RULES

The Lake Nacimiento Boating Poker Run is a boat rally that travels to different locations to qualify for playing cards. Runs are controlled events that promote responsible boating by boat enthusiasts. They are not a race. Participants travel at their own speed. There is no benefit to being "first" to any of the card stops. A Poker Run is a fun filled event enjoyed by participants and spectators alike. Poker Runs enhance communities b generating revenue for local businesses, providing a spectator event for tourists, and most importantly, donating proceeds to the Heritage Ranch community events. 

Instructions

Locations will officially open at 11:00 am and shall remain open until 1:00 pm. All participants are invited to the Poker Party at Heritage Ranch Marina from 2pm until 4pm where each player will receive one chip for every location visited on the run. The best 5 card poker hand will be made from their cards. 

Poker Run Regulations

  1. Any references to the "Poker Run" shall mean “Lake Nacimiento ” Poker Run, starting at 10:00 am(PST) and ending at 5:00 pm (PST), June 1, 2024. 

  2. Personal flotation devices, a/k/a life jackets are mandatory for everyone on board a participating vessel.

  3. Captains are prohibited from consuming alcohol during the Poker Run. Additionally, it is recommended that no alcohol be consumed in, on, or around the participating vessels during the Poker Run. 

  4. Each participating vessel should maintain a safety zone of at least a two hundred (200) hundred feet radius when the participating vessel is not in idle speed. 

  5. When the participating vessel is not in idle speed, pick a lane (or bearing) and remain in said lane (or on such bearing). When changing course, first confirm ability to do so, and then act accordingly. Your participating vessel must not “cut off” other boats, whether participating in The Poker Run or not, or be the cause of emergency reaction on the part of other boats. 

  6. The areas around each participating stop shall be considered NO WAKE ZONES. All  participating vessels shall keep their wake to a minimum and operate at idle speed when operating near a participating stop. All other official NO WAKE ZONES are clearly labeled and must be adhered to. 

  7. The Poker Run is NOT a race. At no time during the Poker Run should racing occur between/among participating vessels.

  8. Each vessel must carry either a functional cellular telephone or a VHF radio in working condition. 

  9. All participating vessels must obey all federal, state, and local laws, e.g., possessing the required safety equipment on the vessel. It is the responsibility of the participating vessel’s driver to familiarize themselves and the occupants of the participating vessels of these laws. In the event law enforcement tickets a participating vessel for reckless driving, said participating vessel shall be immediately disqualified and their entry fees forfeit.

  10. All participating vessels will be required to have current boat insurance card, boat registration, valid mussel screening permit and Monterey County boating permit.

  11. The driver of each participating vessel is responsible for all occupants and their actions. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian.

  12. Each participant must have in force valid and sufficient liability insurance for the participating vessel, passengers, and crew. Drivers are to determine at their own discretion if their own vessel is seaworthy for current conditions and potential conditions that arise during the Poker Run.

  13. No occupant of a participating vessel may sit and/or lie on top of a sundeck or sunpad while the boat is in motion. 

  14. It is the responsibility of each Captain to read and understand these rules prior to participating in the Poker Run. Except as provided above, any violation of the above rules and regulations may result in the immediate disqualification of the entire participating vessel or the forfeiture of poker hands for the violating party(ies). Disqualification or forfeiture decision will be made by the Event Director. The Event Director may also consult with local law enforcement in reaching a conclusion. In the event of forfeiture of poker hands or disqualification of the participating vessel, no refunds will be given, all card hands aboard the participating vessel will be forfeited (in the event of a disqualification).