Poker Run

The 2023 EAA Chapter 430 Poker run began at the beginning of July. At that time the event was announced and an entry form which included the game’s rules was presented. During the months of July and August those wanting to be contestants were required to visit at least five of fifteen airports listed on the entry form. These airports all participated in the Washington Pilots Association (WPA) Passport program. This program, like the poker run, was designed to encourage pilots to get out and fly in the beautiful state of Washington. The listed airports all had WPA passport stamps available on site, and poker run contestants were required to stamp their entry form with the stamps as they visited these airports. Naturally it was assumed that there would be a mad scramble to fly to these airports and the locations were selected to help avoid crowded skies.

Our chapter plans a flyout each month, and the flyouts for the months of July and August were on the poker run list. People attending those two flyouts needed only three more stamps, and qualifying airports were available going to and from our July and August destinations. By the August flyout time most contestants had already picked up their passport stamps and crowded skies were not a concern. So to further entice folks to attend, there was a bonus reason for attending the August flyout.

At the end of the August chapter meeting eleven people had met the poker run requirements; perhaps crowded skies were not an issue. These eleven contestants gathered around the “poker table” where Tracy Halsted, wearing her dealer’s visor, dealt five cards from a poker “shoe” to each. Those attending the August flyout to Chehalis were then given an additional (bonus) card, and after determining which five cards to keep, returned one of their six to the dealer. Finally, contestants that thought they could come up with a better poker hand were allowed to return up to three additional cards, then purchasing new ones to replace them. Most opted to try bettering their given hand…

The first place winner Richard Howell split the pot with the chapter. Second place winner Ray Ballantyne won entrance to the Olympic Game Farm for four people. Third place winner Halsted won a Costco gift card. Additional players included Erik Petersen, Elisa Petersen, John Ward, Todd Taylor, Lisa Ballantyne, Harry Cook, Emily Westcott and Ernie Hansen (represented by a proxy).

All in all we had fun having a special reason to fly to old and new places and to behaving like kids at the event’s poker table!

Barry