Houston 99s Poker Run

Join the Houston Chapter of The Ninety-Nines (99s) for an exciting Poker Run fundraiser supporting women in aviation! This fun, month-long flying and driving adventure raises funds for scholarships and chapter activities that advance aviation education and empower women pilots.

Come fly, drive, explore, and help celebrate the legacy of The Ninety-Nines—an international organization of women pilots founded in 1929 dedicated to education, scholarships, and the advancement of women in aviation.

Register Here

What is a poker run?

A poker run is a flying/driving poker game. The goal is to pick up an envelope with a playing card from each of the designated airports (see list below) during the time period for the Poker Run (September 1st through October 3rd).

Begin at any of the designated airports and go to as many airports as you wish. If you don’t make it to each airport extra cards can be picked up at the terminus (West Houston Airport/IWS). The best five cards out of the seven cards in a “hand” will be judged for your poker hand.

Purchase one (or more) “hands” online. At an airport, each person in the airplane/car who has purchased a “hand” picks up a sealed envelope (one envelope for each hand) that contains a playing card. Do NOT open the envelope!

At the deadline – 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 3rd – everyone meets at the designated terminus airport (IWS) with their envelopes to reveal their hands, have the hands scored, and claim their prizes. Each player – pilots, drivers, and passengers – can buy as many hands as they want.

How does it work?

Other Important Information

  • One envelope per hand is drawn at each airport you visit. The envelope will have a card – DO NOT OPEN THE ENVELOPE!! Each hand has 7 cards – extra cards are picked at the terminus for a total of 7 cards per hand. The best 5 cards in the hand will be used to judge your poker hand.

  • Remember, this is not a race! Please take your time and be safe. You have a month to pick up envelopes. Since driving is an option, the event will take place – rain or shine!

  • Scoring: Standard Five Card Draw. Points will be assessed not only for hands, but card values within hands. Your hand will be put onto a score sheet for tallying upon arrival at the terminus.

  • At the terminus, aircraft can park on the ramp outside the main terminal. Cars and motorcycles can park in the main parking lot outside the terminal building. Volunteers will be available to direct you where to go to turn in your hands. Lunch will be provided by the 99s.

Still have questions? See our FAQ below.

East Texas Airports


TYR - Tyler Pounds Regional Airport
Johnson Aviation:
‍ 353 Airport Dr, Tyler, TX 75704

Amenities:

Sky’s the
Limit Diner

Courtesy
Car

Courtesy
Car

Courtesy
Car

Fuel
Truck Only

Historic
Aviation
Memorial
Museum


ASL - Harrison County Airport
Central Jet Services:
‍ 2100 Warren Dr, Marshall, TX 75672

Amenities:

Fuel
Truck or
Self-Serve

CAF - Lone
Star Wing &
Nearby Food


LFK - Angelina County Airport
Angelina County FBO:
‍ 800 Airport Blvd, Burke, TX 75941

Amenities:

Angelina
County
Airport Cafe

Fuel
Truck or
Self-Serve

Louisiana Airports


CWF - Chennault International Airport
Million Air Lake Charles:
‍ 4500 Chennault Pkwy, Lake Charles, LA 70615

Amenities:

Snacks in
FBO with fuel

Fuel
Truck or
Self-Serve

Final Airport for Turning in Cards


IWS - West Houston Airport
Terminal Building:
‍ 18000 Groschke Rd, Houston, TX 77084

Amenities:

Snacks in
FBO with fuel

Fuel
Truck or
Self-Serve

Hands will be available to be picked up at IWS on October 3 only.

Join the Houston 99s at West Houston Airport on October 3 at 11 am to turn in your poker hands. You, or a representative, must be present to win. The 99s will host lunch immediately following prize give aways.

Which airports are part of the poker run?

We have a great set of airports participating in the poker run! Airports are listed below along with amenities (including fuel discounts!).

CXO - Conroe/North Houston Regional Airport
Galaxy FBO:
2971 Hawthorne Drive Conroe, TX 77301

Amenities:

DWH - David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport
Gill Aviation:
20803 Steubner Airline Spring, TX 77379

Amenities:

Aviator
Grill

CLL - College Station/Easterwood Field
Astin Aviation:
‍ 1680 George Bush Dr W, College Station, TX 77845

Amenities:

Gate 12
Bar & Grill

Fuel
Truck or
Self-Serve

LBX - Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport
Runway Cafe:
‍ ‍7915 Airport Way, Angleton, TX 77515

Amenities:

Runway
Cafe

Courtesy
Car

Courtesy
Car

Courtesy
Car

GSL - Scholes International At Galveston Airport
Island Jet Center:
‍ ‍2115 Terminal Dr, Galveston, TX 77554

Amenities:

Courtesy
Car

Black
Walnut
Cafe

Fuel
Truck or
Self-Serve

Fuel
Truck or
Self-Serve

Fuel
Truck or
Self-Serve

Fuel
Truck Only

CAF _ Gulf Coast Wing

Central Texas Airports


50R - Lockhart Municipal Airport
Martin & Martin Aviation:
‍ 222 Airport Dr, Lockhart, TX 78644

Amenities:

Courtesy
Car

Self-Service Only

Fuel
Truck or
Self-Serve

Nearby
Food &
Attractions


HYI - San Marcos Regional Airport
Berry Aviation:
‍ 1807 Airport Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666

Amenities:

CAF - Central
Texas Wing
& Food Nearby


BAZ - New Braunfels National Airport
City Terminal Flight Services:
‍ 2333 FM 758, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Amenities:

Courtesy
Car

Fuel
Truck or
Self-Serve

Nearby
Food &
Attractions

Houston Area Airports

Poker Run Schedule of Events

  • Participants are able to fly or drive to any airports involved in our poker run during this timeframe. Collect the cards from whichever airports you want, have fun, and enjoy some great food along the way!

  • Turn in your cards to a Houston 99s representative at West Houston airport. We will be collecting cards between 11 and 12.

    You are able to pick up a card from West Houston on the day of the event if you need to complete a hand (or hands).

  • Various prizes will be available for winner! Must be present (or have a representative) to win.

    Stay tuned for more updates on prizes as they are finalized.

  • Lunch will be provided by the Houston 99s for all players in the poker run.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime to houston99s@scs99s.org.

Ready to sign up?

Register Here

  • A poker run is an organized event in which participants must visit (either drive or fly) seven checkpoints, obtaining a playing card at each one.

    The object is to have the best poker hand at the end of the run. The best 5 cards of the 7 will make up your hand.

  • You can register at INSERT LINK HERE.

  • No limit! Buy as many hands a you want knowing that all proceeds from this event go towards creating scholarships for Houston area aviators.

  • Hands are $20 each (no limits). That’s it!

    You must provide your own transportation to participating airports. Split flight time/gas/costs/snacks/etc. with your friends!

  • No. We hope you visit as many as possible - for the fun and valuable cross-country flying experience.

    If you are unable to make it to 7 airports, you may pick up the remaining cards to complete your hand(s) at the terminus. No need to stretch your personal limits at an airport with strong crosswinds! No need to stress driving long distances to make the deadline.

    You have 30 days to collect your cards from as many airports as possible.

    To encourage you to fly or drive to multiple airports – picking up cards from at least 4 of the airports may make you eligible for better prizes!

  • No problem! Simply take a selfie to show that you were there. Included in the (date stamped) photo, something that identifies the airport – the sign/logo on the building, or a sign in the parking lot, or something unique to that airport. At the terminus on October 3rd, show the selfie to the volunteers to get credit for “collecting” the airport, and pick up the missing card for your hand.

  • Arrive at the West Houston Airport (IWS) Terminal Building no later than 11:00 a.m. on October 3rd. The event will be upstairs.

    Present your envelopes to the 99s volunteers who will open them to reveal your cards. Then pick extra cards (if necessary) so that each hand has seven cards. Fill out the score sheet for tally by the volunteers. The best 5 cards out of the 7 will be judged for that poker hand.

    Prizes will be awarded at 12:00 p.m.

  • We hope you can be there in person! But if you can’t, have a friend (or a representative) bring your envelopes for the big reveal. Someone must be there in person to present your cards and (hopefully) pick out your prizes from the prize table.

    If you are unable to attend the final day, please reach out to houston99s@scs99s.org so we can discuss your options.

  • Let’s have fun with this event. Take photos along the way and at the airports and send them to houston99s@scs99s.org or tag us on Instagram @houston99s!

    We will post the photos on the Houston 99s social media and website to let everyone know where you’ve been and how much fun you’re having.

  • Proceeds will mainly go into funding checkride and other future scholarships sponsored by the Houston 99s.

    Additionally, we do give back to the Houston aviation community and some funds may be set aside for those purposes.

  • Cash prizes will be available and we are working to finalize other available prizes. Stay tuned!