Originally posted on 11/17/2006:

Do you like JJ Gold?

In a word, no.

First and foremost, he made some racist comments on this forum which I would describe as putrid. I feel sure I will never like persons of that ilk.

Setting that aside, I don't know why you are trying to float this idea that he is sharp. He posts some truly horrible ideas and "information." I feel bad for any newcomer that comes along and gets fooled into thinking he is sharp and following him.

I know, it's tough shit for newcomers if they get fooled and lose money following any forum yahoo. But seeing SBR people, who purport to be on the side of players, contributing to that is puzzling to me in the most negative way. I used to be a mod here and I recall that last year (without my consultation obviously) we actually started a jjgold sub-forum. It was truly embarassing to me and a significant factor in why I left.

If anything, jj is squarer than most, always over-reacting to the last thing he saw. He is an eternal rookie.

As for the shtick and spam, I can't say I like that either. Apparently some people are entertained by it - and I understand that people have different tastes in what is entertaining so I just want to shrug it off - Live and Let Live - but unfortunately it is in conflicting interest to the reason I use this forum (for sportsbook/industry information that is useful to my business).

The jjgold Show has spammified the forum and brought the overall quality of discussion down. It has made the forum much less attractive to the people who have real information. I find myself looking for those people more and more at theRx and EOG. I don't like that because I don't want to support their sponsors - and I have great respect for the way SBR handles sponsors with the players' better interests in mind - but principles only go so far. I bet on sports for a living and I need the best information which I am finding here less and less.

As was said in another thread (entitled Forum quality) by someone who actually finds jj's shtick entertaining:

Quote Originally Posted by MrX
These can't be glory days for anyone.

Frankly, I think some of the jjgold posts are hilarious (usually any one in which a mink is mentioned), but I'd WAY rather have zero jjgold than the current quantity.

As always, I don't know the business implications of The jjgold Show. From my point of view, the effect on the forum has been so negative, I almost wonder if Major Wager is paying jj to post here and crap up the place. (I don't really believe that; I'm just making a point). But since you, John, seem to be selling jjgold, I have to assume his shtick is somehow good for business in a way I don't understand.

Fair enough. Business is business.


In closing: I don't like picking on anyone like this. I believe in putting myself in another person's shoes and when I do that and try to imagine what is going on with jjgold, I feel bad about saying some of what I've said here. Unfortunately though there is this conflict of interest so I feel a need to stand up for the needs of myself and those with similar interests.