I am going to organize a Poker Run in the next few months. I have no experience with either a poker run or poker in general. Any thoughts or ideas?

__________________
Think about helping out with cancer...
Join the Relay for Life

What kind of Poker Run? A motorcycle one? I'm going on one this coming Sunday but I've never organized one. Good luck!

__________________
Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

We are thinking of doing two different ones...an off-road one to quad and use dirt bikes and then another one with motorcycles in and around town

__________________
Think about helping out with cancer...
Join the Relay for Life

Good luck in organizing.

I will say that the poker runs I have been to have been one of the following:

1) you get 1 or 2 cards (depending on how many stops you are going to make) and then wait in line to pick up a card at each stop

and

2) You get 1 or 2 cards (again depending) and then each stop has one card posted that is added to everyone's hand. No waiting in line to get a card

I must say #2 is MUCH preferred by me. It makes things a lot more fun. I know the people who organize ours do a run through of the road to make sure there aren't rocks/holes that could cause issues with the bikes. First year we did the one over Memorial weekend there was one ride made up of 300 or so bikes. Last year there were over 3500 bikes and 5 different rides to choose from. I have no idea how many will be there this year

__________________
Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

QUADS are a blast!!!!
However I really do like the motor cycle ones too. Nice long day of riding....

__________________
Be careful what you wish for.....

We do a few a year. Are you raising money, making a profit or just doing it for fun?

I have helped organize one for over 15 years, we raise money for a charity in memory of a biker friend. Over the years we have done silent auctions, 50/50 raffles, a variety of "skill" games, a "drag" race (we fooled a bunch of biker guys into wearing dresses and bonnets!) and general prize raffles with donated prizes.

Here in MN we cannot run a true 'poker' run. The dingbat gambling association has cracked down on poker runs and will make you refund the money if they catch you without a 'gambling license'. Evidently, the state needs their fee or something stupid. So we call it a poker run, but the prizes are raffled....no prizes for the best had. Check with your local state gambling office---we had 'spies' on our run and that is how we got caught!!

__________________
"It's not about how much baggage you have, it's about whether or not you can carry your own baggage with grace and dignity."

Wow, great advice so far, thanks! We are going to be doing the poker runs for our Relay for Life team. Our Relay was just last week...but this year, I am team captain and don't want to wait until the last minute to do fund raisers.

__________________
Think about helping out with cancer...
Join the Relay for Life

We have had the best (most profitable) success with the 50/50 raffle.....simple, fun and good profits. Our last silent auction really bombed......people are looking for deals, not looking to overspend--not worth the hassle IMHO. We had great prizes, but low bids. Do you make T-shirts or patches? We had patches made at a local shop....they donated some of the cost and we sold them for $5. Lots of biker people love to put them on their vests......T-shirts can be made cheaply and sold too.....a fun way to remember the day!!

__________________
"It's not about how much baggage you have, it's about whether or not you can carry your own baggage with grace and dignity."

We used to do Poker Trail Rides where people would trail ride their horses and get cards at designated stopping places.

Don't forget to have a small concession stand, especially if your run doesn't take place in town. Sell some coffee, cold drinks, prepackaged snacks and hot dogs. That's a pretty easy way to raise funds.

__________________
Jesus SAVES by shopping smartly and using double coupons!

Great ideas! Thanks so much!

__________________
Think about helping out with cancer...
Join the Relay for Life