Like the title says, when and where was the first poker run you attended and how did it affect you?

My first was around 2000. My brother Dave (XT-Innovator) just got a Baja 29 Outlaw, I think it was about a week old. He invited me on a poker run in Cleveland. I had no clue what to expect, but I was definately in. Turns out, its a Poker Runs America event. I remember driving up there (which was an adventure itself) thinking how badass it was to be showing up with a new boat thinking we were the big dogs. Turns out, we were one of the smallest boats entered and I saw boats that I didnt realize even existed! I bought a t-shirt from Bill Taylor, who at the time, I had no clue who he even was. Needless to say it was an amazing weekend and we were hooked after that! Hopefully I can dig up some pictures and maybe you'll see some familiar boats.

Lets hear your story!

I had heard about SCOPE for a year or so, and finally went to the SCOPE poker run in August of 1999. I had never done a poker run before, and it was a blast. There were about 130 boats and from what I know.....people jumped the start within the break water. As you can see......we snapped a photo because the harbor water turned into a washing machine within about 20 seconds. You can see the breakwater about a little over a mile ahead to the starboard and sort of to the port. The opening is only about 1/4 mile wide then open ocean. Since that, they used massive FireBoat shooting water into the air to start the poker run.

5-6 years ago I went to the KY Lake Poker run with the Nashville crew after being urged by EB that once I went I would be hooked.... I had a 35' Fountain with Stock 500 EFI's then and a small fortune has since went into my addiction! I've always said that a Poker Run is the most fun you can have with you pants on!!!!

Don't remember the year, in fact that weekend is always a little hazy, haha, but it was the Lake Cumberland Poker Run.

After that I was hooked, that's the one big weekend I NEVER miss.

I didn't participate, except in the party afterwards at 76 Falls.

Leopa fall run. Got invited night before by my now friend Tj pipkins (met him once prior at miller marina) to go on his 42' fountain. Had a blast. Such a large gathering of like minded people from all walks of life. It was the beginning of many more to come.

2003, I was the owner of a 21ft ski boat and a 30 ft Searay. A buddy invites us to do a poker run on his 38 Fountain with about 70 boats entered.

I had been thinking we should get a "go-fast" so we could cover more ground and see more stuff (we traveled alot but at 28mph cruise you can only see so many things). My wife was not so happy about this claiming the guys that drive those boats are single...or act like they are.

We do the poker run and the party afterwards.........on the cruise back home Sunday my wife looks at me and says "sell BOTH our boats and get a go-fast". 4 months later both were sold and I bought a 312 Formula.

kind of an ironic thread......we've sold the 382 and now run a 21ft CC to hang with the kids.

2006 Lake George, NY poker run in my 22' Scarab. That was an awesome day.

98 or 99 NJPPC event in a 25' Active Thunder.....Ive had side effects ever since.

This is a picture of a picture on my wall. Does anyone remember the Minolta boat at the bottom of the pic? I never saw it again after this event.

Or the V-12 boat?

Tickfaw 200 in 1998 or 99. Rode with Crazy Charlie (RIP) and the owner of Marine Power. Had a blast! After this run I was hooked

I grew up boating on bayou Lacombe and the T-River and after discovering the PRop stop and fast boats, I was ruined.