Miami Poker Run 2017

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The 2017 poker run, which typically sends about 10,000 motorcycles down U.S. 1 with stops along the way through the Florida Keys, was scheduled for Sept. “safety first for poker run 2017” My fellow Virgin Islanders and residents of the BVI, we are about to celebrate Poker Run 2017, another exciting event on the BVI’s tourism calendar. Local boaters, in addition to sailors from other parts of the Caribbean and the US mainland look forward to this annual event to show off the design.

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May 28th, 2017 Tags:
The 2017 Leverick Bay Poker Run kicks off today May 28, 2017 with the official start at 11:00 a.m. with the 1st Stop/Card at Trellis Bay. Photo: Facebook
One of the boats from Virgin Gorda that is expected to be in today's poker run. Photo: Facebook
The Government, as well as, the Leverick Bay Poker Run Committee are calling on all boaters to comply with all safety rules and regulations. Photo: Facebook

Miami Poker Run 2017

LEVERICK BAY, Virgin Gorda, VI - Excitement has reached its peak in the early hours of today Sunday, May 28, 2017, as close to some 500 boats of all sizes, types, and speed have converged in the sea lanes between Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda in the east to Foxy’s Taboo, Jost van Dyke in the West.

In addition to private boats, many power boat charter companies have reported that request for power boats for the poker run have been up and many commercial party boats and ferries are close to being sold out for today's big poker run extravagance.

The annual Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda poker run is becoming for the Virgin Islands what carnival has become to Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, or carnival in Trinidad and Tobago.

Miami Poker Run 2017 Schedule

Every resident for the most part with a boat attends the poker run and over the past years, there have been boats of all kind participating from Puerto Rico, Miami, St. Maarten, Anguilla, and the United States Virgin Islands.

Everyone wants a glimpse

Scores of onlookers, including children, tourists, and the media will line the shore routes or on house pouches with the aim to get a glimpse of the sea lane of the Sir Francis Drake channel littered with boats, people, and the paparazzi.

Many young women have done their nails, and feet along with having the right outfit ready to show and tell, while others have spent some time in the Gym to show off on top of some of the well-known power boats and big yachts around the Virgin Islands.

Meanwhile, Government Officials including Premier and Minister of Tourism Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) and the Organizers of the Leverick Bay Poker Run Committee have urged all boaters to practice safety at sea and to comply with all the rules set out to make the event a success.

Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. today May 28, 2017, where boaters will be able to purchase at least one 'hand' per boat (a hand is a wristband that allows entrance into each stop, and at each stop, participants pick up a card for the game).

Miami Poker Run 2017 Dates

Time for Today's activities

The costs of a hand is $250 dollars, and buying a hand means that you, as an individual, will be participating officially and have the chance of winning big cash prizes by obtaining the best poker hand possible. At 10:15 a.m., the first card is selected at random only by those who purchased a hand and who are participating officially.

The official start of the run is at 11:00 a.m. with the 1st Stop/Card at Trellis Bay, Tortola, 2nd Stop/Card Foxy's Taboo, Jost van Dyke, 3rd Stop/Card Scaramouche Restaurant, Tortola, 4th Stop/Card, Pirates Bight, Norman Island and the 5th Stop/Finish Line, at Tortola Pier Park.

All Boats are expected to be back at Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda by 5:30 p.m. when the prizes will be announced.

  • Just saying (28/05/2017, 09:45) Like (7)Dislike (0)Reply
    Nice! please keep it safe its not a boat race
    • I be racin (28/05/2017, 11:08) Like (1)Dislike (9)Reply
      You must be joking if you don't think that the boats are racings.
  • Only some make money from this
    • @ Zoe (28/05/2017, 13:16) Like (4)Dislike (2)Reply
      but the organizers say it goes to charity so what's the issue?
      • Private (29/05/2017, 06:22) Like (1)Dislike (2)Reply
        Private bets don't go to charity and the issue is that along with bragging rights
  • rattie (28/05/2017, 10:01) Like (7)Dislike (0)Reply
    Nice be safe people its not a race
  • job (28/05/2017, 10:51) Like (31)Dislike (10)Reply
    Great event for all but we often turn a blind eye to the source of income for all those expensive boats
    • No Name (28/05/2017, 13:07) Like (22)Dislike (29)Reply
      @ job
      And that's your business????
      • job (28/05/2017, 13:32) Like (21)Dislike (16)Reply
        @ No name, no it's not. No wonder the BVI the way it is and we continue to loose our young men then we wonder why.
      • Corruption (29/05/2017, 06:29) Like (5)Dislike (4)Reply
        Yes it is actually. It is my concern since as we climb the corruption index ladder the harder it becomes to attract business to the BVI. That difficulty affects everything and everyone and makes life harder.
        BVI is not self sustaining. Therefore anything that has the potential to make my life harder is my business.
        Stop condoning crime and corruption.
        But you must know why you are, am sure.
      • if the drugs are distributed to the young people of the bvi its everyone's business, strups.
    • Deh Watcha (29/05/2017, 10:58) Like (3)Dislike (0)Reply
      If you have information on the source go to the police with it.
  • one eye (28/05/2017, 13:14) Like (15)Dislike (3)Reply
    this is one event that is not overrated...look boats and ladies mehson
  • hope they are keeping safe just saw a few looking half drunk
  • Fan on land (28/05/2017, 14:32) Like (3)Dislike (2)Reply
    From my Veranda at Zion Hill I had an awesome view of about 20 boats in the space of 15 mins making a run for the fourth station on Tortola at between 1:25 and 1:40pm
  • How many decent law abiding residents have no interest in this? Too many
  • Moore (29/05/2017, 09:10) Like (4)Dislike (4)Reply
    For the haters.
    Nothing wrong with have some fun. Let us see Police porker run team, Customs team and Financial Services Compliance team out in the water where the action is taking place, rather than complaining.
    Free up the jet skis while we are thinking straight.
  • More,More,More! (29/05/2017, 22:07) Like (10)Dislike (0)Reply
    Bad enough so many fatal auto accidents happening in BVI due to speeding and wreckless driving. Now these idiots are putting the lives of others innocent boaters in the line of fire with this stupidity.


Miami Poker Run 2017
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Posted: Friday 26 May, 2017 at 2:02 PM
British Virgin Islands News
Statement
    STATEMENT BY PREMIER AND MINISTER FOR TOURISM DR. THE HONOURABLE D. ORLANDO SMITH, OBE “SAFETY FIRST FOR POKER RUN 2017”
    My fellow Virgin Islanders and residents of the BVI, we are about to celebrate Poker Run 2017, another exciting event on the BVI’s tourism calendar.
    Local boaters, in addition to sailors from other parts of the Caribbean and the US mainland look forward to this annual event to show off the design and speed of their vessels.
    Poker Run is one of the BVI’s signature events that continue to spark interest. This event continues to welcome thousands of visitors and over 200 vessels from Puerto Rico, Miami and the USVI. We are always excited to welcome our repeat guests and new visitors to the destination.
    The BVI Tourist Board (BVITB) continues to promote the Poker Run and other events on our calendar as a compelling enticement to visit our Territory and explore the multiple experiences that we have to offer. These events create a great springboard for introducing more guests to our Territory. The Poker Run and other boating events are also excellent avenues for exposing our guests to our group of islands, each with their own character and unique experiences.
    The event is also an excellent opportunity for boaters to win prizes and a charitable cause to benefit the local community.
    While it is a time for celebration, the Government of the Virgin Islands has its mandates to ensure the safety of both residents and visitors to the Territory.
    Hence, at this time, I call on all participants and supporters, to put safety first during this year’s activities. As we prepare to enjoy the event, I am reminding us to adhere to the rules, regulations and guidelines that have been put in place to ensure our safety.
    Both captains and passengers are asked to take the necessary precautions to ensure the well-being of everyone involved. Captains should have their “kill cord” attached to them; life vests must be worn by each person on the boat; and participants are to operate only within the designated area (Leverick Bay – Trellis Bay – Foxy’s Taboo, Jost Van Dyke – Scaramouche Restaurant, Soper’s Hole Tortola – Pirates Bight, Norman Island – Tortola Pier Park, Road Harbour, Tortola).
    Government agencies, the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) and Virgin Islands Shipping Registry (VISR), have both issued notices to remind boaters of various safety regulations.
    The BVIPA has reminded captains and operators to adhere to the 5 knots speed limit when entering or leaving BVI harbours. When entering harbours, captains and operators should reduce speed when nearing the outermost buoys. While departing harbours, captains and operators should only increase speed after passing the outermost buoys. Captains will be held liable for any damage or injury caused by non-compliance to speed limits.
    A copy of the regulations can be found online on the BVIPA’s website - www.bviports.org.
    I also implore you to read the marine notice issued by the VISR for both participants and supporters. Special attention should be paid to the following particulars:
    Always maintain a sharp lookout for persons in water and other users of our waterways.
    All boats should be fit for purpose and fitted with the necessary equipment for safe navigation.
    The participants should obey the Collision Regulations as well as the rules of the Poker Run competition.
    Prepare for and practice your emergency response for accidents and incidents such as man overboard, drowning, collision and serious injury etc. prior to the Poker Run.
    The marine notice can be found on the VISR page on the Government of the Virgin Islands’ website - www.bvi.gov.vg.
    As for supporters, you are being asked to be aware of boats going at full speed within the area of the Poker Run during the time of the races; and avoid, if possible, water sport activities in the area of the Poker Run for the duration of the competition if possible.
    I commend the organisers of Poker Run 2017 and extend best wishes for another successful event.
    Let us continue to work together to keep Destination BVI a safe place to sail.
    *************************

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