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The Poker Run

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KWDave

Each year in Key West, as our short summer season puts us all to sleep for two months, we awake with a jolt as the Poker Run comes to town.

Motorcycle enthusiasts from across America convene on the Florida Keys for an annual meet&greet focused on raising money for a number of worthy charities. The meeting is called a Poker Run because members and participants stop at a number of bars and other locations in the Keys and select playing cards. The people with the best poker hands win chances at a Harley and $20,000.00 in prize money.

That's the simple description. What really happens is that 12-15,000 motorcycles end up in Key West on Saturday and Sunday. Duval Street is closed from Sloppy Joe's to Southard Street, and the bikes are lined up on both sides of the street. This year was the largest and most successful Poker Run ever, with more participants than any year before.

Before you think that this many bikers in one place is a dangerous thing, bear in mind that a substatial portion of bikers in America are doctors, lawyers, accountants and business professionals with large discretionary incomes. They bring a lot of revenue to businesses in the Keys during a very slow period. So, by and large, most of us are happy to see them.

Some are not, of course. The sound of motorcycles revving engines and burping pipes at all hours of the night and day does become wearing after a day or two. Law enforcement professionals can issue noise citations at $100 per violation, but most of the bikers just take the ticket and roar off down the street anyway.

The Poker Run is just one more fun thing to see and experience in Key West. It also means that Fantasy Fest is only a month away!


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The Poker Run

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