First-Ever WSOP Event in Texas is, Fittingly, Going to Be Big
"Everything is bigger in Texas" is an overused cliche, but it genuinely does apply to the first-ever World Series of Poker (WSOP)-branded event in the Lone Star State, which takes place in just a few short months.
The World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) series at Texas Card House's TCH Social in Austin guarantees at least $2 million in prize money will be awarded, making the series even juicier than many likely anticipated. There will be 18 gold rings up for grabs from April 23 to May 4 inside one of the top poker clubs in the state.
Tournament poker is booming in Texas, and for the first time ever, the major operators such as the WSOP, World Poker Tour (WPT), and RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) have embraced a state that doesn't have traditional poker rooms due to strict anti-gambling laws. The Lodge Card Club in the Austin area recently hosted a WPT Prime Championship event, and the same poker club co-owned by Doug Polk brought the RGPS to town last month.
Even the Poker Tournaments are Big in Texas
RunGood will head to Dallas March 19-29 for a series at the new Palace Poker. One month later and the major poker action will take place at TCH Social for a historic event that is going to bring top Circuit grinders, recreational players, and local pros to Austin, all competing for WSOP jewelry for the first time in Texas poker history.
The series begins with the $100,000 guaranteed Event #1: $400 No Limit-Hold'em The First Lone Star Ring. Poker players will also have an opportunity to enter the multi-flight $600 Mini Main Event on Opening Day, which promises at least $500,000 in the prize pool, the second-largest tournament of the series.
The biggest prize pool at TCH Social will come on April 30 with the $1,700 Main Event, a $1 million guaranteed no-limit hold'em contest. There are three Day 1 flights scheduled, and this tournament should bring out over 1,000 players.
There's a little something for just about everyone on the schedule, with non-hold'em tournaments, a seniors event, a ladies event, buy-ins ranging from $400 to $3,250, and prize pool guarantees in all 18 ring events.
Poker in Texas has been booming the past five years, with new social poker clubs popping up regularly across the state. Texas Card House's Dallas location won a crucial legal battle last year that helped pave way for major operators such as the WSOP Circuit to enter the state.
WSOP Circuit TCH Social Full Schedule
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 23-Apr | 10:00 AM | Event #1: $400 NLH The First Lone Star Ring $100K GTD |
| 23-Apr | 4:00 PM | Event #2: $600 NLH Mini Main $500K GTD - Flight A |
| 24-Apr | 10:00 AM | Event #2: Flight B |
| 24-Apr | 1:00 PM | Event #3: $600 Big O $50K GTD |
| 24-Apr | 4:00 PM | Event #2: Flight C |
| 25-Apr | 10:00 AM | Event #2: Flight D |
| 25-Apr | 4:00 PM | Event #2: Flight E |
| 26-Apr | 10:00 AM | Event #4: $400 NLH Ladies Event $20K GTD |
| 26-Apr | 11:00 AM | Event #5: $400 The Showdown At The Capitol NLH $51,200 GTD |
| 27-Apr | 10:00 AM | Event #6: $400 NLH Seniors Event $20K GTD (Ages 50+) |
| 27-Apr | 12:00 PM | Event #7: $3,250 NLH Big Tex High Roller $100K GTD |
| 27-Apr | 3:00 PM | Event #8: $600 8-Game Mix $20K GTD |
| 27-Apr | 4:00 PM | Event #9: $400 NLH Monster Stack $100K GTD - Flight A |
| 28-Apr | 10:00 AM | Event #9: Flight B |
| 28-Apr | 3:00 PM | Event #10: $600 HORSE $20K GTD |
| 28-Apr | 4:00 PM | Event #9: Flight C |
| 29-Apr | 11:00 AM | Event #11: $1,100 NLH Texas Trailblazer $100K GTD |
| 29-Apr | 3:00 PM | Event #12: $600 No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw $20K GTD |
| 30-Apr | 11:00 AM | Event #13: $1,700 NLH Main Event $1M GTD - Flight A |
| 30-Apr | 3:00 PM | Event #14: $600 Pot-Limit Omaha $50K GTD |
| 1-May | 11:00 AM | Event #13: Flight B |
| 2-May | 11:00 AM | Event #13: Flight C |
| 2-May | 4:00 PM | Event #15: NLH Black Chip Bounty Turbo $25K GTD |
| 3-May | 11:00 AM | Event #16: $600 NLH The Texas Stack $50K GTD |
| 3-May | 4:00 PM | Event #17: $400 NLH Double Board Bomb Pot $25K GTD |
| 4-May | 2:00 PM | Event #18: $400 NLH The Final Lone Star $25K GTD |
