2013 usvi poker run?
 

Sup fellas. So the idea came to me the other day on getting feedback from you guys on the possibility of Putting together an offshore USVI poker run. Need your ideas, feedback, and suggestions on whether or not it would be worth the effort, as well as tips to make it successfull.

For those of you that are familiar with the USVI, here is the idea for a possible route.

START: Coki Point ( Catch of the Day Beach Bar)
STOP 1: Yacht Haven Grande Marina
STOP 2 : Culebra or Vieques
STOP 3: Magen's Bay.
Stop 4: Wharf side Village St.John
Stop 5: Yacht Haven Grande Marina.

Just an idea. What are your thoughts??

Just a few thoughts to share. I think we all know that because of a lot of hard work the Leverick Bay, BVI poker run has grown to become a huge success. While they will be the granddaddy of them all, I believe there is probably room for a second event in the Islands and USVI is quite central. Looking at your list of stops, I see Culebra which no doubt would be interesting but think it involves a Customs and Immigration clearance and if so, that is a negative. Would it be best to confine it to just the USVI? Lots of great stops can be made without going "international". I had previously heard of plans for an event that would go east into BVI but again the same hassles w customs. As far as timing, what was the thinking on that? Again I "heard" possibly Labour Day weekend which will not work for Team PREDATOR but then we are just one boat and you need to do what works for the masses. We will have TP in the area from mid Feb until wrapping things up with the BVI pr on Memorial weekend.

All the best and good luck with it. Keep us posted on developments.

Bob

Sounds like it would be good fun. Bob makes a good point about Culebra/Viques about customs etc but out of curiosity, how long a run is that from Charlotte Amalie? I think you should plan to schedule it well away from the Leverick Bay run.

Good points fellas. The idea for Culebra was to give the course a longer leg. Around st.thimas is to short for it to be a good offshore event. The Culebra Leg offers bigger boats the oppourtiunity it's to open up for a longer period of time and have a full day event. As far as dates the first initial date idea was the fall of 2013 around thanksgiving or so about.

Culebra isn't international. It's still the US. So I'm preety sure customs shouldn't be an issue.
I'll research that.

I would like to consult with the folks at the leveric bay event in order to use their expertise. We want the event to be as successful.

Can someone put me on to the person In charge?

An event is already planned for fall of 2013....It was supposed to be fall of 2012 but the logistics were not complete due to the limited run of just st. thomas st. john. Since they are so short and not enough stopping areas it was put on hold. But negotiations on other options are nearly completed. Culebra was considered last year but culebra is 26 miles from downtown st. thomas. Seemes a little long for some of the smaller boats. More info will be available in late January early February.

Turbo, did I sit next to your wife today on Cape Air flight from San Juan to Tortola? She said her husband has a Powerplay. I think there are a couple of them around there so could have been someone else. Maybe nkosi.

Turbo

Touch base with me. I would like to help in any way I can to make it happen. I like the idea of Culebra cause it gives the larger boats a chance to open up in an offshore environment. This is good to hear .

I hope it was not mine she told me she was at church all day!!! Just kidding. It wasnt her. There are a few pp around mostly center consoles. I think I have the only 33 sportdeck around here.

LOL. Too funny. Looking forward to seeing all you guys this winter. I am out at Saba Rock now for a few days.

Bob

I hope it wasn't mine either. She was supposed to be at work all day. Not sure who that would have been.

You guys in the Islands need to do a better job of keeping track of your women. LOL

Wow, did this thread ever get off track. LOL Sorry.

Usvi poker run
 

Turbo, Any update on the plans for the USVI pokerun?

We are still on schedule for labor day weekend......We do not have a written agreement for a stop in the bvi yet but we are still hopefull. What is nearly confirmed is a new race series that will be held on the same weekend. It will be held on the waterfront like the carnival races. Inshore and Offshore (A real offshore!) Not a run around Hassell Island. When things are cemented I will give you alot more info!

Too bad the Patch is so small. We always have a good time there.

US side is so limited. Although Labor Day Sunday is a Big day In Coral Bay. That's Coral Bay's "Carnival." Talk about Sketchy Street Races!
Owen, the owner of Cases by the Sea has a big BBQ beach party in Round Bay on the East End of STJ. usually a band and stuff. If you're interested, you could probably involve him, and he'll set that stop up. Probably can use the KATS barge as a card stop. Tell em Mickey's son Angelo sent ya. JuJu, Puncher, Bucky, and Boopy would probably throw down too.

It is scheduled to have lunch in cruz bay....Do you think round bay could handle the traffic for lunch? Is there enough space to hold 100 boats? Dem man stop the races coral bay for about 2 years now....I used to have a hell of a time. Juju, Puncher, Bucky and Boopy is my boyz.....

We are waiting for the go ahead for the stops in bvi.. word is supposed to come down this week....everything is on hold for that.

they "stopped" the races lol. Its mostly bike man now. half of which is bob.

Round bay is big, and can handle traffic since there is no choke point, but there isnt a dock, you have to anchor and raft up. Its very calm, and you dont have all the BVI and stt ferries, or customs traffic. you can also have a pretty good competition; south side vs north side of stj.

Not sure how big the party is this year. i'm sure if its scheduled, you can get enough local food and drink for everyone. Cruz bay is a smaller bay, with alot more traffic, restrictions, and less leisure spots.

2014 poker run brainstorming
 

So we met with an event planning firm this week to start brainstorming process for a 2014 usvi poker run. The thought process is to be a host site for a national poker run organization, in which local boaters can participate. Reason for this is to get maximum exposure nationally in the interim. This is a massive undertaking due to logistics and timing. The ideas is to have it the week before of after the leverick bay run, whereas selling the concept of the "the two for one". In other words, US boaters could attend both poker runs for the trip. kinda like a package deal. We've reached out to them already and begun to explore their interest and concerns. We are working with the the tourism dept. and local sponsors. Ultimately the goal is to get the VI on the national poker run circuit. if anyone knows the info on the BVI organizers, it would be helpful. we would like to link with them on ideas and resources. Your thoughts and ideas are appreciated.

I have a room for 2 nights at the Bitter End that I did not use at last years run.
They will expire in a few months.
Don't think I can be down there by then.
Willing to sell

UPDATE! There will be no poker run done by us for 2013. According to the Virgin Islands Casino Commission it is prohibited as it is a game of chance and a form of gambling. An application is in for a variance (special permission) but as with everything it is taking a long time and it will not be approved in time for a 2013 run. It should be approved in time for a 2014 run. Didn't see that one coming! So next year here we come (hopefully)!

Im curious as to what angle you took that lead you to the VICC. Why is approval from them necessary if its a charitable event.

The potential sponsors and I wanted to make sure that it wasn't a violation of the rules since this is classified as a "game of chance". I went with the angle that it is for charity, and basically you can treat the payouts like a door price for participants. That didn't fly. We are working on getting a waiver. It is being pushed by someone who is very "influential" It is just not something that will happen in time to have the event this year. I am just about sure next year will be a reality. Everything was basically set for this year except for this. You don't want to know what hoops I had to jump through to get the coast guard clearance!

So you inquired to the casino commission as a proactive measure and they said this? It was. A violation of a written law in the Virgin Islands because there are payouts to participants? What coast guard clearance was needed?

I heard the other day that you guys did have the poker run after all. How did it go? How many boats? Stops? Any pix?

Heard it went ok. Was told that It had a 30-40 boat attendance. The hand was about 1200.,So is was told. On a related note.
The Official USVI Stars and Stripes 2014 Poker Run is set for July 6. The event will be staged from Downtown Charlotte Amalie. Cash Prize of 30,000. !
1st place $15,000, 2nd $10,000, 3rd $5000 and fourth and fifth place prizes as well. Also planned is a Huge downtown block party. Literally a Block! The web page and advertising will kick off in two weeks. You'll be able to sign up online and at designated sign up locations in St. thomas, St. Croix St John Tortola and PR. In the mean time check out the Face book page ( USVI Poker Run 2014 )