Poker Run!!

More information on the Sandia Foothills Poker Run

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November 17, starting at 9:00 at the trailhead located at Monte Verde, Sierra Largo and Narcisco.

What the heck is this? The basic idea of this “race” is to run to 5 (6 or 7) designated locations. At each of these locations you will find a deck of cards. You pick up a card at each location and return to the start with your poker hand. We will trust you to take the top card without looking.

What’s the route? There is no route. You can get to the different locations any way you like EXCEPT that you must not go into areas that are marked as off limits by the ABQ open space.

How long is this “race”? If you hit the minimum 5 locations and stay on the main trails, it will be about 5 miles. You can make this shorter by going cross country. If you opt for visiting 6 (or 7) locations, the route will be “longer.”

Why would I go to 6 (or 7) locations instead of 5? If you visit 5, you will have 5 cards for your poker hand. If you go to 6 (or 7) locations, you will have 6 (or 7) cards and you can discard 1 (or 2). But you will have to run farther. Running farther takes longer.

How do I win? Ah, this is the fun part. Your time will be recorded. You will deduct minutes from your time based on your poker hand. See the end of this document for the details.

Will I be competing against everyone? Nah, there will be four categories: women, men, women masters (over 40) and men masters (over 40).

Do I get a prize? First two places in each category get a prize.

Will the prize be worth carrying home? Oh yeah!!!! Well, maybe.

Do I get a T-shirt? Nope!!

Will there be aid stations? Nope!!!

Will there be a party afterwards? Hell yes.

How much will this event set me back? No charge. It would be great though if you brought some non-perishable food items to give to the food bank.

When will I know where the card decks are located? I will get a map to you about one week before the event.

Can I bring a friend? Absolutely!

Can I bring food to share for the finish? Sure.

Time deductions

The rank of hands from lowest to highest, with their time deductions is:

High card:

30 seconds subtracted for 2-10; 45 seconds for face card; 60 seconds for an ace.

4-straight

(four cards of consecutive rank): 75 seconds.

4-flush

(four cards of one suit) 90 seconds.

Pair:

60 seconds subtracted for 2-10 pair; 90 seconds for face card pair; 2 minutes for a pair of aces.

Two pairs:

see above; you receive the combined time deduction for each pair. Up to 3 minutes for a pair of aces and a pair of face cards.

Three of a kind:

90 seconds for 2-10; 3 minutes for face card pairs; 4 minutes for three aces.

Straight (

5 cards of consecutive rank): 6 minutes

Flush

(all cards are the same suit): 7 minutes.

Full house

(3 of a kind plus a pair): 8 minutes.

Four of a kind:

8 minutes for 2-10; 10 minutes for face cards; 15 minutes for 4 aces.

Straight flush

(5 cards in order, all of the same suit): 20 minutes!!

If it takes you 45 minutes to get your hand and you end up with a straight flush, your time would be 25 minutes!!!

If it takes you 75 minutes and you come back with 7 cards, you can discard 2 and keep your best hand. If it is a straight flush, you would have a time of 50 minutes.