2026 MSPT Winter Poker Classic at Running Aces

The 2026 MSPT Winter Poker Classic returns to Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack in Columbus, Minnesota, from December 1–13, 2026. The Major Series of Poker: The Tour (MSPT) lists a $500,000 guaranteed Main Event as the centerpiece of the festival.

Running Aces has been a regular stop on the MSPT schedule, attracting players from Minnesota and throughout the Midwest. The Winter Poker Classic gives tournament players an opportunity to compete in a substantial guaranteed event before the end of the calendar year.

This guide covers the confirmed series dates, Main Event schedule, tournament structure, venue information, and official sources players should consult before attending.

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2026 MSPT Winter Poker Classic Overview

The full Winter Poker Classic festival is scheduled for December 1–13, 2026, at Running Aces Casino in Columbus, Minnesota. The $1,110 Main Event takes place December 3–6.

Key tournament information:

• Tournament: 2026 MSPT Winter Poker Classic

• Tour: Major Series of Poker: The Tour (MSPT)

• Venue: Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack

• Location: Columbus, Minnesota

• Full series dates: December 1–13, 2026

• Main Event dates: December 3–6, 2026

• Main Event buy-in: $1,110

• Main Event guarantee: $500,000

• Minimum player age: 18

The MSPT has posted an official event schedule link. Players should consult that document for individual tournament dates, buy-ins, starting times, and structures before making their plans.

View the official MSPT Winter Poker Classic tournament schedule

The official MSPT website also provides event information, tournament results, player rankings, and live coverage.

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MSPT Winter Poker Classic Main Event

The $1,110 Main Event runs December 3–6, 2026, with a $500,000 guaranteed prize pool.

The guarantee establishes a minimum advertised prize pool, subject to the event's official terms. Actual prize money and the eventual first-place payout will depend on participation, the approved payout structure, and applicable tournament conditions.

The tournament features three starting flights followed by Day 2, when advancing players return to compete for the championship.

The published Main Event schedule is:

• Day 1A: Thursday, December 3, at 2 p.m.

• Day 1B: Friday, December 4, at 2 p.m.

• Day 1C: Saturday, December 5, at noon

• Day 2: Sunday, December 6, at 11 a.m.

• All times Central

Players can select among the three starting flights based on their availability and the tournament's registration and re-entry rules.

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Main Event Registration and Structure

The $1,110 Main Event starts players with 30,000 chips and features 40-minute blind levels. Levels are reduced to 30 minutes during heads-up play or following a deal.

Unlimited re-entry is permitted until the start of Level 13.

Key Main Event structure information:

• Buy-in: $1,110

• Starting stack: 30,000 chips

• Blind levels: 40 minutes

• Heads-up or post-deal levels: 30 minutes

• Re-entry: Unlimited until the start of Level 13

• Starting flights: Three

• Day 2: December 6 at 11 a.m. Central

The 30,000-chip starting stack and blind structure give players a framework for planning their approach to the event. The registration deadline is particularly important for players entering after the opening level.

Players considering more than one starting flight should also verify how the tournament handles multiple qualifying stacks.

For complete tournament regulations and any additional structure provisions, consult the official MSPT Winter Poker Classic schedule.

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Tournament Schedule and Other Events

The Winter Poker Classic features a substantial supporting-event schedule alongside its $500,000 guaranteed Main Event.

The 2026 festival includes 24 Gold Card events, giving players additional opportunities to compete across the December 1–13 series.

One of the featured supporting tournaments is the $400 Mini Main, which carries a $100,000 guaranteed prize pool.

Highlights include:

• 24 Gold Card events throughout the festival

• $400 Mini Main with a $100,000 guarantee

• $1,110 Main Event with a $500,000 guarantee

• Main Event starting flights December 3–5

• Main Event Day 2 on December 6

• Additional tournament and satellite opportunities during the series

Players planning to attend multiple events should pay particular attention to tournaments that overlap with the Main Event.

A player still competing in one event may be unable to participate in another scheduled for the same time. Reviewing event start times, expected tournament duration, and registration cutoffs can prevent conflicts.

Check the complete 2026 Winter Poker Classic schedule for the official event-by-event listing, including Mini Main dates, Gold Card events, and tournament structures.

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Satellites and Main Event Qualification

The 2026 MSPT Winter Poker Classic schedule includes $265 Main Event satellites, providing players with opportunities to qualify for the $1,110 Main Event.

Players interested in satellite qualification should check the published schedule for individual satellite dates, starting times, and qualifying conditions.

Important considerations include:

• Satellite buy-in: $265

• Number of seats or qualifying awards available

• Starting stack and blind structure

• Registration and re-entry conditions

• How awarded seats or tournament entries must be redeemed

Satellite formats can differ significantly. Some award tournament seats directly, while others use milestone or qualifying structures.

Players should read the rules for the particular satellite they intend to enter rather than relying on a format used at an earlier MSPT stop.

View the official Winter Poker Classic schedule for the satellite lineup and associated rules.

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Running Aces Casino and Poker Room

Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack is located at 15201 Running Aces Boulevard in Columbus, Minnesota.

The property is situated north of the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area near Interstate 35, making it accessible to players traveling from the Twin Cities and surrounding communities.

Running Aces maintains an established poker room offering live poker and organized tournaments. Players visiting for the Winter Poker Classic may also find ring games available outside their scheduled tournament sessions.

Poker room offerings and table availability can change according to demand, staffing, and tournament activity.

For current poker room information, visit the official Running Aces website.

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Getting to Running Aces and Parking

The official venue address is:

Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack 15201 Running Aces Boulevard Columbus, MN 55025

Running Aces provides driving directions from Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, and other regional starting points.

Drivers approaching from the Twin Cities can use Interstate 35 and Highway 97/Lake Drive, following the venue's posted directions to Running Aces Boulevard.

Players should verify current parking arrangements and follow on-site signs when arriving for the tournament.

View official Running Aces driving directions.

Players traveling during December should also account for possible winter weather and road conditions in Minnesota.

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Preparing for the Winter Poker Classic

The Winter Poker Classic draws a mixture of experienced tournament players and recreational competitors. Advance preparation can make a difference, particularly for those entering their first MSPT Main Event.

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Review the Tournament Structure

Understanding the starting stack, blind schedule, and registration deadline is essential.

The 2026 Main Event begins with 30,000 chips and 40-minute blind levels, with unlimited re-entry permitted until the start of Level 13.

Blind levels determine how quickly the cost of playing increases. A player entering late may begin with fewer big blinds than someone who registered at the start, even if both receive the same starting chip stack.

Reviewing the structure helps players understand how quickly decisions about stack preservation, aggression, and tournament survival may become important.

For players looking to strengthen their tournament fundamentals, the Angry Aces guide to poker position explains how table position influences preflop decisions.

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Understand Stack Size and Pot Odds

Deep-stacked tournament play requires different decisions from short-stacked situations.

Players should consider their stack in big blinds rather than relying only on its total chip value. As blinds increase, the same number of chips represents less flexibility.

Understanding drawing odds also matters when deciding whether to call a bet or commit a significant portion of a stack.

The poker pot odds guide covers the relationship between a call's cost and the potential reward.

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Plan Your Tournament Budget

Players entering a multi-day series should establish a budget before arriving.

That budget should account for intended tournament entries, possible re-entries if permitted, satellites, meals, transportation, and other expenses.

A guaranteed prize pool does not guarantee a profit for individual entrants. Tournament results involve substantial variance, and players should avoid treating potential winnings as expected income.

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Arrive Before Your Scheduled Event

Players unfamiliar with Running Aces should allow time to locate the poker tournament area, complete any required registration procedures, and find their assigned table.

An early arrival also provides an opportunity to confirm the structure, ask tournament staff about applicable rules, and resolve any questions before cards are dealt.

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Winter Poker Classic History and Previous Results

Running Aces has hosted several notable MSPT Winter Poker Classic Main Events.

In December 2025, the $1,110 Main Event attracted 838 entries across three starting flights, generating an $811,360 prize pool that exceeded its $500,000 guarantee.

Buzhyew "BK" Ansha won the event, defeating MSPT Hall of Famer Kou Vang heads-up to capture his first MSPT title. The two finalists agreed to an ICM deal before heads-up play, with Ansha ultimately collecting $138,953 and Vang receiving $114,000.

The victory gave Ansha the 2025 Winter Poker Classic Main Event trophy and his first MSPT championship. The official tournament recap confirms the deal-adjusted payouts.

Read the official MSPT recap of Ansha's 2025 Winter Poker Classic victory

The December 2023 Winter Poker Classic also surpassed its guarantee, attracting 866 entries and producing an $838,520 prize pool. Allan Secord won that Main Event for $163,511, claiming his first MSPT title.

View the official 2023 MSPT Winter Poker Classic results

Those results demonstrate the level of participation the Running Aces stop has achieved in previous years. They are historical results, not forecasts of the 2026 field or prize pool.

Players can review past results and current tour coverage through the official MSPT website.

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Final Planning Considerations

The full 2026 MSPT Winter Poker Classic runs December 1–13 at Running Aces Casino in Columbus, Minnesota. Its $1,110 Main Event takes place December 3–6 and features a $500,000 guarantee.

For players considering a trip, the most important preparation is reviewing the current tournament schedule and Main Event structure before choosing which events to enter.

Confirm starting times, registration requirements, buy-ins, and re-entry rules through the tournament organizers. For venue access and poker room questions, consult Running Aces directly.

The official Winter Poker Classic schedule is the primary resource for planning participation in the series.