"Posting filler answers to a question in an effort to be first to answer",?

Question

The above statement appears in the Yahoo Terms of Service list . WHY would anyone WANT to be first to answer a question"? Do you get points fo it? My answers are always somewhat long and as such NEVER have the opportunity of being first so IF there IS a prize (like Pamela Anderson jumping out of my monitor screen) I've never experienced it.

Answer 1

Echinopsis has hit the nail on the head.  More often than not when a question is put to voting the first answer receives the most votes and therefore becomes the 'Best Answer'. As Echinopsis said, lots of people are on here just to gain points rather than to help others.  Sad really ! ! ! !

Answer 2

There is no price for posting the first answer. But some users are cheating, they wait for other users to post a good answer and then change their original answer accordingly. Of course if found out, those cheaters may not only loose a few points! Another reason for wanting to be the first answerer: when a question goes to voting, often the first answer gets most votes, no matter whether it's a good answer or not. Because there are always users who are mostly in it for the points and not for helping others...