The Texas Outlaw Challenge proves everything is bigger in the Lone Star State
There is an old adage that everything is bigger in Texas, and the Texas Outlaw Challenge proves that poker runs are no exception.
Now heading into its 19th year, the Texas Outlaw Challenge offers it all. A street party, a poker run, a shootout, a national bikini competition and pool parties for the ages. Set for June 24-27, 2026, the Houston area event should be on the bucket list for any performance boater.
“If you like to party and have a good time, this poker run is for you,” said Guice Mercer, who attended the Texas Outlaw Challenge for Poker Runs America.
The four-day event unfolds on Clear Lake and Galveston Bay in the Houston area, with the Most Wanted Outlaw Pool Party standing out. Hosted by Kenny Armstrong, the Friday afternoon luncheon draws thousands of people to the MTI owner’s home. The Texas Outlaw Challenge also features pool parties at the Houston Yacht Club and Harborwalk.
“It’s a massive party and the food is amazing,” Mercer said about the party at Kenny’s Casa. “We had everything from barbecue to boiled shrimp to oysters Rockefeller on the grill. It’s done right.”
The main events started Thursday night with a street party in downtown Kemah, a small waterfront city on Galveston Bay. The 2025 street party featured eight high quality boats. Supporting the event was the Freedom One Racing team, which crashed a Skater during the 2025 Lake Havasu Desert Storm Shootout.
“There’s a lot of restaurants within walking distance of the street party,” Mercer said.
The shootout competition took place Friday morning on Clear Lake in Seabrook, Texas. The event drew a light field compared to past years with 13 boats running in the 2025 competition. Travis LeJeune earned the Top Gun title with a 112-mph pass, while Cass Shewbert and Kevin Donovan were the fastest Top Gun Vee with a 104-mph run in a 42’ Cigarette Top Gun.
The shootout is the warmup for the pool party at Kenny’s Casa. The private gathering at the waterfront residence draws registered boaters and their guests after the day’s on-water activities. The crowd is large, but attendance is limited to event participants, which keeps the atmosphere relaxed and familiar.
There was no formal schedule guiding the night. Some stayed well into the night, while others headed off to the Miss Swimsuit USA International Model Search at the Kipp Rose. The national points competition featured 25 bikini-clad women that started after the fireworks on the Bay.
“The bikini contest is not to be missed,” Mercer said.
The 2025 poker run drew more than 100 boats and featured 12 stops, mostly bars and grills. Mercer’s favorite part of the run is to visit the boardwalk in Galveston. Poker runners can either go around the shipping channel or stay on the Intracoastal Waterway.
“We elected to go the shipping channel route because you can cruise all of the cruise ships and to see the industrial side with the shipping containers and the yards,” Mercer said. “That was fun to ride by because you saw people hanging off the cruise ship waving at you.”
Poker runners collected cards at the stops on Friday and Saturday with the Texas Outlaw Challenge wrapping on Saturday night with an awards ceremony and casino party in the Hilton ballroom. The award winners received a replica rifle.
Participants could buy chips and play casino games such as roulette, blackjack and Texas Hold ’em with the proceeds going to one of the Texas Outlaw Challenge’s charities. Charities supported include Shriners Children’s Hospital, the Bridge Women’s Shelter, Today’s Harbor for Children, Clear Creek Environmental Foundation, Kemah Lions Club, Special Spaces, Galveston-Houston Families Exploring Down Syndrome, Seabrook Rotary Club and HOME.
It’s a lot of fun because it’s kind of a formal dress, so you dress up a little bit,” Mercer said. “They probably have the most giveaways I’ve ever seen at the poker run.”
Organizers estimate the Texas Outlaw Challenge generated $750,000 in revenue for local businesses in 2025 and has plans to expand the boats and guests for 2026.
“If you are looking for a poker run that offers a little of everything, the Texas Outlaw Challenge delivers,” Mercer said. “Whether you’re going for the pool party, run the poker run or watch the shootout, you’re going to have fun.”
