First Annual Poker Run Garners $5,000+ for St. John Cancer Fund

 

Roberta Marquis, above second from left, won the First Annual Poker Run on Sunday, October 7, with a full house. She is pictured with (L to R) Joe Morris, Gary Cox, Kim Morris, Jim Rattz and Kelli Thomas.

What could be more fun than cruising on a boat in these tropical waters?

How about adding a $500 poker pot and the chance to help a fledgling non-profit group dedicated to assisting local cancer patients?

The folks at High Tide and Noah’s Little Arks combined all of those last week in the First Annual St. John Poker Run on Sunday, October 7, and raised about $5,500 for the St. John Cancer Fund.

Hosted by High Tide owners Jim Rattz and Kelli Thomas, and Noah’s Little Arks owners Joe and Kim Morris, the event was the first fundraiser for the recently formed St. John Cancer Fund, which is dedicated to assisting St. John residents battling cancer.
The event kicked off on Sunday morning, October 7, with about 75 participants gathered at High Tide Bar and Grill on the Cruz Bay waterfront.

World Class Anglers, below, was one of the four moored vessels where participants picked up cards during the First Annual St. John Poker Run.

People who owned their own vessels set out from Cruz Bay harbor and stopped at four vessels —Sadie Sea, Dolphin Water Taxi, World Class Anglers and Low Key Watersports — which were moored  in the area,  explained Kim Morris.

“The captain of each boat dealt a card to each participating poker player,” she said. “We had cards that were laminated so when someone paid the entrance fee, they got a card. That way we knew who was taking part in the game.”

“When they reached the moored vessels, they showed the captains their cards and were dealt one card for their poker hand,” Morris said.

Even people without vessels were able to take part in the fun, as boaters piled in as many poker players as they could fit. Poker Run players were also allowed to simply buy into the game for a fee as well, without having to stop at the various moored vessels, Morris added.

Participants were dealt their final cards at High Tide and a straight poker game ensued. In the end, Roberta Marquis with a full house took the $500 pot, which was donated by The Parrot Club, according to Morris.

“Roberta was great,” said Morris. “You should have seen her jumping up and down, it was a lot of fun.”

While Morris and her husband had long discussed hosting a Poker Run event, the couple were not sure what to expect when last Sunday rolled around, Kim Morris explained.

“This is something that Joe had been talking about doing for years,” she said. “Finally, we decided, ‘Let’s just do it.’ And it was great.”

Organizers secured more than 60 raffle prizes, including a five night stay at Century Hill Estates, two nights at Grande Bay, two nights at the Westin Resort and Villas, a titanium bracelet from Free Bird and more.

“There were not that many people pre-registered so the week before the event we went around to different bars and tried to get people signed up,” said Morris. “We had no idea how many people would show up that morning, but the next thing you know, we had 75 people registered.”

Between raffle tickets sales and the poker game buy-in, the event garnered more than $5,500 for the St. John Cancer Fund.

“There was just so much support for the Poker Run; it was great,” Morris said. “All of the businesses were just amazing and we were really happy with the turnout. We thought it was just going to be people we knew, but it was great that so many people took part.”

“It’s a great cause and everyone really had a great time too,” Morris said.

If anyone missed the fun this year, don’t worry. Morris promised that last week’s event was only the first annual Poker Run.

“We’ll defiantly be back next year and we think it will be even bigger and better,” said Morris.