If you have heard the words poker run and pictured a card table, you are halfway there. A poker run brings together two great pleasures: a day on the water with friends, and the thrill of a winning hand. Here is how it works, and why the Kata Rocks Poker Run has become one of Phuket’s favourite days on the Andaman Sea.
A poker run is an organised rally in which participants travel between a series of checkpoints. At each stop, every entrant collects a playing card. By the final stop, each player holds a full poker hand, and the strongest hand wins.
The format first grew popular on land, among motorcycle and classic car clubs. On the water, it has become a much-loved way for boat owners to explore, compete and celebrate together.
The beauty of a poker run is that speed alone will not win it. The cards decide the champion, so a leisurely crew enjoying every stop has the same chance as the fastest boat on the water. Luck, good company and a sense of adventure matter far more than horsepower.
That said, there are always a few crews who like to get there first, which is why the Kata Rocks Poker Run also recognises the fastest time with plenty of bragging rights.
Any boat with a crew and a sense of fun can join, from sleek sports boats to elegant yachts. Entry is per person, and a skipper or captain with their boat counts as one ticket. Participants aboard boats must be aged 16 or over.
No boat? You can still join the action as a spectator aboard the KR Boat, with limited seats available.
December brings calm seas and clear skies to Phuket’s west coast, and the coastline between Kata and the surrounding bays offers some of the most beautiful cruising in Thailand. A poker run is simply the most enjoyable excuse to see it all in one afternoon.
The Kata Rocks Poker Run takes place on Saturday 19 December 2026, the day after the Superyacht Rendezvous Brunch. Early bird entry is THB 3,000++ per person until 30 November.
Reserve Now and deal yourself in.
