NYC poker clubs have become the foundation of live poker in New York City, offering players consistent games, structured environments, and a strong sense of community. With commercial casinos located outside city limits, poker enthusiasts rely on private and social poker rooms to enjoy live action without leaving the city.

Search interest for terms like poker NYC, NYC poker games, and poker near me continues to grow, reflecting increasing demand for accessible live poker options within New York.

How Live Poker Works in New York City

Live poker in New York City operates differently than in traditional casino markets. Most games take place in private or invitation-based settings rather than public gambling venues. Players typically register in advance and receive details directly from game organizers.

Well-established NYC poker clubs operate with clear rules, scheduled sessions, and professional dealers. These elements help create reliable poker environments and separate organized games from informal or short-term setups.

Types of Poker Games Available in NYC

Players can find a wide range of game formats across New York City’s private poker scene. The most common options include:

• No-Limit Hold’em (NLH)
• Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO)
• Deep-stack cash games
• Occasional sit-and-go or small tournament events

Multiple stake levels are usually available, allowing both recreational players and experienced regulars to participate comfortably.

Why Players Choose Private Poker Rooms

Many players prefer private poker rooms over casino trips for practical reasons. Traveling outside the city can be time-consuming, while local poker rooms provide quicker access and more flexible schedules.

Key advantages include:

• Games located inside New York City
• Smaller, familiar player pools
• Organized gameplay with consistent rules
• A balanced mix of social and competitive action

For players searching for poker in NYC, private games often provide the most convenient solution.

How Players Find Poker Games in NYC

Poker games in New York City are typically discovered through trusted networks rather than public advertising. Most players find games through:

• Poker-focused websites and directories
• Referrals from other players
• Social poker communities
• Direct contact with organizers

Before joining, players usually go through a basic approval or verification process. This helps maintain security and ensures games remain well-managed.

What New Players Should Expect

First-time players joining private poker games should expect a professional yet relaxed environment. While each club operates independently, most follow similar standards.

Common expectations include:

• Age and identity verification
• Clearly defined buy-ins and payouts
• Standard poker etiquette
• Respect for discretion and privacy

Organizers often prioritize long-term player relationships, focusing on consistency rather than one-time attendance.

Legal Context of Poker in New York

Poker laws in New York distinguish between commercial gambling and private social games. This distinction is why many games emphasize membership systems, controlled access, and structured operations.

Players are encouraged to understand local regulations and participate only in games that operate responsibly within legal guidelines.

The Ongoing Role of NYC Poker Clubs

As interest in live poker continues to rise, NYC poker clubs play an increasingly important role in the city’s gaming landscape. Many organizers are improving communication, dealer quality, and scheduling to meet growing player demand.

Search trends related to New York poker, poker rooms, and social poker games indicate sustained growth in this sector.

Live poker in New York City continues to thrive through private games and organized poker rooms. With structure, consistency, and community at their core, NYC poker clubs remain the preferred choice for players seeking reliable live poker without leaving the city.

Andrew Moreno got his 2026 PokerGO Tour campaign off to a powerful start by winning Event No. 3 of the PGT Kickoff series, earning $162,300 and securing his third career PokerGO Tour title. In a high-level heads-up showdown, Moreno defeated three-time WSOP bracelet winner Jim Collopy, adding another prestigious victory to his growing résumé.

Andrew Moreno’s Career Momentum Continues in 2026

Following this victory, Andrew Moreno’s live tournament earnings now sit just shy of $6.6 million, reinforcing his status as one of the most consistent high-stakes professionals on the circuit. His biggest career score remains the $1.5 million triumph in the 2021 Wynn Millions Main Event, but his early-season form in 2026 suggests more marquee finishes could be on the horizon.

Event No. 3 also made history from a participation standpoint. A total of 159 entrants posted the $5,300 buy-in, marking the second-largest field ever for a tournament at this level on the PokerGO Tour. Notable in-the-money finishers included Erik Seidel, Chino Rheem, Dan Shak, and Dan Sepiol, all falling short of the televised final table.

NYC Poker Clubs and the Rise of Elite Competition

As players like Andrew Moreno continue to sharpen their skills on high-roller stages, the competitive ecosystem off the major tours is also thriving—particularly within NYC poker clubs. These private New York poker clubs have become essential proving grounds for serious players, offering deep-stack cash games, competitive no-limit hold’em action, and professional-level atmospheres that mirror the intensity of tour events like the PGT.

Many emerging professionals credit NYC poker clubs for helping them refine decision-making, bankroll discipline, and live-read skills before transitioning to televised tournaments. With New York remaining one of the most active poker hubs in the U.S., these clubs continue to play a key role in developing the next wave of PokerGO Tour contenders.

Final Table Action: Collopy’s Surge and Moreno’s Rally

When play resumed with seven players remaining, Joao Simao and David Coleman held the chip lead, narrowly ahead of Collopy. Short-stacked Stephen Song was eliminated in seventh place ($31,800) after running into pocket tens, triggering a dramatic momentum shift.

Collopy quickly surged, scoring a crucial double-up and eliminating Jared Jaffee (6th – $39,750) and Brandon Wilson (5th – $47,700) in rapid succession. For a moment, it looked like Collopy might run away with the title.

That momentum stalled when Andrew Moreno mounted a decisive comeback. After doubling through Coleman, Moreno eliminated Simao in fourth ($59,625) and Coleman in third ($79,500), setting up a heads-up duel with Collopy.

Heads-Up Finish Seals the Title for Andrew Moreno

Despite agreeing to a payout-flattening deal, the heads-up battle was far from routine. Collopy initially gained traction, but Moreno responded with three critical double-ups, swinging the match back in his favor.

The final hand played out on a Q♥7♥3♣ flop, where Moreno called Collopy’s shove holding Q♣6♥, fading a flush draw. The turn and river paired the board, giving Moreno a full house and sealing the championship.

With the PGT Kickoff series running through January 31 and the PGT Mixed Game Series launching February 3, Andrew Moreno has firmly established himself as the early player to beat in the 2026 PokerGO Tour season.

🔹 Final Table Results (PGT Kickoff Event No. 3)

Photo credit: PGT / Antonio Abrego

The 2026 PokerGO Tour (PGT) season officially kicked off in spectacular fashion, as Andrew Lichtenberger claimed victory in the opening event of the PGT Kickoff series, successfully defending the same title he won in 2025.

The $5,000 buy-in no-limit hold’em tournament attracted 135 entries, making it one of the largest fields ever for a PGT event at this price point. This win marked Lichtenberger’s eighth career PokerGO Tour title, establishing him as the first champion of the 2026 season and the early leader in the PGT points race.

Andrew Lichtenberger Continues Elite Run on the PokerGO Tour

Now based in Las Vegas, the 38-year-old poker pro is closing in on a major career milestone. With this victory, Andrew Lichtenberger’s lifetime tournament earnings are approaching $25 million.

The WSOP bracelet winner has now recorded:

• 47 six-figure tournament cashes
• Five seven-figure scores
• Eight PokerGO Tour titles

The win not only added another trophy to his resume but also positioned him near the top of both the 2026 POY standings and the PokerGO Tour leaderboard.

One of the Biggest $5K PGT Fields Ever

The 135-entry field was the second-largest ever for a $5,000 buy-in PokerGO Tour event, trailing only the 177-player field from a 2025 PokerGO Cup tournament.

The total $675,000 prize pool paid the top 21 finishers, with numerous accomplished professionals making deep runs.

Notable players who cashed but fell late on Day 1 included:

• Cherish Andrews (20th)
• Brock Wilson (19th)
• David “ODB” Baker (16th)
• John Riordan (12th)
• Alex Foxen (10th), the reigning 2025 PGT Player of the Year

Day 2 Action and Key Eliminations

Day 2 began with seven players remaining, with Lichtenberger holding the chip lead.

Bracelet winner and poker content creator Ethan “Rampage” Yau found an early double-up to reach the final five, but his run ended in dramatic fashion. Yau got all-in holding pocket aces, only to be cracked by Andrew Lichtenberger’s pocket kings, finishing fifth for $40,500.

Shortly after, the remaining eliminations followed:

• Cary Katz, PokerGO founder and bracelet winner, finished fourth ($54,000)
• Shannon Shorr, a two-time WSOP bracelet winner, placed third ($70,875)

Heads-Up: Lichtenberger vs. Jeremy Eyer

The tournament concluded with Andrew Lichtenberger heads-up against Jeremy Eyer, a WSOP bracelet winner from Gulfport, Mississippi.

Despite a strong performance, Eyer was unable to stop Lichtenberger’s momentum and finished as the runner-up, earning $97,875, the fourth-largest cash of his career.

Lichtenberger sealed the victory, once again lifting the PGT trophy and proving his dominance on the PokerGO Tour stage.

Final Table Results – 2026 PGT Kickoff Event #1

Andrew Lichtenberger Starts 2026 as the Man to Beat

By defending his title and capturing the first win of the 2026 PokerGO Tour season, Andrew Lichtenberger has once again proven why he remains one of the most consistent and dangerous players in high-stakes tournament poker.

With the PGT points lead, strong positioning in the Player of the Year race, and momentum firmly on his side, Lichtenberger has set the tone for what could be another historic season.

WSOP Circuit history was made at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas as Darren Rabinowitz emerged as the first Circuit Main Event champion of 2026. Drawing on years of elite tournament experience, the WSOP bracelet winner captured his fifth career Circuit ring and the $175,430 top prize after navigating one of the toughest live poker fields of the season. Poker players inspired by high-level competition like the WSOP Circuit can also find professionally run cash games and tournaments at NYC poker clubs, where serious players gather daily for real action.

A Milestone Victory on the WSOP Circuit Stage

Rabinowitz’s triumph marked his first live Circuit Main Event title, a notable achievement in a career already highlighted by major online and live successes. The win pushed his lifetime tournament earnings beyond $4 million, according to Hendon Mob, and reinforced his standing as one of the most consistent performers on the modern tournament circuit.

Speaking after the win, Rabinowitz reflected on the challenge of competing at a stop widely regarded as one of the most competitive on the WSOP Circuit schedule.

“I’ve played a lot of these events, but this was my first time final-tabling a Circuit Main Event and closing it out. The level of competition here is extremely high, and you have to stay patient the entire way.”

A Final Table Packed With Elite Talent

The Planet Hollywood Main Event featured a final table stacked with proven tournament professionals. Six-time Circuit ring winner Stephen Song was the first to fall among the finalists, followed by four-time ring holder Alan Merdita, who added another deep live run to his résumé.

Ukrainian poker pro Victoria Livschitz continued her strong results with an eighth-place finish, while the final showdown saw Rabinowitz battle David DiBernardi heads-up for nearly three hours. DiBernardi, himself a two-time Circuit winner, ultimately finished runner-up for $116,917.

Planet Hollywood Main Event Final Table Results

• 1st: Darren Rabinowitz – $175,430
• 2nd: David DiBernardi – $116,917
• 3rd: Kayla Clackum – $81,321
• 4th: Katsumoto Sakaguchi – $57,545
• 5th: Drake Kemper – $41,439
• 6th: Jacob Mendelsohn – $30,378
• 7th: Yuanzhi Cao – $22,678
• 8th: Victoria Livschitz – $17,245
• 9th: Alan Merdita – $13,363
• 10th: Stephen Song – $10,556

WSOP Circuit Rings and Paradise Rewards

Beyond prize money and prestige, every ring winner during the 2026 season earns a $5,000 WSOP Paradise package. The reward includes entry into the season-ending championship event and a complimentary stay at Atlantis Paradise in the Bahamas, adding further incentive to succeed on the WSOP Circuit trail.

Rabinowitz topped a long list of winners at the Planet Hollywood stop, which featured events across No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, HORSE, Seniors, and High Roller formats.

A Strong Opening Statement for the 2026 Season

With the Planet Hollywood series complete, the WSOP Circuit season is officially underway, and Rabinowitz’s victory sets an early benchmark for excellence. As the tour continues across major poker destinations, attention now turns to which players will rise next and add their names to the growing list of 2026 champions.

Alex Foxen closed the curtain on the 2025 PokerGO Tour season in emphatic fashion, capturing his 12th career PGT title and surging into the points lead just days before the highly anticipated $1 million PGT Championship freeroll. The victory not only added another trophy to Foxen’s already elite résumé, but also positioned him perfectly for the season-ending showdown at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas.

Foxen claimed the title in PGT Last Chance Series Event #6: $10,100 No-Limit Hold’em, earning $232,400 after outlasting a tough field of 83 entrants. The win came at the expense of Brandon Wilson, who fell just short of a second title in the series.

Alex Foxen Delivers Another Signature Comeback

The final table began with Wilson holding a slight edge after eliminating Andrew Lichtenberger in third place for $107,900. Momentum quickly swung further in Wilson’s favor, as his stack ballooned to a dominant 7-to-1 chip lead, seemingly putting him on the brink of another victory.

What followed was a classic Alex Foxen comeback.

Foxen doubled up after winning a critical 60/40 all-in, then repeated the feat moments later to pull nearly even. Wilson briefly regained control, but Foxen once again won another marginal preflop confrontation, this time swinging the chip advantage decisively in his favor. From there, Foxen applied constant pressure and closed out the match—fittingly—by winning yet another preflop all-in on the final hand.

The victory showcased Foxen’s trademark resilience and cemented his reputation as one of the most dangerous competitors in high-stakes tournament poker.

Final Table Results – PGT Last Chance Event #6

PGT Points Race Shifts Ahead of Championship Freeroll

In addition to the cash, Alex Foxen earned 232 PGT points, allowing him to overtake Sam Soverel atop the season-long leaderboard. That shift carries major implications for the upcoming PGT Championship freeroll, where starting stacks are determined by final points standings.

Foxen will enter the freeroll with the largest stack at 350,000 chips, giving him a significant edge over the rest of the field. Soverel will begin close behind with 340,000, followed by:

• Chino Rheem – 330,000
• Michael Mizrachi – 320,000
• Joao Simao – 310,000

Wilson’s runner-up finish earned him 149 PGT points, placing him 40th overall and securing a freeroll seat with a 160,000-chip starting stack.

$1 Million PGT Championship Freeroll Details

A total of 65 players qualified for the invitation-only PGT Championship freeroll, a no-limit hold’em tournament that begins Monday at 1:00 PM PT inside the PokerGO Studio on the Las Vegas Strip.

• Prize Pool: $1,000,000
• First Prize: $500,000
• Format: Day 1 plays down to the final six
• Champion Crowned: Tuesday

The elite field includes several of poker’s biggest names, such as Isaac Haxton, Jason Koon, Jeremy Becker, and Daniel Negreanu, ensuring a fitting finale to the PGT season.

PGT Last Chance Series – Full Results Overview

Alex Foxen Enters the PGT Championship as the Man to Beat

With 12 PGT titles, a commanding points lead, and the largest starting stack in the freeroll, Alex Foxen enters the PGT Championship as the clear favorite. His ability to thrive under pressure and consistently win pivotal moments has defined his career—and now positions him perfectly for one more major victory to close out the season.

As the PokerGO Tour reaches its climax, all eyes will be on Foxen to see if he can convert momentum into yet another landmark achievement.

Clemen Deng has announced his arrival at the top of the PokerGO Tour in emphatic fashion. The Portland, Oregon native captured Event #1 of the PGT Last Chance series, outlasting a stacked field of 109 entries to win the $10,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournament and collect $277,950. The victory marks the first PokerGO Tour title of 2026 and came after Deng navigated one of the most talent-heavy final tables seen this season.

A Breakthrough Win Against Poker’s Best

Deng’s path to the trophy required overcoming several of the game’s most accomplished names. Among those standing between him and the title were 17-time WSOP bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth, who finished fourth, and reigning 2025 Card Player Player of the Year Jesse Lonis, who bowed out in third place.

Play $1/3 NLHE Poker in NYC

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Despite the star-studded lineup, Deng remained composed throughout the final stages. This win represents the fifth-largest score of his career and pushes his lifetime tournament earnings to nearly $5.9 million. Notably, all of his biggest results have come within the last 18 months, highlighted by a $695,000 payday at a $100,000 Triton Poker event in Jeju, South Korea.

Narrowing the Field: Notable In-The-Money Finishers

The 109-entry field generated a $1,090,000 prize pool, with the top 16 players reaching the money. A long list of established pros cashed, including:

• Jeremy Ausmus (15th)
• Josh Arieh (13th)
• Joe Serock (12th)
• Byron Kaverman (11th)
• Jared Jaffee (10th)
• Connor Rash (9th)
• Aram Oganyan (8th)
• Jonathan Little (7th)

Day 2 began with six players remaining and Jesse Lonis holding a commanding chip lead. Phil Hellmuth scored the first elimination of the day when his pocket eights held against the A-7 of Matthew Wantman, who finished sixth for $54,500 after recently winning the MSPT Venetian Main Event.

Key Eliminations Shape the Final Four

Momentum continued to swing when Lonis won a preflop race, his J♥10♥ besting the pocket eights of Cary Katz, eliminating the PokerGO founder in fifth place for $70,850.

Hellmuth’s run ended shortly after. He committed his stack with A♥2♠ on a 10♥6♣2♦ flop but ran into the overpair of David Baker’s jacks. The board paired twice, sealing Hellmuth’s fate in fourth place for $98,100 and pushing his career earnings beyond $27.5 million.

Deng Pulls Away Three-Handed

The defining moment came during three-handed play. Baker opened short, Lonis shoved with pocket nines, and Deng called with A♣K♦, covering both opponents. Baker folded, and the board ran out A♦7♥3♥A♥3♦, giving Deng aces full and eliminating Lonis in third place for $125,350.

Lonis’ podium finish keeps him well positioned in the PokerGO Tour standings, virtually locking up a seat in the season-ending $1,000,000 freeroll championship.

Heads-Up Finish Seals the Title

Deng entered heads-up play with more than a 26-to-1 chip advantage over Baker. Although Baker managed a quick double-up, the comeback attempt was short-lived. In the final hand, Baker moved all-in with an open-ended straight draw, but Deng’s bottom pair held through the turn and river to close out the tournament.

Baker earned $174,400 for second place, bringing his career tournament winnings to nearly $9.3 million.

Final Table Results – PGT Last Chance Event #1

The Super High Roller Bowl once again lived up to its reputation as poker’s ultimate proving ground, and the 10th edition delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in the series’ history. Brazilian star Joao Simao closed out an extraordinary 2025 campaign by winning Super High Roller Bowl X, earning $1.1 million after surviving a five-hour heads-up war against elite competitor Jason Koon.

Held at the PokerGO Studio, the $103,000 buy-in Super High Roller Bowl X featured a compact but fearsome field of the world’s best players. Over three days of high-stakes action, Simao navigated relentless pressure, multiple near-eliminations, and a relentless final opponent to secure one of the most prestigious titles in modern tournament poker.

Super High Roller Bowl Win Caps Historic Run for Joao Simao

The victory at the Super High Roller Bowl was the latest highlight in what has been a career-defining stretch for Simao. Since early November, the Brazilian standout captured four major tournament titles, including:

• His third WSOP bracelet
• His first Triton Poker title
• A massive $3,067,000 win at WSOP Paradise in a $150,000 buy-in event
• Titles at both the NAPT Las Vegas and BSOP High Roller series

With this Super High Roller Bowl triumph, Simao’s career earnings surged past $17 million, further extending his lead atop Brazil’s all-time money list.

Elite Field and a Brutal $200,000 Bubble

The 2025 Super High Roller Bowl X drew 23 total entries, creating a $2.3 million prize pool. Only four players would reach the payouts, making every decision magnified under extreme ICM pressure.

Five players returned for the final day, with chip counts tightly packed. Jun Obara began as the short stack but mounted a remarkable comeback, briefly taking the chip lead without scoring a clean double-up. Meanwhile, Sam Soverel slid from first to last as momentum shifted repeatedly.

Obara’s run ended in brutal fashion. After pocket kings ran directly into Soverel’s pocket aces, Obara lost the remainder of his stack to Simao shortly thereafter. His fifth-place finish on the $200,000 bubble concluded a breakout year that included a Triton title in South Korea and multiple final tables.

Nick Schulman and Sam Soverel Fall Short

Once the bubble burst, eliminations came quickly.

Nick Schulman, the seven-time bracelet winner and 2025 Poker Hall of Fame inductee, was eliminated in fourth place. His A♦Q♠ found hope when a queen appeared on the flop, but Jason Koon’s pocket jacks immediately spiked a set, ending Schulman’s run and earning him $200,000.

Soverel soon followed in third place for $350,000. Holding pocket tens, he was ahead against Koon’s A♠8♥, but a turned heart flush reversed the outcome. Despite the loss, Soverel pushed his career earnings beyond $31.7 million.

Super High Roller Bowl Heads-Up Turns Into a Five-Hour Classic

The heads-up duel between Joao Simao and Jason Koon became the defining storyline of Super High Roller Bowl X.

Koon appeared poised to close it out early when he had Simao covered and dominated on multiple occasions. In one key hand, Koon’s K♣9♦ stayed ahead of Simao’s Q♠9♥ until the river delivered a miracle queen, keeping Simao alive.

Momentum swung repeatedly. Simao applied pressure and briefly took control, even bluffing the river in a massive pot that forced Koon into a deep tank. Koon made a heroic call—correctly identifying the bluff—but the match was far from over.

Koon later had Simao on the brink again with K♣Q♥ against K♦5♦, only for Simao to flop a straight draw and turn the tables with a miraculous runout that included quad fives.

Final Double-Ups Seal the Super High Roller Bowl Title

As fatigue set in, both players continued trading blows. Koon reclaimed the lead with trip deuces, then once again had Simao at risk holding pocket tens against A♣5♥. For the third time in the match, Simao found salvation, pairing his ace on the turn to secure another critical double.

The final hand of Super High Roller Bowl X saw Simao’s pocket eights hold strong against Koon’s pocket fives, bringing an end to one of the most grueling heads-up matches in recent high-stakes history.

Super High Roller Bowl X Final Results

What This Means for Poker’s All-Time Greats

With this runner-up finish, Jason Koon’s career earnings climbed to nearly $70.7 million, placing him third on the all-time money list, trailing only Bryn Kenney and Stephen Chidwick. Despite falling short, Koon once again demonstrated why he remains one of the most feared competitors in high-stakes poker.

For Joao Simao, the Super High Roller Bowl victory cements his place among poker’s elite and closes the year as one of the most dominant performers in the game.

Why the Super High Roller Bowl Remains Poker’s Ultimate Test

The Super High Roller Bowl continues to stand apart from all other tournaments. Limited fields, extreme buy-ins, and the highest concentration of elite talent ensure that every edition becomes a measuring stick for greatness.

Super High Roller Bowl X delivered everything poker fans expect—skill, endurance, heart-stopping drama, and a champion who proved he belongs at the very top.