Poker runs are popular events that are often held for charity and to get people out on their bikes (motorcycles or bicycles) and into the great outdoors. The concept behind them is to visit a series of checkpoints and draw a card at each one, working towards a poker hand that determines the winner of the event. Depending on the event, prizes may be awarded for participants who have the best poker hands or even just for showing up.
A typical poker run involves a group of participants riding or driving their motorcycles to different checkpoints along a designated route. At each stop, the participant draws a card from a deck of cards and notes the number on their tally sheet. At the end of the run, all participants submit their tally sheets to a volunteer who tallies up each participant’s poker hands and declares the winner. In addition to raising money for a charity, poker runs are also a lot of fun. They help bring people together and encourage them to explore areas they’ve never been before, especially if the run takes them down roads that aren’t usually used by motor vehicles.
While poker runs are primarily associated with motorbikes, they can also be done on bicycles and cars. It’s possible that even a boat might be used to take part in a poker run, although a captain would be expected to wear personal flotation devices while on the water. In most cases, a boat owner will be required to carry the proper amount of liability insurance before participating in a poker run.
When participants register for a poker run, they typically pay an entry fee that goes towards the charitable cause the event supports. When they arrive at the start, they’ll receive a map that indicates the location of each checkpoint along the route. At the first stop, a volunteer will have a container filled with a bag of cards that participants can stir to draw a card from. The volunteers will observe the card(s) drawn, annotate the tally sheet(s), and then allow the participants to proceed to the next stop.
Participants can participate in a poker run by themselves or as part of a team. As an example, a father and son might form a two-person team to compete in a poker run. Once the run is over, the organizer will tallies up the poker hands and award the winning team with a prize. In some cases, other categories may be awarded for things like most creatively dressed or best-decorated vehicle.