FIMBC Poker Run
The 2026 FIMBC Poker Run is set to return to the Ohio River region for another summer day of boating, cards, and waterfront fun as the French Island Marina and Boat Club hosts what organizers describe as its “most popular event” of the year. Scheduled for 2026 with a backup weather date of August 22, the annual fundraiser combines a casual poker-style boat run with a patriotic celebration theme honoring America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
Centered around French Island Marina and Boat Club near the Ohio River, the event welcomes boaters of all types for a relaxed, family-friendly day on the water featuring multiple stops, cash prizes, raffles, merchandise sales, and fundraising activities benefiting the marina club organization.
The 2026 event theme will celebrate “'Merica 250 Years,” giving the poker run a patriotic atmosphere as participants cruise between designated waterfront stops collecting cards for a traditional five-card draw poker hand. Organizers say official stop locations will be announced closer to the event date.
Registration and the final card stop will take place at Ellis Island between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, while participating stops will remain open from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM.
Entry pricing is set at $20 per poker hand for the five-card draw format. Participants will receive one card at each designated stop, with officials punching and verifying run sheets throughout the day to ensure proper gameplay procedures are followed. Event rules specify that no duplicate cards are allowed on individual sheets, no card trading is permitted, and all judging decisions are final.
Prizes will be awarded following the close of the event once all hands have been judged. In the event of a tie, tied participants will draw one additional high card to determine the winner.
Organizers note that 60% of funds raised from poker hands will directly benefit the French Island Marina and Boat Club, while the remaining prize pool will be split between first and second place winners. Current payout structures list maximum prizes of $300 for first place and $200 for second place.
Participants will also have opportunities throughout the day to purchase half-pot raffle entries, merchandise, and additional poker hands. A special “Last Chance Card” option will also be available at the final stop, allowing participants to pay $5 for one additional opportunity to improve their hand before final judging.
Unlike larger offshore poker runs centered around speed or high-performance boating, the FIMBC Poker Run focuses on relaxed summer boating, local community involvement, and social fun on the water. The event regularly attracts pontoons, fishing boats, cruisers, and recreational lake and river boaters looking for a casual day of waterfront entertainment.
Event organizers Nancy Daniels and Saundra Hadley continue to oversee the fundraiser as the marina club builds on the popularity of previous years’ events.
With patriotic celebrations, poker hands, marina stops, and a laid-back river atmosphere, the 2026 FIMBC Poker Run is once again shaping up to become a favorite late-summer boating event along the Ohio River region.