View Poll Results: Do you prefer cards or computer?
I prefer drawing cards from a deck or out of a hat
50
66.67%
I like drawing cards on a computer screen
4
5.33%
I don't care either way
21
28.00%
Voters: 75. You may not vote on this poll
Poker Run Preference Poll
Thread Starter
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"Utopian Overlord"
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 1
From: Union, Mississippi
Poker Run Preference Poll
Developing a poker run event management system that uses a hospital-style ID bracelet for each rider/participant. Instead of cards, the bracelets are marked at each stop along the route. At the final stop, cards are drawn through a cheat-proof computer system. Today, the client mentioned that bikers would rather pull cards out of a bag at each stop.
Use the poll to voice your opinion.
Use the poll to voice your opinion.
Thread Starter
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"Utopian Overlord"
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 1
From: Union, Mississippi
We're in the planning stages of sponsoring poker runs where riders can win new Harleys, Mustangs, and such. The underwriters will want all the bases covered. For small runs, it's no big deal. But having the cards drawn at the final stop presents the option to have an unlimited number of "buy in" locations, unmanned card stops, merchant participation incentives, etc.
I'm hoping to see better cash flow for non-profits by making poker runs more interesting and less manpower-intensive. As a comparison, take a small 20-bike run with a $10 buy-in. The club has to staff four locations all day, one of them with enough people to juggle payments, refunds, tickets, scoresheets, and liability release forms. On a windy day it can get real busy. A $10 buy-in with a 50/50 split nets the club $100 for about 30 man-hours of work.
The new method doesn't need cards. In fact, it doesn't need manpower on the outposts. For example, you could designate a convenience store as a stop. The rider gets their bracelet marked with a number the ride organizer gave to the head cashier (total expense = $1.27 for the Sharpie). They'll be happy to do it for free because it guarantees that the riders will come inside their store. So will pizza joints, catfish trailers, garages, and so on. No need for limiting the run to only three outposts, either - have six, or eight! When riders check in after the run, their bracelet is checked for correct markings and the rider selects his/her cards from a video screen (borrowed equipment, of course, complete with advertising banners from the local Computer Shack). Rankings are displayed instantly. Contact information is gathered only for those players whose hands are at the top of the list. Total manpower for the run would be about 10 man-hours.
Ten dollars an hour beats three dollars an hour.
Roo!
I'm hoping to see better cash flow for non-profits by making poker runs more interesting and less manpower-intensive. As a comparison, take a small 20-bike run with a $10 buy-in. The club has to staff four locations all day, one of them with enough people to juggle payments, refunds, tickets, scoresheets, and liability release forms. On a windy day it can get real busy. A $10 buy-in with a 50/50 split nets the club $100 for about 30 man-hours of work.
The new method doesn't need cards. In fact, it doesn't need manpower on the outposts. For example, you could designate a convenience store as a stop. The rider gets their bracelet marked with a number the ride organizer gave to the head cashier (total expense = $1.27 for the Sharpie). They'll be happy to do it for free because it guarantees that the riders will come inside their store. So will pizza joints, catfish trailers, garages, and so on. No need for limiting the run to only three outposts, either - have six, or eight! When riders check in after the run, their bracelet is checked for correct markings and the rider selects his/her cards from a video screen (borrowed equipment, of course, complete with advertising banners from the local Computer Shack). Rankings are displayed instantly. Contact information is gathered only for those players whose hands are at the top of the list. Total manpower for the run would be about 10 man-hours.
Ten dollars an hour beats three dollars an hour.
Roo!
Last edited by Roosterboots; Sep 21, 2011 at 08:04 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 13
From: MA
Sounds too serious a poker run for me. I look at poker runs as just a way to throw 10 - 20 dollars towards a good cause and could care less if I win. I think making the prizes bikes and cars would take the fun away and make people do stupid stuff to try and win.
Last edited by petemac; Sep 21, 2011 at 09:10 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
I agree, although I bet you will get quite a few ore riders with the big prizes. If the electronics are required to make it all work, I am sure few will complain.
Unofficial HDF Chaplain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 21,160
Likes: 18,082
From: san diego
are we missing the whole point of poker runs here? thought they were a fun run with old and new friends raising some money for one thing or another, and having food and drinks at the end, now its becoming a competition and security guards and special decoder rings needed? gonna have to pass on all that fun
Thread Starter
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"Utopian Overlord"
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 1
From: Union, Mississippi
There's work involved in any kind of poker run. The idea is to raise more money with less work. Of course, if you could win a new Harley...nah, that's just silly talk. Nobody's ever done THAT before.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 11
From: Kentucky
If you want a poker run, draw cards out of a hat and have the guy at each stop record the card drawn and throw it back in the hat - requires a pencil, paper, and 5 helpers.
Roosterboots, the worst part of your idea, if I understood it right, is having all the cards drawn at the last stop. That (a) makes it a whole new event, not a traditional "poker run" and (b) takes all the fun out of going to those stops. Maybe if there was a great prize involved, people would go for it, but they aren't going to enjoy it as much, if that's what you are going for.
Last edited by brenn; Sep 21, 2011 at 10:34 AM.
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Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Mesquite,Nevada
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida, USA
I look at poker runs as a "good ride ruined." I'd much rather have an escorted, or non-escorted even ride that does a scenic loop and ends at a location with refreshments and some music. Charge a flat fee that fovers costs plus a donation and call it done. If you want to go the extra mile have a silent auction or something.