The Major Series of Poker: The Tour — still known as the MSPT — is one of the best-value tournament circuits in the United States. If you are planning to play one or more MSPT stops in 2026, this guide covers everything you need: the full season schedule, what to expect from the structures, how to handle travel and logistics at a touring event, and practical tips from players who have been grinding the circuit for years.

The MSPT operates differently from a single-venue festival like the WSOP or Irish Poker Open. Rather than one location over a fixed period, the MSPT runs 30+ stops across the country throughout the entire calendar year. That means planning your tournament calendar requires a different approach — you are picking which stops fit your schedule, your bankroll, and your region, not just booking one trip.

MSPT 2026 at a Glance

The MSPT launched in December 2009 as the Minnesota State Poker Tour at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota. It expanded to become the Mid-States Poker Tour in 2011 and rebranded to Major Series of Poker: The Tour in March 2025. The acronym stayed the same. Season 17 runs January 1 through December 31, 2026, with all results counting toward the Player of the Year race.

Key facts for the 2026 season:

Stops: 30+ across the United States
Main Event buy-in: Most MSPT Main Events are $1,110, though special stops can vary (for example, the $1,100 Diamond Poker Championship and $1,600 Poker Bowl X in 2026)
Regional Event buy-in: Historically $360–$400, though some 2026 Regionals are priced at $500 — check the specific stop's event sheet
Majors: 5 designated Major stops per season, each with a minimum $1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool
States on the circuit: Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, South Dakota, Colorado, Nevada, California, Arizona, Ohio, Florida, and others
Official website: msptpoker.com

The MSPT has built its reputation on accessible buy-ins, deep-stacked structures, and consistent execution across a wide network of casino partners. It is the largest mid-stakes touring circuit in the US, and the $1,110 Main Event price point hits a sweet spot — serious enough to attract skilled fields, affordable enough that recreational-serious players can take multiple shots across a season. Over $201 million in total prize money has been awarded since the tour's inception (PokerNews, January 2025), and that number climbs with every stop.

2026 Schedule Overview: What to Play

The MSPT releases its schedule in waves, with stops confirmed throughout the year. Below is a summary of confirmed 2026 stops as of March 2026. Check msptpoker.com for the most current schedule, as additional stops are announced regularly.

Confirmed 2026 Stops

Dates	Stop	Venue	Location	Main Event GTD
Jan 1–5	New Year's Poker Open	Venetian Las Vegas	Las Vegas, NV	—
Jan 8–19	Golden State Poker Championship	Sycuan Casino Resort	San Diego, CA	$300K
Jan 14–25	Showdown Series	Bally's Black Hawk Casino	Black Hawk, CO	—
Jan 24–Feb 1	Diamond Poker Championship (MAJOR)	Talking Stick Resort	Scottsdale, AZ	$1,000,000+
Feb 4–7	Poker Bowl X	Venetian Las Vegas	Las Vegas, NV	$1,000,000
Feb 10–16	Ohio Poker State Championship	JACK Cleveland Casino	Cleveland, OH	—
Feb 17–22	Club Poker Championship (MAJOR)	Potawatomi Casino Hotel	Milwaukee, WI	$1,000,000
Mar 11–15	MSPT Festival	Grand Falls Casino	Larchwood, IA	—
Mar 17–22	MSPT Festival	Riverside Casino	Riverside, IA	—
Late Mar	Missouri Poker State Championship	Ameristar Casino St. Charles	St. Louis, MO	—
Apr 7–19	Minnesota Poker State Championship	Running Aces Casino	Columbus, MN	$700,000
Apr 28–May 3	MSPT Major	Potawatomi Casino Hotel	Milwaukee, WI	$1,000,000
May 7–12	MSPT Festival	JACK Cleveland Casino	Cleveland, OH	$500,000
May 12–17	Michigan Poker State Championship (MAJOR)	FireKeepers Casino Hotel	Battle Creek, MI	$1,000,000
Sep 22–27	Wisconsin Poker State Championship	Potawatomi Casino Hotel	Milwaukee, WI	$1,000,000+
Oct 13–18	Spade Poker Championship	FireKeepers Casino Hotel	Battle Creek, MI	TBD (confirm guarantee)
Nov 18–Dec 2	Rock 'N' Roll Poker Open (RRPO)	Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino	Hollywood, FL	$2,000,000
Dec 1–13	Winter Poker Classic	Running Aces Casino	Columbus, MN	$700,000

Additional stops — including further Venetian Las Vegas dates — are expected but have TBD details as of this writing. Schedule based on confirmed announcements as of March 2026. Dates and guarantees can shift. Always verify against the official schedule at msptpoker.com before booking travel.

What Are Majors?

Introduced with the March 2025 rebrand, Majors are the flagship stops of the MSPT season. The MSPT announced 5 annual Majors, each with a minimum $1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool in the Main Event and custom winner prizes. Majors serve as the anchor events for the Player of the Year race. If you are planning to play a limited number of stops, Majors are the ones to prioritize — they draw the biggest fields and generate the largest prize pools.

Events by Buy-In Tier

Every MSPT stop includes a mix of events beyond the Main Event. Here is what to expect:

Budget-friendly ($200–$500): Regional Events have historically been $360–$400, though some 2026 stops price them at $500. Most stops also offer $200–$300 side events including Seniors and Ladies events. Check the specific stop's event sheet for current pricing.
Mid-range ($500–$1,110): The $1,110 Main Event is the centerpiece at most stops. Some festivals include $500–$800 side events.
Premium ($1,500+): The Poker Bowl at the Venetian carries a $1,600 buy-in. Select special events at Major stops may have higher buy-ins.

Re-Entry and Late Registration

MSPT Main Events allow registration and re-entry up to the start of Level 13. Most Main Events run 2–3 starting flights, which means you can re-enter on a later flight if you bust early. Late registration is typically open through the start of the last flight. Policies can vary slightly by venue, so check the specific stop's schedule for exact cutoff times.

Tournament Structure Analysis

The MSPT Main Event structure is one of the best in mid-stakes tournament poker. It was designed and approved by Allen "Chainsaw" Kessler — a player known throughout the community for evaluating and advocating for player-friendly tournament structures.

Main Event Structure Breakdown

Detail	Value
Buy-in	$1,110 (most stops)
Starting stack	30,000 chips (2026 Major/Main Events)
Blind levels	40 minutes
Registration/Re-entry	Closes at the start of Level 13
Ante format	Big blind ante, transitioning to standard ante when approximately 27 players remain
Days	Multi-day (typically 2–3 starting flights + Day 2 + Final Day)

With 30,000 starting chips and 40-minute levels, this is a deep structure. You have time to play post-flop poker, develop reads, and wait for spots — especially in the early and middle stages. For context, many $1,000+ buy-in tournaments start players at 150–200 BB with 30-minute levels. The MSPT gives you more play for the money.

The structure starts to accelerate around Level 10–12, where the blinds and antes begin to compress stacks. By the time registration closes at Level 13, the tournament shifts toward a more pressure-heavy dynamic for shorter stacks. If you want a deeper analysis of how to evaluate and adapt to tournament structures, see our guide on how to read tournament structures like a pro.

Side Event Structures

Regional Events ($360 buy-in) typically start with 20,000 chips and 30-minute levels — still playable, but noticeably faster than the Main Event. Side events at $200–$300 buy-ins are turbo or semi-turbo formats designed to run in a single day. They are good for warm-up or for taking a shot after a Main Event bust-out, but the structures reward aggression over patience.

Travel: Planning for a Touring Circuit

Unlike a single-venue festival, MSPT stops are spread across the country at casino properties in a wide range of locations — from Las Vegas and South Florida to small-town Iowa and rural Minnesota. Travel logistics depend entirely on which stop you are attending.

General Travel Guidance

For stops in major cities (Las Vegas, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Hollywood FL, San Diego, Scottsdale): Fly into the nearest major airport. Rideshare from the airport to the casino is typically $15–$50 depending on the city. Most of these venues are well-connected and easy to reach.

For stops in smaller markets (Larchwood IA, Columbus MN, Battle Creek MI, Black Hawk CO): These venues are often 1–3 hours from the nearest major airport. Renting a car is usually the best option. If you are driving from within the region, these stops tend to draw a strong local crowd and shorter travel times are part of their appeal.

Key airports by region:

Midwest stops (IA, MN, WI, MI, MO, OH, IN): Minneapolis–Saint Paul (MSP), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Milwaukee (MKE), Detroit (DTW), Cleveland (CLE), or Kansas City (MCI) depending on the specific stop.
Western stops (CO, NV, CA, AZ): Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS), San Diego (SAN), Phoenix (PHX).
Florida: Fort Lauderdale (FLL) or Miami (MIA) for the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood.

Pro tip: If you are planning to play multiple Midwest stops — say Grand Falls, Riverside, and Running Aces in the same month — renting a car and road-tripping between stops is common among circuit regulars. The venues are within a day's drive of each other, and you save on flights.

Where to Stay

Most MSPT venues are at casino-hotel properties, which means on-site lodging is usually available. However, room rates and availability vary significantly by stop.

General Lodging Guidance

Tier	Typical Rate	Notes
On-site casino hotel	$80–$200/night	Convenience is the main advantage. Some properties offer player rates — ask at the poker room or check the MSPT stop's event page.
Budget nearby	$50–$120/night	Chain hotels within 10–20 minutes of the venue. Available at virtually every stop.
Mid-range nearby	$120–$250/night	Better options in larger markets (Las Vegas, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Hollywood).
Airbnb/VRBO	Varies	Worth considering for multi-day stops, especially if you are sharing with other players. More viable in larger markets.

Prices are directional estimates based on March 2026 data. Rates vary by market, season, and event dates. Book early — rooms near MSPT venues can fill up during event weeks, especially at Majors.

Venue-Specific Notes

Venetian Las Vegas: Hotel rooms available on-site. Las Vegas has unlimited lodging options at every price point.
Potawatomi Casino Hotel (Milwaukee): On-site hotel with competitive rates. Downtown Milwaukee also has plenty of nearby options.
FireKeepers Casino Hotel (Battle Creek, MI): On-site hotel is the most convenient option. Battle Creek is a smaller market with limited alternatives.
Seminole Hard Rock (Hollywood, FL): The resort hotel is premium-priced. Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood have many budget and mid-range alternatives within 10–15 minutes.
Running Aces (Columbus, MN): Limited on-site lodging. Most players stay in nearby hotels or in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area, about 30–40 minutes south.
Grand Falls Casino (Larchwood, IA): On-site hotel available. The area is rural — Grand Falls is essentially the only game in town, which makes on-site the most practical option.

Eating at and Around MSPT Venues

At-Venue Dining

Most MSPT host casinos have on-site restaurants, buffets, or food courts. Availability and quality range from excellent (Venetian, Seminole Hard Rock) to basic (smaller regional casinos). During tournament breaks — which are typically 15–20 minutes — speed matters. Scope out the food options when you arrive and identify the fastest option for break meals.

Dietary Accommodations

Dietary options vary widely by venue. Larger casino-resort properties (Venetian, Seminole Hard Rock, Potawatomi) typically offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options across their restaurant selections. Smaller venues may be more limited. If you have specific dietary needs, check the venue's restaurant listings before you travel, and consider bringing snacks or meal-prepping if you are staying at a property with a kitchenette.

Vegetarian/Vegan: Generally available at larger venues. More limited at rural stops.
Gluten-free: Available at most casino restaurants with advance notice.
Kosher/Halal: Limited at most MSPT venues outside of Las Vegas and South Florida. Plan ahead.
Healthy eating: For multi-stop road trips, packing a cooler is common among circuit regulars. Find the nearest grocery store to your hotel and stock up on basics.

Late-Night Dining

Poker players keep unusual hours. Most casino properties have at least one dining option open late, but hours vary. In larger markets (Vegas, Hollywood, Milwaukee, Cleveland), late-night restaurant options within a short rideshare are plentiful. At rural stops, the casino restaurant may be your only option after 10 PM.

Practical Info: Venue, Registration, and Amenities

Registration

MSPT events use a combination of registration methods depending on the venue:

Bravo Poker Live: Many MSPT venues support online pre-registration through Bravo Poker Live. You can browse upcoming tournaments, pre-register, and pay in advance. At the venue, you will need to present a casino player card and valid ID to participate.
On-site registration: Walk-up registration is available at all stops. Arrive early — Main Event starting flights can fill up, and lines on Day 1a are often longest.
PokerAtlas: Tournament schedules and structures for most MSPT stops are listed on PokerAtlas, which is useful for planning but does not handle registration.

Phone and Device Policies

Phone policies at MSPT events follow the host casino's card room rules, which vary by property and by state gaming regulations. At most venues, you can use your phone at the table when you are not in a hand. Headphones are generally permitted. Capture your key hands during the event with a hand logging app like LiveHands and review them between flights or after the day ends.

Check the specific venue's posted rules when you sit down, as policies can differ — some properties restrict phone use more tightly, and rules sometimes change during final table play.

Wi-Fi

Most casino properties offer free Wi-Fi, though reliability and speed vary. Do not count on a fast connection for streaming or large downloads. For basic browsing, messaging, and app use, casino Wi-Fi is generally adequate.

ATM and Cashier

Every MSPT venue has an on-site cashier cage and ATMs. ATM fees at casinos are typically $5–$8 per transaction. If you plan to buy in with cash, bring it with you to avoid multiple ATM withdrawals and their associated fees.

Money Movement: Funding Buy-Ins and Cashing Out

Payment Methods

Bravo Poker Live: For venues that support it, Bravo Poker Live allows you to pre-pay for tournament entries online. Fund your account via the app and pay at registration. This is the most convenient method for players who plan ahead.
Cash: Accepted at all venues. The most straightforward option, especially at smaller stops.
Credit/debit cards: Generally not accepted directly for tournament buy-ins at most poker rooms. Some venues allow chip purchases via card at the cashier cage, but expect additional fees.

Cash Handling

MSPT buy-ins are $360–$1,600 per event. If you are playing multiple events at a stop, that adds up. Use the hotel room safe for cash you are not carrying. Do not leave significant amounts in your car. The MSPT community is generally trustworthy, but standard cash-safety practices apply at any poker event.

Cashing Out

Winners at MSPT events are typically paid by check or cash at the cage, depending on the amount and the venue's policies. Large payouts may be issued via check, which can take time to process.

Tax note: For poker tournaments, a W-2G is generally issued for net winnings over $5,000 (after the buy-in/entry fee). You will need to provide your Social Security number to receive your payout. Tax obligations vary by your personal situation — consult a tax professional for guidance specific to your circumstances. This guide does not provide tax advice.

Tips from MSPT Regulars

These tips come from published trip reports, forum discussions, and community experience with the MSPT circuit.

Start with a regional stop close to home. The MSPT's strength is geographic reach. If there is a stop within driving distance, that is the lowest-risk way to experience the tour — no flights, no hotel if you bust, and a familiar poker room environment.
The Majors are worth traveling for. The $1,000,000+ guaranteed Majors draw the biggest fields and the best value. FireKeepers (Michigan) and Potawatomi (Milwaukee) have consistently produced record-breaking turnouts — FireKeepers set the MSPT record in 2025 with over 3,000 entries in the Main Event.
Book your hotel the day the stop is announced. Smaller markets have limited hotel inventory, and rooms near the venue sell out during MSPT weeks. This is especially true at rural stops like Grand Falls and Running Aces.
Take advantage of re-entry wisely. Registration and re-entry close at the start of Level 13, and most Main Events have 2–3 starting flights. If you bust Day 1a, you have the option to fire Day 1b or 1c. Decide your re-entry budget before the tournament starts — not after a bad beat. For more on managing your bankroll across a tournament series, see our guide on bankroll management for live tournament players.
The Midwest road trip is a real thing. Experienced MSPT grinders plan multi-stop swings through Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The venues are within driving distance of each other, and you can play 3–4 stops in a month if the schedule aligns.
Bring layers and check the weather. MSPT stops range from South Florida to Minnesota to Colorado mountain towns. Weather varies dramatically. If you are traveling to a Midwest or mountain stop in winter, pack accordingly — a busted tournament does not feel better when your car will not start in a casino parking lot at midnight.
The fields are beatable. MSPT Main Events draw a mix of circuit regulars, local recreational players, and traveling grinders. The $1,110 price point keeps the fields diverse. This is not a $10,000 buy-in — the player pool includes a wide range of skill levels, which creates opportunities for prepared players.
Use the Gold Card system to track your results. The MSPT awards Gold Cards for qualifying wins at each stop. Players who achieve POY or Hall of Fame status also receive commemorative Gold Cards. Even if you are not chasing accolades, tracking your Gold Cards gives you a sense of progress across the season.

MSPT 2026 FAQ

What is the MSPT Main Event buy-in? Most MSPT Main Events are $1,110, though special stops can vary (for example, the $1,600 Poker Bowl X). Regional Events have historically been $360–$400, but check the specific stop's event sheet as some 2026 Regionals are priced differently.

How many stops are on the 2026 MSPT schedule? Season 17 includes 30+ stops across the United States, running from January through December 2026.

What does MSPT stand for? As of March 2025, MSPT stands for Major Series of Poker: The Tour. It was previously the Mid-States Poker Tour (2011–2025) and the Minnesota State Poker Tour (2009–2011).

How do I register for MSPT tournaments? Most MSPT venues support online pre-registration through Bravo Poker Live. On-site registration is available at all stops. Bring a valid ID and be prepared to present a casino player card at the venue.

Can I use my phone at the table at MSPT events? Phone policies vary by venue and state gaming regulations. At most MSPT stops, you can use your phone when not in a hand. Check the specific venue's posted rules.

What is an MSPT Major? Majors are flagship MSPT stops with a minimum $1,000,000 guaranteed Main Event prize pool and custom winner prizes. The MSPT announced 5 annual Majors starting with the 2025 rebrand.

Is the MSPT structure good? The MSPT Main Event structure — 30,000 starting chips with 40-minute levels in 2026 — is widely considered one of the best in mid-stakes tournament poker. It was originally designed and approved by Allen "Chainsaw" Kessler.

How many entries do MSPT Main Events typically get? Field sizes vary by stop. Major stops regularly draw 1,500–3,000+ entries. Smaller regional stops may draw 200–600 entries. The 2025 FireKeepers Michigan Championship set the record with over 3,000 entries.

Do I need to qualify to play MSPT events? No. All MSPT events are open to anyone who can pay the buy-in and meet the venue's age and identification requirements.

Where can I find the latest MSPT schedule? The official schedule is maintained at msptpoker.com. PokerAtlas and PokerNews also list MSPT tournament schedules.

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MSPT 2026 Complete Player's Guide: Schedule, Travel, Structures, and Tips