WHAT IS A POKER RUN ?

by Sam Green (Poker Run Specialist)

I have been asked to put in writing what and how a poker run is done. So here is my best attempt at this.

The game begins with us gathering at a specific location at a specific time (usually around noon). There, each person who wants to play puts up $10 and receives a score sheet. Then, that person pulls a card from a large paper bag (without looking, of course). The chosen card is stamped onto your score sheet. Once you’ve selected your card, you are given directions to the 2nd location to meet. We usually drive off together, but it’s not mandatory. At the 2nd location, each player pulls a another card from the paper bag. That card is also stamped on the score sheet and the location of the 3rd stop is handed to the player. This is done again for the 4th and final stop.

In order to better your chances of being one of the winners, every player is allowed to draw a second card at each stop. Basically, if you draw a card you really don’t want stamped onto your score sheet, you put up $1 for the chance to pick a better card. However, by doing so, the second card you select must be kept.

The final stop is a restaurant, where you turn in your score sheet for judging and order your dinner (at your own expense). We usually arrive at the restaurant around 5:00 or so. Our judge will select the best hand, the 2nd best hand, and the 3rd best hand. One half of the money collected at the first stop is split up between the 3 best hands and issued before the evening is over. In addition to the 3 cash awards, I always give out door prizes and Joker prizes.

We spend approximately 30 -40 minutes at each because each stop has something to offer. Sometimes it’s a scenic relaxing location, some stops have something to see or tour, other stops are for shopping. You never know where you are going next. Our complete ride is usually less than 100 miles in total. Over the past several years, we have visited museums, memorials, plantations, the Zam’s Swamp Tour facility, Cars of Yesteryear Exhibit, and parks. No two locations have been repeated yet.