WSOP Circuit Returns to Turning Stone with $1M Main Event

WSOP Circuit is back at Turning Stone for 12 days of poker

The WSOP Circuit returns to Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York, and this stop is much more than a routine date on the calendar. For players from Upstate New York, the Northeast, and across the United States, it is one of the most attractive live-poker festivals of the fall, offering a deep schedule, multiple buy-in levels, and a real shot at a coveted WSOP Circuit ring.

The series runs for 12 days, from October 15 through October 26, 2026, and features 18 official ring events. That means a wide range of formats, structures, and prize pools packed into one venue, giving recreational players, traveling grinders, and regional regulars plenty of ways to find value.

For many players, the choice between online volume, local live games, and major festival stops is always part of the equation. That is why resources like [poker rooms]( /en/pokerrooms ) and [poker clubs]( /en/pokerclubs ) remain important parts of a player’s overall ecosystem, even when a major live series like this one is in full swing.

Why Turning Stone matters on the WSOP Circuit map

Turning Stone has become one of the most reliable Circuit destinations since hosting its first WSOP Circuit series in 2022. In a short time, it has grown from a new stop into a proven venue that attracts players who want strong structures, meaningful guarantees, and a schedule built for serious tournament volume.

The October festival is especially notable because it is the venue’s second WSOP Circuit stop of 2026. It is also the only gaming destination in the Northeast to host two Circuit series during the same calendar year. That is an important signal for the region: live tournament poker here is not just surviving, it is thriving.

A repeat stop like this also tells us something about player demand. WSOP does not return to a venue twice in one year unless the market is strong, the room can handle a major schedule, and the player base is responding. For grinders, that creates a familiar, high-confidence destination with a track record.

The Main Event: $1,700 buy-in and a $1 million guarantee

The centerpiece of every WSOP Circuit series is the $1,700 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event, and at Turning Stone it begins on Thursday, October 22. The tournament comes with three starting flights and a $1 million guaranteed prize pool, making it the main target for players planning their week around the biggest score on the schedule.

The Turning Stone Main Event Day One schedule is:

• Flight A: Thursday, October 22 at 12 P.M.
• Flight C: Saturday, October 24 at 11 A.M.

A three-flight structure gives players flexibility. Some will register early and take the first shot; others will wait for a better window based on travel, table composition, or personal scheduling. In live poker, that flexibility matters, especially in a long series where energy management can be just as important as technical edge.

Players looking to sharpen their tournament fundamentals before the big event can use [poker school]( /en/pokerschool ) content to review deep-stack play, ICM pressure, and the adjustments that matter most in multi-day live events.

Early action: Mini Main, Seniors, bounty games and Omaha

The series opens with serious value right away. On day one, players can jump into a $400 No-Limit Hold'em 40/40/40 event with a $100,000 guarantee, followed later by Event #2, the $400 Mini Main Event, which starts its first flight with a $600,000 guarantee.

The Mini Main runs through Saturday, October 17, and offers five starting flights over three days. That kind of schedule is designed for volume and accessibility. It gives more players a chance to enter a major guaranteed event without committing to the Main Event buy-in.

The opening weekend also includes:

• a $400 Seniors No-Limit Hold'em event with a $100,000 guarantee
• a $600 No-Limit Hold'em Black Chip Bounty event with a $100,000 guarantee
• a $400 Pot-Limit Omaha event with a $50,000 guarantee

That mix matters because it broadens the series beyond one audience. Seniors events, bounty structures, and Omaha all bring different player pools to the same venue, which usually leads to softer fields in some formats and more opportunity for players who specialize in mixed or non-Hold'em games.

Monster Stack, Mixed games and the final-weekend grind

Starting Monday, October 19, players can turn their attention to the $400 Monster Stack, which offers four starting flights and a $400,000 guarantee. Monster Stack events are popular for a reason: deeper starting stacks and a longer post-flop game create more room for skill to matter, especially for players comfortable navigating multi-street pressure.

The schedule then keeps building:

• Wednesday, October 21: $1,100 No-Limit Hold'em with a $100,000 guarantee
• Wednesday, October 21: $400 Pot-Limit Omaha 8 or Better
• Thursday, October 22: $400 No-Limit Hold'em / Pot-Limit Omaha Mixed
• Friday, October 23: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Ladies Event
• Final weekend: $600 No-Limit Hold'em, $400 Turbo Double Stack, and another $400 Seniors No-Limit Hold'em event
• Sunday, October 25: $2,200 No-Limit Hold'em High Roller with a $100,000 guarantee
• October 26: $400 No-Limit Hold'em Double Stack Closer

This structure gives the stop real depth. It is not just one flagship event surrounded by filler. Instead, Turning Stone offers a full festival environment where players can choose between value-heavy low and mid buy-ins, a higher-roller test, and specialty formats that reward preparation and adaptability.

For players who want to stretch bankroll and timing around a live series, tracking [promotions & bonuses]( /en/blog/promotions ) can also be part of the bigger plan, especially when combining online volume with live-event travel.

Expert analysis: what this stop means for players and the 2026 Circuit season

From a strategic perspective, Turning Stone is one of the most important stops on the 2026 Circuit calendar. The reason is simple: it combines strong guarantees, a trusted venue, and a major added incentive that changes the way players value every ring event.

That added incentive is the $5,000 WSOP Paradise package awarded to every 2026 Circuit ring winner. In practical terms, this turns each ring event into more than a local title chase. A win now carries a direct path to another major international festival, which increases the upside of every final table and every late-stage decision.

For players, that changes both motivation and strategy:

• ring events become more valuable because the prize is no longer just cash and a trophy;
• more players may target specific events that suit their edge, rather than simply firing the biggest buy-in;
• deep-stack events such as the Main Event and Monster Stack become even more attractive to technically strong players who can maximize long-format edge.

There is also a broader industry lesson here. When a regional series creates a meaningful bridge to a marquee destination like WSOP Paradise, it strengthens the entire Circuit ecosystem. Local stops become feeder events for a global championship-like experience, which helps keep seasonal interest high and gives players a concrete reason to stay active throughout the year.

For serious competitors, the preparation question is just as important as the schedule itself. Studying structure, stack depth, and endgame pressure through [poker school]( /en/pokerschool ) material can be a real edge in live events, while keeping an eye on [poker agent]( /en/pokeragent ) opportunities may help players manage longer travel-based schedules more efficiently.

WSOP Paradise adds a bigger goal for every ring winner

The 2026 season makes every Circuit ring even more meaningful. In addition to the prestige of winning a gold ring, every 2026 WSOP Circuit champion receives an exclusive $5,000 WSOP Paradise package.

The package includes entry into the $2,750 WSOP Circuit Championship Mystery Bounty at WSOP Paradise 2026, plus complimentary accommodations at Baha Mar Resort in The Bahamas. That is a major upgrade from a standard prize structure because it links a regional victory directly to a world-class festival experience.

WSOP Paradise 2026 will take place at Baha Mar in Nassau, The Bahamas, from December 3 through December 17, and will feature 18 WSOP bracelet events and $100 million in guaranteed prize pools. That is a huge stage, and the Circuit package gives ring winners a real seat at the table.

For Turning Stone players, that means a victory in Verona could lead to a December trip to the Bahamas, a new championship field, and a chance to compete against other ring winners from around the world. That kind of pathway raises the stakes of every final table on the schedule.

Final takeaway: Turning Stone offers value, volume and real upside

When you combine 18 official ring events, more than $3 million in guaranteed prize pools, a $1,700 Main Event with a $1 million guarantee, and the added WSOP Paradise package for every champion, the Turning Stone stop stands out as one of the most compelling live-poker festivals of the fall.

It is a strong destination for New York players, a practical stop for Northeast grinders, and a serious target for anyone trying to build a 2026 WSOP Circuit season around meaningful results. The schedule is deep enough to support different bankrolls and playing styles, while the Main Event and Monster Stack provide the kind of headline value that makes a long trip worthwhile.

In short, Turning Stone is doing exactly what a great Circuit stop should do: reward skill, attract volume, and give players a path from regional success to international opportunity.

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