A lot of people have
asked me how to put on a poker run so, to save time, I've put this
page up for general use. As a disclaimer, I'm no expert so if
you have any suggestions or corrections, please send them to me.
I don't guarantee I'll use them, but I do promise to read them.
First,
what is a poker run? In its simplest form, it is a form of competition
in which, at each of five (or seven) stops, the competitor draws a
card from a standard 52-card deck, the card drawn is marked on a score
cardand, at the end of the run, the resultant stud poker hands
are ranked, and the best hand wins. Beyond that, the variations
are boundless.
In anlinear poker run, the first card is
drawn at the point of registration, three (or five) others are drawn
at intermediate stops, and the final is usually drawn at the stop
where the winners are determined and prizes awarded (andgreat
amounts of beer is consumed(okay, it's not necessary but I'm the one
writing this)).
Another variation is to have registration and the first
card drawn at any of the stops and all converge at the final stop...OR....have
more than five stops and cards drawn, and have the ability to discard
unwanted ones...OR...begin and end the run at the same location and
have three (or more) intermediate stops. As I said before, the
variations are boundless.
The purpose of most poker runs is fund-raising,
whether for the benefit of a charity or to buy the promoter a new
scooter...but usually charity. In most cases, the prize amounts
are dependant upon the total amount raised through registration fees.
A common split is for 50% to be distributed to the participants, and
50% to the charity. If more than one prize is to be paid out,
it isusally expressed as a percentage of the total raised, such as
25% to first place, 15% to second and 10% to the third best hand.
Again, there are no hard and fixed rules, but these are suggestions
and , hey, YOU'RE the one running the poker run!
The logistics of a poker run are not
very difficult.First, though, make certain the stops will
be available at the time the run is to take place. It is rather
disconcerting to arrive at a stop, expecting to draw a card and drink
a cold one, and find they aren't open. Second, make certain
the stop WANTS to be a stop onthe poker run. Third, make
certain there is someone there with a full deck of cards (AND a means
of marking the score card), at the appointed time. Finally,
make sure you have someone at the final stop who knows poker to rank
the score cards. You don't want a fight over who the winner
is.
It's a good idea to start registration fairly close to the
time of the first bike out. First out time should be determined
by what time the first intermediate stop is available and manned.
The last-out time should be early enough that the participants can
safely and comfortably complete the course by the last-in time.
Winners should be determined and prizes awarded shortly after the
last-in time.
Okay, that's the real
basic version for the uninitiated. As I've mentioned above,
there are innumerable variations and combinations, as well as automobile
and boat versions, so don't innundate me with e-mails that I've left
something out. Take the basics and run with it.
The main thing is to have fun!
