How To Play Poker (for Charity)
Skookum's Charity Poker Tournament is coming up on March 24 in Bellingham and March 31 in Ellensburg, and it occurs to us, many of you may not have played poker (for charity) before. Since there is some closely observed etiquette at such an event, we thought a little primer might be helpful. Would not want you to stumble into an embarrassing breach of protocol. That would be uncomfortable for everyone! To avoid that, just follow these tips closely, and you'll be fine.
♠️♦️♣️♥️
Pick your location and register (oh yeah, you're definitely a VIP).
In Bellingham, we play at the Bellingham Yacht Club, a beautiful setting with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the marina. We time the tournament to start just as the sun sets over the islands. It would be a once in a lifetime experience except that we have this tournament every year!
In Ellensburg we play at Canyon River Ranch on the banks of the Yakima River another iconic place to play poker. Spend breaks in play on the deck, swapping fishing stories and planning your next pheasant hunting trip.
Both locations have several registration options, but VIP is the only one you'll need. It stands for Very Important Person, which of course you are. Just snap that one up and text the link to a buddy or three. We’re sure they are very important too.
Grab some raffle tickets.
This isn't strictly necessary, but you'll regret missing a chance to win a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle Lot B (in Bellingham) or the entire run--all 6 bottles--of Blanton's (in Ellensburg). We'll draw winners during the breaks in play at each tournament, but you do not have to be present to win. The drawing will be livestreamed so you can play in one tournament and enter (AND WIN!!) both raffles.
Ask anybody who knows whiskey, Pappy is especially hard to find in the Pacific Northwest. Our friends at Bellingham Bourbon Society are trying to change that, but in the meantime this might be your only shot at a bottle this year.
Blanton's is a little easier to find, but some people prefer it to Pappy, and this is a full flight, meaning even the expressions released only in the European and Japanese markets are included in this bundle.
You probably need 10 tickets for each to start, and maybe more depending on how you're feeling on the night of the tournament.
Roll up right on time.
This isn't a tournament you want to enter late. Be right on time so that you can scope out your competition, specifically on the raffles. In addition to the whiskey raffles at each site, we'll be auctioning a seat at the final table. So if you're feeling lucky, you can skip that part. But if you'd rather skip straight to the serious play, laying a few hundred on that would be smart.
If you've never been to a tournament like this, it's important to note that everybody wears one of these green visors. We can't really explain why, but everybody does and you'll look really out of place without one. So be sure you have a visor.
Wait for your turn to act and then shout "All In!"
We play Texas Hold 'Em, which means you'll be dealt 2 cards that are yours alone and then a series of five more cards will be dealt onto "the board" that can be used by anyone at the table to make their best possible 5-card hand. Play starts to the dealer's left and proceeds around the table in a series of betting rounds called streets. When it's your turn, if you're not sure what to do, just ask the dealer what your options are, and they'll help you out.
Or instead, just shout "All In!" The less you bet, the more you lose when you win, after all. And you will have unlimited opportunities to re-enter the tournament should such a bold strategy not melt your competition.
Sing that Kenny Rogers song under your breath once every few minutes.
You know the one.
Make a friend.
Ideally someone else wearing one of those green visors.
Win big!
If you run good in the tournament, you may take home one of three exciting prize packs. But listen, you can't lose here. Between the raffle, the final-table auction, the tournament itself, and the setting, there's virtually no chance that you'll have anything less than a great time. And it's all for a good cause! Thanks to our sponsors (below), all of your tournament entry, and re-buys benefit the kids and families affected by foster care in our community.
Can’t wait to see you there!
Thank you to Veritas Media, Rice Insurance, Haskell Corporation, Cesco Solutions, Stemma Brewing, Cohen Group NW, Kittitas Cafe, Burrows Tractor, Canyon River Ranch, Heritage Bank, and Jerry Lael: Farmers Insurance! If you’d like to see your name on this list, please reach out to info@skookumkids.org. :)