Get You Poker Face On
The 2005 Tom Maynard Memorial Poker Run
By Auburn Cecil


  It’s about showing off your boat…and your poker face. Well, actually you don’t have to have a poker face to cash in big at the 2005 Tom Maynard Memorial Poker Run. As Virginia’s largest inland Poker Run, the big winners can take home up to $5,000 with one hand. And even the worst hand of the day wins.
  While the day is geared toward having fun out on the water, admiring the boats and winning, the true focus is safety. The Smith Mountain Lake Boating Association (SMLBA) is using a game of chance to remind people not to take any chances. That’s why the Poker Run is not about speed – each boater can just take a leisurely drive around the lake to seven local marinas. At each marina they collect a card. At the end of the day, everyone shows their hand and the winners are proclaimed.
  The Poker Run, which will take place this year on May 21, was conceived eight years ago by lake residents who thought it would be a fun way to promote boating safety and raise money for charity. Now the Tom Maynard Memorial Run has become the major fund-raiser for the SMLBA. The event has grown so much that it kicks off the summer season a week before Memorial Day.
  The Run actually seems to attract more non-residents than locals, and how can we blame them? It’s a great opportunity to show up and cruise our beautiful area and maybe take home some money. On Friday, pre-registration starts at 1 p.m. at Mango’s Bar & Grill. From 6 to 8 p.m. the Joker’s Wild Party welcomes players and guests and at 7:30 p.m. there will be a cash bar and live entertainment by Steve Guidas, Domino and UBU Band. The event opens to the public at 6:30 p.m. at $10 a person.
  At the writing of this article there were only 10 spots left for the Run. The reason it fills up so quickly is because no matter how much it grows, organizers never let more than 75 boats enter. That goes back to the fact that the whole event is designed to promote boating safety. Keeping to that goal, Saturday begins with a required safety meeting for all boat captains at 11 a.m. This meeting is conducted by representatives from the Virginia Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the SMLBA.
  “Many people come to events like this because of where the money goes,” said 2005 Poker Run Chairman Marshall Prillaman.
  The Poker Run raises more than $27,000 that the SMLBA divides among several local charities, including Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire Company, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Friends of the Lake and the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce/Partnership. Everyone who enters is a winner because the money goes to organizations that help make Smith Mountain Lake a safer place to live and work. And with $9,000 up for grabs, there’s a chance for some lucky players to win big!
  The entry fee is $125 per player and there is a two-player minimum per boat. Extra players are encouraged and guests can ride along for $50. Remember, this is about safety, so while the SMLBA wants as many people as possible to join in the fun, you can’t exceed the legal limit for your boat. If you missed out on the registration, you can still see the boats and enjoy the festivities at Bridgewater Plaza and the other marinas. For more information, call 982-6500 or 761-5147.

Here’s where all the action will be on May 21 check out our map for each Marina Location:

Camper’s Paradise Marina
Shoreline Marina
Virginia Dare Marina
Banana Joe’s at Central Marine
Mariners Landing
Smith Mountain Dock & Lodge
Wet Connection at Crazy Horse Marina