by Kate
1. April 2010 06:37
A Thousand Poker Faces
A poker run is not a race. It is an organised event in which participants, using either boats or motorcycles, visit 5 to 7 checkpoints, and at each checkpoint, draw a playing card. The object of the run is to end up with the best poker hand. Winning has nothing to do with what time you complete the course in- winning is based on the cards riders of dealt and therefore is purely a matter of chance.
Poker runs take place throughout the world and the largest recorded one was in 2009 with 2,136 motorcyclists participating, although it was claimed that 15,000 participants took part in 2008.
The rules and details of every poker run vary but most are organised to raise funds for a good cause of some sort. There is generally an admission fee that pays for funding the event, prizes, and for donating to the event’s fundraising recipient. The rider with the best hand will be awarded money, plaques or merchandise donated by a sponsor while smaller prizes are awarded for lower hands and the lowest hand is often awarded too.
Players’ hands are usually written down or marked with punched holes on a ticket as opposed to riders carrying actual poker hands.
Poker Runs are generally organised as fun events in which people can get together to benefit an aspect of their community.