How's this dinghy derby thing work?

BEFORE

Register on MCYC.com, in person at the Club Room, or via select board members. Members and non-members are welcome and it doesn’t have to be done in a dinghy! $20 per hand for members, $30 for non-members. Every registration gets one poker hand, two MCYC cups, and an entry into a drawing for prizes, and you can purchase as many poker hands as you’d like!  You can also purchase extra cups for $5 for passengers who don’t want a poker hand. 

DURING

Between 10:30-11:30am, you and your dinghy riders will show up at the MCYC Deck for last minute registration, check in, ID check for 21+, waivers, and wristband distribution. 

At noon, the Commodore’s horn blast will signal the start, but it’s not a race. It’s a fun, leisurely spin around Washington Park Marina and Trail Creek to see some new parts of the marina, say hi to friends on other docks, and maybe engage in a little good-natured sprinting with your friends in their dinghies or even tie up to raft along for a bit. As long as you keep it safe, have fun!

You’ll have three hours travel to five stops where each poker hand holder will draw special MCYC playing cards, and cup holders will receive short pours of a few refreshing beverages into those MCYC cups.  Enjoy the ride along the way – just because Bridges is the furthest stop, doesn’t mean you can’t go all the way down the creek. Or if a mooring catches your eye, tie up and enjoy a break.

AFTER

Between 3-4pm, check in with your final poker hand on the MCYC deck. Enjoy some free food and a cash bar, and check out some of the prizes we’re giving away. (Please, no outside alcohol.) 

At 4pm, we'll start giving out prizes.  The best poker hand wins $200 in cash! Plus, we’re giving away one FREE membership to the MCYC (renewal or new member), gift baskets from local businesses including Shady Creek Winery and Montage Interiors, gift cards, and more.

Feel free to stick around after prizes to enjoy dinner in the Club Room.

FAQs & Rules

Can I buy member pricing for my friends?

Member pricing applies to poker hands for members in good standing of the Michigan City Yacht Club only; non-member pricing applies to all others, including those purchasing poker hands but riding in the dinghy of a member. If you’re buying more than a couple of poker hands at the non-member rate, consider buying a membership to get the member pricing – remember, annual general membership is only $300!

What if I don’t have a dinghy?

If you don’t have a dinghy, find a friend and propose a foursome; you can both register for hands and everyone (21+) can enjoy drinks. And it doesn’t have to be a dinghy – if it floats, it’s fun! Feel free to use your jetski, a kayak, or any other legal floating vessel to participate. Just remember – no wakes!

What’s this waiver thing?

At check in, everyone will have to sign a standard liability waiver – the lawyers make us do it. You can read it here before the event, but all participants will have to sign a copy, so please make sure everyone comes to check in. Wristbands will not be provided to participants who refuse to sign a liability waiver.

What if I am/my guest is under 21?  Or I don’t have my ID?

Guests 18-20 years old can certainly participate in the poker run portion and register for poker hands, but will not be served alcohol.  In addition, participants who cannot present a valid ID indicating they are 21 or older will not be served alcohol.  

Can I take this wristband off?

You *can* but by doing so you’ll miss out on the opportunity to win a bunch of great prizes! We’re giving away one FREE membership (renewal or new member), gift baskets from local businesses including Shady Creek Winery and Montage Interiors, and gift cards to local restaurants, and more. Wristbands must be on the original poker hand holder/registrant in order to win.

Do I have to be present to win prizes?

Yes, you have to be present on the MCYC deck in order to win prizes from the drawing or the winning poker hand.

Card Collection Rules

Each poker hand holder will receive one card per stop pulled from a deck of cards held by the designated MCYC volunteer at that stop. That volunteer will record the card selected on the official event scorecard.  The individual or team registered for the hand (wearing the wristband) must be present at the time of card draw to receive the card; there are no proxy draws.

Final Hand Submission Rules

The poker hand (five cards) must be declared and submitted to officials between 3pm-4pm on the MCYC deck. Once submitted, the hand is final and recorded.

Cards may not be exchanged, traded, or swapped between players, teams, or hands. If playing multiple hands, each hand will be recorded separately and must be kept independent of other hands in the dinghy.  Any suspicion of tampering, cheating, or violating the spirit of the poker run (e.g. collusion between players) may result in disqualification at the discretion of the event committee.

In the event of a tie

In the event of identical winning hands, the tie will be broken using the following methods (in this order):

1. Best card drawn from one deck by all hands that tied

2. Random draw by event staff (if tie persists)

General Conduct

Follow all water safety rules and respect private property.  This is a fun-first, safety-always event and irresponsible and/or dangerous behavior may result in expulsion from the event.

Volunteers keep events like this running. Card distributors and event officials are volunteering their time and card stop hosts have allowed us to use their property (including their boats) to present this event, so please be courteous, respectful, and patient. Don’t do anything to someone else’s boat you don’t want done to yours.

The MCYC Dinghy Derby Poker Run Committee reserves the right to interpret or modify rules as needed.