Save the Date!
The Tom Maynard Memorial Poker Run at Smith Mountain Lake will be on Saturday May 16th, 2009. This will be our 12th annual event, and if 2008 is any indication, 2009 will be great!
Pre-registrations will go out December of this year, and open registrations will be accepted beginning Feb. 1st of 2009. Look for website registration forms to be available begininng January 2009.
SMLBA Honors Local Organizations
It was with great pride the SMLBA announced this year’s donation recipients from the 11th annual Tom Maynard Memorial Poker Run. We honor and appreciate the hard work and efforts of the following organizations that make our community a safer and better place to live and enjoy.
- SML Marine Fire and Rescue
- SML Chamber of Commerce
- Coast Guard Auxiliary
- Scruggs Volunteer Fire Department Marine and Rescue
- Saunders Volunteer Fire Company
- SML Sail and Power Squadron
Thank you to all the sponsors, volunteers, and participants in this year’s Poker Run. We could not have done this without your support!
What is a Poker Run?
A Poker Run is an all day event that involves cards and lots of fun. In the case of the Smith Mountain Lake Tom Maynard Memorial Poker Run it also involves boats!
The SML Tom Maynard Memorial Poker Run is an annual charity event held on Smith Mountain Lake every spring. Sponsored by the Smith Mountain Lake Boating Association, it is historically the third weekend in the month of May. We truly “kick-off” the summer season at the lake.
The actual event consists of captains and their crews scouring the lake for the best poker hand. All boats leave from a common marina, and will return there after they have collected cards from all registered card stops. Due to the size of the lake and distances traveled between stops this will take several hours.
When all boats return, cards are submitted, and registered. Of course you will have a winner for the best hand, but we also have winners for the worst hand, marked aces, best dressed crew, best engineered boat, best appearing boat, most players on a boat, and if ever to happen four aces.
Does it seem that this might be more than just a poker game? Well it is! The fun starts on the Friday before the event. Everybody signs in to receive their captain’s packet, and then an evening of food, fun, and music commences. But don’t stay out too late; there is a Poker Run on Saturday that is followed by an awards cookout.
This is just a snapshot of what happens at our Poker Run. Most importantly this Poker Run raises money for local lake charities that help keep our lake and community safe and the environment clean.
The SMLBA hopes you will join us at our next Poker Run!
