2026 Maryland State Poker Championship

$1,700 Main Event
Day: 1c
1a1b1c2
Event Info
2026 Maryland State Poker Championship
Event Info
Buy-in
$1,700
Prize Pool
$570,000
Total Entries
380
Players Left
34
Average Chip Stack
447,059
Total Chips
15,200,000
Next Payout
Place 35
$3,740
Level Info
Level
18
Blinds
5,000 / 10,000
Ante
10,000
Players Info - Day 1c
Entries
193
Players Left
25
Players Left 34 / 380

Last Chance to Chase the Title on Day 1c of the Maryland State Poker Championship $1,700 Main Event

Cards, chips, branding
Cards, chips, branding

The Live! Casino Maryland poker room will be packed today when the final starting flight of the Maryland State Poker Championship $1,700 Main Event begins at 11:15 a.m. local time.

Day 1c is expected to be the biggest flight yet as the total field approaches the $500,000 guaranteed prize pool. The first two opening flights attracted 187 entries, with 24 players already securing their spots on Day 2.

Matthew Zambanini remains the man to beat with 663,500, followed by Valentin Lita (656,000). Kevin Grabel (552,000), Justin Arnwine (471,000), and Jeffrey Boyd (458,500) round out the top five.

Current Top Ten Chip Counts

RankPlayerCountryChip Count
1Matthew ZambaniniUnited States663,500
2Valentin LitaUnited States656,000
3Kevin GrabelUnited States552,000
4Justin ArnwineUnited States471,000
5Jeffrey BoydUnited States458,500
6Donovan BatesUnited States396,000
7Daniel IachanUnited States370,000
8Christopher CarusoUnited States347,000
9Clint HouckUnited States344,000
10Vernon BakerUnited States324,500

Others through to Day 2 include Daniel Iachan (370,000), Christopher Caruso (347,000), Clint Houck (344,000), Diane Zimmerman (305,500), Dominic Lake (271,500), Aaron Pinson (225,000), Brandon Mueller (160,500), and Ari Katz (159,000).

Players on Day 1c will begin with a 40,000 starting stack. Levels will be 40 minutes, with a break after every three levels and a 45-minute dinner break at the end of Level 9. Late registration remains open until the start of Level 10.

The day will conclude once 12.5 percent of the field remains. All surviving players then return for Day 2 tomorrow at 11:15 a.m. already in the money. The action on Day 2 picks up at the earliest finishing time from one of the starting flights, which currently stands at 36 minutes remaining in Level 15 with blinds of 2,500/5,000 and a 5,000 big blind ante.

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Stay tuned as PokerNews follows all the action throughout the day and provides live updates.

Tags: Aaron PinsonAri KatzBrandon MuellerChristopher CarusoClint HouckDaniel IachanDiane ZimmermanDominic LakeJeffrey BoydJustin ArnwineKevin GrabelMatthew ZambaniniValentin Lita