When he traveled to his first poker run Myles Holcomb knew the experience was one he had to share with all his friends and just had to bring the same type of event closer to Biloxi, Mississippi. Teaming with Smokin the Sound’s Rusty David and Woody Bailey, Holcomb with the help of long time poker runner Paul Burttucci has done just that with the “Smokin the Sound Poker Run” Now highly anticipated annual event among participants and spectators alike. The event brings the Category 5 shoot out on Friday thanks to the efforts of Jeremy Nunez. As well as Super Boat International qualifying and testing Saturday with racing on Sunday making it more than just a regular poker run it is a “Powerboating Extreme Weekend with a Poker Run attached. The event is hosted by The Palace Casino Resort and participants arriving early in the week to soak up the sun and spend quality time at the gaming tables.
The area offers an incredible venue for this type of event and gives boaters so many different options. They can choose to run offshore to destinations including the barrier islands or stay within the protected waters for cards. Some participants think Shaggy’s Restaurant in Pass Christian which provides a crawfish boil lunch for participants is the best stop,others prefer Orangutan’s Prop Stop Daiquiri bar which is located just up the Biloxi River and offers tasty frozen beverages. Other stops include Ship Island, Maragitaville Casino, The Dock Bar and Grill, Gulfport Harbor and a new stop this year The Boardwalk Marina. There are just so many different places to go and things to do it really makes for a great way to enjoy your boat with family and friends.
The Palace Casino resorts pull out all the stops for the after party it hosts at Contact Sports Bar with great food and drinks. Providing participants with friendly casino dealers to help with their hands. Hanging out with friends new and old after the hands are dealt often lasts till the early morning hours as the participants find this run is one of those where all the participants tend to run together so they enjoy comparing stories after the event ends. Steven Simmons of Slidell, La., took the Top Gun Award in the inaugural Smokin’ The Sound Category V Shootout running his 36 Nor-Tech Cat to 161 mph.
The winners in the Shootout were:
22-26 foot Cat: 112 mph by Jeff Harris ofDadenville, Ala.; 26-foot RPM Red Line.
22-26 foot Vee: 64 mph by Mark Noggerath ofRiver Ridge, La.; 22-foot Donzi.
32-36 foot Cat: 161 mph by Simmons of Slidell;36-foot Nor t-Tech
32-36 foot Cat: 118 mph by Doyle DeGrusha,Metairie, La.; 36-foot Spectre.
32-36 foot Cat: 108 mph by Kenny Mungle,Houston; 32-foot Skater.
32-36 foot Vee: 90 mph by Matthew Lamp, ofPonchatoula, La.; 32-foot Fountain
37-42 foot Vee: 104 mph by Dennis Schmid ofSlidell; 42-foot Fountain
37-42 foot Vee: 86 mph by Jeff Whitlock ofColumbiane, Ala.; 38-foot Scarab
43 foot and Over Cat: 145 mph by Richard Princeof Metairie; 44-foot MTI
