Neely Henry Lake Poker Run
The 2026 NHLA Poker Run is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2026, on Neely Henry Lake, bringing boaters together for a full afternoon of poker hands, lake cruising, and community fundraising along the Coosa River system. Organized by Neely Henry Lake Association, the annual event continues to grow as one of the area’s popular summer boating gatherings focused on recreational lake fun and local community support.
According to organizers, the 2026 NHLA Poker Run will take place from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., with a rain date scheduled for June 20 if weather conditions require postponement. Participants can preregister online before June 12 or register in person on the day of the event at Southside Landing.
Entry fees are set at $25 per hand, and organizers stated that participants may purchase as many hands as they would like throughout the event. Both traditional five-card and seven-card poker hands will be available for purchase during the 2026 run.
Cash prizes will once again be awarded to the top poker hands of the day, including $300 for first place, $150 for second place, $75 for third place, and an additional $75 prize for the event’s worst hand. Total payouts for the event are expected to reach $600.
The poker run route will guide participants across various portions of Neely Henry Lake as crews collect poker cards throughout the afternoon while enjoying one of Alabama’s more scenic recreational waterways. Organizers continue to emphasize the event’s family-friendly boating atmosphere and encourage participants to bring friends and family members aboard for the day’s activities.
According to the Neely Henry Lake Association, proceeds from the annual poker run directly support community improvement projects and ongoing initiatives focused on preserving, protecting, and improving recreational life along the Coosa River and Neely Henry Lake region.
The NHLA has remained active in lake preservation, boating safety, fish habitat projects, water quality initiatives, and community recreation efforts throughout the region for many years. The organization serves communities surrounding the lake including Rainbow City, Gadsden, Southside, Glencoe, Hokes Bluff, Ashville, and Ohatchee.