Annual poker run attracts hundreds

Summer Crosby

Travelers on the interstate highway on Friday and Saturday noticed a trend as trucks, with snowmobiles in tow, headed for the 22nd Annual Montana Nightriders Snowmobile Club $1,000 Super Poker Run, which took place on the West End of Mineral County Saturday. The event attracted hundreds of snowmobile fans who rode around 50 miles of backcountry trails, stopping at five different places to draw a card, in order to put together their best hand.

Brent Rowley and his friend brought two sleds, but ended up riding together when one broke on them early on. Rowley, who came from Polson, said that they came out to have some fun.

“We’re just out here to do some riding,” he said. “The snow is pretty lacking out there. We could sure use some more.”

Snow didn’t start falling up at Taft until about 12:10 p.m., and Rowley said that it was too bad it hadn’t come a day sooner.

“By tomorrow, you’ll have some nice snow covered trails,” he said.

Despite the lack of snow, Rowley said that he was still enjoying himself and the ride on the backcountry trails.

Ed Green brought his family all the way down from Spokane to partake in the Poker Run.

“It’s a family tradition. Besides, my birthday falls around this time every year so it’s a good way to celebrate. It’s always so nice of you guys to put on this celebration for me,” he joked. “But no, we like the people here in Mineral County and the ones who put it on every year. It’s great.”

Green nearly forgot to draw his fourth card at Taft. He had gotten on his snowmobile and just before starting it up he realized that he’d forgotten to draw.

“See, the card is secondary,” he joked, “it’s not about the cards.”

Green’s wife Rhonda said that the run is a good social event and that she enjoys getting out of the house.

“I enjoy this a lot,” she said, “despite the sore muscles at the end of the day. And it’s not very cold out, even though you’d think it would be.”

Chuck Clark, Green’s father-in-law, said that he enjoys the snow and seeing the terrain and getting out into the wilderness.

The run begin at Lincoln’s Silver Dollar where riders drew their first. From there, it was up to the warming shelter for the second card. At Lookout, the third card was drawn and riders picked up their fourth card at Taft. The final card was also drawn at Lincoln’s Silver Dollar.

Three-year-old Ashton Wheeler drew his mom a jack of diamonds, while they stopped at Taft. The youngster wouldn’t say much, but when asked if he was having fun, a big smile grew across his face and he nodded.

John Rauscher attended to the free chili dog stand at Taft and said that although he didn’t get t ride out on the trails he enjoyed his part.

“I have to do my part as part of the club,” he said. “Besides, I like dressing up goofy and this is a nice treat for people that ride in.”

The pot this year was $2,315 and players had a chance to win some of it. Brooke Lincoln, committee chair, said the amount was pretty average. Last year, the pot was $2, 720. She said that there were 247 riders and that 646 hands of cards were sold. They paid out to 16 placings. Riders bought a hand of cards for $5. For every hand sold, 50 cents was donated to the county’s food bank, raising $323 this year. This year, in honor of the 22nd, players played deuces wild.

“It went fantastic,” she said. “It takes a whole effort by the club to pull this off.”

Lincoln’s 50,000 Silver $ put up $1,000 into the pot as they have done each year. Other event sponsors included the Montana Nightriders, Zip Beverage, Sheehan-Majestic, Summit Distributing, Kingston’s Kwik Shop, Tor’s Tavern, Justice Family, Unisource, Food Services of America, Brittney Henderson, Get Wet and Stang’s Liquor Store. It takes nearly 75 club members donating their day to pull off the event and a special thanks to Carol Johnson for marking the trails properly and intersection at Lookout Pass.

Rick Russell won first place, taking home $300, with five of a kind, while Tracy Grant won second place with a straight flush taking home $275. Jack Armstrong won $250 in third place with four of a kind.