Boat Week is a week-long boating celebration along the Emerald Coast, that rounds out with The Emerald Coast Poker Run. These events are orchestrated by the Emerald Coast Foundation, an organization that supports children's charities and youth organizations in Okaloosa County. Jun 18, 2019 2019 Bahamas Poker Run Photo Gallery The Bahamas Poker Run was a SOLD OUT event as guests joined for an incredible adventure from Florida to the Bahamas. With accommodations at the luxurious Resorts World Bimini Resort and multiple in-water activities, this is an event you don't want to miss!
Decades ago, motorcycle rally organizers were looking for something to make their events more compelling for participants. The novelty of simply getting together a large group for a long ride had worn off. Organizers needed a bigger and better hook.
But what if, they surmised, the long ride had several stops and at each stop participants picked up a playing card before riding to the next one—all with the goal of coming away with best five-card stud poker hand in the group? And what if the holder of that hand—or the top three holders of the top three hands—came away with some kind of prize?
Would that add to enhance the fun of the rally? The answer was a definitive yes and the popularity of motorcycle rallies with poker-run format skyrocketed. So it was only natural they would find their way into the go-fast powerboating world, and that was exactly what happened in the early 1990s when Canadian Bill Taylor founded Poker Runs America and launched a series of events. By the end of the decade, Stu Jones, another Canadian who had immigrated to the United States, founded the Florida Powerboat Club, which launched its own series of poker runs.
Though Poker Runs America still exists and produces events, their popularity and attraction have faded. The Florida Powerboat Club is still thriving, though—as you'd guess from the name of the outfit—all of its poker runs are in the Sunshine State. But the larger poker-run growth segment of the last 20 years by far has come from local, volunteer organizers who produce events to raise money for worthy causes. From the three-year-old 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run in Upstate New York to the Boyne Thunder Poker Run, which will celebrate its 17th anniversary, one-off events are the hottest tickets in the poker-run world.
Poker-run newbies come with plenty of questions, as they should. What follows are the five most common queries from poker run novices—and the most simple and basic answers.
Poker Runs: Frequently Asked Questions
Is my boat big enough for a poker run?
A quick review of a website covering the high-performance powerboating world (such a speedonthewater.com, as a good example), would lead you to believe that if your boat isn't at least 30 feet long it has no business in a poker run. And while there are a lot of the boats much bigger than that at most poker runs, smaller vessels are more than welcome at most events.
That said, shorter runs in protected water are a better fit for smaller-boat owners. The Florida Powerboat Club's Key West Poker Run, for example, covers 200 miles, a portion of which is in the open Atlantic Ocean. For a 20-foot sportboat, that likely would be much too tall of an order. But the relatively short Old Hickory Poker Run, which is moving from Nashville to Chattanooga this year, on the Tennessee River would be ideal.
Is my boat fast enough for a poker run?
No matter what kind of powerboat you own, the answer is yes because poker runs are not races and were never intended to be. The more you get into the events, the more you'll hear organizers emphasize this. Historically speaking, bad things happen when people start racing in poker runs. If you want to race, buy an offshore raceboat built for the job and join a circuit with the requisite safety assets for racing. Poker runs are social events on open public waterways. They are not races.
How much does it cost to enter a poker run?
Poker-run entry fees vary greatly from event to event depending on location, amenities and more. But expect to pay anything from $100 to $800 to enter. If you participate in a destination poker run where the fleet travels to a location and stays there overnight (or multiple nights) lodging and dock fees will be separate from your entry fee.
Is drinking allowed during a poker run?
All reputable poker run organizers strictly prohibit captains from consuming alcoholic beverages while the run is underway. That means captains are not allow to drink at lunch or fuel stops—'just one beer' is one too many, and if the offending party is caught in the act he or she will be booted from the event, and likely all future events, by the organizer.
As for passengers, they are generally allowed to consume alcoholic beverages outside of their vessels, meaning at the lunch stop. But as a captain, you absolutely have the right to tell your passengers not to drink—and it's a solid strategy in the event something goes wrong during the day—during the event. As the person at the helm and responsible for the safety of everyone on board, the last thing you need is an inebriated passenger when it comes time to dock, much less respond to an on-water incident if needed.
Something else worth noting? Reputable poker-run organizers will require you to show your title and your current insurance policy when you register for their events. And while that can seem like 'a hassle,' you should far and fast away from any organizer who does not ask for these documents, as that organizer likely is running an insured event.
Just one more thing: Wearing personal flotation deviceswhile underway is mandatory for all captains and passengers at all properly insured poker runs. If a poker run you're considering has no such requirement, find another event to support.
Finding a Poker Run Near Me
At present, there is no master list of domestic poker runs. Here again, a search on an online portal such as speedonthewater.com or offshoreonly.com would prove useful. But here's a quick list of 10 of the most popular poker runs in the United States:
You Might Also Like:
Editor's Note: All photos by Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.
September 7, 2019 @ 9:00 am - September 8, 2019 @ 12:00 am
Don't Miss The Most Popular Event on Lake Cumberland – Lake Cumberland Poker Run happens SEPTEMBER 6-8, 2019!
Combining the raw fury of over 150 of the country's meanest & fastest powerboats with the fun & energy of Mardi Gras, this year's Poker Run is sure to be the best one yet! Famous as one of the largest and most popular Poker Run, the Lake Cumberland Poker Run is definitely one of the most exciting events of the year! Be sure to secure your lodging in advance! A full list of Lake Cumberland cabins, hotels & lakeside accommodations can be found at LakeCumberlandVacation.com.
We want to make this poker run not only the best ever, but also the best in the USA! But we can't do it without you. We guarantee you'll be talking about this one for a long time! Click the links below for lots more info! This year we'll have more boats, more sponsors and more fun! The only thing missing is you! All times are Central Time. For additional information, call the Lake Cumberland State Dock at 270-343-2525.
Friday Night:
The party begins! We will have live entertainment on Friday starting at 8 pm – 12 am.
Can't forget the hydrolift has been converted to a dance floor in addition to the Party Barges.
Saturday:
9:00 AM Drivers Meeting. Attendance is mandatory for all drivers participating in the Poker Run. You get the 1st Card at the Drivers Meeting.
10:00 AM Lake Cumberland Poker Run. *Watch for details regarding the 2019 Poker Run Course!
Just one more thing: Wearing personal flotation deviceswhile underway is mandatory for all captains and passengers at all properly insured poker runs. If a poker run you're considering has no such requirement, find another event to support.
Finding a Poker Run Near Me
At present, there is no master list of domestic poker runs. Here again, a search on an online portal such as speedonthewater.com or offshoreonly.com would prove useful. But here's a quick list of 10 of the most popular poker runs in the United States:
You Might Also Like:
Editor's Note: All photos by Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.
September 7, 2019 @ 9:00 am - September 8, 2019 @ 12:00 am
Don't Miss The Most Popular Event on Lake Cumberland – Lake Cumberland Poker Run happens SEPTEMBER 6-8, 2019!
Combining the raw fury of over 150 of the country's meanest & fastest powerboats with the fun & energy of Mardi Gras, this year's Poker Run is sure to be the best one yet! Famous as one of the largest and most popular Poker Run, the Lake Cumberland Poker Run is definitely one of the most exciting events of the year! Be sure to secure your lodging in advance! A full list of Lake Cumberland cabins, hotels & lakeside accommodations can be found at LakeCumberlandVacation.com.
We want to make this poker run not only the best ever, but also the best in the USA! But we can't do it without you. We guarantee you'll be talking about this one for a long time! Click the links below for lots more info! This year we'll have more boats, more sponsors and more fun! The only thing missing is you! All times are Central Time. For additional information, call the Lake Cumberland State Dock at 270-343-2525.
Friday Night:
The party begins! We will have live entertainment on Friday starting at 8 pm – 12 am.
Can't forget the hydrolift has been converted to a dance floor in addition to the Party Barges.
Saturday:
9:00 AM Drivers Meeting. Attendance is mandatory for all drivers participating in the Poker Run. You get the 1st Card at the Drivers Meeting.
10:00 AM Lake Cumberland Poker Run. *Watch for details regarding the 2019 Poker Run Course!
After Lunch boats leave at their leisure (no organized start)
6:30 PM Cards must be turned in at State Dock
Saturday Night Entertainment:
8:00 pm a live performer at State Dock
The dance floor will also be in full swing!
Where do I Park my boat at State Dock? – The 2 rows normally used for the rental houseboats are not available for public parking. The first row is being utilized as Boatel Row and will have over 40 houseboats (boatels) for the Poker Run participants. The other row is reserved for boats entered in the Poker Run only. You must have a Poker Run Decal on the boat to park on this row. This will be strictly enforced. The other common areas of state dock are available for parking. Along the walk ways, etc. Fuel piers should be kept clear except after the ships store closes and we stop selling fuel. Late at night you can park there. NO SMOKING ON THE FUEL PIERS
What does it cost? – There is no charge to visit the docks and check out all of the incredible boats. Beginning at 6:00 PM a wrist band will be required to enter the boatel and entertainment areas. Wrist bands for both nights entertainment are $30 or $20 for one night.
Water Patrol and Law Enforcement: – The law enforcement agencies are always on high alert for the Poker Run. They will be patrolling the harbor on Friday and Saturday nights and normally have patrols and road blocks on Park Road. If you drink, don't drive. Also, please keep all drinks in a cup or Coozie. Otherwise, you are drawing attention to yourself and asking for trouble.
Poker Run 2019 Boat Sinks Manufacturers
Kid Friendly? – You must be 21 or accompanied by a parent to enter the boatel row and entertainment area. The parties and entertainment at night are not an appropriate place for children.
Where Should I go to view the Poker Run? – You can view the Poker Run anywhere between Burnside Marina and Grider Hill Marina. The boats will be east of State Dock between 10:00 and 12:00 and West of Wolf Creek after lunch. PLEASE STAY OUT OF THE MAIN CHANNEL and give the Poker Runners a safe area to run. Also, PLEASE KEEP WAKES TO A MINIMUM when boats are in the area. Big cruiser rollers can be dangerous for the Poker Run boats.
Poker Run 2019 Boat Sinks Reviews
More Information? see http://www.lakecumberlandpokerrun.net/
