Most of you know or have read what has been said and so forth. I'm not going to go into much, as most of it has been via email, but I'd like to get my point across. I know that I'm stayed pretty lowkey on here recently and haven't been posting as much as I have normally and there's a few reason for that. There have been new additions to my life in the past 5-6 months that have taken more time and I've been focusing on them more and more. Additionally I haven't seen much in the hobby that has surprised me or made me very excited as let's say a year or two ago. Sure, there has been the new Tiger Palace chips that were ordered and were sold on PCF, there's been some hoards or quantity stuff found, but nothing that was crazy enough for me to talk about every other day like I was. I also took a vacation 2-3 weeks ago that was very much needed. My first vacation in 2 years and my first days off school and work in that time so I took the time to enjoy myself before coming back to reality.

As for what recently happened with my video... I made that video talking about the Hoard Alerts that were being posted on ChipGuide. I talked about my thoughts, why they were happening and so much more. I personally don't think that the ChipGuide needs that type of information on there. The ChipGuide isn't a price guide, it isn't somewhere where someone goes to find pricing information or anything like that so why would a "hoard alert" be needed on that specific chip. If someone wanted to learn about something like that sure it could be useful, but there are so many of these chips being used in home games across the world that it'll take time to actually get all of them if you really wanted to pin point each and every single one. There are TONS of chips that multiple people I know are looking for at the same time. I get messages everyday asking if we have this or this at work. So so so many people looking for the same things and guess what... those chips are being used in home games or are trying to be collected in quantity. Like I said in my video, I'm not sure if the hoard alerts are being put there to decrease the value of chips, make sure that people know that they are being used in home games or what the main purpose behind that is. Personally I don't like it, I wish they would be removed and people could just enjoy the hobby as it is. If people want to use real chips in their home games, then let them. There is no reason that someone isn't allowed to do something like that. They pay for the chips and they're going to do what they want to with them. That's what I do with my chips and guess what, I love all of my chips! People love using real chips instead of some clay composite china chips like dice chips. Using something from Reno, Vegas or somewhere else in the world in so worth it. Adds a little bit of spice to the game and yes!

Now, you guys know that I only want to promote the hobby and try to take it to the next level. There are so many people that want to see the hobby go higher and to see more people know about it. There are still people that come into work and say that they had no idea that chip collecting was even a thing. You guys have been in the hobby for 20+ years (most of you and some even longer!). Why would you want to see the hobby get ruined and all the years of memories go to waste etc. There are certain characters in the hobby that are.... (I'm not going to get into it). I ONLY want to make the hobby more fun, give information to those that don't know it, spread awareness of the hobby and just have fun. That's the whole point of the hobby! Why do people need to care so much about what others are doing? If you don't like it, then don't say anything. Don't do anything... it's that easy! I've seen plenty of things that might have made me second guess another person's thoughts, but guess what, I did NOTHING! Let them do what they want and I do what I want.

The copyright strike on my video I think was too much. If I was given another day or two I would've been able to email back, get the video removed, re-edited and reuploaded to watch, but that wasn't enough I guess and now my channel has 1 copyright strike on it. I can see if I can get it removed or do something so it isn't there anymore, but I'll have to look into it. As many have said that if I get two more then my channel will most likely be gone and all of the videos, hard work and so much that I've done for years would be gone. Imagine that.... just because I didn't give credit to the ChipGuide for using images that I found on PCF and I used that screenshot in my video. Did the people on PCF get asked where they found the pictures? Nope, at least I don't think they did. Here's the link to that thread: https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/hoard-alerts.106216/post-2194835

So, if they didn't get asked, why would we need to take the extra step to get my video removed, a copyright strike added to my channel and more. That was a GREAT thing to wake up to yesterday morning and really set the mood for the whole day. Did I have any motivation after seeing a copyright strike? Not at all and yet I continued to receive emails and try to figure things out. This morning Spragg reached out to me and explained the situation, plus what I could possibly do in the future which I will do (or at least try to). I can say that there have been times where adding a simple credit for ChipGuide goes over my head, but it isn't my intention. Sometimes it might be out of spite or just my attitude, but you have to understand that we are all humans. I don't have a robot or someone else editing the videos for me and usually I want to edit the videos quickly so they can be uploaded for the next day.

I've explained that this type of behavior from others has made me question selling my collection and moving on as I felt again yesterday. I don't want to be policed, chased, harassed or anything to that point. It's a HOBBY for crying out loud. Have fun and do what you love! Stop chasing people. If I did something wrong please approach me nicely and we can figure things out. If I don't respond the same day, try again the next day and see what happens. I'm busy, I have things to do and so much more. I don't focus on this 24/7 and I want to enjoy being young before it's too late. I really want to have a good time at the convention next week and I hope we do! If we could put all of the BS, drama and more aside for a few days and enjoy the time we have together then that would be great. I'll be there for all three days, I'll be attending some events outside of the convention with other chippers who I really only see once a year and I'm going to have fun. That includes playing poker, seeing chips I don't get to see often, dinner and more. That's what the HOBBY should be all about! Let's enjoy it and spread love!

I'll leave it at that for now. The video I made the other day will be getting re-edited and uploaded this week so hopefully it can stay online this time. If anyone has any problems with my videos in the future please contact me and if I don't respond the first day, try again the next and don't take it a step too far by taking my video down, making me get a copyright strike and things like that. I'd really appreciate that.