Hey all! I am so stoked that so many of the amazing Steemians who I consider friends are on this list or involved in some way!! You all deserve every accolade, every positive **thing!** Congratulations!

I'm going to throw my vote in for @spl and @nicnas, as so many others have already done. @SPL (Steem Poker League) was my gateway into Steemit; the first place I found on Steemit where I felt welcome, the first place I made friends and started to understand the concept of a Steemit Community. 

You may not be aware, however @spl is funded by the Steemit Community  who vote on the blogs content.  Payouts are generated by an algorithm called 'Proof of Brain' that encourages people to create and curate quality content... all while interacting and creating relationships - creating *community* - on Steemit.

@SPL has rather stringent rules on who may or may not play on www.lucksacks.com. Those rules include:
> * Having a presence on Steemit; interacting, having valid blog posts, etc
> * Earned a reputation above 30
> * Verifiable Introduction post identifying you as a viable individual on Steemit

I truly feel like most of the Community in the @SPL love the interaction and the camaraderie  we find there. I know that having more funding will help @spl continue to host the free tournaments that are currently available, as well as be able to grow and support the community that surrounds it. 
_______

As for @nicnas, he was the first friend I made on Steemit, and it was at the poker table. He is now one of my best friends; my partner and my confidant. 

Since @nicnas joined Steemit, he has been involved in countless communities, from his early work with the Minnow Support Project, to the Buddhist Community, from @spl to @buildawhale as Chief Curator and finally as Co Founder of @ccasino, he helps everyone he comes into contact with with an open heart, kindness and humor.

I sincerely hope you will take a good look at my suggestions. I'm available to chat on Discord or on Steemit.chat as @bethalea.

Thank you all for this great idea to help counteract the spammy, vote-selling nonsense that has gotten way out of hand on Steemit. I'm excited for the positive change!

xo,

b.