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It’s not too late to join in on Boat/Car Poker Run

6 min read

For the second consecutive year, the members and friends of the Bokeelia Boat Club are offering all local boaters a chance to have fun and win prizes during its annual Poker Run.

The run will take place on Saturday, March 14, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and can be done by land or sea at card stops throughout Bokeelia and Matlacha. The cost per hand for the poker run is $5 each and there is no limit as to how many hands a player can hold. Tickets will continue to be on sale the day of the run and can be purchased at Four Winds Marina on the T-dock or on the dock at Bert’s Bar and Grill in Matlacha. Tickets also can be purchased in advance at Four Winds or from any member of the Bokeelia Boat Club.

The run will consist of nine dealer stops, three of which can only be reached by boat, however, to complete a hand, players need only visit six of the stops but it is mandatory that the last stop be at the Pine Island Elks Lodge located at the Pine Island center.

The stops for this year’s Bokeelia Boat Club Poker Run are:

1. Four Winds Marina

By water: Jug Creek – just west of Stringfellow Road bridge that crosses over Jug Creek. The station is at the end of the T-dock near the houseboat. Gas, food and beverages are available for purchase

By land: At the north end of Stringfellow Road, turn left before the bridge at the marina sign. Park and walk out to the end of the T-dock to reach the card station. Gas, food and beverages are available for purchase.

2. Home located at 16450 Estuary Court

By water: West of Stringfellow Road bridge, turn south just west of Four Winds Marina between markers #34 and 35. Once in the channel, go straight to the fifth house on the right to the dock.

By land: Driving north on Stringfellow Road, turn left on Barrancas Avenue, then right on Quail Trail the left on Della Bitta, which curves right into Estuary Court. The house is down on the right with the card station on the dock.

2A. Marker #8 (by water only)

The red flashing marker at the northwest end of Pine Island, 1/8 of a mile west of the inlet to Jug Creek. See the boat with the Poker banner.

3. Jug Creek Marina

By water: From Charlotte Harbor, enter Shell Cut by traveling south from marker #91. Once inside Shell Cut, you are facing Jug Creek Marina. If you are entering through Jug Creek, go under Stringfellow Bridge and follow the markers to Shell Cut, then turn starboard (right) and you are facing Jug Creek Marina. The card station in on the dock.

By land: Driving north on Stringfellow Road, take a right on Barrancas Avenue, then left on Tortuga Street. Jug Creek Marina is at the end of Tortuga Street with the card station at the end of the dock.

3A. Captain’s Harbor Condos (can be reached by water only)

On the north end of Pine Island, entering from the harbor at Shell Cut, turn starboard (right) on Jug Creek, follow the markers to the Silver Tarpon Lodge sign on your right. If coming from Four Winds, go under Stringfellow Bridge, follow the creek, see Silver Tarpon Lodge sign on your left. Head left (south), follow the creek through the mangroves to Captain’s Harbor condos. The card station will be located at the gazebo dock.

4. Home at 16171 McNeff Road on canal to county ramp

By water: Go to Jug Creek Marina. Follow the shoreline and travel east past the marina. Turn starboard (right) at the first canal and port (left) at the next canal, then starboard (right) to the next canal. The house is on your port (left) side, half way down the canal. visit the card station on the dock.

By land: Driving north on Stringfellow Road, take a right on Barrancas Avenue, then left on McNeff Road. Look for the pink house on the left (#16171). The card station is on the dock.

5. Bert’s Bar and Grill

By water: Head south of the drawbridge in Matlacha Pass. Turn left as soon as you go under the bridge and Bert’s will be on your left 200 feet down. The card station is on the dock with food and beverages available for purchase.

By land: Go 1/10 mile east of the Matlacha Bridge on the south side of Pine Island Road. Parking is available at Pine Bay Gallery or in front of Bert’s. The card station is located on the dock.

5A. Marker #79 (reached by water only)

Traveling north out of Matlacha Pass, it is on your port (left) as you enter Charlotte Harbor. Stop at the boat with the poker run banner for your card.

6. Olde Fish House Marina, seafood market and restaurant

By water: In Matlacha Pass, just north of the Matlacha drawbridge, turn west into the channel marked with the “gas” sign and follow to the left to the last dock before the small bridge. Stop at the dock for your card. Food and beverages are available for purchase.

By land: Take Pine Island Road one block west of the Matlacha drawbridge on the north side of the road. Park at the market and walk out back to the dock to find the card station. Food and beverages are available for purchase.

7. Final stop, Elks Lodge at the 4-way stop behind the hardware store

This is where you will receive your seventh card to complete your hand and complete the run no later than 3:50 p.m.

The Elks Lodge will open for the poker run participants at 1 p.m. and all are invited to enjoy the afternoon with food and beverages. Live music appropriate for dancing will also be provided by Wayne and Carla Deyorgi from 2 to 5 p.m. Upon arriving at the lodge, participants are encouraged to turn in their hands even if they feel they have not been dealt a winner as many door prizes will be up for grabs and will be presented to those drawn through their entries. Some of the giveaways include a membership to Towboat U.S.,; gift certificates to Carrabas, Capt’n Con’s, Stevie Tomatoes Sports Page; shirts and hats and more provided by local businesses.

The best hand turned in during the poker run will be awarded 40 percent of the ticket proceeds, the second best hand will receive 20 percent of the proceeds and third place will take home 10 percent of the proceeds from the run.

For advanced tickets, maps or more information about the second annual Bokeelia Boat Club Poker Run, call Jack Bright at 283-8014 or Sue Raver at 980-0918.