Survey: Favorite aspect of an online community (Chance to win SBR swag)

**Optional** · 04-05-25, 06:34 AM

The personal connections is what made SBR the strong community it was imho.

The bashes and other real life events and get togethers we used to have cemented a lot of relationships I think.

I think SBR and Covers could bring that back to life in an economically justifiable way.

The old style player advocacy was another big part of the SBR success. I'd like to see us get back to more focus on that.

**trytrytry** · 04-05-25, 10:07 AM

the best thing is breaking news. twitter maybe best as you can search a term and most recent and wee what is being reported. have to be careful to look at info carefully but that is great. if serious sports stuff before twitter some of the great forums like this one was the place for fastest breaking news

**unde0087** · 04-05-25, 11:47 AM

I 2nd Opti on the personal connections. In all the years I have been at SBR I have built up many relationships. Even though many have left SBR, for whatever reason, I still talk or text with many of them on a daily or weekly basis. When I first started SBR it was all about gambling and it turned into somewhere I got to share in others lives like taking vacations with others or just going to meet other like minded individuals.

I think Andy is doing a great job with contests but I would like to see the return of things like SBR fantasy football leagues. I mean those were a great time. Those were fun and it really brought members together. These contests are nice but you don't get the interaction like with things like FF leagues.

A perfect example of the connection is when I first got out of rehab for severe alcohol abuse things were tough. Another member started a thread about being an alcoholic so I posted my story in that thread. Just from being on the site for so long many knew I struggled with it but I never knew how deep the so called SBR bond was until this. I logged in the next day and I had numerous long time members that had PMed me and shared their stories. I had members calling or texting me, that I had never talked to outside of SBR but they got my number from others just to reach out.

Now that is why I have always said I started at this place, this is the first and only forum I became a member, and I will end at this place. SBR might not be what it once was but it had (and still has) some damn great people and that is what this place is to me.

**Ian** · 04-05-25, 02:26 PM

The contests, interpersonal connections, and thoughtful discussion about gambling & other topics are the best.

I agree with Optional that the bashes & player advocacy were both great and if financially feasible I'd like to see them come back.

**str** · 04-05-25, 04:44 PM

The horse racing section has become a fairly close knit group. I have had the good fortune of having a 14 year running thread in there. So many fans of the game that I hope I have shown things to, that most do not see. Things most gamblers have never heard or understood. It keeps me involved in a game that was a career for a long time.
There is no greater satisfaction for me than being able to point out something subtle that occurred last race that compromised a horses chances and watch that horse drastically improve in their next start typically at nice odds.
I really enjoy giving back to fans that are interested in seeing more. It keeps me somewhat involved in the game where if not for this platform, I would most likely not be.
SBR provided me that opportunity. It’s been a blast.

**Easy-Rider 66** · 04-06-25, 05:49 AM

Originally posted by str

The horse racing section has become a fairly close knit group. I have had the good fortune of having a 14 year running thread in there. So many fans of the game that I hope I have shown things to, that most do not see. Things most gamblers have never heard or understood. It keeps me involved in a game that was a career for a long time.
There is no greater satisfaction for me than being able to point out something subtle that occurred last race that compromised a horses chances and watch that horse drastically improve in their next start typically at nice odds.
I really enjoy giving back to fans that are interested in seeing more. It keeps me somewhat involved in the game where if not for this platform, I would most likely not be.
SBR provided me that opportunity. It’s been a blast.

Yeah STR well said. You have shown me a new way to look at the horse game. I appreciate all the time you have put in. And like you said it keeps you involved in the game by giving back some of your knowledge and insights. Keep up the good works. Thx again.

**Mac4Lyfe** · 04-06-25, 11:56 PM

I really enjoyed members writeups of plays. There used to be a lot of discussion around games and people didn’t abuse those posters. I’d like to see more discussion, maybe find ways to encourage people to post their plays/opinions.

**frankzig** · 04-07-25, 09:30 AM

enjoy peoples insights into different events,learn about different people ,interactions. contests are nice

**BradytheK9** · 04-07-25, 05:46 PM

Remember how you felt RIPPING SPORTS CARD pks / boxes open when you were a kid? Hoping to pull certain card(s) you wanted all season. You prob asked mom/dad just for that one card instead of getting any bday & xmas gifts that year!
Now imagine seeing the reaction from a youngster when they actually do pull "that card", they're shocked for sec, then few tears, then they go berserk & run around waving the card to show anyone else around them, likely bending it too lol. Just about brings tears to the eyes of the adults too.

MY FAVORITE TOPICS FORUMS are people posting about OPENING SPORTS CARD Pks/Boxes & BEST CARDS PULLED. If the nostalgia doesn't get to you, people's reactions will def put a smile on your face!!

**wquine** · 04-08-25, 08:58 AM

What I actually think vs what I participate in seem to diverge. To me it makes sense using something like discord to have more immediately conversations and although I engage a little bit on that platform it seems like most of us at SBR are a little more old school a prefer the slower forum format. Most of us are from a different generation, while I'm open to using somehting like Discord, telegram and the like I think that still most of us are just more comfortable with things not changing too much.

I think chalkline is a good platform, just be nice to be able to add a little more personality to it somehow...

**SBR Andy** · 04-11-25, 11:53 AM

Some great feedback in here so far guys.

Anything else come to mind from other communities that resonates with you?

Appreciate the contributions!

**SBR Andy** · 2025-04-30T17:23:46+00:00

Thanks all for taking the time to share your thoughts and feedback here. Will definitely take some inspiration from here and try to incorporate some aspects into future SBR community initiatives where possible.

Congrats to Mac4Lyfe who is the lucky draw winner and will receive a new SBR hoodie! I will reach out via PM to get your details.

As always, please feel free to post any other ideas that come to mind in the Site Suggestions & Updates Forum.

**Eddy Munny** · 2025-04-30T17:31:52+00:00

Originally posted by Mac4Lyfe

I really enjoyed members writeups of plays. There used to be a lot of discussion around games and people didn’t abuse those posters. I’d like to see more discussion, maybe find ways to encourage people to post their plays/opinions.

Lakerboy said writeups are meaningless and stupid.

"On it" is the new writeup.

**Easy-Rider 66** · 2025-04-30T19:59:59+00:00

Originally posted by Eddy Munny

Lakerboy said writeups are meaningless and stupid.

"On it" is the new writeup.

JV the man with a plan?