Cigar Comps

[Fuzz AI]

After reading investandprosper's post, it got me thinking. Why do we enter comps? (not just this week's cigar comp, but also the poker and blind tasting comps)

Is it purely for the fun of it? Would it be just as much fun if there were no actual prize (ie winning just fame and the adorations of the millions of your BOTL)? Is the lure of a prize too much temptation? Or are we competing just for the sake of competing?

[CBL]

Didn't I read you were the undisputed poker champ of the forum?

Anyway I think it's a combination of praise and a prize. FOH is a community and should be kept active at any cost! Rob does a pretty decent job keeping us interested when member topics fail at keeping discussions going. Whenever a new video is posted or a Live from the Humidor, the forum is buzzing with excitement.

The last couple of days the forum has been a little slow review and discussion wise. The math question was the hottest topic this weekend... that should say enough

I think the recent competition is a pretty good idea for having more people write reviews (the 2nd mystery cigar has hardly received any reviews either) Although I don't think judging it by it's reactions is gonna work out great.....

As for the prizes, I think it's a nice incentive for taking the "trouble" of investing into this community and making it grow. Personally I'd write a review for the praise alone, but a nice cigar would just sweeten the deal

For me, the Blind Tasting Competition is just a way to see if I have learned anything, flavor wise, in the past couple of years smoking cigars!

[dicko]

It's all about the praise!!

when i go 0/3 in the mystery comp there won't be too much of that flying around though

[Colt45]

Why do we enter comps? (not just this week's cigar comp, but also the poker and blind tasting comps)

For me it's fun and participation. I consider posting reviews etc a way to contribute and give a little back - no payment / enticement required.

I imagine Rob does some of these things to keep things moving, keep interest - but in my mind, to a large degree, the forum is what we make it.

I suppose it comes down to how we each look at FOH.

[Puros Y Vino]

but in my mind, to a large degree, the forum is what we make it.

I suppose it comes down to how we each look at FOH.

Exactly! The forum's success is derived through the actions of its' members. Sure Rob keeps things fresh. His banter with Ken, Smithy, Lisa add entertainment value. Other members write reviews, take some great photos. The more thrifty & inspired among us sit in front of a camera and put forth quality reviews. Overall, the tone of the board is friendly and cordial. Controversy does rear its' head now and then but it is managed well. Other boards are like war zones with members that are packed with ego's as high as Mt Everest. There isn't one member on this board you wouldn't want to invite to a herf were it not for the geographical logistics.

[dicko]

Overall, the tone of the board is friendly and cordial. Controversy does rear its' head now and then but it is managed well. Other boards are like war zones with members that are packed with ego's as high as Mt Everest. There isn't one member on this board you wouldn't want to invite to a herf were it not for the geographical logistics.

Well said. Oh Imagine how good a world tour of FOH locales would be!!

[Fuzz AI]

There isn't one member on this board you wouldn't want to invite to a herf were it not for the geographical logistics.

Really? Have you seen Ken's pants lately?

All joking aside I think Colt and bundwallah have hit it on the head. The comps do keep the forum alive (thanks in no small part through Rob's generosity), but also in my mind, give it the atmosphere of the friendly banter you get when smoking with your mates at the local. I guess that's why I'm on here when I should be working....

Before I even entered, I knew I had a snowballs chance in Hell to win the blind tasting comp. I don't smoke often enough or a wide variety to pick one cigar from the next (though I think I could tell a Guantanamera from everything else!). For me, the fun is just participating.