BY TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
The 23rd annual Merrill Poker Run will take place on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023.
This year 12 Merrill businesses will sponsor the Poker Run, bringing participants in and out of downtown Merrill businesses including Strive-4-Life, Auntie Ray’s Coffee Shop, Polka Dotted Pie, Hargrave Appliance Center, Merrill Ace Hardware, VIP Office Products, and Courtside Furniture. It will also take participants to Merrill’s mid-city area to check out Miller Home Furnishings and Ballyhoos; the north Center Ave. business district to visit Merrill Sheet Metal, and to the sixth Ward retail area to stop at Westside Market. In addition, St. Francis Xavier Church is a sponsor, drawing Poker Run participants over to their school cafeteria/hall where they will be holding their annual St. Francis Xavier School Christmas Bazaar from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with vendor booths/sales, craft sales, basket raffles, candy and cookie sale, a soup and sandwich lunch, and more.
A lot is happening on Nov. 11 and the 23rd annual Merrill Poker Run just adds to the fun and excitement in the community. It’s a great opportunity to kick off the Christmas shopping season and gather Christmas ideas for the coming season, and possibly win prizes along the way. Participating businesses will have special Poker Run displays, showcase new Christmas items and ideas, offer in-store specials, and more.
The Poker Run will have multiple winners. Grand prize is $500, first prize is $150, second prize is $120, third prize is $90, a prize will be given for “worst poker hand,” and there will be a drawing from all Poker Run cards turned in. That prize is an overnight stay at the Chula Vista resort in Wisconsin Dells good for four people which includes four waterpark passes and a $25 food coupon.
How do you play?
Go to any of this year’s 12 participating businesses to pick up a game card on Nov. 11. Then visit each business to get your card stamped (no purchase necessary to play or to win). Be sure to get at least five stamps from five different businesses. Then at 12 noon or later that day (but before they close at 5 p.m.), go to Courtside Furniture to turn in your game card. Courtside is the only location where game cards can be turned in. You will be dealt a hand based on the number of stamps you collected on your game card (i.e. five stamps = five cards and so on). The dealer will help you receive a poker hand with the possibility of getting a royal flush, organizers said.
Be sure to turn in your game card and get your poker hand before 5 p.m.