Poker Run

LVTC Poker Run Scholarship 5K/2M

Silver Bowl Park (behind Sam Boyd Stadium)

Saturday, January 28, 2012 - 8:00am

The 2012 Poker Run promises to be bigger and better than ever. Last year we had 22 winners (out of 120 players), and this year I hope to increase that—both winners and players. Prizes will range from gift certificates for a pair of running shoes to gift certificates to local restaurants. We will also be giving away tickets to the track club banquet in June and a free entry to our signature races: Notch Run, Forest Challenge, and Legends Run. Other prizes can vary from the traditional to the bizarre: books, tee shirts/sweatshirts, and other running-related items. (By the way if you have anything you would be willing to donate, contact me between now and race day at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .)

The format is simple. It’s a “fun run” of either 5K or 2 miles with no recording of times, although there will be clock and you can note your time. Instead of a stick when you finish you get a playing card, one of three you will get throughout the run. Your cards will be recorded at the finish line and will form your “hole” cards in this variation of Texas Hold ’Em. After everyone has finished and gotten their three hole cards, we will have a “flop” and display three cards from a standard deck of 52 cards. The final “river” card will complete the hand. You then use the four community cards along with your hole cards to make up your best (or worst) 5-card poker hand. In this game it would be possible to get “5 of a kind” since you are drawing cards from multiple decks, so your best possible hand would be five Aces. After 5 of a kind, winning hands follow the standard format: Straight Flush, 4 of a kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, 3 of a kind, Two Pair, Pair, High Card.

There will also be a few “low hand” winners, the worst five cards. Add up your five cards and the lowest total wins. For example, the worst possible hand would be: A-2-3-4-6 (not all of the same suit) for a low total of 16. Aces can be counted as high or low.

Winners will choose their prizes based on best hand/worst hand. There are usually three or four “winners” for every “loser.”

The event will be held at Old Silver Bowl Park, as it was last year, on our standard road course out behind the Silver Bowl. The cost will be $5 for members and $10 for non-members (making it a great time to join the Las Vegas Track club if you’re not already a member). All entry fee money goes into the Scholarship Fund, as this is our quarterly Scholarship Fund race. It is win-win for all, so come on out and play Poker with us on Saturday, January 28th at Old Silver Bowl Park. “Gun time” will be 8:00 a.m. Signups will start at 7:00. Volunteers are always welcome.

Phil Lawton, Scholarship Chair

Map to Silver Bowl Park