The final event of the 2024 PokerGO Cup is underway, marking the conclusion of seven out of eight tournaments on the schedule. David Peters has emerged as the frontrunner, being the only player to clinch multiple titles in this series. The 36-year-old poker professional claimed victory in the $5,300 buy-in opening event, pocketing $141,525. He further solidified his dominance by winning the penultimate tournament with a $15,700 buy-in, securing an additional $315,000.

With a total of 457 PokerGO Tour points and series earnings amounting to $456,525, Peters currently enjoys a substantial 110-point lead in the race for the PokerGO Cup championship title. His exceptional performance has propelled him to fourth place in the season-long PGT standings.

Peters has consistently reached the final tables in 2024, earning 1,324 Card Player Player of the Year points. This recent triumph has elevated him to the 10th spot in the 2024 POY standings presented by Global Poker.

This victory marks Peters’ 43rd recorded tournament title, amassing a staggering $47.7 million in lifetime earnings from 505 in-the-money finishes. He now occupies the ninth position on poker’s all-time money list.

The final event drew a field of 70 entries, with a $1,050,000 prize pool distributed among the top 10 finishers. Renowned players like Stephen Chidwick, Sean Winter, and Nick Petrangelo cashed but fell short of making it to day 2 action.

Starting the final six in the second chip position, Peters navigated through the competition. Notable eliminations included Morten Klein in sixth place ($57,750), Seth Davies in fifth place ($78,750), and Daniel Smiljkovic in fourth place ($105,000).

In the three-handed action, Brock Wilson, Kristen Foxen, and Peters engaged in lead changes. Ultimately, Wilson succumbed in third place ($141,750) after a clash with Foxen.

The heads-up play began with Peters holding a significant chip lead over Foxen. In the final hand, Foxen’s all-in move with J♥10♣ was called by Peters holding A♣4♣. The board favored Peters with A♥2♥2♣3♦J♠, securing the title and sending Foxen to the rail with $204,750 for her runner-up finish.

Foxen, who has made six final tables in 2024, sits in seventh place in the POY standings and second in the PGT points race. Her lifetime tournament earnings now exceed $8.2 million, making her the second-highest-earning female player, with Vanessa Selbst holding the top spot at $10,899,027.

Here is a look at the payouts and rankings points awarded at the final table:

Matthew Higgins secured the top spot in the World Series of Poker Circuit main event, marking his fifth WSOP Circuit gold ring. The tournament, held at the Horseshoe Casino & Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi, concluded on January 29. This victory, combined with his four previous triumphs in North Carolina, brings Higgins’ career earnings to nearly $1.75 million, making it his fifth six-figure score.

Reflecting on his win, Higgins shared, “This is ring five. We had control for most of the day, catching a very friendly punt early on that gave me the lead over everybody.” He spoke about his strategy at the final table, stating, “I got lean on them and made them worry about ICM. I applied pressure most of the time, and when we got down to three-handed, Dale (Roesel) was putting pressure on me a lot. I forgot how good he was.”

The $1,700 buy-in no-limit hold’em tournament attracted 568 entries across two starting flights, boosting the prize pool to $791,673, surpassing the half-million guarantee. The top 60 players received a minimum cash prize of $3,356, with former WSOP Circuit winners such as Daniel Lowery, Spencer Champlin, Jared Ingles, and Maurice Hawkins making deep runs.

On the final day, only six players vied for the tournament title, with Higgins second in chips initially. He eliminated Marty Martin in sixth place, securing the chip lead by the first break. Higgins maintained his lead throughout, ultimately defeating B.J. MacBrayer in third place to enter the heads-up final against Dale Roesel.

The final showdown between Higgins and Roesel saw Higgins holding the chip lead, and with Q-3 offsuit against Roesel’s suited 8-4, the decisive moment arrived. Higgins found another queen on the flop, sealing Roesel’s fate. Roesel took home $103,248 for the runner-up finish, pushing his career earnings close to $1.3 million.

WSOPC Tunica Main Event Final Table Results

The surname ‘Singh’ originates from a Sanskrit term denoting a lion, a fitting moniker for Raminder Singh, who has emerged as a dominant force in Florida’s tournament poker arena. Despite prioritizing his role as a businessman over being an amateur poker enthusiast, the Delray Beach resident has amassed an impressive tally of almost 90 tournament victories over the past 11 years, with the majority achieved in his home state. His most recent triumph, which also stands as his most lucrative, occurred during the early hours of Wednesday, January 24, at the 2024 Lucky Hearts Poker Open’s $3,500 buy-in no-limit hold’em main event held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. Singh clinched a career-best prize of $486,353, boosting his total recorded tournament earnings to nearly $2.8 million.

Reflecting on his victory, Singh expressed his satisfaction, stating, “It feels really great. I don’t usually play in big tournaments that span the week. I need to carefully plan my schedule to take time off work to participate. Normally, I don’t play in these events. But this time, my friends convinced me to join. I’ve been in good form, playing well, and I couldn’t miss this tournament.”

In addition to the substantial cash prize and the prestigious title, Singh also earned 1,440 Card Player Player of the Year points, solidifying his position as the event’s champion. This marked his second Player of the Year-qualified final table in 2024, following a fourth-place finish in a $400 turbo event earlier in the same festival. With a total of 1,493 points, Singh currently occupies the second spot in the 2024 Player of the Year standings presented by Global Poker.

The tournament attracted a massive field of 1,188 entries, surpassing the $2 million guarantee and culminating in a final prize pool of $3,801,600. The top 148 finishers received payouts, with the final seven participants securing six-figure winnings.

Spanning from January 19 to 23, the event witnessed intense competition, with Singh entering the final 16 contenders in a virtual tie for third place in chip counts, while Justin Datloff led the pack. Notable players such as 2021 Wynn Millions champion Andrew Moreno and two-time bracelet winner Sean Troha fell along the way to the official final table.

Among the accomplished players at the final table were six-time bracelet winner Brian Hastings (9th), bracelet winner Toby Joyce (8th), five-time bracelet winner Benny Glaser (7th), 2023 World Poker Tour Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown third-place finisher Mitch Garshofsky (6th), and WPT champion Jonathan Jaffe (5th).

After the elimination of Datloff in fourth place, Singh found himself playing three-handed against Dan Martin and two-time bracelet winner Jesse Lonis. Following negotiations, the trio agreed to a deal that concluded the tournament. At the time of the deal, the chip counts were as follows:

• Raminder Singh: 27,100,000
• Dan Martin: 21,700,000
• Jesse Lonis: 10,600,000

As the chip leader, Singh received $486,353 and the title, while Martin earned $460,000, and Lonis secured $404,247 for the third-place finish. This victory propelled Martin to third place in the Player of the Year standings with 1,200 points, and Lonis moved to fourth with 1,104 points, building on his sixth-place finish earlier in the month.

In 2004, the name William Hung became synonymous with a unique blend of earnestness and musical shortcomings, as he attempted to captivate the judges on American Idol with his rendition of Ricky Martin’s ‘She Bangs.’ Hailing from Los Angeles, Hung brought a palpable positivity to the stage, but unfortunately, his singing endeavors during the show’s third season were met with Simon Cowell’s blunt assessment, deeming it “one of the worst auditions we’ve had this year.”

Despite falling short of pop stardom, Hung’s audition took an unexpected turn into the realm of virality, catapulting him into a brief but intense spotlight that included media appearances, motivational speaking engagements, and even the release of an album. However, this newfound notoriety also paved the way for a less savory chapter in Hung’s life – a foray into poker that ultimately led to the development of a gambling problem.

Reflecting on this period, Hung disclosed, “Unfortunately, I developed a gambling addiction. I knew I was adept at poker, but unchecked greed led me into sports betting and the whole gamut. I know better now. I wasn’t supposed to tread those paths, but I did, and I paid the price. It resulted in divorce, and I learned the importance of making wise choices when taking risks.”

Following the initial wave of fame, Hung redirected his focus towards education, achieving degrees in mathematics and an MBA. Despite securing a steady job in statistical analysis with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the allure of the poker table proved too compelling for Hung to resist. Three years ago, he made the bold decision to quit his job and embark on a career as a professional poker player.

His poker journey unfolded with notable successes, accumulating $108,295 in live tournament winnings. Highlights included a commendable third-place finish for $17,856 at a $235 World Series of Poker Daily DeepStacks event in 2015 and a victory in the Ante Up 4 Autism benefit tournament in 2022.

Originally from Hong Kong, Hung experienced a common pitfall familiar to many dedicated gamblers – the temptation of off-table betting. Last year, he shared a candid and detailed account of his struggles with gambling on LinkedIn, vowing to sever ties with all forms of wagering.

Since that turning point, Hung has undergone a transformative journey. He returned to his former job, entered into a new marriage, and now aspires to build a family with his new wife. Grateful for the simplicity of his current life, he reflects, “There’s nothing amiss in embracing a stable job post-fame. I believe it’s the right path to provide for my family now.”

The day after the 2023 PokerGO Tour season officially wrapped up with the PGT Championship, the new season got underway with the 2024 PGT Kickoff. The five-event series features four $5,300 buy-in no-limit hold’em events and one $10,500 buy-in affair, all held inside the PokerGO Studio at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The first three tournaments are already in the books, and the top performer so far has been recent Card Player Poker Tour Venetian champion David Coleman. The former online grinder from New Jersey has made the final table in all three of the events that have played down to a winner so far, accumulating $221,000 and 442 PGT points along the way to take the early lead in the PGT standings for both the series and the season. Below is a look at the full results from the first trio of results.

PGT Kickoff #1 – $5,300 No-Limit Hold’em

The first event of the new season drew 89 entries, creating a prize pool of $445,000 that was split amongst the top 13 finishers.

Coleman began his dominant performance at this festival with an outright win, converting his start-of-day chip lead on day 2 into the title and the top prize of $120,150. He now has nearly $4 million in career tournament earnings to his name.

This was only the second live tournament title of his career, with his first coming in the aforementioned CPPT Venetian $1,600 buy-in just a handful of days before he closed out this victory. That win and his hat trick of final-table finishes in this series have seen Coleman earn $336,989 so far in 2024. With 1,564 Card Player Player of the Year points and 442 PGT points, he currently sits atop the leaderboards of both points races heading into the second half of January.

Coleman overcame plenty of stiff competition on his way to hoisting the trophy, including two-time bracelet winners John Riordan (11th) and Eric Baldwin (9th), 2013 World Series of Poker main event champion Ryan Riess (8th), six-time bracelet winner Jeremy Ausmus (4th), two-time Card Player POY award winner Stephen Chidwick, and bracelet winner Aram Zobian (2nd).

The third season of the PokerGO Tour has come to a close, with a remarkable total prize money of over $352.4 million distributed among 132 events. The 2023 season wrapped up with the second-annual PGT Championship freeroll, featuring the top 40 PGT point earners throughout the season along with 14 Dream Seat winners. The prestigious event showcased a $1,000,000 prize pool, doubling last year’s $500,000 winner-take-all debut.

The coveted top prize of $500,000 was clinched by German poker professional Daniel Smiljkovic, marking his fourth-largest recorded score as a bracelet winner from Filderstadt. Following this triumph, his career cashes now exceed $6 million.

Daniel Smiljkovic faced a formidable challenge from actress Arden Cho, who entered the day with the shortest stack but appeared poised to seize the title at one point during the final day. Despite this, Smilkovic managed to reverse the situation, overcoming a significant chip deficit in the heads-up play to clinch the title.

In 2023, Daniel Smiljkovic experienced his most successful year on the live poker scene. His three largest scores, including a third-place finish in a $100,000 buy-in Triton Poker event in Vietnam for $1,450,000 and a third-place showing in the massive $25,000 GGMillion$ high roller at the World Series of Poker Paradise festival for nearly $1.2 million, all occurred during this year. With seven PGT cashes totaling more than $2.6 million, Daniel Smiljkovic finished the season in 16th place. His participation in this freeroll event was secured with three cashes during the PGT Last Chance festival.

The two-day PGT Championship unfolded at the PokerGO Studio within the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, featuring a $1,000,000 prize pool distributed among the top six finishers. Day 1 witnessed the 54-player field narrowing down to the money.

As expected, numerous prominent figures in the poker world were eliminated along the way, including 17-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth, 10-time bracelet winner Erik Seidel, six-time bracelet winner Daniel Negreanu, four-time bracelet winner Nick Schulman, and many others.

Final Table Action

As the final table commenced, Darren Elias, widely recognized as the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) of the World Poker Tour (WPT), found himself with the smallest stack by a considerable margin. Despite his efforts, Elias was unable to amass a substantial stack and contend for the title. Nonetheless, he exited the tournament securing a $40,000 cash prize for a respectable sixth place finish.

In contrast, Cho, an accomplished actress and model, began Day 2 with the second shortest stack. Unlike Elias, she demonstrated a dominating performance at the final table, rapidly accumulating chips. Before long, she not only became the chip leader but also established a significant advantage over her opponents.

Artur Martirosyan, boasting over $14 million in cashes according to The Hendon Mob, became the second player to exit the stage when he lost a race to Leon Sturm. The Russian poker star received a $60,000 payout for his fifth-place finish.

Daniel Weinman, initially second in chips at the start of the day, saw his stack diminish to Leon Sturm when he called off with a small pair against trips. The 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event champion bowed out in fourth place, earning $80,000. Sturm, seizing the chip lead, began to assert dominance in the match.

Cho then took command of the final table, securing the chip lead after a series of successful pot wins. At a certain point during three-handed play, she held approximately 70% of all the chips. Sturm, who briefly held the chip lead, saw his stack dwindle to around 10 big blinds. In a crucial hand, Sturm went all in with 10 ♦ 2 ♦ against Smiljkovic’s J ♥ 9 ♥. The jack-high hand held up, leading to Sturm’s exit in third place with a $120,000 prize. This set the stage for a heads-up battle between Smiljkovic and Cho for the ultimate glory.

PGT Championship Final Table Results

Undoubtedly, poker stands out as one of the most beloved casino games, maintaining its popularity among casino enthusiasts. While many casino games rely on chance and luck, poker demands a blend of luck and strategy for success. Accomplished poker players achieve a delicate equilibrium by dedicating time to enhancing their skills through research, practice, and refining their gameplay.

As players strive to elevate their poker prowess, they inadvertently acquire valuable life lessons and encounter unexpected advantages. This holds true whether engaging in live poker or online poker. To unveil some of the primary perks of playing poker, continue reading.

Benefits of Playing Poker

Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned player, the advantages of playing poker extend beyond the poker table and seep into everyday life. Enhancing decision-making skills and fostering social interactions are just the tip of the iceberg. Below are additional benefits of participating in poker, whether in online or in-person settings.

1. Fosters Emotional Resilience and Maturity

Engaging in a game of poker exposes players to a rollercoaster of emotions, and those who excel in the game have mastered the art of maintaining emotional composure and serenity. In one moment, triumph may characterize poker tournaments, only to be followed by an unexpected turn of odds. The ability to stay composed and refine one’s poker face becomes an indicator of emotional resilience and maturity.

2. Promotes Lifelong Learning

While the basics of poker may seem straightforward, distinguishing yourself from fellow players requires more than a fundamental understanding. Aspiring to attain greatness in the game involves dedicating ample time to refine and master poker skills, often involving extensive hours of studying and delving into poker strategies. Given the ever-changing nature of situations and circumstances, there is a perpetual need for learning. Continuously embracing novel approaches to the game ensures that you are armed with the tools and capabilities needed to potentially outshine competitors at the table.

3. Enhances Discipline

Success in poker requires a disciplined approach; impulsivity and lack of restraint are not conducive to optimal performance. Poker serves as a vehicle for improving discipline by underscoring the consequences of rash decisions. The allure of making quick choices is tempered by the realization that such actions can lead to unfavorable outcomes down the line. Consequently, poker players cultivate discipline across all aspects of gameplay to avoid finding themselves in precarious financial situations.

4. Enhances Analytical Abilities

Mastering poker involves adeptly reading both situations and opponents, epitomized by the concept of the “poker face.” The game teaches the valuable lesson that appearances can be deceiving, necessitating a meticulous analysis of each scenario and individual. Successful players become proficient in interpreting body language, facial expressions, and tells—subtle cues that offer insights into an opponent’s position in the game. Maintaining sharp judgment is imperative in a poker room, as lapses in attention may expose players to opponents attempting to deceive. Moreover, the honing of analytical skills in poker transcends the game, potentially benefiting other areas of one’s life.

5. Cultivates Mathematical Proficiency

Poker, though not widely recognized, demands a grasp of mathematical principles. Professional players and those aspiring to reach that level engage with concepts like odds and probabilities to strategically outmaneuver their opponents.

6. Promotes Financial Responsibility and Budgeting

Poker players, as well as gamblers in general, are advised to designate a predetermined amount for their gaming activities, aligning their play with what they can afford to lose. This essential principle contributes to effective budgeting. Despite the captivating allure of poker, there exists a risk of being swept away by the excitement and investing more with the hope of hitting substantial winnings. Practicing responsible gambling entails understanding when to set limits and skillfully managing one’s finances.

7. Sustains Mental Acuity

Participating in poker not only captivates your senses but also influences your psyche and emotional well-being. These factors collectively contribute to maintaining an active and stimulated mind. To excel as a poker player, one must possess strong concentration, a discerning eye for detail, and the ability to act based on insights gleaned from careful observations.

8. Resilience in the Face of Setbacks

No one achieves a flawless record in poker, having won every single game they’ve played. Embracing this reality, players learn to accept failure gracefully and cultivate the ability to rebound from losses. This process fosters resilience, enabling the development of effective strategies to cope with setbacks, ensuring that failures do not have a lasting negative impact.

Eric Baldwin is a force to be reckoned with at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas.

The two-time bracelet winner based out of Sin City has more than $1.6 million in career poker tournament earnings at the venue, placing him in a virtual tie with Qing Liu for the most of any player. Of his 38 career wins, 15 have come at The Venetian.

Baldwin’s latest big score saw him defeat a field of 550 entries in the Mid-States Poker Tour Venetian main event at the DeepStack Extravaganza (NYE) festival to earn his second MSPT title of the year and third of his career. Baldwin earned $90,692 as the last player standing in the $1,100 buy-in no-limit hold’em tournament.

Just over a month before this win, Baldwin took down another $1,100 MSPT Venetian tournament, outlasting 274 entries for $55,261. He is now a three-time MSPT champion, with all three victories taking place at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. His first came back in 2019, which saw him earn $80,872 after overcoming a 377-entry field.

In addition to the title and the money, Baldwin was also awarded 840 Card Player Player of the Year points for his latest win. This was his 14th final-table finish of the year, with 4,217 total points and more than $613,000 in POY earnings accrued across those scores. As a result, he now sits in 40th place in the 2023 POY standings presented by Global Poker.

The top 61 finishers earned a share of the $530,750 prize pool in this event. After two starting flights, the 550-entry field had been narrowed to the 61 contenders that cashed. With the elimination of two-time bracelet winner Shannon Shorr in 10th place ($8,823), the final table was set. Baldwin held the lead, with Bogdan Chornyy hot on his heels.

World Poker Tour champion Ky Nguyen was the first to fall (9th – $10,933), running pocket sixes into the pocket tens of bracelet winner and Card Player Poker Tour Venetian champion Ankush Mandavia. Despite scoring that knockout and a couple of others in the early going, Mandavia was ultimately eliminated in fifth place when his A-8 was unable to outrun the pocket sixes of Baldwin. He earned $28,688 for his efforts.

Chornyy busted Victorino Torres in fourth place ($37,604) to take a healthy lead into three-handed play. He then won a flip with ADiamond Suit10Heart Suit against the 4Heart Suit4Diamond Suit of bracelet winner Darren Rabinowitz (3rd – $49,861) to set up a heads-up showdown with Baldwin.

Chornyy held 9,570,000 to Baldwin’s 4,180,000 to start. Baldwin was able to battle his way into the lead in time for the final hand of the tournament. Chornyy shoved with AHeart Suit2Club Suit and Baldwin called with KClub Suit8Diamond Suit. The board ran out 8Spade Suit6Heart Suit3Spade Suit10Spade SuitQDiamond Suit to give Baldwin a winning pair of eights. Chornyy took home $66,870 as the runner-up.

MSPT Venetian Final Table Results

Nine of the ten largest scores on Ren Lin’s poker tournament resume have been recorded in 2023. His most recent is also his biggest, as Lin took down the 2023 WPT Alpha8 at Wynn Las Vegas $50,000 buy-in high roller event for a career-best $1,045,781 payday.

Lin outlasted a 69-entry field in the high-stakes affair to lock up his first seven-figure cash and his third title of the year. He also earned 612 Card Player Player of the Year points for his third title and 26th final-table finish of the year. With 9,380 total points and more than $5.9 million in POY earnings, Lin is now the fifth-ranked player in the POY standings presented by Global Poker.

Lin was one of nine players who cashed in this high-roller event, with more than $3.3 million in total prize money awarded. The second and final day of the tournament began with 13 contenders remaining.

A short-stacked Alex Foxen was knocked out by Lin on the bubble, with his pocket nines being rivered by Q-4. Other big names soon followed, including Justin Bonomo (9th – $108,761) and Isaac Haxton (8th – $125,494). This was Haxton’s 27th final-table finish of the year. With seven titles won, $15.9 million in POY earnings, and 10,013 POY points, Haxton is the second-ranked player in the 2023 POY standings. Only Bin Weng (12,256) has accumulated more points.

Brad Owen was playing a $50,000 buy-in event for the first time in this tournament. The WPT ambassador and popular poker vlogger managed to survive to the final table, but ultimately bowed out in seventh place after losing most of his stack with pocket tens against the pocket kings of two-time bracelet winner Martin Kabrhel. It was the largest tournament score yet for Owen, who now has $868,000 in career scores.

After Nikita Kuznetsov (6th – $192,424) and WPT champion Seth Davies (5th – $249,314) were sent packing, Lin doubled up with A-3 besting the A-10 of Biao Ding. He got short again during four-handed play, but found another double with a full house to restore the health of his stack.

Lin then won a key flip with Q-10 outrunning the pocket fours of Ding. Lin flopped a queen and held from there to eliminate Ding in fourth place ($334,650). This was the 18th final table of the year for the Chinese player. He climbed to 18th in the POY standings as a result of this latest deep run.

Kabrhel went on to finish third, with his pocket sevens losing a preflop showdown against the A-8 of bracelet winner and ten-time Triton champion Jason Koon. Kabrhel took home $468,510 for his efforts, growing his lifetime earnings to over $12 million in the process.

Lin held 7,425,000 to Koon’s 6,375,000 when heads-up play began. After some twists and turns, Lin remained ahead when the final hand in time for the final hand to arrive. Koon shoved for just shy of 12 big blinds on the button with JDiamond Suit9Club Suit and Lin called with ASpade Suit2Heart Suit. The board came down QClub Suit2Spade Suit7Heart Suit10Diamond Suit and Lin made a pair of deuces to win the pot and the title.

Koon cashed for $669,300. This was his 18th final table of the year, with six titles won. His 8,592 POY points put him in eighth place in the standings with the end of the year rapidly approaching.

Here is a look at the payouts and POY points awarded at the final table:

New York State boasts approximately 16 casinos, a subset of which includes establishments with dedicated poker rooms. These encompass a mix of tribal casinos featuring poker rooms and commercial casinos.

1. Turning Stone Resort Casino

Renowned as a premier destination for Hold’em and Omaha enthusiasts in New York, Turning Stone Resort Casino boasts an impressive 32 tables, making it the largest poker rooms in the state. The Bravo app provides a user-friendly platform for tournament tracking, a crucial tool given Turning Stone’s regular hosting of live tournaments, including the engaging $100 events catering to low and mid-stakes players. Noteworthy tournaments like the New York Poker Classic and October Poker Weekend further enhance the gaming experience.

Turning Stone’s diverse range of tournaments, often set at the $150 level with $10,000 guarantees, attracts players from across the state and even New York City. The cardroom’s versatility extends to offering Stud, a rarity in New York, along with permissible button straddles on most cash games. The TS Rewards loyalty program adds an extra layer of appeal, allowing players to accumulate points for various perks.

2. Resorts World Catskills

Established in 2018, Resorts World Catskills, the largest commercial casino in New York, features a spacious poker rooms with 19 tables. Catering to players of all skill levels, the casino offers a variety of cash tables, primarily focusing on Limit and No Limit Texas Hold’em. Weekly promotions, such as Splash Pots, add excitement to the gaming experience.

Resorts World’s poker room also hosts deep-stack tournaments, including the ‘Megastack’ event with a generous 100K start stack. A rewarding loyalty program encourages repeat visits, allowing players to accumulate points exchangeable for various rewards.

3. Tioga Downs Casino Resort

Tioga Downs Casino Resort offers a top-notch poker room for cash players, operating from Wednesday to Sunday. Despite having six regular tables, the poker rooms covers standard variations, including Hold’em, Omaha, and various Stud games. Unique promotions, such as bonuses for the best hand, complement regular tournaments starting at an accessible $125.

The Rewards Club at Tioga Downs provides patrons with points for their gameplay, exchangeable for perks like complimentary show vouchers, hotel enhancements, and meal vouchers, enhancing the overall poker room experience.

4. del Lago Resort & Casino

For cash jackpots and a robust promotional fund, del Lago Resort & Casino is a prime destination. Open from 9 a.m. to 4 a.m. on weekends, the cardroom’s 14 tables offer a range of games, including Limit and No Limit Hold’em, PLO, and 7-Stud. Special promotions, such as high-hand bonuses, add to the excitement, while the del Lago Rewards Club lets players earn comps on hotel rooms and meals.

Part of all pots worth $10 or more contributes to a promotional fund, distributed during gameplay, providing an alternative to traditional bad-beat jackpots.

5. Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady

Part of the Rivers Casino brand, the Schenectady location operates 24/7, offering a focus on Hold’em and Omaha. The poker rooms features a bad-beat jackpot and hosts regular tournaments, such as the $10K-GTD freezeout. Poker fees contribute to the Rush Rewards Club, known for its multi-tiered rewards program, making Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady a compelling choice for poker enthusiasts.

Several poker rooms in New York provide opportunities to engage in both tournaments and Hold’em cash games. Dive into real-money poker action in The Social Poker and enhance your experience by participating in a rewards program to earn additional comps.