SETTING UP A POKER RUN

There are many different ways to set up a poker run so, I am going to give you some ideas on how to get one going.   First you need to decide on a date. It may help to check my site and others for conflicting events. Remember there may always be other events going on the date you need, but if it's not a major event, it shouldn't affect your run too much.   Next, decide on the places you'll want to stop, decide on the route you will take to each place. (I usually run the route myself shortly before the run date, to check for construction, etc.) Contact the individual business's to let them know the date you plan to be there, and if they want to do anything special for your event. (Drink Specials, Food, etc.) Make up flyers to advertise your event. Your flyers should tell what the run is for, benefit, fun run, etc. and should include details such as sign up time and place, price to play per hand, the payback percentages, how many hands you will pay (example:  100% payback @ 60% to Best Hand, 30% 2nd Best, 10% Worst Hand), if rain, will there be a rain date or cancelled, you should include a contact number for more info. Distribute your flyers at all the stops planned, and to everyplace you can think of where bikers might see it. You can save yourself a lot of time by asking friends who live in different areas to put flyers up for you. If you want a bigger draw, make sure you list your event on my site or others on the internet. A lot of people look to my site for events going on in Kansas. You can just E-mail me all of the details of your event and I will post it for you.   If your run is a benefit run, you might consider asking for donations from business's for an auction or raffle. A run by it"s self doesn't really generate enough money for a major cause, so you can have an auction, raffles, food, etc. to add to the amount raised. Benefit runs are a lot of work, but if it's for a good cause, it's all worth it! Now for actually doing the run--You will need cards (the amount of cards will depend on how you want to do it) I use paper sheets, that I made up on my computer, that you mark the persons card on, then they keep the paper sheet and put the card back. Example Sheet: You will also need a notebook to write their name, #, and cards in, so you'll have the info in case they loose their sheet, and so you can keep an eye on who's getting the best hands. You should obtain a list of how poker hands run according to what beats what.  You can get this info off the internet or some decks of cards will have a card in them showing this info. (This will really help you when you get someone who thinks they know, but don't) You need to let them know ,before they draw their first card, what the rules are. Example: You can't draw the same card twice, (for example: you can't have two A's of Diamonds).  If everyone knows the rules up front, you will have saved yourself a lot of grief..  If they draw the same card twice, you just have them put that card back and draw again. These are the rules of regular poker, however, as long as you tell them your rules up front, you don't have to play by the regular rules. I always try to make things organized so they will run smoothly, so I do a few extra things to insure that. When the run is about to leave one place, I make an announcement to let everyone know that we will be leaving in: (example)15 minutes, that way they can finish their drink, mount up, and be ready to roll with the rest of the group. I call ahead to the next stop to let them know we are headed their way and give them an estimated time of arrival and about how many people to expect. (The bar owners really appreciate this gesture!) Plan ahead and get these phone numbers when you go there to put your flyers up. It is a good idea to have several experienced riders to lead, block traffic, and in general just keep everyone riding safe.  I usually make an announcment right before leaving the first stop to tell everyone: We would like to keep everyone together in our group, some people are comfortable riding double (even though it's against the law) and some are not comfortable doing that so it might be a good idea to ride staggered, ride safe and have fun (No Hot Shot Stunts will be allowed.), If you also invite all vehicles you should ask them to stay in the rear of the pack, or go before all the bikes. A pickup with an empty bed, or a vehicle with a trailer to follow up is a good precautionary step you might arrange if it is a long run, in case someone breaks down along the way. Well, I think I've just about covered the main parts (and some extras) of how to Organize and Pull off a Great Poker Run.  Should you have any comments or questions, feel free to contact me on the contact page.  Hope this will help you with your next run !