Build your best hand

STORY & PHOTOS BY BETSY ILER

RRegistration is open online for the 20th Annual Lions Lake Martin Charity Poker Run, a fun-filled day of boating with family and friends that has helped to raise more than $100,000 for local charities. Costumed players will visit five Lake Martin marinas throughout the day, collecting cards and giveaway items at each one as they build their five-card poker hands to compete for more than $5,000 in prizes at the end of the day.

The event launches at 8:30 a.m. at Kowaliga Marina, where teams confirm registration and are photographed for the costume competition. Also at Kowaliga Marina, teams will pick up their first cards, giveaway items and a key to a treasure chest. The check-in cutoff time at Kowaliga Marina is 11 a.m. Between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., boaters will visit Real Island Marina to pick up another card and more giveaways; and then, make their way to Harbor Pointe Marina between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. River North Marina is next on the route from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the event wraps up with the final card and a catered awards ceremony at 4 p.m. at The Ridge Marina. Upon checking in at The Ridge Marina, players may purchase another card at $30 for a chance to better their hands. In addition, each team will try to open the treasure chest, which holds more prizes and giveaways, including skis, sunglasses, restaurant gift certificates and more.

The entry fee for each hand is $175 and includes an official Lake Martin Lions Charity Poker Run T-shirt, a Lake Martin summer T-shirt, a Russell Marine bag, koozies, a pirate flag and more giveaways, as well as the catered awards event with live music.

This annual event benefits the Alexander City Lions Club, which serves 27 local charities, including Children’s Harbor, SavA-Life, United Way, Alexander City libraries and more, said Lions Club President Mae Lynn O’Neil.

“We’re just happy to have done it so long and so consistently on beautiful Lake Martin to contribute to this community,” O’Neil said. “When COVID hit three years ago, we thought it was going to be a bust, but it’s sold out every year since then because that’s all people were doing was spending time on boats.”

Last year’s event hosted 210 hands, said Russell Marine Marketing Manager Emily Sprayberry, who helps to coordinate the event.

“Pre-registration online is very important. We need to know how many hands we need, so we have enough cards for everyone. If people just show up, we may not have enough cards to include them,” Sprayberry said.

This year’s event will be catered by Chick-fil-A. The first, second and third highest hands will each win part of a $3,750 total, with the first, second and third lowest hands splitting another $2,000. In addition to best and worst hand cash, $1,500 will be awarded in a competition for the best dressed crew, as teams decorate boats and wear costumes to up the ante for fun. Recent winners of the best dressed crew award have included themes of Vikings, pirates and Solo cups. Crew members are encouraged to be creative and go over the top if they want to win this category.

Swapping or trading cards among players is strictly forbidden, and violators will be disqualified. Players must be 18 years of age or older to enter, or if younger must enter with a parent or guardian. Players may register for more than one hand, but the entry fee for each hand is $175. The additional card purchase may be made at The Ridge Marina between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Register for what just might be the most fun you’ll have at Lake Martin all summer at russellmarine.net or call Sprayberry at 256-794-1397 with any questions about the event.