Roughrider Poker Tour Returns to Deadwood for South Dakota State Poker Championship
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The Roughrider Poker Tour (RPT) is set to return to Deadwood for one of its marquee stops of the season — the South Dakota State Poker Championship (SDSPC) Main Event.
Running Thursday, April 16 through Sunday, April 19, 2026, the tournament will once again take place at the Silverado Franklin Historic Hotel & Gaming Complex.
Now in its third consecutive year of partnership, RPT and the Silverado Franklin have continued to build the SDSPC into a staple on the regional poker calendar. The previous two editions both produced record-breaking attendance figures, and expectations are high that 2026 could continue that trend.
Adding to the prestige of the event is its signature hardware — a trophy that has become a standout feature of the series.
$1,140 Main Event Details
The $1,140 SDSPC Main Event will feature three starting flights, giving players multiple opportunities to advance to Day 2. Action kicks off on Thursday, April 16 with Day 1A, followed by Day 1B on Friday, April 17, and Day 1C on Saturday, April 18. All three starting flights begin at 3:00 p.m.
Players will start with 30,000 in chips, and blinds will increase every 20 minutes throughout the Day 1 flights. Survivors from each flight will combine for Day 2 on Sunday, April 19, where a champion will be crowned.
Main Event Schedule
| Date | Event | Time |
| April 16, 2026 | Day 1a | 3:00 PM |
| April 17, 2026 | Day 1b | 3:00 PM |
| April 18, 2026 | Day 1c | 3:00 PM |
| April 19, 2026 | Day 2 | 11:00 AM |
Building Momentum from a Record Start to 2026
The Roughrider Poker Tour is coming off a historic start to the year following the $250 RPT Casino North Dakota State Championship, which shattered records as the largest poker tournament ever held in the state.
A massive field of 1,655 entries created a memorable event, with Preston Dean emerging victorious after a dominant run. Dean secured $49,300 along with a $10,700 WSOP Main Event package after defeating Steve Kelly heads-up, sealing the win with a full house in the final hand.
That momentum now carries into Deadwood, where another large turnout is expected for the SDSPC Main Event.
North Dakota State Championship Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
| 1 | Preston Dean | United States | $49,300 + $10,700 WSOP Main Event package |
| 2 | Steve Kelly | United States | $30,000 |
| 3 | Kim Rasmussen | United States | $23,000 |
| 4 | Kamden Keleher | United States | $17,000 |
| 5 | Shane Koenig | United States | $13,000 |
| 6 | Jamie Meidinger | United States | $10,000 |
| 7 | Mitch Hogue | United States | $7,700 |
| 8 | Kyle Shipman | United States | $6,200 |
| 9 | Riley Vareberg | United States | $4,300 |
A Championship Stop in Historic Deadwood
With its deep roots in American gambling history, Deadwood provides a fitting backdrop for a championship-caliber event. The Silverado Franklin continues to serve as a key venue for the tour, offering a blend of history, hospitality, and competitive poker.
With back-to-back record-breaking years and continued growth from the Roughrider Poker Tour, the 2026 South Dakota State Poker Championship Main Event is shaping up to be one of the standout regional events of the spring.
PokerNews will be there to live report all the action.
