What Is A Poker Run?

A Poker Run for hi-performance boats provides a reason for these enthusiasts to come together for a day or a weekend to enjoy their boating passion and the camaraderie of sharing their experiences with each other.  From a dozen to literally hundreds of boats may take part in any one event.  The poker run route is usually organized in a body of water suitable to the size, number, and speed intentions of the boats entering, both for the safety of the entrants and of fellow boaters sharing the same waterways.  Marine police and Coast Guard are almost always informed of the number of boats involved and the route of the run, usually varying from about seventy to one hundred and fifty miles in a day.

The event always starts with a driver’s safety meeting where instructions are given including the route and general navigation information and any safety issues along the way.  The boats may leave from one location all together or may involve several locations with staggered starting times depending on the logistics of the particular event.  Regardless, the objective is for each boat to collect at least five playing cards at different pre-determined locations along the route and return to one location and have the cards revealed.  The winner of the poker run is determined by the best poker hand.  Prizes up to many thousands of dollars in value are often awarded in many categories.

Because it is the best poker hand(s) that determines the winner(s), speed has no bearing whatsoever on the outcome. Therefore, A POKER RUN IS NOT A RACE.  Many other activities may accompany a poker run such as parties, banquets, ancillary activities, sponsors, displays, games, etc.  A poker run for hi-performance boats is pure fun.  Depending on location, it can attract thousands of spectators to the various stops along the route to witness first-hand some of the fastest, most expensive, and most exotic boats in the world.  To participate in a poker run is one of the most exhilarating and memorable experiences a person will ever have.

This "Poker Running" tab on Everythingoffshore.com is a listing of the major multi-event poker run organizations and their hi-performance boat poker runs being held around the country.  A complete listing of most known poker runs is found in the "Calendar" section.  Find an event close to you and share the passion and discover why hi-performance boaters find poker runs to be one of the most enjoyable aspects of owning one of these boats.