Poker Run Flyer: What to Include & Design Tips
Your flyer is the first thing potential riders see. A good flyer answers every question a rider has in under 10 seconds. A bad flyer gets ignored. Here's how to make one that fills your event.
Essential Information (Don't Skip Any of These)
Every poker run flyer must include these elements. Missing even one can tank your turnout because riders won't call to ask — they'll just skip it.
Event name
Make it memorable. "3rd Annual Fallen Heroes Poker Run" is better than "Poker Run 2026."
Date and time
Registration time AND departure time. "Registration 8:30 AM, Kickstands Up 10:00 AM."
Start/finish location
Full address. Include a landmark if the location is hard to find. "Iron Horse Saloon, 4523 Route 9, Anytown."
Entry fee
Per rider AND per passenger. Mention extra hand pricing. "$20/rider, $15/passenger, extra hands $10."
What the money supports
The cause or charity. This is the #1 motivator for many riders.
What's included
Food? Music? Prizes? Raffle? Riders want to know what they get for their money.
Contact info
Phone number AND/OR Facebook page. Not just an email — riders call.
Route info
"5 stops, ~80 miles" is enough. Don't list every checkpoint on the flyer.
Design Tips That Work
One glance rule
A rider walking past a flyer at a bar should get the event name, date, and location in one glance. If those three things aren't immediately visible, redesign.
High contrast, large type
The event name should be readable from 6 feet away. Use bold, high-contrast colors. Dark backgrounds with white/bright text work well.
One strong image
A single impactful photo (bikes lined up, open road, your charity's logo) is better than a collage of 8 tiny images. Let the image set the tone.
Leave white space
Cramming every inch with text makes the flyer unreadable. Give the important information room to breathe.
Include a QR code
Link to your registration page, Facebook event, or route map. Riders will scan it with their phone instead of typing a URL.
Print size matters
Design at 8.5x11 for posting at shops. Also create a square version for social media (1080x1080) and a story version (1080x1920) for Instagram.
Where to Distribute Your Flyer
A great flyer in the wrong places is wasted effort. Here's where poker run flyers actually convert:
Motorcycle dealerships
Bulletin boards, service waiting areas, and sales floors. Ask the manager — most are happy to post event flyers.
Bars on the route
Especially if they're a checkpoint. They benefit from the foot traffic and will actively promote to their regulars.
Gas stations near biker roads
Riders see these before and after rides. High visibility for your target audience.
Facebook riding groups
The single most effective digital channel. Post in local motorcycle, boating, or ATV groups. Create a Facebook Event.
Barbershops and tattoo shops
Heavy overlap with poker run demographics. Most have a community board.
VFW and American Legion posts
If your event benefits a veterans' cause, these are mandatory distribution points.
Common Flyer Mistakes
- - No date or wrong date. It sounds obvious, but organizers proofread 20 times and still miss this. Have someone else check.
- - No contact info. If a rider has a question, they need a phone number. Not just an email or a Facebook page that hasn't been updated since 2023.
- - Too much text. A flyer is not an itinerary. Save the detailed schedule for the event page. The flyer's job is to make someone care enough to learn more.
- - Low-res image for printing. A 500px Facebook graphic will look terrible printed at 8.5x11. Design at 300 DPI for print.
- - Posting too late. Flyers should be up 4-6 weeks before the event. Posting 1 week out means most people have already made plans.
Digital Promotion Beyond the Flyer
A physical flyer gets you local reach. Digital promotion extends that to every rider within 100 miles:
- - Create a Facebook Event and invite every member of your club/organization
- - Post in regional riding groups (search "[your state] motorcycle" on Facebook)
- - List on Poker Runs America, CycleFish, and Eventbrite
- - Ask checkpoint businesses to share the event on their social media
- - Email your list from previous events — past riders are your highest-conversion audience
Make registration easy for your riders
PokerRunPro gives you a shareable event link for your flyer — riders register in seconds.
Learn More About PokerRunPro