Big Bang Poker Run

The Big Bang Poker Run is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2026, on Table Rock Lake, bringing boaters together for a full day of poker hands, scenic lake cruising, and charity fundraising benefiting the annual Fire & Thunder fireworks show in Shell Knob. Hosted by the Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce, the annual event has become one of the area’s popular summer boating traditions on Table Rock Lake.

The 2026 poker run will officially begin at 11:00 a.m. CDT with registration and launch activities centered around Kings River Marina. Participants will navigate a charted poker run route across portions of Table Rock Lake while stopping at multiple waterfront checkpoints to collect poker cards throughout the day.

According to organizers, the 2026 route will include several popular Table Rock Lake destinations including Fish N Fun Resort, Big Creek Resort, and Campbell Point Marina along with additional participating waterfront locations around the lake.

The poker run uses a traditional five-card format where participants collect sealed poker cards at each designated stop before returning to the final location for official hand scoring and prize announcements. Organizers stated that the crew with the strongest final poker hand will receive major prizes donated by local sponsors and marine businesses.

Past Big Bang Poker Run prize packages have included marine audio systems, pellet grills, towable tubes, boating accessories, and additional outdoor recreation prizes. The event is designed as a relaxed boating experience rather than a speed competition, encouraging participants to enjoy the scenic portions of Table Rock Lake while visiting participating marinas and waterfront establishments.

The annual poker run also serves as a fundraiser supporting Shell Knob’s Fire & Thunder fireworks celebration, one of the area’s major Independence Day boating and tourism events. Organizers say proceeds from the poker run help fund the annual fireworks display and additional local community projects throughout the Shell Knob area.

The Big Bang Poker Run continues to attract a wide variety of lake traffic including pontoons, wake boats, cruisers, fishing boats, center consoles, and performance boats throughout the Table Rock Lake region.

Additional registration information, route maps, stopping locations, and post-run festivities are expected to be announced through the Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce and the organization’s official Facebook page leading up to the June 2026 event weekend.