History of our Poker Run
Over 23 years ago, Kate Hamel, a former employee of Easterseals NH, was enjoying a meal at the World Famous NazBar & Grill. Kate was talking to Cynthia Makris, owner of The NASWA Resort, and suggested the Lakes Region put together a poker run on and around Lake Winnipesaukee.
Wanting to play a big role, Cynthia offered The NASWA Resort to host a huge party for participants.
Cynthia and Kate chose to raise funds for Easterseals NH, which would help thousands of NH residents of all ages and abilities.
Since it began in 2001, The HK Powersports Land & Lake Poker Run has raised more than $1.7 million!
What is a Poker Run?
It’s “playing” poker by collecting playing cards hidden in envelopes at designated locations on and around Lake Winnipesaukee.
Calling all Land and Lake Pirates! Come by boat, car and motorcycle for the 23rd Annual HK Powersports Poker Run to benefit Easterseals, New Hampshire.
The final stop is The NASWA Resort where your poker hand is revealed to you. That’s when the competition really begins! Keep donating to improve your hand for cash prizes: $1,000 in the Cohen Family High Rollers Club. $750 cash prizes for both land and lake winners.
All that fun benefits Easterseals NH’s core programs serving nearly 16,000 of our New Hampshire neighbors of all ages and varied abilities who depend on your generosity to live, learn, work and play to their fullest.
Game Rules
- Participants traveling by land or lake will stop at four checkpoints to pick up poker cards sealed in envelopes.
- Players will need to go to ALL STOPS (Land or Lake) in order to build their hand. The fifth and final card stop for all players is The NASWA Resort.
- DO NOT OPEN the card envelopes or you will be disqualified! NO EXCEPTIONS!
- The sealed envelopes will be opened by the official poker judges to reveal your hand at The NASWA Resort.
- Please remember this is not a race. All boating and road rules and laws must be followed.
- BEST POKER HANDS! $750 cash prizes awarded to both Land and Lake winners
- HIGH ROLLER TOP HAND $1,000 cash prize awarded
Event Schedule
9:00 am
Registration begins at all checkpoints
10:30 am
Event officially starts
12:30 pm
Buccaneer Bash starts at The NASWA Resort
1:30 pm
Deadline for turning in poker hands
2:30 pm
Stage Program & Awards
Checkpoints
Land Checkpoints
Belknap Subaru*
Tilton
HK Powersports
Laconia
Patrick’s Pub
Gilford
Pie Guys Pizzeria
Meredith
Lake Checkpoints
Watermark Marine
Paugus Bay
Eastcoast Flightcraft
Weirs Beach
Shibley’s Docks
Alton Bay
Lago’s Docks
Meredith
*The Belknap Subaru Pit-Stop at Exit 20, I-93 is the perfect checkpoint to start your day if you’re traveling from points south, as you can enjoy snacks and other surprises!
The Buccaneer Bash
At the final stop at The NASWA Resort join the Buccaneer Bash! Come in your best pirate garb and swashbuckle the afternoon away.
Prizes will be awarded for:
- Best Pirate Crew
- Best Pirate Boat
- Best Pirate Costume
- Best Pirate Land Ship
- Best Little Pirate
Poker Run Prizes
Best Hand- Lake
$750!
Best Hand- Land
$750!
Prizes and competitions at the checkpoints, plus prizes for the top hand runners up, too!
At the Every raffle ticket you purchase supports Easterseals NH and those who depend on our programs and services to live life to the fullest. Thank you!
Grand Prize
2024 SeaDoo GTI 170 SE personal watercraft with sound and trailer ($13,645)
2nd Prize
Saber stainless steel grill ($1,899)
3rd Prize
Old Town Saranac Canoe ($923)
4th Prize
Old Town Heron Kayak ($733)
Event Registration
Standard registration is $75 which includes 1 poker hand, 1 event shirt, 1 buffet pass, and 1 grand prize raffle ticket. Choose to register by land or by lake below.
Register by Land
Register by Lake
Sponsored by
