ABATE of Washington's state bylaws require each chapter to hold at least one fund raiser per year. It states that 10% of the profits be given to the state treasury while the other 90% stays with the chapter. In the past, Tacoma's Dice Throw Run was a charity fund raiser meaning that 100% of the profits go to the charity, while its Anniversary Party / Valentines Day Celebration fulfilled its annual fund raising requirement. However, a couple of years ago Tacoma Chapter voted to give 100% of the proceeds from it's Dice Throw Run to the ABATE of Washington State Legistative Fund, aka it's "warchest".
At a regular business meeting, the chapter votes on starting and ending points. At the first location everyone can sign-in and pay the admission fee which includes a year bar and a scoresheet/map of the run, and make their first roll of the dice. Scores are noted on their sheets and they proceed to the next stop. Riders can leave and arrive at the stops on their own schedule, although there is a cut-off time to roll at each one. They may travel alone or in groups of their choosing and at their own pace; there isn't one large pack of bikes. Usually, there are about 5 stops and thus 5 rolls including the first and last of the day. At the last stop the scores are tallied, and winners announced. Plaques are awarded for first, second, third and low score. A 50/50 raffle is typically held and that winning ticket is drawn at the final stop as well.
The year bars attach to the Dice Throw Pin which can be purchased separately. 1994 was the first year this style of pin was used - before that there was a new pin every year but no year bars.
The length of the run varies from year to year, and a typical route might be 80 to 120 miles, although the length is not mandated by any set rules. It usually begins around 11 AM and ends around 5 PM, but again, this is not set in stone. Stops are usually favored watering holes (taverns or lounges), but some of the stops may allow those under 21 years of age to enter as well. Traditionally the last roll of the day has been The Right Spot in Fife, which allows kids until 8 PM. They also serve "good eats", cocktails and beer, and they have an enormous lot for safe parking of the motorcycles. Depending on the weather and if other activities are scheduled that day, participation might range from around 60 to over 120 bikes/riders, including passengers.