Author’s note: When I originally wrote this more than a month ago, Jerry Ice could be counted on to post several times a month. Since I wrote this, he has largely disappeared. It’s possible he’s decided that commenting here is not a game he wants to play anymore — which would be a fine result so far as I’m concerned. I’m running this blog anyway in case that was not Jerry’s decision.
I’ve been writing and teaching for more than 30 years. My national “fame” started in the late 1990s when I began writing for the monthly magazines Strictly Slots and Casino Player which were both distributed for free in a number of casino hotel rooms around the country — in addition to people buying regular subscriptions. I’ve had a weekly blog, for various publications, almost continuously since then. I’ve participated in online video poker blogs periodically for longer than that.
For whatever reason, I have always attracted detractors. In each online forum where I’ve participated, there have usually been one or more people who take regular shots at me. At first, I started to respond to defend myself, but this often led to several people joining in — each one changing the argument slightly — and I learned quickly that I couldn’t win against this type of attack coming from several directions at once. So, I largely ignored it.
Surprisingly, to me at least, when I started the Gambling with an Edge radio show — which morphed into a podcast — people began criticizing me less. Which was fine with me.
I’ve been blogging on the Las Vegas Advisor website for more than a decade — and it provides a forum where readers can respond to my columns. And I have the tool, should I wish to use it, of removing any posts I choose to — for whatever reason.
So far there is only one person who is permanently banned from posting comments to my blogs. It took awhile for this situation to arise — and Anthony Curtis became involved in enforcing the ban — but so far, it’s holding.
Which brings me to the man, I assume, who posts under the name Jerry Ice 33. I’m going to refer to him as Jerry. I don’t know who he is — although it’s possible I know him under a different name.
Jerry regularly comments on my blogs — and a high percentage of his comments are derogatory towards me. He likes to say I’m cheap. He likes to tell us I treat Bonnie poorly. He’s made other negative comments as well. And he posts the same complaints over and over again.
Some of you have responded to Jerry, suggesting he lay off the criticism. While I appreciate the support, this forum is supposed to be about becoming more successful at gambling, and not a discussion of whether or not I’m a flawed human being. ( I plead guilty to being flawed — although I do think my frugality has been a major factor in my success, and I’m positive Bonnie thinks her life is working well and she is loved by me.)
While I can continue to ignore Jerry, I feel he’s becoming disruptive. My personal belief is that if he isn’t getting value from reading this blog, he should spend his time doing something else. Repeatedly and repetitively suggesting he’s not a Bob Dancer fan doesn’t improve the experience for anybody else who reads the blogs.
So, what shall I do? I’m asking you as a group and hoping many of you respond. Should I let him be or should I start removing negative posts from him? If I start removing negative posts and he continues anyway, I’ll talk to Anthony about permanently barring him from the site.
I’m not sure what kind of majority I’ll need in order to start removing his posts (if, indeed, there’s a majority at all). It’s possible Jerry could apologize and all will be forgiven — but I’m not holding my breath on that one.
So, what do you think?
Second author’s note: I recent came across Dan Ariely’s book, Misbelief: Why do Rational People Believe Irrational Things, which addresses the type of “Internet bullying” I went through — and to a lesser degree than before am still going through with Jerry. The book was eye-opening to me, but more complicated than I wished to summarize in an additional blog.
Okay, I’ll chime in. It’s your blog, so you should be able to delete posts or ban anyone YOU feel deserves it.
If you feel that his posts seem to be a negatively charged personal attack, then you have the right to delete them. It would be a good idea to have Anthony and Deke look at them to see if he deserves to be banned from posting in your blog altogether in the future, in my opinion.
Jerry has posted in other parts of the Forum and has provided good information about gaming and Vegas over the years. Not sure why he has issues with some of your blogs, but maybe he will post about that on here.
it is your blog and you have the right to do with it what you want but what is right and what is wrong you have to decide. if he goes just after you that is one thing but if he goes after Bonnie that is some thing different. from what you have said about bonnie you and her have been together a long time and i do not think from what you have said she would still be with you if she did not love you. i do not all ways agree with what you say and some times do not understand what you wrote but i do respect YOUR opinion. well be interesting to see the comments on this one. also hope you are staying healthy as you have not given any updates lately.
thank you
#1 – I certainly did not go after Bonnie! I would NEVER do that. In fact, I’m actually defending her when pointing out that asking a female senior citizen to make a cash drop-off in the middle of the night to dingy downtown Vegas because you are vulturing some slot machine is bordering on abuse. But that is my opinion. You call it what you want. Love.
#2 – the issue I have with you is you reek of arrogance. And quite honestly, you always have. You are constantly bragging and you don’t even realize it. (Read a book on that if you can.)
Sorry I’m not one of these readers that fawn all over you, like you are some hero. But I can agree to stop pointing out the two items above (mainly #2 is my main beef). I think I’ve made my stance clear enough anyway by now. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings; I apologize if I did. Feel free to delete my posts if you like. (which you probably will with this one)
Excuse my Polish but “F” Jerry ice cream or whatever! The guy must have a miserable life!!
That’s what Bob is looking for Derick. Good little doggy.
“commenting here is not a game he wants to play”
Well, lets turn that around. If Bobby wants to carry this over to the sink and “play this little game”, I’m more than game. My guess is he wants to hide behind his little blog though and get people to fawn all over him and come to his defense. He would get chewed alive in the sink by Kevin Lewis and others.
Speaking of hiding, Jerry, Bob’s here under his own name. So am I. The one who isn’t is you. I’ve dealt professionally with people like you for 20+ years, and what all of you share in common is that you are powerless cowards in “real life,” who cower in anonymity to take shots at people who don’t hide.
You need therapy, Jerry, not a computer.
Give me a time a place, tough guy.
You can get therapy anywhere, tough guy. Make your own appointment.
And if you think his real name is Bob Dancer, you are dumber than you appear. (which is already pretty damn dumb)
I don’t think Bob is here under his real name.
I’d say ban him. Like parents and teachers back in the day used to say, if you don’t have something nice to say, then don’t say anything at all. At the very least, I see this as a distraction as this weeks article had to be “wasted” talking about him when I was looking forward to a story about one of your gambling adventures or some video poker advice I can use myself. He comes in here to insult you and is very disrespectful. You deserve to be treated with respect. Personally, I don’t see any arrogance. Your knowledge and experience in gambling are pretty much 2nd to none, and that commands respect.
Bye, bye.
Bob’s credentials and expertise are unquestioned. IMHO it is regrettable that this is being brought out here, ‘names’ and all, in this mostly genial arena. It is an unfortunate aspect of online forum dialogue, the anonymity by which it is easy to lapse into careless point making by commenters that can turn hurtful. To me, the majority post here with civility and appreciation for the opportunity to learn and ask questions.
Bob doesn’t need to explain or defend himself. His postings are courteous and instructive, and he deserves the same from us. Were I in his place I would delete posts that were rude or personally insulting without a valid discussion point. That should do it, really. As for banning, why would that be necessary if such posts can be removed?
This.
I began learning how to play VP in 2003 during my recuperation following a quad bypass. I tried a few online sites and finally settled with Bob and eventually purchased his books and strategy cards as a foundation to beome a better player.
As a follower of his posts and blogs, I understand he’s always open to criticism but such criticism, if a reader has any, should be only toward his VP knowledge, playing advice, etc. If said reader disagrees with the “technical” side of video poker, then Bob is fair game and the jousting can commence.
The snide (sometimes veiled, but not always) and churlish comments directed toward Bob speak loudly about their author’s true character.
(I eagerly await the accusation of being just another fanboi .)
Either ban him or delete him. Personal attacks are not why people read your column.
All:
I’ve agreed to not attack Bob Dancer going forward. But all-world smart Bobby is more than invited to the Kitchen Sink here to debate with me. (trust me; he won’t) If he deletes some of these comments, I promise you I won’t comment on his columns anymore.
PS: Dumb Brian Glicklich – here is a news flash for you. His real name is not Dancer. Maybe with 20 more years of working professionally with people, you’ll be able to not be as naive. Not likely though…..
You are very brave while you hide, Jerry. Sign your name to your hate, buddy.
He’s a troll, Bob. Just block him.
That’s what I was going to say, he’s just a troll. And engaging with the guy is just giving him more oxygen..
block him – if you wish – I ignore him – always have…
If this is representative of Jerry’s contributions, in my opinion it is not much of a loss if he is banned.
Bob can you help me have somebody respond to my Videopoker Question that I posted recently but nobody is answering? Since I know that you are the person to know the answer with ease, I am addressing to you directly. I appreciate if you could give me your opinion in that matter.
Besides all that, there are always haters and likers around. Some people never change, some have their own way of seeing things and some just don’t like other people. I have my own strategy: I simply treat people that I don’t want be be around with like air. I ignore them completely. Pushing a way a problem is my strategy instead of looking for a way to resolve the dispute. It’s because I think, even if you find an agreement, people that hated or disliked me before will continue to do so, even if thy pretend like “o yeah, the issue is resolved”.
From Switzerland / Boris
Jerry Ice is a troll – he posts similar postings in the Sink all of the time. He, along with several others of his ilk have taken over and ruined the Sink.
Most comments ever to a Bob column. I’m honored. Finally, something interesting that is worth this many comments.
Waiting for Brian Glickbitch over in the kitchen sink too.
Well apparently Jerry Ice has accomplished what he was seeking – the “honor” of being recognized as an unsavory troll who is recognized by all sane, decent people who post in the Forums/Blogs .
Thank you all for your responses.
I deleted one (only one) of Jerry’s posts. He said that if I did that, he’d stop responding at all here. If that’s the case, I’ll take no further actions.
Kevin Lewis remains the only person who is permanently banned from my blogs. I referred to him without naming him during the blog, but for whatever reason he decided to jump in this thread — and I promptly deleted his post. Hopefully he remains out of here.
What did Kevin do or say to piss you off so much?
And I’m quite honored to be banned. Dancer’s blog list all value some time ago.
Lost
What ever happened to reading Bob’s blog about VP play and how he goes about being successful doing it, with the adventures and comments, all while admitting he loses quite a bit of the time also. Pretty honest. I have learned a lot from Bob. And I find his stories interesting, specially the ones that lead to him being where he is now. The other big VP players I know never loose, or so they say. I come to learn. I have been married for 43 years. My wife loves and supports what I do for a living. If I asked her to bring me something late at night, she might ask why, but she would still do it. Why? Because she knows I love her and I would do the same for her any time. Maybe Bob’s wife felt good about doing it, and felt she did something to help make Bob successful. Just because Jerry may not ever do that, does not mean he understands anyone else’ relationship. As for banning him, if he continues to rag on Bob personally, including and especially his relationship with his wife, remove him. If he objects to the math or the system Bob uses, that is fine. Jerry is loving this. He is the center of attraction, which he must not get anywhere else.
As for Kevin, some of his posts are pretty good, he can be critical, and funny, and I do not recall where Kevin went after Bob about his personal relationships or his Bob’s wife.
Well, I looked back and found some nasty posts about Bob by Kevin. Absolutely banned. Guess I spoke too soon.
There once was a heckler named Jerry,
Whose jeers made the comics quite wary.
But Bob, with a sigh,
Would just let it fly,
For no one had loved him, poor Jerry.
I thought JerryIce33 made an agreeable offer on March 18. If he can live up to what he stated in that post, I would vote to let him continue to comment.
I still enjoy reading Bob’s blogs. They have definitely evolved to where they now include more on his physical limitations and how he deals with them to continue to be an advantage player. I respect that. I learned about the existence of advantage slots because of him, and I now look for those.
I learned about Lyft and Uber continual price changes because of him.