your wording is better and it would have taken me about a week to write something that long. ???

[pritmist WANTED $18 Outlaw]

Andy, that’s a really good script and I totally agree that it summarises what has happened on this forum really well. Nice work on bringing this up in a way that will really make people think and hopefully not afraid to just speak about their own story and people will think before writing.

[THAGABSTAR WANTED $105 Outlaw]

Well said andy mate couldnt have said it any better myself

[blacko1974 WANTED $248 Spectator]

OK Andy boy so money’s out the question, how about malt whisky lad, Glenfiddich 30 year old please. Won’t help my financial situation but will help me black out the wife’s moaning for an hour or two.

How about it mate!

In all seriousness I agree that we should be sympathetic to people’s plights when they need someone to talk to, there has been chancers looking for handouts also. Agree about introducing more mods as the forum could do with it. If this is in the bandits and seedys thoughts  then I will start by nominating Andy and Haz.

[Eightblack WANTED $446 Outlaw]

if this is about the thread I think it is i too apologise for going off topic and engaging in an argument (I got the hump with a particular poster) in hindsight I probably shouldn’t have.

as usual i completely agree with you Andy i do think in recent months the forum has got a bit sensitive to sob stories and now unfortunately I think some genuine posts are getting tarred with the same “fake story want handout” attitude. I’ve made posts seeking advice and just a rant about feeling like a stupid addict and I was delighted with the responses, no one accused me of chatting shit or asking for free stuff and just offered genuine advice and kind words. if they had slated me it would have really gotten me down at the time..

 

there have been a very tiny minority of members making up stories and you can usually tell as their post history says it all and the forum ain’t stupid lol

[thunderball6 WANTED $272 Outlaw]

Yeah i apologise . Think i been a bit cold hearted , like u say more genuine people than not on here .

[andywilliams1187 WANTED $398 Blocked]

@green, @Eightblack and @thunderball – honestly guys this post is not aimed at any particular thread or person; just felt like it needed saying as people have pointed out there have been some genuine cases which people are getting shit for. It hit a bit of a nerve with me recently when a few long term posters felt like they could post. But like i said I am not targetting anyone in particular (I would just come out and say it if I was lol)

@blacko – Im more of a bourbon man myself. I now see the irony in posting this though as I am taking my original post off topic lol

[Anonymous WANTED $483 Inactive]

Wish i was as articulate Andy ?

Well said mate. Ive been known for maybe stirring the pot and going off topic in the past ?

Promise to try keep my words in check in the future.

Happy Monday peeps. X

[andywilliams1187 WANTED $398 Blocked]

Hacko1 wrote:

Very well wrote Andy everybody has different problems and mostly down to themselves gambling on this forum (as expected) but sometimes it helps to vent these and hear about others problems to put their into perspective.

i currently have to deal with my eldest child having been diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition last year which is going to affect the rest of his life, he probably won’t be able to start to drive, he’s only 16 nearly 17, he’s had both eyes operated on last year, money issues mean nothing when faced with real issues.

ok I’ve vented now

All I will say mate is dont give up – break throughs are being made every day with degenerative conditions so maybe at some point in the future other avenues will be open. Look at how far things have come with treatment for certain cancers for example; what used to be futile can now in some instances be operated on and people live a lot longer than expected. Hopefully some genius is working on something right now. You never know whats around the corner.

But I agree – its these type of things that hit you hardest and make you realise whats important. My old man always says dont stress about fuck all as its not worth worrying over. The time to worry is when you get an unexpected phone call at 3 in the morning from a family member. Thats the time to worry. When he’s in one of his funny moods he gives me a one ringer around 3/4 just to point out how quickly life can change for someone lol. His way of reminding me of whats important.

[andywilliams1187 WANTED $398 Blocked]

Just Basics wrote:

Wish i was as articulate Andy ?

Well said mate. Ive been known for maybe stirring the pot and going off topic in the past ?

Promise to try keep my words in check in the future.

Happy Monday peeps. X

Honestly mate dont worry about checking your words – you post your opinon and thats the point of the forum. Just started this thread to point out that its easy for all of us to doubt people (you have been on here for a while and you have seen the same people as me ask for handouts then disappear) – but everyone deserves a chance.

[Xbobmad WANTED $734 Outlaw]

I always just blame JB for everything, it just means I’ll owe him more beer ?

We as a community should be supportive and if we aren’t then it’s best to leave those sort of posts to people that are. People always have lots going on and something which seems trivial to some will be world shattering to others. And if it’s off topic, it should have its own topic ?

I personally find that if a story seems to be rubbish in my eyes I put a sarcastic dig in, and over the past month or so I’ve thought more about what I say because it doesn’t help at all.

If someone ever genuinely needs to talk, I’m always about on the twitter ? I’ve not got much else to do while the Mrs is chucking up from 3am ??

[Author]

Posts