2026 MSPT Indiana Poker State Championship

The 2026 MSPT Indiana Poker State Championship brings Major Series of Poker: The Tour to Ameristar East Chicago from August 25 through August 30, with 11 Gold Card events and a $1,110 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event carrying a $300,000 guaranteed prize pool.

The six-day series combines several lower-buy-in championship events with Pot-Limit Omaha, deep-stack No-Limit Hold'em formats and repeated opportunities to qualify for the Main Event through milestone satellites. The Main Event winner will also receive an added $3,500 seat to the 2026 MSPT Championship Main Event at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

Players should use the official MSPT Indiana Poker State Championship schedule for the complete event-by-event calendar, structures and any updates before traveling.

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Series Overview

The Indiana Poker State Championship runs August 25-30, 2026 at Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago in East Chicago, Indiana.

This is MSPT Main Event 322 and one of the tour's state championship stops during Season 17. The centerpiece is the $1,110 Indiana Poker State Championship Main Event with a $300,000 guarantee.

MSPT and Ameristar currently list:

• August 25-30, 2026 series dates

• Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago as the host property

• $1,110 Indiana Poker State Championship Main Event

• $300,000 Main Event guarantee

• 11 Gold Card events

• $3,500 MSPT Championship Main Event seat added to first place in the Main Event

• $25 match-play coupon with each Main Event entry

• 21-and-older eligibility

The series is compact enough that players can target several Gold Card events without committing to a multi-week festival, while the Main Event occupies the final four days of the stop.

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Schedule Highlights

The opening portion of the schedule gives players several alternatives to the Main Event.

One of the first tournaments is the $300 Epic Stack Kickoff NLH, which starts players with 50,000 chips and uses 30-minute levels. The opening schedule also includes a $300 Pot-Limit Omaha event with a 30,000 starting stack and 30-minute levels.

Another notable No-Limit Hold'em option is the $300 Ultimate Stack, which provides a 40,000 starting stack with 30-minute levels.

Players looking for shorter events can also find $250 Monster Stack NLH tournaments on the schedule. These use 30,000-chip starting stacks with 20-minute levels.

The final day includes a distinctive $300 40/30/40 NLH event for players age 40 and older. Its name reflects the format: players must be at least 40, levels are 30 minutes and the starting stack is 40,000 chips.

A $300 Monster Stack NLH is also scheduled on the final day with a 30,000 starting stack and 30-minute levels.

Rather than relying on a summary for every start time, players should check the complete official MSPT schedule before registering.

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$1,110 Indiana Poker State Championship Main Event

The $1,110 Indiana Poker State Championship Main Event is the primary tournament of the series and carries a $300,000 guaranteed prize pool.

It is a two-day No-Limit Hold'em event with three starting flights before surviving players combine for Day 2.

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Main Event Starting Stack and Levels

Players begin with 30,000 tournament chips.

The Main Event uses 40-minute blind levels. The published Day 2 structure also lists 40-minute levels, with 30-minute levels once play reaches heads-up or a deal is made under the conditions specified by MSPT.

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Main Event Starting Flights

The current schedule provides three starting flights:

• Day 1A on Thursday, August 27

• Day 1B on Friday, August 28

• Day 1C on Saturday, August 29

Day 1A and Day 1B are scheduled for 2 p.m., while Day 1C begins at noon.

Survivors from the three flights combine for Day 2 on Sunday, August 30. The published schedule lists the Day 2 restart for 11 a.m.

Players planning around flight times should recheck the official MSPT tournament schedule before arriving because tournament schedules remain subject to change.

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Main Event Registration and Re-Entry

The official Main Event structure states that registration closes at the start of Level 9.

Unlimited re-entry is available until the start of Level 9.

That allows players who are eliminated during the registration period to enter again while registration remains open. Players should review the official structure before entering for complete tournament procedures and rules.

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Main Event Guarantee

MSPT advertises a $300,000 guaranteed prize pool for the Indiana Poker State Championship Main Event.

Final payouts cannot be known until registration closes and the final field size is established, so this guide does not estimate a first-place prize or other payout amounts in advance.

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Added $3,500 MSPT Championship Seat

In addition to the normal first-place prize from the Indiana Poker State Championship, MSPT is adding a $3,500 seat to the 2026 MSPT Championship Main Event for the winner.

The Championship Main Event is scheduled for November 27 through December 2, 2026 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida as part of the Rock 'N' Roll Poker Open. MSPT lists that $3,500 Championship Main Event with a $2 million guarantee.

The added seat therefore gives the Indiana champion entry into MSPT's major season-ending championship event in addition to the player's normal Indiana first-place payout.

The official Indiana materials reviewed for this guide do not state that the added seat is transferable, so players should not assume that it may be sold, transferred or exchanged for cash.

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Other Events to Watch

The Main Event is the largest advertised tournament of the stop, but several supporting events provide different structures and formats.

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$300 Epic Stack Kickoff NLH

The Epic Stack Kickoff starts the series with one of its deepest published stacks.

Players receive:

• $300 buy-in

• 50,000 starting chips

• 30-minute levels

For players who prefer more starting depth than a standard low-buy-in side event, it is one of the clearest alternatives to the Main Event.

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$300 Pot-Limit Omaha

PLO players have a dedicated $300 Pot-Limit Omaha event on the schedule.

The published structure lists:

• 30,000 starting chips

• 30-minute levels

It also gives players who primarily play four-card poker a Gold Card opportunity without entering a No-Limit Hold'em event.

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$300 Ultimate Stack NLH

The $300 Ultimate Stack provides:

• 40,000 starting chips

• 30-minute levels

Its deeper starting stack makes it another useful target for players who prefer more chips at the beginning of a one-day tournament.

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Monster Stack Events

The series includes $250 Monster Stack No-Limit Hold'em events using 30,000-chip starting stacks and 20-minute levels.

The final Sunday also includes a $300 Monster Stack NLH with 30,000 chips and 30-minute levels.

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$300 40/30/40 NLH

Sunday's $300 40/30/40 NLH is restricted to players age 40 and older.

The structure combines:

• Minimum age of 40

• 30-minute levels

• 40,000 starting chips

Players should note that this is a 40-plus event, not the traditional 50-plus Seniors format used at some other MSPT stops.

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Satellites and Main Event Qualifiers

MSPT has scheduled multiple $265 milestone satellites during the festival for players seeking a lower-cost route into the $1,110 Main Event.

The published milestone format awards one $1,110 Main Event seat or $1,110 cash for every five entries represented in the prize pool.

The schedule includes milestone opportunities before and during the Main Event starting-flight period, giving players multiple chances to qualify.

Because satellite procedures can differ from ordinary tournaments, players should read the structure before playing. In a milestone format, the objective is tied to reaching the qualifying chip milestone rather than necessarily playing until a conventional single winner remains.

Players who want to build their trip around qualification attempts should check the official MSPT schedule and satellite structures for exact starting times and rules.

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MSPT Gold Card Events

MSPT lists 11 Gold Card events for the 2026 Indiana Poker State Championship.

Gold Cards are awarded to winners of qualifying MSPT Series tournaments with buy-ins of $200 or more. MSPT also has specific rules governing deals and when a Gold Card can be awarded.

According to MSPT, a Gold Card cannot be awarded through a chop made four-handed or earlier. Once play reaches three-handed, deals must follow MSPT's chop procedures. If an ICM deal ends the event immediately at that point, the chip leader receives the Gold Card.

Players interested in the program can review the official MSPT Gold Card rules.

The Gold Card designation gives the supporting schedule additional championship significance beyond the cash prize alone, and MSPT tracks Gold Cards on player profiles and its Gold Card leaderboard.

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Tournament Structures and Registration

Structure varies substantially across the six-day schedule.

Published starting stacks range from 30,000 chips in several events to 50,000 in the Epic Stack Kickoff, while level lengths range from 20 minutes in some Monster Stack and satellite formats to 40 minutes in the Main Event.

Players should avoid assuming that registration and re-entry rules are identical from one tournament to another.

For the Main Event specifically:

• Starting stack: 30,000

• Blind levels: 40 minutes

• Registration closes: start of Level 9

• Re-entry: unlimited through the start of Level 9

• Three starting flights

• Day 2: Sunday, August 30

Check the structure for the individual event you intend to play rather than relying on the Main Event rules for side tournaments.

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Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago

Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago is located at 777 Ameristar Boulevard in East Chicago, Indiana.

The property sits in Northwest Indiana rather than Chicago, Illinois. Players coming from the Chicago area should therefore plan for an Indiana destination even though Ameristar is part of the broader Chicagoland gaming market.

The official Ameristar East Chicago website provides current hotel, dining, casino and property information.

Ameristar describes its casino as a 56,000-square-foot gaming facility spread across three levels. The property also has a hotel, sportsbook, table games, slots and several dining outlets.

Tournament players should follow MSPT and property signage after arriving for the exact tournament registration and playing area.

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Where to Stay

Ameristar operates an on-property 288-room hotel with deluxe king rooms, double-queen rooms and accessible accommodations.

Current hotel policy lists:

• Check-in beginning at 4 p.m.

• Check-out at 11 a.m.

• Minimum hotel rental age of 21

• Valid state or federal identification required at check-in

Players can review current room information on the official Ameristar East Chicago hotel page.

MSPT has also arranged a special event hotel rate for the Indiana Poker State Championship. The current MSPT lodging notice lists offer code MSPT and publishes separate Sunday-through-Thursday and Friday-Saturday rates.

Hotel inventory and quoted group rates can sell out or change, so players should confirm the final price and cancellation terms before booking.

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Dining and Amenities

Ameristar has several on-property food and drink options, which is useful for players trying to fit meals around registration and tournament breaks.

Current dining options include The Sportsbook, Bugatti's Steak and Pasta, Burger Brothers and Red Lotus Asian Kitchen, along with Club 38 and The Social Lounge.

Operating hours vary substantially by outlet and by day. Players should check the official Ameristar dining page rather than assuming every restaurant will be open throughout the tournament schedule.

The property also participates in PENN Play, which provides eligible members with gaming and property benefits. Tournament players who already use PENN Play may want to bring their account information or card, but MSPT tournament eligibility and registration requirements should always be confirmed separately at the venue.

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Getting There and Parking

Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago is located at:

777 Ameristar Boulevard East Chicago, IN 46312

The casino is in Northwest Indiana near the Chicago market.

Ameristar's official directions from Chicago route drivers toward the Indiana Toll Road/Skyway and IN-912 before the Jeorse Park/Pastrick Marina/Ameristar Casino exit.

Players traveling by car should use the official Ameristar visit and directions page for the property's current routing information.

Because the casino is in Indiana rather than Illinois, travelers should make sure they have selected East Chicago, Indiana as their destination when using navigation apps.

Players flying into the region have access to the major Chicago-area airport network, but flight choice, traffic and ground transportation can vary considerably. Allow additional travel time rather than planning arrival immediately before tournament registration closes.

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What Players Should Know

The most important planning points for the 2026 MSPT Indiana Poker State Championship are straightforward:

• The series runs August 25-30 at Ameristar East Chicago.

• The Main Event costs $1,110 and guarantees $300,000.

• Main Event players receive 30,000 starting chips and play 40-minute levels.

• Main Event registration and unlimited re-entry remain available through the start of Level 9.

• There are three Main Event starting flights.

• Day 2 is scheduled for Sunday, August 30.

• The Main Event winner receives an added $3,500 seat to the 2026 MSPT Championship Main Event.

• The festival contains 11 Gold Card events.

• $265 milestone satellites provide qualifying opportunities for the Main Event.

• Supporting events include Epic Stack, Ultimate Stack, PLO, Monster Stack and the 40-plus 40/30/40 tournament.

• Ameristar has an on-property hotel and multiple dining options.

• The casino is in East Chicago, Indiana, not Chicago, Illinois.

Tournament information can change. Players making travel plans or registering close to a deadline should confirm the current schedule and structure directly with MSPT and Ameristar before arriving.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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When is the 2026 MSPT Indiana Poker State Championship?

The series is scheduled for August 25 through August 30, 2026.

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Where is the MSPT Indiana Poker State Championship held?

It is being held at Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago, 777 Ameristar Boulevard in East Chicago, Indiana.

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How much is the Indiana Poker State Championship Main Event?

The Main Event has a $1,110 buy-in.

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What is the Main Event guarantee?

MSPT guarantees $300,000 for the Main Event prize pool.

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How many Main Event starting flights are there?

There are three starting flights: Day 1A on August 27, Day 1B on August 28 and Day 1C on August 29.

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What is the Main Event starting stack?

Players begin with 30,000 tournament chips.

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How long are Main Event levels?

The published structure uses 40-minute levels. Day 2 also uses 40-minute levels before reducing to 30 minutes heads-up or when a qualifying deal is made.

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Are re-entries allowed in the Main Event?

Yes. The official structure allows unlimited re-entry through the start of Level 9.

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When does Main Event registration close?

Registration closes at the start of Level 9.

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Are Main Event satellites available?

Yes. The series schedule includes multiple $265 milestone satellites. The published format awards one $1,110 Main Event seat or $1,110 cash for every five entries represented in the prize pool.

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What are MSPT Gold Card events?

MSPT Gold Cards are championship awards presented to winners of qualifying MSPT Series events with buy-ins of at least $200, subject to MSPT's rules governing deals and tournament completion. The Indiana Poker State Championship schedule lists 11 Gold Card events.

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What does the Main Event winner receive?

The winner receives the normal first-place tournament payout and championship title plus an added $3,500 seat into the 2026 MSPT Championship Main Event at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

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Is the added $3,500 MSPT Championship seat transferable?

The official Indiana materials reviewed for this guide do not publish transferability terms. Players should confirm any restrictions directly with MSPT.

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Does Ameristar East Chicago have a hotel?

Yes. Ameristar operates a 288-room on-property hotel with king, double-queen and accessible rooms.

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Where can players find the complete tournament schedule?

Players can view the complete official MSPT Indiana Poker State Championship schedule.