North TX Poker Run

[Ghillie]

Per the discussion at the DFW meeting, a poker run has been proposed for June 19th. I have agreed to head up the organization of the run and am open to suggestions for the locations.

It was discussed throwing this open to as many groups as possible and turn it into a real event. Locations will need to have enough parking to accommodate a dozen bikes or so at any given time. Locations need to be eating establishments where participants can rest, snack, and hydrate.  I have done summer poker runs before and the establishments that agreed to participate saw a nice boost of business.

I was thinking we need a registration location, four stops about 30-50 miles apart depending on how long a run we want and an ending location that can accommodate alot of bikes. The ride locations should be east of Garland/Mesquite along I-20 or I-30 or between the two interstates. If we promote this to a number of other ride groups we could easily have close to 100 bikes at the end of the run when prizes are awarded.

I also need at least two volunteers per location to handle the card draws and sign run sheets. So if you have non riders in your immediate circle, see who might be willing to help out.

[Doc809]

Hey Ghillie, If you wanna come this way I have been on runs that stopped at Fat Dawgs, Forney (on 80), East Texas Choppers/Soft Tails Bar & Grill, Terrell (on 80), and Cotton Gin, Crandall (on 175).  These are biker friendly and have good bike parking.  It was mentioned last night to invite one of the religious groups (no names on the board) to the run and I am cool with that.  However, I did a run several years ago to benefit the local state mental hospital playground equipment and they refused to stop at Soft Tails because it was a bar.  So we may have to be careful in our stop selections.  If I can help with the planning I would be glad to pitch in. Larry

[Ghillie]

Thanks I hadn't thought about going as far south as 175, but the Cotton Gin might make a good stop.

[Doc809]

Hey Ghillie, while you are planning the route the owner of Los Hermanos mexican food restaurant here in Terrell has offered to let us use his parking lot (quite large) for one of our stops.  He said he would put a "pretty girl in a short skirt" (his words) out on the restaurant patio with iced down water, soft drinks, beer.  He will put out chips/salsa if we want.  Restrooms will be open and we are free to hang out as long as we want.  The restaurant is on hwy 80 at the 205/148 intersection, easy access.  He has just remodeled and put in bike parking and a new patio out front.  He is trying to get a "bike night" started and said this would be good exposure for him so he will do whatever we want to make the stop a good one.  Just a thought but I think we probably should take him up on his offer.  I have no financial interest in this other than trying to make the run successful. L

[Houdini]

I like the

pretty girl in a short skirt

idea so we should stop at Los Hermanos.

[Ghillie]

That is sooooo funny, jeremi and I ate lunch there today checking the place out. We are checking out a diner in sunnyvale for a possible starting point. What was the BBQ in near Tyler we were talking about at the meeting? Patios are good, they keep us from interfering with regular business.

[Disco]

Here's a really helpful website for The Country Tavern BBQ in Kilgore.  http://www.countrytavern.com/   

Here's a better one.  http://www.countrytavern.com/menu.php

[Ghillie]

After agonizing research, dutiful consultation, considerable road checking, and belly stuffing taste testing over the last two weeks, I have come up with a proposed set of destinations for the poker run. Each is a recommended ride destination and the recommended route was chosen for its rideability not the speed of completion. I chose a more central northern route as opposed to the original eastern route that I was considering.

Nothing is set in stone yet, but I plan on finalizing arrangements with each of these establishments this week. Any feedback on or interest in this event as proposed would be mush appreciated.

[Ghillie]

If anyone knows a printer who might be willing to donate the printing of a few dozen promotional posters, please send me the info.

[Ghillie]

Dave, Jim, Jeff, we need to do lunch early part of this week.

[Disco]

I'm full up, but flexible.  We need to work with your schedule and Jeff's.  Indian buffet???

[Ghillie]

Pick a day and I will plan for it. I have to say, from the lack of response, I am wondering just how much interest there really is. I expected some yay's and nay's to the suggested route.

[Houdini]

I expected some yay's and nay's

Yay! 

I'm especially looking forward to Los Hermanos.   

[Ghillie]

but los hermanos is not on the replanned route

I did not realize the link did not stick

Beginning to hate google maps. I never have tried to follow a link when I am logged out of google maps. You can't see it. I understand the lack of response now.

Ride Locations
Poor Richard's Cafe Plano
Big Slick's Westminster
Loose Wheels Denison
Lucy's on the Square Celina
Hank's Texas Grill Mckinney.

[Disco]

Try motowhere.com.  It's easy and seems to work well.

[Ghillie]

OK we will try posting a route map once again from Motowhere.

http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/DFW-Poker-Run

[Doc809]

Hey Ghillie,  you asked for yay's and nay's.  The suggested route would not be my first choice.  It appears to me that almost everything the group has done recently has been north central.  I know that the club did a ride to Clarksville.  I did not get to participate but that was cool to vary the locations some.  Did not say I would not participate, just would like to see a little more variety.  Just my humble opinion and I'm just one person so whatever is best for the group I will support. Larry

[godfire]

Hey Doc,
We are planning a trip to the Cotton Gin. Either a monthly meeting or a day ride.

We really appreciate your support and have no problems riding out east to show you!

What about you DFW westsiders....any suggestions for future rides or meetings?

Squeaky u-joint gets the grease! 

gf

[Serk]

Squeaky u-joint gets the grease! 

But clangy clank clank u-joint gets replaced! 

On the route, don't have much to add, nothing against it, just not big on poker runs personally...

[Hollywood]

Poker runs are illegal in Texas.

[Rocketman]

I did not realize the link did not stick

Beginning to hate google maps. I never have tried to follow a link when I am logged out of google maps. You can't see it. I understand the lack of response now.

I'll not comment on the route, since I'm out of the area, but I will comment on the google maps.  You can't copy and paste from the address bar.  However, just above the top right corner of the map, there's a link labeled, of all things: "Link".  If you click there, a pop-in appears, with a link to your individual map/route with the same zoom settings you're currently using.  Copy that link (it will be rather long).  Paste it in here, and away you go.  Should be a good link to the map.

[Ghillie]

Hey Doc, I am kinda with you in that East is better for me. Since I am in Royse City I would prefer to run that way I was just having a difficult time finding a route that I liked. I am still talking to some establishments that way, and nothing has been decided yet. I am still open to suggestions.

[Ghillie]

I had looked at this route

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=1500+Highway+175,+Crandall,+TX+75114+(Crandall+Cotton+Gin+Restaurant)&daddr=TX-243+E+to:dairy+palace+canton+tx+to:203+katy+st+lone+oak+tx+to:los+hermanos+terrell+tx+to:32.855364,-96.398163+to:4821+Bass+Pro+Drive,+Garland,+TX+75043-4834+(Flying+Saucer+Draught+Emporium)&hl=en&geocode=FVDg8QEdm0VA-iEAm7dvdgpDVCmRkodiYrROhjF8jpB4SIp76w%3BFeoY8QEd6OND-g%3BFYQb8QEdpV5J-iG_35-VknsBdg%3BFel69wEdVRRI-inXkTO5p9lLhjETw8dNd3Rmrw%3BFTuK8wEdbplC-iHj6J7kUm21JykflQizIU5JhjG4h_Hv-BhKvQ%3B%3BFfR39QEdnfA--iFChcDt6Fj-rikVZ9KdVahOhjG8K1PilH4CfQ&gl=us&mra=dpe&mrcr=3&mrsp=5&sz=10&via=1,5&sll=32.769955,-96.197662&sspn=0.563508,1.234589&ie=UTF8&z=10

[godfire]

Poker runs are illegal in Texas.

I believe if you have an entry fee they are in fact illegal; however, if you only request donations you are on this side of the law.....Most likely, the official name will not use the word "poker" either...Thanks for the input!

On This Side Of The Law - Johnny Cash	powered by Aeva

[Ghillie]

What started all this was back in 2006 the BLUE KNIGHTS were sponsoring a poker run for a fallen officer in the Galveston area. A complaint from someone in the community prompted AG Abbott to make a legal opinion based on Texas law. The local DA asked the Knights to drop the poker run, instead they  got rid of the cash prize structure and held the run anyway.

I read the 2006 opinion from our esteemed AG, and the opinion states a cash prize. I also consulted with a couple of legal eagles. The gambling laws were written in such a way as to prevent an establishment or "house" from benefiting from a game of chance. So if anyone other than the participants benefit, ie even a charity, then it becomes illegal. If either of these conditions are absent then there is no legal issue.

 Despite the statement in 2006, no one involved in a charity poker run has ever been charged. A couple have changed the prize structure to non cash prizes or awards at the request of local law enforcement or district attorneys. The larger rallies have dropped their annual poker runs because they did not want to risk drawing LEO attention. Many smaller rallies, local charities, even law enforcement and fire dept sponsor poker runs without any issues, cash prize and all. Loose Wheels is holding one in May with a $1000 cash prize for top hand and BACA along with several other organizations are the recipients of the donations. Several large organizations still do cash poker runs using all the funds from entry for prizes, this sidesteps the law since only the participants benefit from the event.

Quite simply we can stay within the letter of the law by using gift cards or some other prize structure as long as we don't award cash, or not having a charitable cause whatsoever and using all entry monies as awards.

[Ghillie]

I also considered this run
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=1500+Highway+175,+Crandall,+TX+75114+(Crandall+Cotton+Gin+Restaurant)&daddr=TX-243+E+to:dairy+palace+canton+tx+to:203+Katy+St,+Lone+Oak,+Hunt,+Texas+75453+to:belairs+n+burgers+princeton+tx+to:monkees+pub+sachse+tx&geocode=FVDg8QEdm0VA-iEAm7dvdgpDVCmRkodiYrROhjF8jpB4SIp76w%3BFfwQ8QEdHhxE-g%3BFYQb8QEdpV5J-iG_35-VknsBdg%3BFel69wEdVRRI-inXkTO5p9lLhjETw8dNd3Rmrw%3BFVgz-gEdrII_-iE9CHl5DjHkGCk16H3YqA5MhjHC_ICy9NRIDw%3B&hl=en&mra=ls&via=1&sll=32.858825,-96.133118&sspn=1.125882,2.469177&ie=UTF8&ll=32.858825,-96.17157&spn=1.125882,2.469177&z=9

[Rocketman]

I also considered this run
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=1500+Highway+175,+Crandall,+TX+75114+(Crandall+Cotton+Gin+Restaurant)&daddr=TX-243+E+to:dairy+palace+canton+tx+to:203+Katy+St,+Lone+Oak,+Hunt,+Texas+75453+to:belairs+n+burgers+princeton+tx+to:monkees+pub+sachse+tx&geocode=FVDg8QEdm0VA-iEAm7dvdgpDVCmRkodiYrROhjF8jpB4SIp76w%3BFfwQ8QEdHhxE-g%3BFYQb8QEdpV5J-iG_35-VknsBdg%3BFel69wEdVRRI-inXkTO5p9lLhjETw8dNd3Rmrw%3BFVgz-gEdrII_-iE9CHl5DjHkGCk16H3YqA5MhjHC_ICy9NRIDw%3B&hl=en&mra=ls&via=1&sll=32.858825,-96.133118&sspn=1.125882,2.469177&ie=UTF8&ll=32.858825,-96.17157&spn=1.125882,2.469177&z=9

I told you the link would be bulky!  (:

[Doc809]

Am I dreamin, getting old and senile, or did I see where the Inzane X was promoting a "poker run" with a $1000 cash prize?  If it is an issue we might check with the organizers about their experience with "poker runs".  I know I will be at a pretty large rally in central Texas this weekend that is having a "poker run". Please no additional comments about the "old and senile".

[Ghillie]

Inzane X : Different state, different laws

[RainMaker]

Am I dreamin, getting old and senile, or did I see where the Inzane X was promoting a "poker run" with a $1000 cash prize?  If it is an issue we might check with the organizers about their experience with "poker runs".  I know I will be at a pretty large rally in central Texas this weekend that is having a "poker run". Please no additional comments about the "old and senile".

I don't think anyone is calling you old.