$1,000 Super Poker Run Saturday

Snowmobilers are getting excited. This Saturday, the Silver Dollar Bar in Haugen, in conjunction with the Montana Nightrider's Snowmobile Club, is going to be hosting its 23rd annual $1,000 Super Poker Run on the West End of Mineral County.

Each year, a portion of the money raised goes toward a charity. Brooke Lincoln, who's been coordinating the event, said that this year's charity has not yet been determined.

"The Mineral County Search and Rescue team and the ambulance crew from Superior always come up to help us just in case we have a problem," Lincoln said. "Luckily, we haven't yet."

So not only do riders get to help out a charity, they get to do it spending a day out on their snowmobiles on trails that wind up through the mountains. Lincoln said that riders can expect to ride about 50 miles on Saturday. Riders will start out at the bar, where they'll draw their first card, and then they have three additional stops to make, before drawing their fifth and final card back at the Silver Dollar.

"It's a fantastic ride," Lincoln said.

Chili stations throughout the ride will keep those who attend fed and warm. They can expect to get out and see some of the backcountry that the area has to offer. Riders will travel along the power line and up over Mullan Pass, coming back on the railroad grade on the south.

"They can expect to get up high," Lincoln said.

The event in the past has drawn around 300 riders and they buy a collective of around 1,000 hands for the game of poker.

"It's like we're having a party for 300 of our closest friends," Lincoln said.

Lincoln said last year they paid out $2,300 to 15 placings. She said that the event is very successful and attracts riders from Washington, Oregon and all over the northwest.

Last year, Ed Green brought his family all the way down from Spokane to partake in the Poker Run.

"It's a family tradition. Besides, my birthday falls around this time every year so it's a good way to celebrate. It's always so nice of you guys to put on this celebration for me," he told the Mineral last year, joking. "But no, we like the people here in Mineral County and the ones who put it on every year. It's great."

Pre-registration will open up on Friday with a bonfire from 6-9 p.m. Registration and the first draw opens up on Saturday morning at 9 a.m.

The event is also taking on a pirates theme this year. Riders won't want to miss out on contests including best costume and talk like a pirate. Riders can also expect a treasure hunt and more.