What is it about poker runs?
 

Ive been interested in doing one since I got my Dominator. I always assumed it was just a fun day on the water and a chance to meet other boaters and mingle. Even win a little bit of money (by chance).. But after looking into it, theres a LOT of people that take these runs VERY seriously and have dedicated a LOT of money and resources to them. Whats the allure of it? Is there money to be made in these events, I mean, enough to put together a TEAM? I dont understand it all.

Am I missing something, I thought everyone just went to different card stops and picked up a card and at the end of the day whoever had the best hand wins (vague, i know)..

Care to point out what Im missing here?

Poker runs are not for everyone.Personaly i like being able to meet people from allover the country and see all the hardware:D

Do one and see what you are missing. Have fun and be safe.

You just have to do them to understand. I missed Jax. this past weekend because of work. I kicked myself in the azz after seeing the pics and not going. I have to say it is more about the Love. The amount of people that come from all walks of life to participate is astounding. Boats are the one common bond that makes us all good friends for the weekend and beyond. The money is nice, but it is like going to the casino. You may go twenty times and win once! Just enjoy the company.

No money to be made even if you win a big event like Key West with Florida Powerboat Club (10K cash prize if I recall correctly). Figure an event will cost you a minimum of 1K for an event you need to travel to requiring an overnight stay.

I know people that have complete rigs just for poker runs (truck, trailer, boat, bikes etc). It is just like anything else, some people have the devotion (time and resources) to take it to the max. FL events seem to attract a lot of hardware since it is also a nice year round vacation destination.

The best thing I have gotten out of it other than meeting some really cool people from all walks of life is that I got a chance to run my boat in places I may not have travelled to without the poker run.

So define Poker Run Teams

Maybe a couple or a group of guys that get together for a run Driver, Money, Tech, etc... You might also have two people that get together to cover the expenses. You have to remember that some of these toys are a major investment. So who has the next bad azz toy.

you've pretty much got the idea here...the only part you left out is that every now and again during one of these so called poker runs, you'll wind up with one boat trying to pass another boat and next thing you know its almost like watching a race :evilb: and you're pretty likey to see some nice hardware :drink:

After you spend the day running your boat with alot of other guys you get to go party with several hundred other boater and get wild. The rest is just icing....our run has "awards" for most festive, farthest traveled, and the VERY popular Victoria Secrets award (just use you imagination!!!). As part of you entry alot of prizes are handed out, freebies at the start, and a video of your boat from the helicopter.

Basically; you have two kinds of Poker Runs.

BIG DOLLAR Poker Runs with folks that bring in multi-million dollars worth of equipment, teams, trailers, helicopters, etc. etc. A banquet with a pretty elaborate setup over the whole weekend is pretty much the norm.

Then you have the ones where 50-100 boats get together for a big fat party with a little bit of boating in the middle.

You have to decide which is right for you, and then pursue attending one of those runs. I like to do a mixture of both, and it suits me perfectly.

I think the trend towards lower dollar "for selected charity" poker runs will continue to grow as well. I started a charity run about 15 yrs ago with all proceeds above costs being donated to a blind children's camp and a camp for kids with cancer. The reception for that type of run was very warm indeed. We now have several charity runs per season here in Southern Ontario and the trend is growing. Its a great reason to get together with friends and go boating for the day. None of the really big poker run biggus ****us stuff. Just a group of go fasters having a day together on the water, a meal and a party afterwards. Some runs have only 25 or so boats, some 2 to 3 times that number. Very friendly atmosphere. Everyone knows its not about personal gain, its about raising money and awareness for the chosen charity. We did one for the Heart and Stroke Foundation last weekend. Lots of nice hardware, great people, a fun run and party and tons of laughs. These types of Poker runs I really enjoy.

The big dollar / big show runs are what some prefer. BTDT for several years. Its just not as much fun for me anymore.

You need to go test the waters and see what type of event you enjoy. Its all good, just play safe.

I think you need to try one. There is a broad mix of people running boats at various levels of investment. Groups naturally break out based on speed and driving ability, so you would not be left out. Everyone mixes in once you hit the dock. They are fun and usually for a great cause. Don't let the term "Team" discourage you. Feel free to pick your definition....

a cooperative unit

two or more draft animals that work together to pull something form a team; "We teamed up for this new project"

an organized group of dancers who rehearse and perform together. Also known as a side. Teams may be all-male, all-female, or mixed. There is a certain amount of carping about which of these formats is traditional, and therefore "correct."

A team comprises any group of people or animals linked in a common purpose. A group in itself does not necessarily constitute a team.

a team is a group generally selected like a working group, but often with sharply defined roles, either cooperative or collaborative.

Ok...to sum it up... Some brig a tape measure, if you catch my drift.... :eek:

There are different groups that go to PR's... The one's who bring the tape measure and the others who enjoy the day, the people and the events.

You don't have to bring a tape measure to go to a poker run. Go enjoy yourself and find the other guys who enjoy what you do!! :drink:

I'm going to use that some day....tape measure is a good analogy.
I've got a decent boat but don't need to be the center of attention. When our last PR started I was 1/4 mile behind the start swimming in the water with a few other friends. About 10 minutes after the start we climbed in the boats and headed to the first stop. Some consider it a race, I consider it a party!!!! Have fun and BE SAFE!!!!

People with the same passion getting together to share that passion ... there's not much mystery to it. A poker run is a rally with the added element of gaming tossed in for kicks. Sure, there's a remote chance you can win some money, but no one in his right mind actually goes to one expecting to win.

And though it's been said to death: No one in his right mind goes to a poker run to race.

A poker run "team" is just a bunch of friends in matching shirts, having a great time with each other. Obviously, it's not a team in the competitive sense. They're just having a good time, and if matching shirts and all the rest enhance that time, why not?

The fun they take seriously. But the actual winning of the event? Not so much. Great hardware, beautiful women and killer parties. What's not to love?

Well said.

I also think 'TAPE MEASURE' would make a great name for a boat... :D

This is a subject we need to kick back and discuss over a couple of cold ones:drink: It's all about being around the like minded people. Yes, you find the occasional douchebag, but that is rare.

It's about(and it pisses me off while they are doing it) people damn near stopping next to you on the interstate just to get a picture of your rig.

It's about people asking the dumbest questions that you've ever heard at gas stations. Last week I had MC's 44MTI Hammertime and this guy walks up and says "God that's got to be a 24 footer" or "that thing must of cost $50,000".

It's about running through the mangroves on the way to Key West like you are in a dream.

It's about walking down Duvall in Key West and from 2 blocks away someone screams "OU Want Some?!!" and you reply "OU Know it!!!"

It's about having dinner and drinks with Randy Scism, Mike Fiore, Skip Braver, or Trond.

It's about seeing and running with the finest hardware imaginable.

It's about getting the E-Dock crew together with the SBRT crew(when their junk runs long enough to show up:evilb: :drink: ) and talking smack over a few cocktails and having the time of our lives.

But most of all, it's about the people. We have met some of the best people in the country(from Canada to south Florida to California and everywhere in between) and consider them friends.

Bubba, first off great Analogy and how have you been??? That reminded me of when we met at Conch Republic in Key West two years ago, oh yeah and we were drinking......:D :evilb:

Been doing well, and we will see you soon! I'm sure glad that storm didn't roll in that day:eek:

That is one thing I left out. Putting faces with names from this board is PRICELESS!

Also on the way to Jax, I saw a lady trying to sneak a picture with a camera phone. I said hello and asked how she was doing, and she said fine and walked away. A minute later she comes back and asked if her son could get a picture with the boat. I say sure tell him to come over, so she wheels him out of her van and as soon as he saw the boat his face lit up like a Christmas tree! He got all excited and she got her pictures, and I gave him a Hammertime coozie and hopefully made his day a little brighter.

It's stuff like this that you do not get to experience with your boat sitting on the lift.

Perfect WarParty36.....

Tom

One time...at band camp, err I mean poker run.........

It's about being with 3-4 friends, running 60 mph, with 30 boats running side by side across Biscayne Bay, and thinking this is just the coolest day you've ever had boating :D

I've had as much fun (or more) cruising at 45 mph with a group of friends at the back as I have running with the lead pack. Just decide before you go that you're going to have fun, and you will.

Well said bro. Nothing beats the stories from the runs. You can meet someone on Friday morning and by Sunday have a friend for life. It's the only environment that I feel comfortable in (Besides Blue Martini of course :)). Good seeing everyone.

Ditto! It's about being with your friends, running 55-70MPH with 30-35 other boats (and some run 80+ so you're not in the front of the pack by any means).

It's leaving the first port and hearing the roar of 30+ boats.

It's seeing the faces of people standing at marinas taking picture after picture of 30+ fastboats all coming in at the same time, tieing off one another and row after row after row of beauty!

It's making friends, making memories and having a blast.

I would highly recommend a smaller run first personally. We are doing 1000 Island's this year. My husband has been boating for 10 years and me, 4 years. This will be our first big poker run from what we've been told. While I know we'll have a great time, I don't think it'll be anywhere near the fun we experience with the two poker runs we do in our area (thanks to Stevo and Scott!).

here is our team:drink: We are in it to see the real fast boats go by and party. Everyone is in it for a differnt reason, and like others have said each poker run is differnt, some bring out the big dogs with all the HP and some have a bit of that but a lot of the average joe's, been to both types and each has been fun.

Russ, must be some party if you drink like you did when Neil and i came down to look at the Tiger.....:rolleyes::eek::drink:

Like has already been stated,there are all types of Runs and all types of particpants, from the freindly folks that dont care your driving a slower/older/smaller boat, to the "tapemeasure" ones that look down on anyone who doesnt have a $500k 100+ mph monster.
Like any motorsport some people are always gonna take it to the extreme. Some poker runs IMHO have gone too far when the boats are running 140+ mph especially on lakes that are open to the public . Eventually one of these is gonna wreck into a family boat out for the day and end up having most poker runs banned or insured out of existence.

Hey bubba..thanks for the input.. That put it into perspective for me..I got to experience a lot of that on my way back from the Great Lakes towing the banana.. Ill be up at bruhouse tonite, you gonna make it out?

Ill definately be signed up for the next poker run that I can get involved with..

That's good stuff right there!:drink:

There is nothing like hearing a large group of performance boats nailing it for the first card stop. Even if you're at the back of the pack.
Seem's to me there are two kind's of Poker Run's.
1) You wear your Life Jacket the whole run, 'cause you're gonna run hard.
2) Wear the jacket to the first card stop, and cruise with some short burst on the way to the rest of the stops. You don't even have to make all the stops - they'll give you make up cards before dinner.

Have a good time, see the hardware, and everything else there is to see.
There is only one that is gonna be the fastest, and there is only one that is gonna win the Poker Hand. Highly unlikely they will be one in the same. Don't expect to be either of them. Just have a good and safe time on the water.

All the time....I pound those drinks like there water!!! :eek: :D

Exactly, it's all about fun and wet undies:evilb:

pouring fruity drinks down my buddys pants will only make the party better.... oh you have it coming to you punk, this year we own you.....

Poker Runs are like posting or lurking here. It makes you realize that almost all of the people that share our love for the sport are great, fun-loving adults. There are always a few bad apples......not mentioning any names(but it starts with M and rhymes with asher) :drink:

I have run at the front, and I have run in the middle. I have finished at the BACK because someone forgot to get gas.....:rolleyes:

I have never gone to an event and not come back thoroughly exhausted from the fun I have had. Sunburns, belly-aches from laughing, and rope burns from friends that can't dock straight all make for a great time.

Go to one sometime. You have access to some of the greatest people I know right there in Tulsa or on Grand Lake(except for that WarParty punk). :drink:

Hey, they just put me behind the wheel and say drive! Can't someone else check the fuel level? :)

Yes, and THAT person said we needed fuel.....:rolleyes: :drink:

There is one this weekend at Eufala. Usually a pretty good turn out. Nothing like Grand but I had a friend win $10,000 a couple years ago. Might be a good one to see how you like them.

i thought eufala was flooded reallly bad?? Im keepin the rig on the trailer this weekend.. theres telephone poles and **** floatin around on Grand right now...

MsPatriYacht...Is that picture of you guys on the St.Clair River? Looks like a familiar spot. What PR goes down the river? I spend my weekends on Gull Island/sandbars in the area. You guys going to be out this weekend?

That pretty much sums up Key West 05. My trip with the GLOC crew made lifetime memories.:drink: :D