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Listen to The Ben Joravsky ShowBen Joravskyon January 21, 2023 at 8:07 pm

Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky—or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t miss Oh, What a Week!–the Friday feature in which Ben & producer Dennis (aka, Dr. D.) review the week’s top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. 

Chicago Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.

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Chicago Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky discusses the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty on The Ben Joravsky Show.


The early days

It’s the new news about Chicago mayoral elections—nobody knows nothin’.


Baby steps

The good news about 2022 is that it could have been worse.


Good riddance

The best thing Alderperson Ed Burke ever did for Chicago was to leave office.

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Listen to The Ben Joravsky ShowBen Joravskyon January 21, 2023 at 8:07 pm Read More »

With Paris in the rearview mirror, time for Bulls first-half awards

The Bulls needed something, anything, in the aftermath of the embarrassment in Minnesota back on Dec. 18.

Leave it to Goran Dragic to provide the Heat check.

Spending seven seasons in Miami, Dragic learned that tough love not only needs to happen in the locker room behind closed doors, but sometimes needs to be made public.

That’s why the veteran guard had no problem coming out after the Bulls gave up 150 points to the Timberwolves and insisted, “We’re not playing for each other … simple as that.”

The Bulls have gone 10-6 since then, and Billy Donovan didn’t think it was just a coincidence that there has been an effort to play for each other more consistently over that span.

“I say you confront it, you call it out and you try to expose it,” the coach said, when asked about Dragic’s comments. “And I appreciated Goran saying what he said because at the time, I think there was a lot of accuracy to what he was saying.”

That’s why go ahead and give Dragic the award for the “Most Pivotal Moment of the First Half.”

With the Bulls just past the halfway mark, here’s the rest of the first-half awards being handed out:

MVP: DeMar DeRozan – While the “maestro of the midrange” has watched his scoring dip slightly from last season, he’s also adjusted to how teams are now playing him. Like DeRozan saw most of the second half of the 2021-22 campaign, the double teams and blitzes are coming more frequently. It didn’t take the veteran long to flex that high basketball IQ and come up with the counter. That means showing opposing defenses just how dangerous he can be as a play-maker.

In the 20 wins DeRozan has played in, his scoring average was just 24.9, but his assists numbers were way up at 5.6. And as far as the fourth quarter goes, he’s still the closer, shooting 47.4% from the field in that final stanza.

Most Improved: Patrick Williams – The former No. 4 overall pick was expected to make a jump as a scorer this season, but just not the way he’s done it. Williams has become the best three-point shooter on the roster, sitting at 42.1% from long range.

More importantly, his scoring numbers have gone up in three of the last four months, as Williams looks much more comfortable in the framework of the offense.

The one complaint of his game so far? At 6-foot-7 and a solid 215 pounds, Williams should be a much more dominant rebounder than a guy grabbing just 4.1 boards per game.

Most Underappreciated: Nikola Vucevic – Bulls fans love to pile on the big man when things are going poorly, despite the fact that he’s sacrificed more than anyone on the roster. He’s shooting five points higher from the field than he was last season, and his three-point percentage has gone up from 31.4% last year to 37.4% 45 games in.

He’s durable, and a perfect fit for DeRozan and Zach LaVine’s games, willing to abandon the paint and be a threat from outside, so both of his teammates have room to operate at the rim.

The Biggest Mystery of the Second Half: Lonzo Ball and the Feb. 9 Trade Deadline (tie) – Ball solves many of the team’s biggest weaknesses, but the reality of his left knee issue leans more toward the Bulls not having the point guard available this season.

What the Bulls do at the deadline could be a reflection of that reality, with a true point guard really needed. As far as the idea of any of the “Big Three” being dealt or a major blow-up of the roster happening? As of 45 games in the books, very unlikely on both fronts. If anything, there could be a minor tweak made.

Stay tuned, however, as the next few weeks could change some minds in the front office.

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High school basketball: Saturday’s scores

Saturday, January 21, 2023

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

Northridge at Elgin Academy, 3:30

INTERSTATE EIGHT

LaSalle-Peru at Kaneland, 6:30

NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY

Lakes at Grant, 3:00

North Chicago at Grayslake North, 7:00

Round Lake at Antioch, 3:00

NON CONFERENCE

Addison Trail at West Chicago, 1:30

Audubon (WI) at Perspectives-MSA, 5:00

Bartlett at St. Charles North, 3:00

Bloom at Homewood-Flossmoor, 1:30

Bolingbrook at Downers Grove North, 4:30

Boylan at Huntley, 3:30

Chicago Math & Science at North Shore, 3:30

Cissna Park at Grace Christian, 3:30

Cissna Park at McNamara, 1:30

Clark at Dunbar, 6:30

CPSA at IC Catholic, 8:00

Cristo Rey-St. Martin at Cristo Rey-Milwaukee (WI

Danville at Marian Catholic, 2:00

DeKalb at Auburn, 6:00

Glenbard South at Minooka, 3:30

Hall at Reed-Custer, 1:30

Harvest Christian at Richmond-Burton, 7:00

Herscher at Watseka, 7:30

Hinckley-Big Rock at Winnebago, 5:00

Illinois Lutheran at Walther Christian, 5:00

Intrinsic-Downtown at Intrinsic-Belmont, 1:00

Lake Forest Academy at Culver Military (IN)

Lake Park at Bloomington, 6:30

Latin at Lisle, 6:30

Leland at Alden-Hebron, 4:30

Lyons at Proviso East, 2:00

Maine South at Buffalo Grove, 4:30

Marian Central at Hope Academy, 2:00

Marquette at Somonauk, 3:00

Mather at Elk Grove, 12:00

Mendota at Stillman Valley, 5:00

Mundelein at Palatine, 4:30

Niles West at Hoffman Estates, 6:00

Oak Forest at Morris, 6:00

Oregon at Forreston, 7:00

Plainfield Central at Joliet Catholic, 2:30

Plainfield East at Neuqua Valley, 5:30

Plainfield North at Lockport, 3:30

Princeton at Ottawa, 6:00

Providence-St. Mel at Wells, 1:30

Proviso West at Nazareth, 2:30

Rock Falls at Freeport, 6:00

Rockford Christian at Timothy Christian, 6:00

South Beloit at Scales Mound, 7:00

South Elgin at Burlington Central, 12:00

St. Francis de Sales at Evergreen Park, 1:00

Stevenson at Prospect, 5:30

Streamwood at Barrington, 4:30

Streator at Rochelle, 3:00

Taft at Loyola, 5:00

Unity Christian at Grace Christian, 6:30

Westinghouse at Schaumburg, 2:30

Westminster Christian at Indian Creek, 6:45

Wheeling at Maine West, 2:00

Willowbrook at Glenbard East, 4:00

Wilmington at Westmont, 11:30

Yorkville Christian at Glenbrook North, 3:30

AURORA CHRISTIAN

Aurora Central vs. IMSA, 10:30

Marmion vs. Aurora Christian, 1:30

West Aurora vs. Metea Valley, 4:30

East Aurora vs. Waubonsie Valley, 7:30

BATAVIA

York vs. St. Charles East, 3:00

Larkin vs. Wheaton-Warr. South, 4:30

Oswego East vs. Hillcrest, 6:00

Hinsdale Central vs. Batavia, 7:30

BENET

Brother Rice vs. Rolling Meadows, 2:30

Young vs. Joliet West, 4:00

Simeon vs. Moline, 6:00

Benet vs. Kenwood, 7:30

METAMORA

Bogan vs. Illini Bluffs, 12:00

Bogan vs. Manual, 3:30

QUINCY

Curie vs. Chaminade (MO), 12:00

St. Rita vs. Real Salt Lake (UT), 1:30

SALEM

Champaign Central vs. Madison, 11:30

Salem vs. Effingham, 1:00

Seventh Place, 3:30

Fifth Place, 5:00

Carbondale vs. Thornton Fr. North, 6:30

Mt. Vernon vs. East St. Louis, 8:00

THORNWOOD

Bremen vs. Longwood, 10:00

Southland vs. Harlan, 11:30

Tinley Park vs. Fenger, 1:00

Brooks vs. Comer, 2:30

Thornridge vs. Francis Parker, 4:00

Thornton vs. Thornton Fr. South, 5:30

Thornwood vs. EPIC, 7:00

TRI-COUNTY TOURNAMENT

Lowpoint-Washburn at Henry-Senachwine, 2:00

WEST CARROLL

Amboy vs. Warren (IL), 10:30

Newman vs. Prince of Peace (IA), 12:00

Byron vs. Comanche (IA), 7:30

YOUNG

Christ the King vs. Farragut, 11:00

Lincoln-Way Central vs. Vocational, 12:15

Providence-St. Mel vs. Wells, 1:30

Kankakee vs. Von Steuben, 3:00

St. Laurence vs. Lincoln Park, 4:30

Lincoln-Way East vs. Marshall, 6:00

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Man, woman hospitalized after Lake View apartment fire

Two people were hospitalized Saturday morning after an apartment fire in Lake View.

The fire began around 3:40 a.m. on the first floor, then spread to the second floor of an apartment building in the 1100 block of West Wolfram Street, Chicago fire officials said.

A man, 56, was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition, Chicago police said. A woman, 79, was taken in serious condition to the same hospital.

The fire was put out about 4 a.m., officials said. There was no immediate word on the cause.

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Sports betting: One week with an app was just about enough

OK, fine. I’m in.

After years of unrelenting commercials and studio-show segments telling me that betting on sports is the key to happiness and enlightenment, not to mention untold riches, I finally decide to download an app and give it a whirl.

Why else? For a column.

“Live your bet life,” they say. “Make. It. Rain.” Not, “Hunker down over a tuna sandwich and read the newspaper,” or even, “Hey, just enjoy watching a game for its own sake.”

My inner cynic — never far from the surface — bristles at the ex-jocks and media members who shill for the online sportsbooks, pretending to have special insights into who’s going to rush for more than 64 1/2 yards, who’s going to go 2-for-4, who’s going to score a goal and all that nonsense.

Then again, don’t I pick college football winners against the spread in the paper every week? I guess I’m busted on that front. And there’s legal sports betting in 36 states, plus Washington, D.C., so this is a runaway train whether I’m on board or not.

Damn it, let’s ride.

Saturday: The first thing I do is look at my precious son and put $5 on his school, Missouri, to win its basketball game at Florida. The Tigers lose by nine as the bum just sits there and watches, like it isn’t his fault his old man is already in the red.

It’s halftime of the Seahawks-49ers game when I make my second bet: a $20 parlay on the Niners to win the third quarter, the Niners to win the fourth quarter, the Niners to cover the spread and the over to come in. Somehow, it all hits for about $100. I’m well into the black.

After that, I do what any shrewd sports gambler would do and ask: “Is there a night game? Because if there is, I’m betting on everything.” Fumbling through a bottomless pit of Chargers-Jaguars options, I randomly bet two parlays (one of which is a winner) and several player props, including the over for receiving yards — set at 7 1/2 — by a Jags back named JaMycal Hasty, whom I’ve never heard of, probably because he’s the sort of player who has over/unders like 7 1/2 attached to his name. Hasty finishes with a stat line of all zeros, but I make up for it by impulsively throwing $50 on an NBA over. Turns out it was Mavs-Blazers, which I don’t even remember until the next morning.

I’m up $221.02!

Sunday:After a long day of writing, during which I waste only two or three hours looking at the app, I’m ready for some Ravens-Bengals action. Realizing how little I pay attention to the NFL, I use the darts-at-a-map approach to land on five bets, then flip a coin to determine which sides I’m taking. If the Bengals’ Sam Hubbard doesn’t return that fourth-quarter fumble 98 yards for a touchdown, I go 2-3. Instead — thanks to utterly dumb luck — I go 4-1. Mr. Vegas is up $346.72.

Monday:Michigan State is off to a slow start against Purdue, but I figure it’ll even out. So, in-game, I take the Spartans +8 1/2 and win. I take similar approaches with the Heat when they’re down big at the Hawks and the Grizzlies when they’re struggling at home with the Suns and win those, too.

The Cowboys-Buccaneers playoff betting is a mixed bag, with my biggest wins being Tom Brady over 41 1/2 passes (he has 66!) and — my first $100 play — Dak Prescott over 260 1/2 total yards. Why do I only bet overs, never unders? It just seems like more fun to root for excitement instead of against it. I win another $242.28 for the day and am up almost $600.

But I realize I just as easily could be down that much or more. And I’m starting to get bored.

Tuesday:It’s a writing day, and I’m wiped out from betting and watching TV. Finished with work, I go to the gym and hoist my large self onto an elliptical machine. Oh, hell, Kansas State is up five on Kansas at the half right there on the machine’s TV screen. I throw $60 each on the Wildcats -2 1/2 and the over and avoid losing both only because the game goes to overtime and enough points are scored to earn me an undeserved split. No harm, no foul, no rest for the sports-betting weary.

Wednesday:As I know essentially nothing about him, I can think of no good reason Seton Hall’s Kadary Richmond (who?) won’t go over a combined 20 1/2 points, rebounds and assists and bet accordingly. Later, I win an NBA bet on the Nuggets — only because they close the game on a 9-0 run — and almost feel guilty. More haphazard betting, more dumb luck. I’m up over $700.

Thursday:For crying out loud, the Bulls are on at 2. I don’t even want to bet it, yet I must. It’s my turn to lose. I nearly pull the trigger on a parlay of Zach LaVine scoring at least 30 points and the Bulls winning, but it’s on the board for only +240. Instead, I throw a nice chunk of change on LaVine to score at least 35 in a Bulls victory; that’s at +630. He finishes with 30.

I look for a college game determined to bet on the first one I find on TV. It’s Purdue at Minnesota, and the Gophers are getting a whopping 8 1/2 points in the first half. The total is only 58 1/2 . Doing the math, I reason that all the Gophs have to do is score 25, and I can’t lose both bets if I take them and the over. A split, worst case? That’s just good horse sense. Halftime score: 31-12, Boilermakers.

What the hell am I doing?

I’ve given back about one-third of my stash, which — oddly — is almost a relief. I’m pretty sure I want out of my bet life. But, wait, do I?

I’m sure I’ll cash out … any day now.

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Fire trying to balance selling with winning

Model MLS franchises can sell players to European clubs and win matches. Under owner Joe Mansueto, sporting director Georg Heitz and technical director Sebastian Pelzer, the Fire haven’t struck that balance.

The sale Tuesday of striker Jhon Duran to Aston Villa was the Fire’s second eight-figure transaction with an English Premier League team in the last year after goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina’s move to Chelsea. In 2021, the team sent winger Przemyslaw Frankowski to French side RC Lens, granting the Polish attacker an opportunity in another of Europe’s biggest leagues.

While those deals are strong signs for player development and scouting, they need to be complemented by capable replacements and progress on the field. The Fire must find a new striker after Kacper Przybylko had an underwhelming 2022. They’re hoping Chris Brady can play at least as well as Slonina did a year ago, and they still lack anybody with Frankowski’s speed.

Most importantly, the Fire aren’t selling players off successful teams. The 2021 season ended with an interim coach after the dismissal of Raphael Wicky, and 2022 concluded with intensifying questions about the on-field direction of the franchise under Mansueto, Heitz and Pelzer.

As the Fire begin 2023, they’ll be trying again to pair development and victories.

“It’s a tricky situation, but it’s not a bad situation to be in,” coach Ezra Hendrickson said. “It means that people are looking at your players, and it means that your recruiting department is doing a good job of finding players, whether it be from abroad or within Homegrowns, as we saw with Gaga and Duran.”

Their departures seemed inevitable long before they left. Duran was a sought-after prospect with a big name before joining the Fire from Colombia, and Slonina emerged as perhaps the world’s most promising young goalie soon after becoming the club’s starter in 2021.

Cashing in on them was the right move for the players and the Fire. Outside of consistently losing, one of the worst things MLS teams can do is hold players back from bigger stages and fatter paychecks abroad. Even with its recent growth and improvement, MLS is still notches below the top leagues in Europe and not a destination for the best players.

Yet, those sales can’t be considered untainted positives. Because of Mansueto’s finances, the Fire aren’t hurting for money, and the team can only use a portion of the moves’ proceeds toward the roster. The biggest recent purchases — Xherdan Shaqiri and Jairo Torres — did not live up to expectations in 2022, and Heitz and Pelzer don’t have a track record that should instill confidence for any such future acquisitions paying off.

With Mansueto, Heitz and Pelzer in charge, the Fire clearly have tried to win. Selling Slonina, Duran and Frankowski isn’t a sign the franchise is interested in just pocketing cash. It’s a reality in the world of soccer.

It’s also a reality that the Fire need to win after over a decade of struggles. Making money off young players can’t be their only victories.

“We’ve just got to make sure that we remain competitive and we still are able to operate as a business, a profiting business,” Hendrickson said.

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Chicago Bulls: Stand pat or blow it up before NBA trade deadline?

The Bulls are a perfect 10. Sorry, make that an imperfect 10th in the Eastern Conference standings.

We can all agree that this 21-24 season has been deeply disappointing and that a roster built around Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic — and missing Lonzo Ball for what seems like forever — just isn’t bearing fruit. But a harder topic is what the Bulls should do about it.

In this week’s “Polling Place,” your home for Sun-Times sports polls on Twitter, we asked what the Bulls’ philosophy should be with the Feb. 9 trade deadline looming. Should they stick with what they have? Trade one of their All-Stars? Blow the whole thing up and start over?

“Blow it up,” @WSox14 commented.

“Whatever appears to be best for the Bulls,” @JeffJoe049 wrote, “[chairman Jerry] Reinsdorf will do the opposite.”

We also asked whether or not Billy Donovan is the coach the Bulls need. Last, we asked for your weekend upset pick in the NFL: Jaguars, Giants, Bengals or Cowboys?

On to the polls:

Poll No. 1: What should the Bulls’ philosophy be heading toward the Feb. 9 NBA trade deadline?

Upshot: Maybe if Ball were healthy, things would look different enough that no one would even be thinking about moving a big piece. As it is, the Bulls have to see what’s out there for Vucevic, for DeRozan, even for LaVine and his new max contract. Oh, and for anyone else in whom there’s any interest. Does front-office honcho Arturas Karnisovas have the stomach for admitting defeat?

Poll No. 2: Is Billy Donovan the right coach for the Bulls?

Upshot: As a college coach, Donovan was regarded as an elite recruiter, strategist and motivator — the whole nine yards — but in the NBA, he has yet to reach a level of success that speaks for itself. His time in Chicago has been underwhelming, but our voters clearly haven’t turned on him yet. How much longer does he have until they do?

Poll No. 3: If you had to pick an NFL underdog to win this weekend, which would it be?

Upshot: You know what? It’s hard to find a consensus on these things. From @JeffreyCanalia: “Bengals vs. Bills is a 50-50 game.” But from @Pastor_BKT: “Bengals don’t have a shot.” See what we mean? Still, the red-hot Bengals kind of run away with it here even though it’s the Cowboys who — going by point spreads — face the smallest challenge of the underdog bunch.

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Cubs’ Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner expect their partnership to ‘fit like a glove’

The Cubs poked around the shortstop market last offseason, even inquiring about Carlos Correa before he signed with the Twins the first time. This winter, the matter was more pressing, not only because of the strength of the shortstop class for the second year in a row, but also for what acquiring a shortstop would mean for second base.

“The offseason strategy to find a shortstop so we could put Nico [Hoerner] at second was maybe the highest priority,” chairman Tom Ricketts said in a conversation with the Sun-Times last week.

The move had nothing to do with the club’s faith in Hoerner’s ability at shortstop. He ranked second, tied with Francisco Lindor, among major-league shortstops in outs above average last season (13). In fact, he only trailed Dansby Swanson.

It had everything to do with the Cubs’ confidence in Hoerner’s defense and the opportunity to put one of the best middle-infield duos on the field, especially with -defensive-shift limits coming to MLB this season.

“The Cubs have been awesome from the start, as far as communication about position and free agency in general,” Hoerner said during the Cubs Convention last weekend. “Even starting within the season last year, it was all very clear that they trusted me to play shortstop, but there was a lot of talent on the market at that position.”

More telling than anything Hoerner might say publicly was a text message he sent soon after Swanson’s signing.

Swanson was honeymooning overseas, which delayed his reaching out to all his new teammates. Hoerner beat him to it.

“That meant a lot to me,” Swanson said at his introductory news conference. “That’s something that I’ve always tried to do, when I was in Atlanta, when we got new players, to be the first to reach out. Obviously tells a lot about him, and I’m excited to have this partnership over the next however many years.”

The pair has talked more since.

Swanson did get that team list of contact information from Vijay Tekchandani, the director of major-league travel and clubhouse operations. And he met many of his new teammates at the Cubs Convention.

“He’s done the things that I definitely look forward to doing in my career, hopefully,” Hoerner said of Swanson, a World Series winner, All-Star and Gold Glover. “So a great person to play alongside.”

Each pointed out the other’s preoccupation with winning, a trait that also made Hoerner open to moving back to the other side of second base.

“He’s willing to do whatever it takes to win,” Swanson said. “When you can combine that kind of mentality with how I like to do things, that usually fits like a glove — no pun intended.”

With the middle infield set, Nick Madrigal, who has been a second baseman his entire professional career, will take some reps at third base, as well, president of baseball -operations Jed Hoyer said.

“It’s not the way you think of stereotypical third baseman — power, slugger,” Hoyer said. “But he’s a really good hitter, a really good player.”

In his first two seasons in the big leagues, Madrigal impressed with his talent for making contact, posting a .317 batting average with the White Sox before a season-ending hamstring surgery in 2021. But in his fragmented first season on the North Side, Madrigal never sustained a rhythm in the batter’s box. Limited to 59 games by a string of injuries, he hit .249.

Madrigal also will have a chance to fill in when other midfielders are out of the lineup. However, Swanson’s ironman track record doesn’t guarantee many of those opportunities stemming from his side.

In the last three seasons, Swanson has played in all but two Braves regular-season games. He said he already has talked with manager David Ross about playing every day.

“I’m not going to say there was some pushback, but …” Swanson said. “That’s the job. The job requires 162 games plus whatever is left in October.”

NOTES: The Cubs made first baseman Trey Mancini’s two-year deal official Friday, adding a right-handed hitter who slumped in the second half of last season but has a reputation as an impactful power hitter. To make room for Mancini on the 40-man roster, the Cubs designated left-handed pitcher Anthony Kay for assignment. The club had claimed Kay off waivers from the Blue Jays last month.

o The Cubs announced this week that they signed right-hander Vinny Nittoli to a minor-league contract with an invite to major-league spring training. Right-hander Mark Leiter Jr., whom the Cubs designated for assignment last week to open a roster spot for first baseman Eric Hosmer, cleared waivers. The Cubs outrighted him to Triple-A Iowa.

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Jonathan Toews undecided about Blackhawks trade possibility but accepting life’s uncertainties

PHILADELPHIA — Jonathan Toews has become -increasingly philosophical.

Confronted by two of the toughest decisions he has faced in his career, the Blackhawks’ captain uses that philosophical perspective to help put the situation in proper context.

“Sometimes you get antsy, and you want answers, and you want things to be clear, and you want certainty in life,” Toews told the Sun-Times on Thursday, softly and carefully. “I guess it’s not the case I’m in right now.”

Toews must decide by the NHL’s March 3 trade deadline if he’ll accept (or request) a move to a new team for the first time or play out the rest of the season with the Hawks. And he must decide by July if he’ll sign another contract — with the Hawks or another team — and continue his career or retire after 15 seasons. He’ll be 35 by then.

While Toews has come to grips with his impatience and reality’s complexity, he still doesn’t know what his brain and body need.

There are simply too many large, looming unknowns for him to know what’s best. It’s difficult to chart a path on a gray map, after all. The deadline’s timing and his contract’s no-trade clause will allow him to wait to decide.

“There are a lot of different scenarios that are even difficult to think about because I don’t know what it looks like,” he said. “I don’t even know what the next few months look like. I don’t know what next year looks like. And likewise for myself.

“I don’t know what our team looks like, as far as if guys are being traded to other teams or whatever the situation might be, [and] if that changes things. There’s a lot of things that might be there, and I have no idea how that impacts me. A lot of people ask me if I’m looking at other teams and other options for myself at the end of this year. [But], really, I’m just focused on my game.”

Hawks general manager Kyle Davidson said last weekend he expected to meet with Toews, Patrick Kane and their agent, Pat Brisson, within the “next couple of weeks or so” for initial conversations. Kane’s leanings — he has disclosed virtually nothing publicly — likely also will affect Toews’ thought process.

If Toews allows Davidson to explore the trade market, forward-seeking contenders who might be interested include the Avalanche, Flames, Wild, Hurricanes (who just lost Max Pacioretty to another injury) and Jets (who would represent a homecoming for Toews, a Winnipeg native).

But Toews’ cap hit, which started the season at $10.5 million, will be a major hindrance to any of those suitors. There’s no guarantee the Hawks could even make a trade if given the green light. For that reason, even once he makes his decision, Toews and the Hawks might not announce it to avoid an awkward post-deadline return (as Willson Contreras experienced with the Cubs last season).

Another possible issue is Toews’ health. He has missed only one game — although quite a few practices — this season and has demonstrated throughout his career the determination to play through bumps and bruises, but an injury or a general lack of stamina might be slowing him down nonetheless.

Toews, through uncharacteristic brevity, and coach Luke Richardson, by discussing workload management in response to a general question about Toews, hinted Thursday at something going on behind the scenes.

Said Toews: “I am where I’m at. Just trying to improve every day.”

Said Richardson: “He’s so strong on the puck and strong on his stick that if he has a little jump in his step out there, he’s a dominant player. That’s what we’re trying to do. Even [after sitting out practice Wednesday], he doesn’t need to be on the ice every day. [After] a quick skate this morning just to loosen up, he’ll be ready to go again. Managing time on the ice is beneficial for a guy that has a lot of mileage on him.”

In spite of all he’s juggling mentally and physically, Toews is enjoying his most productive stretch since the first 11 games of the season, nine of which he had a point in. From a cynical viewpoint, that’s one positive factor for his trade value, but that thought certainly hasn’t crossed his mind.

In fact, he was surprised Thursday to hear that he had six points in his previous six games, a surge he increased to seven in seven by scoring against the Flyers. He has been so focused on his day-to-day routine that he had no idea.

“When you’re worried about points or scoring goals, and you’re worried about the end result,” he said, “especially when we came out of the [Christmas] break with three pretty ugly games on the road and the feeling wasn’t too hot in the room again, [but we can’t be] worried about the results as opposed to just the process.”

Toews’ offensive spike has coincided with the Hawks’ out-of-the-blue 5-1-0 streak. In the Hawks’ 13 victories, he has 13 points. In their 30 losses, he has only 14.

His line with much younger wingers Philipp Kurashev and Taylor Raddysh has developed strong chemistry. On Tuesday against the Sabres, they produced one of the best performances by any Hawks trio all season.

“We were playing relaxed and playing with the puck and keeping plays alive and giving each other outs, and eventually things just develop,” Toews said. “And our confidence just builds from there. We created chances every time we had the puck, so it was nice to just have that feeling.”

Circling back to the elephant, Toews would like to find that same confidence when it comes to plotting his future. It has eluded him so far, though.

He insisted he isn’t tired of getting asked about the topic, which was probably a lie.

But his uncertainty about the trade-or-no-trade and retire-or-don’t-retire questions seems to be a sincere, if frustrating, truth.

“Things haven’t really taken shape yet,” he said. “It’s definitely a unique position that I haven’t been in before. I have nothing but good memories and gratitude for everything that has happened in Chicago and my career here and what this organization has meant to my family and myself. We’ll see, one way or another.”

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The 13+ Best Adult Cam Sites of 2023

Adult cam sites are all the rage. There has never been a better time to interact with a live cam girl. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that we all feel so isolated, and connecting with a live model is more satisfying than watching prerecorded videos.

These days, most cam models offer their services via virtual camming platforms. There are quite literally hundreds of thousands of cam girls you can video chat with, so how in the world do you choose? These cam sites deliver the goods in terms of adventurous women, seamless camming experiences, and sexual gratification. But each site is unique in its own special way. From private shows to free options and special performers, there is a lot to digest.

We’ve taken the time to break down which cam sites are best and why. Stick to this guide and you’ll certainly have the best cam experience possible.

The Best Adult Cam Sites of 2023

RankSiteBest For1.JerkmateBest modern cam website2.Sl*trouletteBest cam/chat hybrid3.ChaturbateBest overall cam site4.Flirt4FreeProfessional cam models5.ImLiveInnovative features6.Live Free FunBest sign up process7.MyFreeCamsBest free shows8.Cherry.tvBest newcomer9.LiveJasminMost gorgeous models10.CamSodaBest for specific fetishes11.Cams.comTeledildonic features12.XcamsMost diverse cam models13.StreamateThousands of streams at any given time14.Lucky CrushRandom one-on-one cam shows15.StripchatBeautiful live stripteases16.BongacamsEasiest cam site to navigate17.BabestationBiggest UK cam site

1.  Jerkmate: Best modern new cam site

Jerkmate is a really unique cam site because it allows its users to filter the models they search for by personal preference. You can specify your preference in gender, kink, and even body type. It’s a matching system between viewers and cam girls, which makes it feel pretty special. Once you match with someone, you have the option of also becoming a cam model. You can stream a video of yourself watching the cam girl, which is pretty nice. Think of it as if Chatroulette, Tinder, and Chaturbate had a love child. Most people enjoy watching private cam shows because they are longing for a connection, sexual or otherwise. Jerkmate delivers that in spades.

Jerkmate also hires actual pornstars and professional cam girls to stream live. Going one-on-one with one of the pros is unlikely and really expensive. However, if you prefer your cam girl to be an actual pornstar, you can view their live shows with other users on the site. These women will expect you to give them tons of tokens if you want them to do anything specific, but this is pretty normal for camming websites.

Beyond the two unique and exciting options that Jerkmate provides, it’s also very easy to use. It’s got a modern feel to it and selecting a show to watch could not be easier. If you don’t love who you’ve been matched with, you can also browse the expansive list of categories that Jerkmate has to offer. Those categories range from BDSM to Sex Toys and everything in between. As far as pricing goes, it’s up to the model. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $100 per hour watching one of the Jerkmate shows.

Pros:

Models can see you if you want
Intuitive search function
Advanced personalized features

Cons:

This is a pricey option

2. Sl*troulette:Best chat/cam combo

Sl*troulette may not have quite the reputation as Chaturbate, but it’s been around quite some time—since 2010, in fact. That means they’ve got more than ten years’ experience in the cam game. And they deliver.

Sl*troulette is the X-rated version of Chat Roulette. Like Chat Roulette, Slut Roulette randomly pairs you up with another videocam. There’s no pressure—if you’re not feeling it, you can just keep clicking.

Overall, Sl*troulette is a fun spin on traditional cam sites given the randomness innate to its design. This may or may not appeal to you personally, however.

There are two main downsides to Sl*troulette. One, the sign-up process feels spammy and can be annoying. Two, there are a lot of pop-up ads on Sl*troulette, often even covering the video of the cam performer you’re trying to watch. That can get frustrating, as you might imagine.

Pros:

Worldwide camgirls 
Hottest categories 
Great private shows 
Previews pictures/photos of camgirls

Cons:

Basic tipping features 
Need to tip to access full nudity show

3. Chaturbate:Number one cam site in the world

There’s a good chance you’ve heard of Chaturbate. Not only is the name genius for a camgirl site, but Chaturbate has managed to stand the test of time. We can’t believe it’s been ten years since it was created back in 2011! It’s hailed as the best cam site available by millions of users because it has the most diverse and explicit portfolio of models who use the platform to stream.

When you get to the Chaturbate home page, you’ll be greeted with various thumbnails of women or scenes. That’s your sneak peek for what is to come when you actually click on one of these images. Immediately you’ll be launched into a wonderfully raunchy cam show completely free of charge. At first blush, it looks like most of these cam girls are doing solo shows, but once you take a deeper dive, you’ll find couples, threesomes, and other unique and interesting live shows to choose from. You can also search for shows by filtering by the huge list of categories or tags. Though busy looking, Chaturbate is very easy to navigate and explore with so many live feeds to watch for free.

You’re probably wondering if Chaturbate is completely free. The answer to that is both yes and no. While you can enter any live show for free, you are really walking into a teaser of sorts. The women on Chaturbate are trying to get you to eventually pay for a private show, which is what most people want anyway. We will admit though that the teasers are often very explicit and can usually get the job done before you even grab your wallet.

You likely will reach for your credit card though, because Chaturbate is famous for delivering satisfying one-on-one shows. They operate on a token system. As you spend more time watching the show, your tokens will begin to dwindle.

Pros:

Affordable
Best cam site available
Great one-on-one performances
You get a lot out of a free account

Cons:

Most models need to reach a certain token amount before they fully perform

Check out our complete Chaturbate review if you’re looking for more info.

4. Flirt4Free: Intuitive search function available

Boasting nearly 3 decades of sex cam savvy, Flirt4Free has really carved a niche for itself as the cam site for gentlemen of refined tastes. While some freemium sites might offer a grab bag of amateur models, F4F shines for fans who yearn for a premium, top-shelf experience.

Their homepage is populated by elite-level camgirls from all over the world who know how to cater to your every desire. They’re virtually all “hair and make-up ready” and dressed to kill in gorgeous lingerie. But while Flirt4Free boasts a premium experience, premium does not necessarily imply “vanilla.” Finding the fetish models to feed your kink is easy using an intuitive category filtering system.

The “Free” in Flirt4Free might seem like something of a misnomer at first glance. While there’s always something hot going down in any number of public chatrooms, the real spank-bank-worthy action is saved for pay-per-minute private shows. Judging from many of the model reviews, Flirt camgirls tend to appeal to fans who want to go deeper on their fantasies. The top models tend to be surrounded by devout followers who crave repeat performances.

But while pay-per-minute shows may seem be daunting cost-wise, many models offer cost conscious options like semi-private “multi-user” and “group shows.” Some even allow members to negotiate their private show rates before a performance.

Pros:

Premium quality cam girls
Great variety of fetish models
Easy to filter categories

Cons:

Can be pricey
Fewer models compared to freemium sites

5. ImLive: Old-school cam site with innovative features

ImLive is the granddaddy of cam sites. It’s been around for almost 20 years and has managed to continue to captivate viewers with the changing times. ImLive is a streaming site where models and couples perform sex shows for their audiences. There’s not much more to it. However, not all sex cam sites offer couples shows, so if you like watching two people get it on then ImLive is your best bet.

The pay structure at ImLive gives you options, which is a definite plus. You can either pay by the minute or send models tips. There are also plenty of models and shows to choose from, so you’ll never have a dull moment on this popular cam site.

From amateurs to professionals, members will find the girls online and ready for a great time 24/7, and purchasing credits (the site’s currency) is fast and easy.

ImLive has several innovative features, including share screen where members and the model can watch video or play an online game together.

Yes, ImLive dubs itself a free cam site, but we know what that really means. You can watch archived shows for free, but the live goods are going to cost you. The shows are usually worth it, but don’t expect a ton of interaction from the models. They tend to fall short in their personal relationships with viewers and fans; however, the shows themselves are a treat to watch.

Pros:

Great for watching couples
Different payment options
Free archived shows
Free amateur videos

Cons:

The models can be a little cagey at times

6.  Live Free Fun: Easy sign up

Live Free Fun calls itself “the secret guide to free live sex.” Let’s break that down a bit.If you’re willing to submit your email, then you can get a free account and start watching erotic webcams in no time. Since a lot of cam sites require memberships and/or paying the cammers through tips to get true X-rated content, Live Free Fun is a way to get good content for free.

The registration is straightforward, and you don’t have to worry about giving up sensitive information like a credit card. So, the benefits definitely seem to outweigh the risks.

This is a solid cam site with quality models.

Pros:

Free with email sign-up
Simple registration
Erotic webcams without having to tip

Cons:

Interface is a bit clunky

7.  MyFreeCams: Actual free shows

For those of you shopping for cam sites on a budget, there’s no better site for you than MyFreeCams, also known as Jerk N’ Cum. Yes, the shows on this site are actually free. This is obviously the biggest perk that MyFreeCams has to offer.

Because it’s free and the models don’t charge you to watch their shows, you might be skeptical of the quality but you truly have nothing to worry about. The women on MyFreeCams are as skilled as they are gorgeous. They are also down to get into some very kinky activity, which is why you’re watching cam girls in the first place!

The one thing that you can’t really access on this site is private chat or one-on-one video sessions. But what can you really expect from a cam site that doesn’t cost you a dime? You can of course purchase tokens on MyFreeCams and try your luck asking one of the models for a private show, but it’s not very likely to happen. These models are used to the dynamic of the site and aren’t normally willing to make an exception for anyone. These models also aren’t the most responsive to requests in their chat box. That’s potentially because it’s oversaturated with guys like you asking them to do a million different things. If you’re OK with just being a voyeur for free, MyFreeCams is a fantastic budget-friendly option for you.

If you decide that you’d like to pay for MyFreeCams because you can afford to or you’ve got extra cash lying around, you will be given the keys to their entire library of cam girl archives. You can check out their old videos. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but there are folks out there wholove it.

Pros:

Genuinely free
Fantastic performances

Cons:

Can’t view private shows

8.  Cherry.tv:Best new cam site

Cam sites such as Jerkmate and Chaturbate may have the lion’s share of attention, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of other sites popping up all the time. While many of these aren’t worth your trouble, some of them may turn out to be major competitors.

One such site is cherry.tv, from the people over at Cherry Models. The site has only recently gone live and is still in Beta mode, which means for now they only have cis-women and trans women cam girls. That said, the platform will be opened up to everyone in the next version. 

One cool thing about Cherry.tv is that it isn’t just another cam site like any other. They’re attempting to introduce more “gamification” to the concept, so cherry.tv allows models to “level up” by gaining experience points (xp). Streaming gets cammers XP as well as receiving certain gifts from fans. 

Cherry.tv won numerous awards in 2021, such as “Best Emerging Company” and “Emerging Web Brand of the Year.” They are also one of the best sites out there in terms of compensating streamers. So, if you want the vast majority of your hard-earned money to go to the actual cam model, then cherry.tv is a great option for you. 

Pros:

Relatively affordable
Fun, game-like interface
Streamers receive almost all of the tips

Cons:

In beta mode (no male models or couples)
Just started so not a ton of active models yet

9.  LiveJasmin: Known for having stunning models

The most noteworthy thing to say about LiveJasmin is that the women on this site are drop dead gorgeous. They are diverse, in shape, stunning, manicured, and all around perfect cam girls. You will notice this the minute you hop onto the home page. It looks extremely put together, modern, and professional.

These women don’t seem to be filming themselves from dimly lit bedrooms. Instead, it feels like a whole studio operation with professional porn stars. This is a pro for most, but some viewers enjoy that amateurish feel. If you are into the amateur stuff, then steer clear of LiveJasmin because it’s all top notch here. LiveJasmin is full of very recognizable and famous cam girl faces. That’s what makes it one of the best cam sites around.

Other than the beautiful stars and modern interface, there’s not much about LiveJasmin that makes it stand out (except for the fact that they have a nice mobile option, but who wants to watch a cam girl on their cell phone?). It’s set up like many other cam sites and takes you through the same process and the features are the same. A nice perk though is the fact that LiveJasmin caters to every type of gender and sexuality, giving it a distinctly diverse library of models and streams to choose from.

Pros:

Beautiful recognizable models
Mobile option
Range of genders, sexualities, and kinks

Cons:

No amateur option

10.  CamSoda: Cam girls with the best personalities

CamSoda operates like most cam sites do. There are free rooms that you can enter to view live adult cam shows, but if you want the women to do anything specific during the show, you will need to spend. However, CamSoda is really affordable. This is because the models don’t charge you per minute. It’s based solely on your donations.

The one drawback to CamSoda is their pricing structure. Most cam sites will allow you to enter free cam shows, but not before informing you of what you should tip the model or what each naughty activity costs. Getting a girl to perform a desired sexual act is going to require linking up with the other guys in the chat and pooling that money until the model’s “goal” is reached. Each model comes up with a different money goal per show and tries to seduce the viewers into paying up. You can’t blame them; camming is their job.

Private shows aren’t really a thing on CamSoda. However, the models on this cam site are very interactive. They actually pay a lot of attention to the chat as their show is live and they make you feel like you are actually in the room with them while they are performing. People have complained before that some models on CamSoda talk too much or spend too much time replying to their fans.

Pros:

Interactive models with personality
Caters to a variety of fetishes

Cons:

The models don’t list their prices per naughty activity

11.  Cams.com: Cam site with a teledildonics option

Cams.com is one of the more unique and advanced cam sites on this list. You might not know it by just visiting their website because initially, it looks like your average cam site. There are free shows that you can enter and you have the ability to filter by model, body type, and gender. This is one of the few sex cam sites that contains female shows in addition to male shows, trans shows, and nonbinary shows. We find that to be a huge plus as it caters to a much wider audience of viewers.

Cams.com is not only ahead of the game in terms of their diversity, but they are also very technologically advanced. If you are someone who watches a lot of VR porn, you are familiar with the term teledildonics. In VR, teledildonics are bluetooth sex toys that synch up to what you are watching. For the purposes of cams, it allows you to control the sex toy that the performer is using, which is insanely cool and futuristic! It brings an entirely new level to cam shows and makes you feel like you are intimately interacting with a model right there in the room with them.

This cam site is one where you have to pay by the minute, which can get really pricey if you plan on spending a lot of time on the site. Yes, there are free shows, but they aren’t all that good. It’s worth checking out the paid ones though because of all the unique features.

Pros:

Teledildonics!
Advanced search function
Diverse models

Cons:

If you aren’t in it for the teledildonics, there are better options

12.  XCams: Diverse Euro models

XCams is a special cam site for folks who have eyes for European cam models. They flourish on XCams, though it’s a lesser-known site than the rest. It’s surprising that it flies under the radar because there are always so many models available at any given time for anyone to watch.

Diversity is the name of the game over at XCams. While they feature tons of Europeans, these models are really diverse in their backgrounds, performance styles, and kinks that they love to get into. It’s fun to browse through the thumbnails of videos on the XCams homepage because you get a peek at all the unique shows they have to offer.

Each model decides what you’ll pay for a show. Before you commit, you’ll be shown a preview, told where the model is from, and told how many credits you’ll need to pay for your time. You will get 25 free credits just for signing up, which will give you about five minutes on average.

Pros:

Beautiful diverse cam girls
Very kinky
Great previews for private shows

Cons:

Models operate on an expensive price-per-minute structure
Small amount of free credits when you sign up

13.  Streamate: Most options

If you’re after quantity, Streammate is a good option. There are literally thousands of models online at any given time when you head over to the site. It doesn’t matter if it’s during your 12 PM lunch break or after midnight, this site is always busy. It’s the cam site that never sleeps.

The Streamate performers also love to please. Truthfully, it’s because they want to be tipped well, but you can rest assured that any model you watch on Streamate will work very hard to earn your affection. They are very engaging, personable, and (of course) sexy.

Streamate is a no-frills site that takes you straight to the action. It doesn’t need all the bells and whistles because it provides a large amount of really great shows. You can use their simple and intuitive search function to filter your options, making Streamate one of the easiest sex cam sites to navigate. And their filtering options get really specific, so you can find exactly what turns you on. There is also a “Newcomer” section for the viewers who love to watch fresh talent or want to discover new models.

Pros:

Thousands of models to choose from
Amateurs and professionals available

Cons:

This site has a lot of annoying ads
Outdated web design

14.  LuckyCrush: A combo of a cam site and Chatroulette

LuckyCrush is a cam girl site that randomly matches you with flirty ladies. It’s newer, but it has managed to attract millions of users on a monthly basis. People like to say that LuckyCrush is a healthy mix of a cam site and a random chat site like Chatroulette. It’s probably what you wished Chatroulette could be when you were too young to know about cam sites. Men and women are randomly paired for an erotic video chat.

LuckyCrush is confident in its unique model, which is why it offers first-time male visitors a brief free trial. After that, you will need to purchase credits to enjoy the site. Women come to LuckyCrush hoping to make money, so stocking up a little bit will do you some good.

Because LuckyCrush is totally random, you might be paired up with a hottie who is on the other side of the world. Don’t worry if you don’t speak her language. LuckyCrush has a built-in translation feature that makes it easy to communicate with models from all over the world. It’s an exciting approach to cam shows.

Pros:

Personally meet models from all over the world
Exclusively private shows

Cons:

You can’t filter or search
Not for everyone

15.  StripChat: Interactive stripteases

StripChat is a cam site with some special perks. On the surface, it’s a way to view beautiful live stripteases performed by stunning models. Some of them just like to strip and others take it up a notch by displaying naughty activities. In that regard, it’s a little different from your average sex cam site. You can check out the videos for free and tip the models, like you normally would. These tips are given in the form of tokens, which you will need to purchase beforehand.

The women on StripChat are not amateurs. They are women who seem to fit right into the porn industry. They really know what they are doing and they are fantastic at putting on a show for an audience. This is also a site that sadly caters exclusively to the male gaze. In other words, there isn’t any real gender diversity unless you head over to their couples section. However, everything, including the lesbian scenes, seems to be shot exclusively for purely heterosexual males.

What separates StripChat from the crowd is their VR feature. Now, if you don’t have a pair of VR goggles, you are going to want to stop reading because this next part is going to make you really jealous. StripChat’s VR function allows you to throw on a headset and opt in for a private show from one of their pretty performers. It takes live interaction to new heights and is a deeply satisfying cam experience. The videos are in HD, so you won’t miss a thing!

Pros:

HD stripteases
VR features
Professional cam girls

Cons:

Sometimes, you only get a striptease

16.  BongaCams: Affordable, transparent

On the surface, BongaCams likes to pretend that it’s a free cam site full of women, couples, and trans people. If you’ve made it this far in reading cam reviews, you won’t be surprised to learn that every site is going to squeeze some coin out of you at some point. That’s just how these things work. But BongaCams isn’t going to suck you dry by charging per minute. Their models make a living based on their tips, and you are going to eventually want to tip them through the token payment structure.

The good thing about the BongaCams pricing setup is that there are really no surprises. When you enter a free live show, you are shown a list of the models prices per a given activity. For instance, erotic play between two beautiful lesbian models might cost you 100 tokens. You’ll be informed of everything up front, which helps you figure out which shows are worth watching based on your personal preference and what you can afford. You can also try your luck at jumping into a show and mooching off the other viewers who will send tips, but it might test your patience.

BongaCams delivers incredible shows but doesn’t provide many private show options. In the end, BongaCams is a pretty predictable cam site with a token system and great performers. You’ll find a lot of new girls on this site too, because it’s very welcoming to girls who want to get into camming for the first time.

Pros:

Very transparent about price
Great site design

Cons:

Not great for private shows

17.  BabeStation: Huge UK cam site

BabeStation has been around for nearly two decades and is the biggest cam site for UK models. Of all the cam sites, BabeStation is not one that you want to breeze past because it has a lot to offer.

Most sites that have been around for as long as BabeStation have pretty much nailed the cam girl experience. This will become clear to you immediately upon visiting the site. Rather than staring at a bunch of thumbnails, you’ll be plopped into a live show right away. You can of course exit and search for a show that’s a bit more your flavor, but it’s nice to know that you can freely view HD cam shows from the jump.

One thing that BabeStation is missing is an easy way for new visitors to browse and filter. Most of the models are great, but this site isn’t designed to cater to unique fetishes because it’s hard to navigate. Some of the performers are also a little dry. They will sometimes just keep their camera on while they go about mundane tasks, which is more of a voyeuristic experience than an interactive cam show.

BabeStation does offer a ton of promotions at any given time, making it feel very affordable when you decide that you do want to tip a model.

Pros:

Biggest UK cam site
Can actually watch shows for free

Cons:

Not an easy site to navigate
Some performers lack engagement or personality

How to Have the Best Adult Cam Site Experience

If you’re brand new to cam sites, you might feel a bit lost. There are a lot of them, and they’re not all worth your time. Check out the following four tips to ensure that you end up on the best sites and have a great experience. 

Browse before you buy

Do you buy a car without test driving it? Do you buy a house without seeing it first? When it comes to spending your hard-earned money, it’s always good to avoid wasting it. And a good way to throw away your money is to start spending a ton of it on cam sites.

Your best bet is to browse around some of the top cam sites before you sign up for any subscriptions, premium memberships, etc. Many cam sites can even be browsed for free—even the biggest one, Chaturbate. So, it’s recommended to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the various sites out there before spending any cash. 

Privilege quality over quantity

There are some sites with thousands of cam models who are active at any given time. Yet, all those choices may be overwhelming, and it might feel like finding a needle in a haystack to find something of high quality. So, you might be better off finding a site with fewer models but with a higher percentage of fun and engaged and attractive ones.

That said, the biggest cam sites like Chaturbate give you different filtering options and the default is to show you the cammers with the largest number of viewers. This generally means that you can find high quality content without having to look too far. 

Stick to the big names

Camming has exploded in recent years. As you might expect, there’s been a lot of people trying to get a slice of the pie. Tons of cam sites have popped up, and not all of them are created equal—in fact, it’s not even close.

To avoid getting scammed and wasting your money and/or time, stick to the biggest names in the camming world—sites like Chaturbate and MyFreeCams, for example. 

Participate to maximize the experience

Cam sites are all about participation. This is what inherently separates them from regular porn sites. If no one participated—neither chatting nor giving any tips—the cam site wouldn’t exist. The models depend on tips for it to be worth their while, and the chatting helps keep things fun and engaging. 

So, don’t be shy to participate. You might find that it really enhances your overall experience, especially if you tip to get into private shows. Otherwise, you might as well just stick to regular porn. 

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The 13+ Best Adult Cam Sites of 2023 Read More »