The WSOP Circuit returns to Northern California’s premier poker destination, TVPokerRoom at Thunder Valley Casino Resort, for its third stop of the 2026 season. The schedule features 16 gold ring events running Jan. 15-26.
Before the series begins, the Poker Room offers satellites from Jan. 12-14, the first taking place Monday the 12th at 5:30 pm, just as the room’s Uncork ’26 – The Champagne Series declares the winner of its final event. Uncork ’26 runs Jan. 3-12.
The Poker Live Updates team provides in-house live updates of the WSOP Circuit schedule, including all preliminary events and the $500,000 guaranteed WSOP Circuit Main Event from Jan. 23-26.
The Main event features two starting flights on Friday and Saturday, both offering one (1) re-entry per flight and playing down to the money (15%). All players advancing to Day 2 return on Sunday to play down to the final table taking place on Monday and awarding a six-figure first-place prize to its eventual champion.
Each of the five satellites guarantees 10 $500 WSOP Package seats, good for an entry into the $500 WSOP Circuit Package Satellite. That event runs on Jan. 14 at 5:30, and 1-in-6 players earn a $2,700 package, including entries into three ring events:
- $1,700 Main Event Entry
- $600 Entry
- $400 Entry
“The Opener” runs on the first weekend of the series from Jan. 15-18, offering a $250,000 guarantee and four starting flights from Thursday through Saturday. playing down to a winner on Sunday. The top 15% from each flight make the money, and the top 10% of each field advances to Sunday’s Day 2 to play down to a winner.
Additionally, the ever-popular two-day $100,000 guaranteed Monster Stack offers two Jan. 21 starting flights – at 10 am and 3 pm – with the top 15% of each flight combine to play down to a winner the following day.
Other exciting events on the 16-event schedule include:
- Seniors Event (Event #1) on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 9 am, with a one-day $30k guaranteed to follow at 10 am ($400 buy-in with one re-entry and 20-minute levels)
- Eight-handed one-day $50k guaranteed ($400 buy-in) on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 11 am
- $3,250 High Roller on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 3 pm (8-hour Day 1; unlimited re-entry; Day 2 Final on Friday at noon)
- Single-day $40k guaranteed on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 10 am ($600 buy-in with one re-entry and 20-minute levels)
Mixed-Game Events:
- $600 PLO two-day event on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 3 pm. Day 2 restart on Monday at noon.
- $600 T.O.R.S.E. two-day event on Monday, Jan. 19 at 3 pm. Day 2 restart on Tuesday at noon.
- $600 Omaha 8 two-day event on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 3 pm. Day 2 restart on Wednesday at noon.
Satellite dates:
- $120 Step Satellites to $500 WSOP Circuit Package Satellite – Jan. 12 (5:30 pm), Jan 13 (9:30 am and 5:30 pm), Jan. 14 (9:30 am and 2 pm)
- $500 WSOP Circuit Package Satellite – Jan. 14 (5:30 pm)
- $120 Satellite to win a $600 seat – Jan. 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 (9 am), plus Jan 19 and 20 (6 pm)
- A pair of $300 satellite events to the Main Event, each with 20 seats guaranteed – Jan. 22 and 23 (6 pm).
- Two more $300 turbo satellites, each with 5 seats guaranteed – Jan. 23 and 24 (9 am)
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