I have been at Railbirds a little more than a month now, but until a few days ago I had never heard of clans. I mention that mostly because for being as important as some people imply, it really is difficult to find info about them on the site. (note: this post isn't a request for info; I have been able to find it, I'm just saying it should be much more front and center)
Admittedly, when I first came to understand that there were clans here, I was less than thrilled; perhaps a bitter taste left in my mouth from countless ass kickings I've suffered at the hands of people who take video games more seriously than I do.
But then I realised that this isn't video games. I have always been a victim of, rather than a participant in, the clans that dominate many online games, largely because I don't have the desire to invest a whole lot of time in video games. Poker is a whole different story - I already am investing obscene amounts of time in it.
So having decided I was interested in joining one, I visited the profiles for more than a half a dozen clans, trying to figure out which suited me. Much to my surprise, I found that most of the clans have practically no information on what distinguishs them from any other clan. (many spend a lot of time discussing the virtues of their chosen name; but I presume that has as much relevence to a clan as to a sports team)
Perhaps most important of all amoungst the non-present information was the times that clan related events tend to happen; after all if those running the clan tend to be available, and as such plan clan events, at times when I am not available, then clearly it would be a waste of everyone's time for me to join said clan.
Anyways, that's my thoughts for now; any comments would be appreciated.
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28 comments
Here is the clan link:
http://www.railbirds.com/blog/93986/new-updated-clan-listing.html
Some have requirements to join, others don't. GL
G'day Mate, we list requirements of The Pokeroos. You have to be Australian, be polite and be an active member of RailBird.
However, RailBird is The Pokeroos ultimate clan.
-undead clan rocks-
Couldn't agree more, Frosty.
No disrespect intended (although, in this crowd I'm sure the uber-sensitive will get fired up), but clan requirements that have little to do with poker skill or knowledge don't exactly distinguish you from anybody else. So we all use the same avatar or group of avatars. So we're all from Pennsylvania. So we all agree J-10 is the best starting hand. So?
Frosty, for fun we oughtta start up a clan in which members' hand histories are reviewed for quantity and quality (not in that order), and in which performance is a requirement for membership. For example, prove to me that you can maintain a bankroll, can consistently cash in SnG's, can show a respectable percentage of ITM finishes in MTTs over 100, 1000, 3000, and/or 10000 people, can manage to navigate the early rounds of a freeroll without pushing all-in with rags, and can offer constructive advice, support, and criticisms of fellow members. Stats must be submitted monthly, and the bottom 5% are cut, or are entered into a private tourney to see who gets to remain a member of the clan.
What would be the incentives for remaining a member? Well, there's the rub. Among poker players, you'd think simple pride would be enough, and we certainly see current clan members who are very proud. But I suppose some form of monetary enhancement would be needed to secure membership. Shared winnings from all Railbird events? Shared rakeback from all members? Free backrubs? Any ideas out there folks?
This started as a "I hear ya" response, but has spawned some crazy ideas in my head. Anyone else see potential in this concept?
A sports team's name is irrelevent?
This UCSC Banana Slug begs to differ!
because:
"Stats must be submitted monthly, and the bottom 5% are cut"- thats not what its all about... geez- if u start ur own clan u can do that butttt in my clan its all about fun and friendship, support and not competiton between the clan members
i still havent figured out what u want frosty... something like a whole blog from each clan, describin what makes em so special??? well i can say that ina few words actually----- THE MEMBERS
I want to know something about a group before I join it; I want to be able to weigh the different groups I could potentially join, and see which would be the best for me. And quite frankly, your "The Members" is a complete non-answer.
Since you seem to want some specifics, here are some examples of things I would have expected to see on clan pages, but don't.
and if u take the word -team- instead of the word -clan- for this:
- typical starting times for clan events
- the typical manner in which clans members get together (chat/PM/forum/games)
- how active the clan is
- what games the clan focus on
- what sites the clan focus on (I have seen a couple clans list this)
- what limits are typically played by clan members
then YES! such things do exist! JUST NOT AS A CLAN. cause its IMPOSSIBLE to do all this stuff for over 30/.../200+ members. how to hell will u do conferences with so many members?!? lmaonext point- all teams r full. u could think bout creating a new one (oh yea i can literally hear u thinkin "what the fck is she talkin bout n what r teams?" well heres the link:
http://www.railbirds.com/blog/119854/the-team-roster-faq-member-update-011808.html
- READ IT!)
and plz do me a favour and read this blog bout clans:
http://www.railbirds.com/blog/60159/families-together.html )
AND YES I'LL REPEAT IT well i can say that ina few words actually----- THE MEMBERS" well i can say that ina few words actually----- THE MEMBERS" well i can say that ina few words actually----- THE MEMBERS" well i can say that ina few words actually----- THE MEMBERS" well i can say that ina few words actually----- THE MEMBERS" well i can say that ina few words actually----- THE MEMBERS" well i can say that ina few words actually----- THE MEMBERS" well i can say that ina few words actually----- THE MEMBERS" well i can say that ina few words actually----- THE MEMBERS" well i can say that ina few words actually----- THE MEMBERS" well i can say that ina few words actually----- THE MEMBERS" well i can say that ina few words actually----- THE MEMBERS" well i can say that ina few words actually----- THE MEMBERS" well i can say that ina few words actually----- THE MEMBERS" well i can say that ina few words actually----- THE MEMBERS" CAUSE ITS THE TRUTH- IT'S ALL BOUT THE MEMBERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
if theres anything more u want to know, np- just ask- GL with whatever u r goin to do,
t9
I'd have to agree with you T9 on both points. One, I love monsters and horror films and such so I joined the Monsters Clan. Two, because of the numbers in a clan sometimes you just want to play smaller more contained tourneys, which is why the TEAM concept came to be in the first place.
We both sound like we're kinda on the same page. We dress like the "dead" and play on our TEAMs like we're "alive" and kicking -- ASS!
CYA at the next BOTT! (details coming soon) -- Steph
Hatchins,
There are a lot of us who take our clan very seriously. We do our best to represent our clan in every event we play wether it be a railbird one or not.
Are you wanting some kind of test to prove their worthy of joining the clan? Some kind of proof they are good enough players?
If you choose not to join a clan then that is your choice, but in my opion your doing yourself a disfavor. Clans give you an instant support cast, allow you to network, talk and learn from each other even more so than you can just by posting blogs, you gain friends and you get involved in tournaments that are a lot of fun.
Watchdog is right on all counts, but keep in mind that our clans are not the purpose of our site, nor are they run by the site. This is something that we as clan members do ourselves. Our common purpose here is poker. The clans are a sort of "extracurricular activity", if you will, and simply is what we make it.
I have found that most clan related events, or tourneys, are either blogged about FYI, or the leaders use the PM system to relay info to members. There is no front page links, or info, quite simply because the prorails or the site are not responsible for such. I do know that info is out there for the asking, and maybe you will get some responses to satisfy your needs.
The main thing to keep in mind is what Champ said. We are all RB's in the end, and our pupose is common...Poker...the clans, or as you put it, teams, are simply extra fun and added competition and usually is open to anyone for the asking. As far as requirements, or common beliefs??? Well, I think most would agree...it's simply the game we love to play....
Poker.
GL...
Having looked over the teams page you linked to, I don't think its more relevent to what I am talking about. I am not looking for a group of players who literally are my team in small private tourneys. (and even if I were, the fact that there is no more space for either players or teams makes it irrelevent to my needs)
What I am thinking of, is a group of players not unlike what Daniel Negraneau talks about having had when he started playing in Toronto (except of course that its online). A group that plays each other viciously, but are helpful away from the table. A group that are learning to play poker together (I don't mean learning from nothing; just that they are at similar stages of development). A group that have 100% confidence in each other's opinions.
I agree with you that the large clans clearly are far removed from what I am looking for; but not all clans are in the hundreds of members.
well i can say that ina few words actually----- THE MEMBERS"
And I'll say it again, as true as your answer may be, its a complete non-answer to somebody trying to compare the clans.
The problem Frosty is you can't really compare the clans. Each clan has members who are all at different stages, some who are extremly talented and some that are just learning.
It's not to dificult once your in a clan to find the people who are at or around the same level as you are and talk to them.
BTW Daniels main group, where he went through his major learning stages, consited of Phil Ivey, Allen Cunningham and John Juanda and he wasn't playing with them in Toronto.
You are talking about different part of his career than I am. Read some of his articles about his early years in Toronto.
(I certainly would not presume to be one of, nor deserve the attention of, the players you are talking about)