Purim Giveaway on Pop Judaica Opens Tuesday, Feb 16

Enter to win at: Pop Judaica's Chosen Blog.

Dreidel Door Buster for Black Friday - Black Monday

We gotta get in on the fun of the Black Friday & Black Monday offerings!

Now through Monday, add Texas Dreidel game to your order and get free ground shipping to any continental US address. Add a game, then Use Code: DOORBUSTER. Code isn't good for the game alone: order must include, at minimum, one game plus one other item.

If you don't know No Limit Texas Dreidel get to know the game from this video made by my friend Montica Pes:

Share Hanukkah Joy Sans Funny Jewish Man In Black Hat

I'm very proud of my friends Montica Pes and Jim Davies for the video they created for No Limit Texas Dreidel. The one-and-a-half minute video is funny and sexy and captures the sophisticated fun of No Limit Texas Dreidel.

What I love most about the video is what is not in it: no ridiculous caricature of the Orthodox Jewish man with peyas, dressed in a black hat and long coat, no yiddy-diddly-do music that you find accompanying most funny Jewish videos, no nose jokes or money jokes or jokes about mom.

The video is fresh, modern, and fun -- like the game.

Great job Montica & Jim. Thank you!

Enjoy & Go All Spin Tonight:

PunkTorah Friday

This week features Parshat Lech Lecha, Patrick and Jennie at the ModernTribe office, and a home movie of Patrick in Monsey, NY eating at a kosher dairy restaurant (featuring blogger Eliyahu Enriquez and Can!!Can drummer and producer Joshua Lamar).

Shabbat Shalom and have a wonderful weekend!

Parshat Lech Lecha (In My Kitchen)

PunkTorah and Jennie at the Office

PunkTorah Takes On Monsey, NY

Open E: ModernTribe's Best & Worst of 2008

In the spirit of the Open Source software movement, I'm sharing my learning as an e-commerce entrepreneur. 2008 was an incredible year for ModernTribe.com and No Limit Texas Dreidel. Our first full year in operation was filled with triumphs, mistakes and exponential learning. Here are some of the best & worst, biggest flubs and greatest wins of 2008:

Best Marketing ROI (return on investment):

Direct mailing of postcards to media resulting in editorial in the Los Angeles Times, B'nai B'rith Magazine, and more. Approximate Cost: $500. Estimated ROI 5-10x!

Most Exciting Unexpected Editorial:

Inclusion in Newsweek's holiday gift guide which we found out about through a customer. We didn't believe him and then he scanned in the page and emailed it to us.

Biggest Advertising Disappointments:

With the sad closing of Jewish Living Magazine we lost our banner ad, some great editorial links, and an editorial feature of our Stainless Steel Scroll Menorah. Also, the Google Jump Start program conducted during Passover was a blood bath: our $116 average purchase cost us $93 (that means each $46 gross profit, cost us $163 to generate -- ouch!)

Best Buying Decision:

Listening to a product rep and stocking the best sellers from the line including the Jumbo Glitter Crystal Balls.

Biggest Supplier Nightmare:

Selling 80 Peace Sign Menorahs over the weekend and then finding out our order from the manufacturer wasn't coming.

Biggest Buying Mistake:

Not paying attention to an invoice and missing that an artist increased his wholesale price 40%. (The dollar's weakness against the shekel was part of the reason why). I'd set and advertised the retail price, based on the original wholesale price.

Biggest Manufacturing Triumph:

When the No Limit Texas Dreidel games were late, insisting that a small amount be air shipped to fulfill a large customer's order.

Second Biggest Manufacturing Triumph:

Games arrived in pretty good condition, pretty much as specified, and late but early enough not to miss the season. (In manufacturing, this mediocre result is a triumph).

Biggest Manufacturing Mistake:

Failing to get a detailed, complete price quote in writing resulting in us paying $1400 for production molds we had understood were part of the per piece price.

Biggest Heart Attack Moment:

Getting a call from "The View" and then finding out they were looking for one of our suppliers, not us.

Biggest Heart Attack Moment II:

Getting a call from NPR and finding out they were looking for us!

Biggest Serendipity:

Erica with her complimentary skills and geographic desirability became a business partner after getting a gift from ModernTribe.com from her mother.

Best Unofficial (and Unpaid) Business Partners To Whom ModernTribe Owes Big Thanks:

My husband Webb contributes his smarts and talents to nearly every aspect of the business. Todd, Erica's husband, manages our intellectual property. Jill, Jeremy's wife, edits and contributes to the blog (and just started her own editing/writing business). Mike Weiser and Beth Shapiro of Donner, Weiser and Associates provide excellent accounting services and advice. Brian gives his opinions freely about our ads, influenced our design direction considerably and gave us the lead for the Time Out New York editorial that lead to one of our biggest sellers of the season: Mix Tape USB Stick. Meredith Jacobs included No Limit Texas Dreidel in her TV show on The Jewish Channel, named for her book and her website: Modern Jewish Mom, and talked about us on DC radio. Lauren is always looking out for PR opportunities for us and introduced me to HARO, my favorite PR tool. Christy hooked us up with two Pittsburgh retailers who sold No Limit Texas Dreidel. My mom, our loyal customers, and many others have helped make 2008 a success for ModernTribe. To all of you, my most sincere thank you!

No Limit Texas Dreidel on The Jewish Channel's Modern Jewish Mom

The Jewish Channel has a new lifestyle show with Modern Jewish Mom Meredith Jacobs. Their Chanukah special is available On Demand for all of you who have cable television that carries The Jewish Channel. A segment of the show is on No Limit Texas Dreidel! Meredith interviewed me at Kosherfest this November and then the team at The Jewish Channel made these great clips demonstrating play of the game. We don't get The Jewish Channel in the ATL, unfortunately, but Time Warner & Optimum carry it in the North East and Verizon FiOS TV offers it in many states -- check if your state has it.

You wanna know how to play No Limit Texas Dreidel? Watch this:



By the way, the correct term is "hole cards" and "hole spins" -- not "hold" -- although it should be "hold," yes? Thank you The Jewish Channel and Modern Jewish Mom Meredith Jacobs.

Texas Dreidel on The Radio this Weekend!

Listen up No Limit Texas Dreidel fans! This is the weekend for No Limit Texas Dreidel on the radio.

National Public Radio (NPR) -- Everywhere -- Saturday, December 13th -- Times Vary

I have been interviewed to be on "Only A Game" the nationally syndicated NPR sports show which airs Saturdays. The producer chose No Limit Texas Dreidel for their holiday gift guide saying No Limit Texas Dreidel is, "Absolutely irresistible to us." I've been interviewed about the game by veteran NPR commentator and show host Bill Littlefield. The portion on the game and me will probably be only a snippet so listen carefully.

The nerdy, sports-challenged Jews that you may be (and I count myself in this category), you may not know the show but apparently it's pretty well known. http://www.onlyagame.org/about/

Listen on your local NPR station this Saturday or look up stations and times here: http://www.wbur.org/syndication/?program=Only-A-Game

UPDATE: Listen to the Only A Game Gift Guide. Listen to my snippet on NLTD.

1160 AM -- Newstalk 1160 Atlanta -- Women on the Move with Jennifer Green -- Saturday & Sunday, December 13th & 14th 1-2 PM

I'm really excited about this interview! Jennifer Matilsky (AKA Jennifer Green) and I "chatted" yesterday for about an hour about the origins of No Limit Texas Dreidel and ModernTribe.com. I share several triumphs and setbacks during the start up of our businesses. It will only be broadcast in Atlanta but I hope to post the show -- or excerpts -- online for everyone soon.

Hanukkah FAQ

Have a happy Hanukkah! Here's an FAQ from Jill about Hanukkah traditions.

When is Hanukkah?

Jews begin celebrating on the first night of Hanukkah: after sunset on December 21, 2008. The first day of Hanukkah is December 22. The eight-day Festival of Lights ends on December 29, 2008.

Why does the first night of Hanukkah change each year?
Chanukah always begins on the twenty-fifth of the month of Kislev, as Jon Stewart tells Stephen Colbert below. The Jewish calendar is lunar, and its dates vary each year relative to other calendars, such as the Gregorian calendar used in the U.S. In fact, the first day of Chanukah can fall anywhere between November 28 and December 26.

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

A Colbert Christmas: Jon Stewart

Colbert at Christmas
Colbert Christmas DVD

Green Screen
Bill O'Reilly Interview

Why do Jews celebrate Hanukkah?

Hanukkah celebrates religious freedom and the rededication of the Temple (Hanukkah means rededication). Around 165 BCE, two groups of Jews -- one led by Judah Maccabee -- successfully revolted against the oppressive King Antiochus IV, who had prohibited the practice of Judaism, desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem, and ordered the killing of Jews.

Once free, the Jews were able to rededicate the Temple. They needed oil for the Temple's menorah, which was supposed to burn every night, but according to the Talmud, the Jews had only enough oil to burn for one night. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, giving them enough time to obtain more oil. To celebrate this miracle the next year, the Jews began to observe an eight-day festival.

What is a menorah?
On each of the eight nights of Chanukah, Jews light a candelabra called a menorah after sunset. The menorah holds nine Hanukkah candles (or wicks in oil). On the first night, Jews light the shamash (attendant or "helper" candle), then light another candle with the shamash. On the second night, we light two candles plus the shamash. This continues until the eighth night, when we light eight candles plus the shamash. The custom of lighting Hanukkah candles has given the holiday its nickname, the Festival of Lights.

In what direction do I light menorah candles?
Candles are added from right to left, but they are lit from left to right. On the first night of Hanukkah, place one candle in the far right holder of the menorah, and light it with the shamash. (The lit shamash is often placed in the center of the menorah.) On the second night, put two candles in the two far-right candle holders, then light the left-most candle first.

Is there a special blessing I can recite while I light the Hanukkah candles?
Yes, while holding the shamash you may recite the Blessing over Candles and the Blessing for Hanukkah. On the first night, it's customary to recite the Shehecheyanu as well; this prayer celebrates special occasions and milestones.

Where can I get a menorah? ModernTribe has unique artisan-made menorahs from girly to manly, glass to chrome, plus a kid's play menorah. Menorahs are also available at synagogue Judaica shops and Jewish bookstores.

What are some other Hanukkah traditions?
A Jewish holiday wouldn't be complete without special foods! On Hanukkah we often eat foods fried in oil, such as latkes (pancakes made of shredded potato) and doughnuts (sufganiyot), to commemorate the Hanukkah miracle. Dairy foods also are commonly eaten.

Families often exchange Hanukkah gifts or just give gifts to children. It's traditional to give children gifts of money, or gelt. Another Jewish custom is to give more money to charity each day of Hanukkah.

Another Hanukkah tradition is to play dreidel games—including No Limit Texas Dreidel. Singing Hanukkah songs is also a fun family activity.

Jews often send each other Hanukkah cards.

I've seen "Hanukkah" spelled many different ways. What's the correct spelling?
Because it's transliterated from Hebrew, there are several possible spellings: Hanukkah, Chanukah, Hanukah, Chanukkah, Hanuka, and Chanuka. Less typical spellings include Hanaka, Channuka, Channukah, Hannuka, Hannukah, Kanukkah, Khannuka, Khannukah, Khanuka, Khanukah, and Khanukkah!

To read more about the Festival of Lights, visit Chabad's Chanukah guide or Judaism 101's Chanukkah page.

No Limit Texas Dreidel Honory Mention In Startup Nation Contest

No Limit Texas Dreidel gets an Honorary Mention in Startup Nation's Home Based 100 Business Contest in the category "Wackiest."

Thousands of businesses entered the contest. Businesses were judged and chosen as winners or honorable mentions by a panel of entrepreneurs and business gurus.

Next year we will go for the category: Best Financial Performers :)
Buy the game on ModernTribe.com or at our other retailers selling Texas Dreidel across the United States including Bloomingdale's where you can find the Deluxe Edition.

Jennie (me) will be profiled for her business acumen for both her businesses: No Limit Texas Dreidel and ModernTribe.com in an upcoming edition of the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Stay tuned.

Hanukkah Dreidel Game FAQ

With Hanukkah coming soon (the first night begins Sunday, December 21, 2008 at sundown!), here are the dreidel game rules.

How do you play the dreidel game?

Here are basic instructions for the dreidel game, a traditional Jewish Hanukkah party game. Each player starts with the same number of pieces of gelt (chocolate coins); we suggest 10. In a pinch, pennies also work, but then you can't eat your winnings!

The game begins with each player anteing one piece of gelt into the pot. Going around the circle clockwise, each player takes turns spinning the dreidel. If it lands on:

Gimel
...the player takes all the gelt in the pot.




Hey
...the player takes half the gelt in the pot (round up for odd numbers -- if there are 5 pieces of gelt in the pot, take 3).



Nun
...the player receives nothing; next player spins the dreidel.




Shin
...the player puts one piece of gelt into the pot.




Each time the pot is emptied out, each player puts in a piece of gelt, and the dreidel game continues.

If a player has no gelt as a result of spinning a Shin or anteing, he or she is eliminated from the dreidel game. The game continues until only one player remains; or at a set time, the players total up their counters, and whoever has the most gelt wins. Enjoy eating your gelt! You can even conveniently remind your friends of the dreidel game rules in card form.

What is a dreidel?
A dreidel, or in Hebrew svivon, is a traditional Jewish four-sided top. When you spin it, the dreidel falls over, and whichever side is up is your dreidel spin.

What do the dreidel symbols mean?
The Hebrew letters Nun, Gimel, Hay, and Shin stand for Nes Gadol Haya Sham, "A great miracle happened there." In Israel, where the miracle of Hanukkah happened to the Jewish people, the dreidel letters stand for Nes Gadol Haya Po, "A great miracle happened here." You can read more about the Hanukkah story.

How can I make the dreidel game even more fun?
Try No Limit Texas Dreidel, the game that combines dreidel with No Limit Texas Hold'em poker! It uses the same Hebrew letters as the dreidel game, then adds betting, bluffing, and folding.

Open E: Registering Trademarks

This is the third post in a series called "Open E at MT." In the spirit of the Open Source software movement, I'll be openly sharing my learning experiences at an e-commerce entrepreneur.

Last week we received two envelopes in the mail. Each contained heavy manila colored folders with big gold seals: our official certificates of registration for our trademarks No Limit Texas Dreidel and Go All Spin. I was tickled to see that we actually get paper certificates in this electronic age. Don't know what we do with them other than file them away. But they are a nice tangible thing to hold onto after over a year of pursuing the marks.

Filing is on the web and simple and relatively cheap ($275 or $325 per mark) once you know what you are doing. Figuring out what to do is an Intellectual Property Attorney's forte and I paid $750 for an attorney to create an IP plan for me. I did the initial trademark search to make sure someone hadn't registered a similar mark already. Then I filed online using the TEAS, Trademark Electronic Application System. After that, you wait for the government to notify you of your mark's progress and answer any "Office Actions" -- it is all done electronically. Once my wonderful partner joined ModernTribe with her IP attorney husband, he took over for us and ushered the marks through to their final registered status (Thank you Todd!).

I'll share with you what I think was the trickiest part of the whole shebang: figuring out whether or not a mark is register-able at all. You can go ahead and apply but if you get rejected, you'll lose your 300 or so bucks. So it is worth consulting with an attorney upfront.

Among other things, registerableness requires that your mark (or something similar) isn't already registered and that it is not descriptive.

Not Already Taken. You've got to make sure there isn't a similar mark already registered for the same class of Goods and Services. Classes are the type of Goods and Services in which the mark is used; No Limit Texas Dreidel is registered for use in class 28, Games and Playthings. You can do the search online using TESS, the Trademark Electronic Search System and it's fun and educational to snoop around and see how other people are using marks.

Not Descriptive. The mark can't simply be describing something in general terms. This is a tricky concept. An example of a clearly non-descriptive mark is found if you search for Dreidel. You will find the single word "Dreidel" is registered by a company for the class of stuffed animals. Dreidel does not describe stuffed animals, therefore it is register-able. One could NOT register the word "Dreidel" for spinning tops because, of course, it is simply a descriptive term.

Similarly, if Georgia Law Group is located in Georgia, it cannot register the name as a service mark because it's simply a descriptive name. However, if Georgia Law Group is located in Texas... well, then, it's not descriptive. Can you see how this worked for us and No Limit Texas Dreidel? The reviewing attorney asked if the game was created in Texas, relates to Texas as a state in any way. Because it does not, the mark is registerable. Tricky? Yes!

New Texas Dreidel Shirts are Here!

This weekend I had the pleasure of a visit from Steve Adler from Threaded Heritage. Steve is the talented graphic artist behind the Los Angeles based Threaded Heritage shirts. We had asked Steve to take our logo to the next level and create our new No Limit Texas Dreidel t-shirts. The shirts turned out great! They are available on MT now and will hopefully be available in stores near you soon.

While Steve was visiting we got goofy with our cameras and snapped some pictures with our new shirts. He brought along his beautiful friend Maria who modeled some shirts for us too. Below Maria is wearing the Threaded Heritage Ahava t-shirt. Where are they? They are standing in our very own ModernTribe warehouse!


Thanks for visiting!

Vote for New Texas Dreidel Tees designed by Threaded Heritage (and Win!)

Threaded Heritage designs and manufactures the cool (not kitsch) Jewish t-shirts on ModernTribe.com. I'm thrilled with what these guys are doing for cool Jewish t-shirts, that is creating tees sans funny Yiddish sayings. It's a space that needed filling and they are doing a great job. Threaded Heritage and ModernTribe are collaborating to create a new t-shirt for No Limit Texas Dreidel. Our run-away-success of a game needs a t-shirt that is just as cool. LOOK! Vote at right, then comment and give us an opinion on what you like and what you don't. One of the commentors will be chosen to get one of our new t-shirts as soon as they are produced!

Design 1: Wooden Dreidel:


Design 2: Texas Dreidel Royale:





Remember:
(1) Vote at right
(2) Then comment and give us an opinion on what you like and what you don't.

Commentors will be entered into a lottery and one will be chosen to get our new t-shirt!

Omarosa is back on Apprentice...

... and she goes all spin with No Limit Texas Dreidel!

Happy New Year & New Stuff for 2008

Hanukkah was an incredible whirl-wind for us at ModernTribe.com. Thank you to all our customers, non-profit affiliates, artists, designers, and suppliers for a wonderful first Hanukkah.

There is so much to look forward to for 2008.

New Stuff
We have new stainless steel and gold anodized jewelry coming from Polli Designs including the gorgeous Leaf Pendant Necklace for Tu B'shvat, the Jewish harvest celebration. Tu B'shvat is the Jewish New Year for Trees and has become for many an ecological celebration centered around preservation of trees and the Earth. Look for more tree-themed items coming soon.

Pomegranates are one of the seven species traditionally eaten on Tu B'shvat. In honor, we are adding to our pomegranate collection these pom-red vases or candleholders in two sizes.

Shahar Peleg's Chainlink Bottle Holder was a huge hit with gift-givers. We're adding some more Peleg designs soon including this Hotman pot holder (may be a perfect gift for your hot man).

Jewish t-shirts that are cool but not kitsch. We are so excited about these...

Of course we'll be stocking up with modern Passover wares so that your seder can be fit with the 21rst Century.

Better Shipping Notification and Shipment Tracking
We changed our shipping methods. For US shipment we now ground ship FedEx or UPS which allows tracking. When our warehouse ships your package, you receive an email with ship notification and tracking information.

No Limit Texas Dreidel to be sold in stores near you Hanukkah 2008.
We are selling NLTD wholesale to retailers and non-profit organizations for fundraising. If you know of a synagogue gift shop or a Jewish non-profit who may want to sell No Limit Texas Dreidel contact us and let us know!

Sign up for ModernTribe.com's newsletter to get notices of new stuff and discount codes.

We always want to hear from you -- dear customers -- so don't hesitate to call or email us.
1-877-324-1818, info@moderntribe.com

-- Jennie

We are at the URJ Biennial this week.

Come see us and say hello if you are in the San Diego area or attending the Biennial. My husband Webb and I are exhibiting at the Biennial to sell No Limit Texas Dreidel wholesale to retailers who want to sell the game next Hanukkah. We also want to talk to non-profits who don't have a shop about affiliating with ModernTribe.com and earning 10% of the sales that come through them. Come say hello and/or send your synagogue representative over to get some information on selling NLTD in your gift shop.

Also -- see Jennie on TV talking about Modern Menorahs on CBS affiliate morning show Channel 46 Better Mornings. It aired yesterday, Tuesday December 11th on the last night of Hanukkah. I look like a little dwarf standing next to the 6 foot tall, skinny beautiful bean poll reporter. I'm going to have to get thinner if I keep getting on TV. : )

LA and DC are Going All Spin!

Saturday (after sundown, of course) we are proud to be part of two Hanukkah events happening on separate ends of the country. No Limit Texas Dreidel will be played, tournament style, at the Los Angeles Federation Young Leadership Division's Chanukah Bash at the X Bar in Century City and the Young Professionals' Kesher Hanukkah Party of Washington DC at the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue.

Jon Layne of Party Layne, a very popular event production company in LA and Detroit, found NLTD through our Heeb Magazine promotions. He excitedly called and asked how he could integrate NLTD into the annual event which expects 300-400 young adults. I shipped Jon a game and since then he has become sort of a NLTD evangelist because he loves the game so much. Check out Party Layne's Blog to keep up with party trends.

The Young Professional's Kesher of DC is having all 50 expected guests play NLTD at the same time! The winner and runner up get ModernTribe.com E-Gift Cards.

These events are playing NLTD tournaments in very different ways too. Read here about two ways to do NLTD Tournament Style.

Check back for pictures from these events.

Cool Judaica will Fix Everything!

If you are in San Fran on Thursday, November 8th at 7:30 PM, there is a thought provoking program hosted by Progressive Jewish Alliance. Young, Jewish, and (Dis)Connected is about how, why and, more specifically, why don't younger Jews feel connected to Israel and to Jewish life in America.

You know my answer for younger Jews' disenchantment with American Jewish Life: schlocky Judaica and boring dreidel games!

We are fixing the schlocky/boring problem at ModernTribe.com. But I bet Professor Ari Kelman, Joey Kurzman from Jewcy.com, Sarah Church from PJA, Heidi Winig from American Jewish World Services, and Jeremy Lizt of New Israel Fund have some other ideas on the subject.

It's free but RSVP: bayarea@pjalliance.org or 510-527-8640

NLTD in Celebrity Gift Bags?

I got a call today from Nancee Borgnine from an event and PR company called "Connected" asking us to bring No Limit Texas Dreidel to the American Music Award's "Celebrity Gift Suite". It's not free of course, not to mention the cost of flying out to LA and staying at the Sofitel Hotel in Beverly Hills. But it sounds terribly exciting and oh, for the chance to get No Limit Texas Dreidel in a big Jewish star's hands: Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld, Ben Stiller, Madonna... That'd be amazing...

Invited Celebrities Include:
Justin Timberlake- Beyoncé - Linkin Park - Daughtry - Rihanna - Jimmy Kimmel - Fergie - Avril Lavigne - Carrie Underwood - Rascal Flatts - Maroon 5 - Toby Keith - Robin Thicke - Norah Jones - Tim McGraw - The White Stripes - John Mayer - Akon

I'm so out of the pop music scene, I don't know who half these people are. Maybe Jimmy Kimmel will bring Sarah Silverman. OOooo, I'd love to get a NLTD tattoo on her!

What do you think? Should I stay or should I go?

NLTD To Be Reviewed by Google: "Gambling" Disallowed on Ad Words

No Limit Texas Dreidel may be kicked off Google Ad Words. I just had a "chat" with the Ad specialist and it doesn't look good. We'd set up Google Ads because dreidel is so commonly misspelled: dreidel, driedel, driedle, draydel, etc. etc.. We had every combination of dreidel with poker, and no limit, and hold'em, and holdem so people googling for us could find us. I looked up our account today and all our keywords had been disapproved. During the chat with the specialist she speculated that NLTD may be disallowed because it fits their definition of gambling. My shocked response was, "it's chocolate: you spin the top and win chocolate."

There is chance and there is wager: but so is true with Mah Jong, Monopoly, and the traditional dreidel game. What differentiates these games along with NLTD, is that the wager isn't something of real value: points, play money, and chocolate.

What do you think? I'd really like to hear some opinions on this.

Here is Google's policy for gambling:

And here is our chat transcript:
Tai: Hello, thanks for your patience, Jennie. I'm happy to help you with your Google AdWords account.
Jennie: Great!
Jennie: I have a few campaigns
Tai: Would you mind waiting a moment while I pull up your account?
Jennie: I see two of them have disapproved keywords
Jennie: sure.
Tai: Ok, which are these?
Jennie: lets look at ModernTribe first
Jennie: [the name of the campaign]
Jennie: all these keywords are disapproved
Jennie: why?
Tai: I believe it's because your ad text references gambling, which is a prohibited product per our product policy, so all keywords associated with it will be disapproved as well.
Jennie: ok. This is a problem for me. I mention poker because our game, which is played with chocolate coins for Hanukkah is a riff on poker. I can't use the word poker?
Tai: I would suggest not including words about gambling in your ad if you want your ad to run. You can read our policy at:
Tai: https://adwords.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=47220
Jennie: so any type of poker is considered gambling?
Tai: Yes.
Jennie: so how do I go about getting my keywords re-approved, now that I removed "poker" from my ad?
Tai: I would suggest also removing other gambling-related terms like 'Texas Hold'em' from your ads, Jennie. Let me check for a moment on the best way for your keywords to be re-reviewed.
Jennie: thanks. Is there any way to get this over-rid, considering my game is No Limit Texas Dreidel which is a dreidel game, played with chocolate but is a spoof on Texas Hold'em poker?
Tai: Thanks for holding, Jennie. I found that your keywords will be re-reviewed with any ad text changes, so there's nothing additional you need to do.
Jennie: let's talk about The other campaign
Jennie: [Campaign Name]
Jennie: All these words are disapproved. But the ad isn't disapproved
Tai: I am first researching the answer to your other question, Jennie, then I'll be happy to take a look at that next campaign.
Tai: Jennie, I don't believe that even spoofs on gambling would be allowed by our product policy. However, if you'd like me to double check with our policy team, I'd be happy to do that then get back to you in the next few days with their answer.
Jennie: OK. Thank you. Can we discuss the other campaign.
Jennie: I now understand why maybe poker keywords would be disapproved. But why all keywords. When the ad isn't disapproved?
Tai: Sure, let me look it up.
Tai: This is the same situation; that your words are disapproved per our product policy.
Jennie: but all the words?
Jennie: how do I fix this?
Jennie: I need to remove "poker" I understand
Tai: I'd suggest deleting all gambling-related keywords.
Tai: Right.
Tai: Then you can modify your ad text to prompt them to be re-reviewed.
Jennie: OK. Is the review by robot or by a human?
Tai: By a human.
Jennie: OK. So if "No Limit" is the name of my game, can I keep "no Limit" as the search words?
Tai: Jennie, I am going to check on whether your product is allowable at all per our product policy. You might want to hold off making changes until I get back to you about this.
Jennie: It's a Hanukkah game, played with chocolate
Jennie: you've got to be kidding me
Jennie: do you know what the dreidel game is?
Tai: Again, I would suggest you read over our product policy page.
Tai: This clearly lists gambling games played even for fun to be prohibited.
Tai: However, I will be happy to run your particular situation by our policy team and get back to you about it.
Jennie: but, every "game of chance" is a gambling game. Even traditional dreidel
Jennie: You spin the top and win chocolate
Tai: Jennie, I can see that you are frustrated, but this is not a productive conversation.
Tai: As I said, I will check with our policy team about this, and let you know the result.
Jennie: I'm not frustrated
Tai: Is jennienina@gmail.com the best email address for me to use/
Tai: ?
Jennie: Jennie@ModernTribe.com is better
Tai: Ok, I will get back to you, most likely by next Monday.
Jennie: OK.
Jennie: Thank you!