Southern New York Regional Championship
CT-West, NY-South, PA-North East
Sunday, August 30th, 2026
Registration Opens: 12:30pm
Tournament Starts: 2:00pm
TD: Cindy Moses & Mike Cassa
American Legion Post #488
532 Lakes Road
Monroe, NY 10950
(845) 783-3965
DEFENDING TOP 3
Mike Thurston
Keith Sweitzer
Sam Kelly
CLICK HERE FOR THE QUALIFIED PLAYER LIST
Event and Venue Overview
The Regional Championship brings together players from across your area - this event is what you have been playing for all season! Enjoy great poker, party with your friends, and earn the opportunity to play in the ultimate World Tavern Poker tournament, the National Championships.
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American Legion Post #488 is a great WTP venue with spacious areas for the Regional event. There will be plenty of drink selections, plenty of parking, and much more. Plus, Post #488 has an amazing, top-notch staff to make this one of the best destinations with a great atmosphere to hang out with your WTP Family.
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We will have a selection of yummy local pizza available by the slice for lunch from 12:30 – 1:30. Cash only!
Participating WTP Bars and Prize Info
All City Grill
American Legion 488
Back Nine
Back Nine - Mondays
Darby O'Gills
Elks Lodge 2067
Fence Road Farm Brewery
Foley's Bar
JJ's Mug N Munch
McCarthy's Grill House
McGillicuddys
Murty's Publick House
New Street Lounge
Northwood Inn
O'Connors Public House
Plan B
Reggie Bar
Reggie Bar - Tuesdays
Sharon Valley Tavern
Silver Lake Tavern
South Gate Tavern
The Iron Rail
The Porch
The Truck Bar - Berlin
VFW Post 8858
Prizes awarded at this Regional Championship include:
1st PLACE: 3 Nights Hotel & 2 Access Passes to OPEN 2026
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2nd PLACE: 3 Nights Hotel & 1 Access Pass to OPEN 2026
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3rd PLACE: 2 Access Passes to OPEN 2026
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4th, 5th, 6th PLACE: 1 Access Pass to OPEN 2026
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The Top 10% of the player field earn seats in the National Championship Finals at OPEN 2026 this November!
Event Schedule
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30th
​10:30am: Doors Open, T-Shirt Sales!
PLUS CHECK IN FOR THE CRAZY PINEAPPLE EVENT!
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11:00am: Crazy Pineapple Tournament
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON THIS EVENT! We will alert you when registration is available. Check in by 10:40 for 2000 Extra Chips. In addition to points, the top 3 will receive Prizes!
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REGISTRATION NOTE: PLEASE REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT UNDER 'CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS' ON WTP WEBSITE WHEN AVAILABLE. REGISTER BY AUG 25TH TO GUARANTEE YOUR SEAT!
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12:30pm: Registration Opens
Regional Championships are for qualified players only. You must be 21 years of age or older to play. Please have your photo ID with you.
1:45pm: Registration Closes, Players Seated, Awards
Regional Awards and brief announcements will take place here.
2:00pm: Regional Championship Tournament
14,900 starting chips and 25-min blinds. Who will be the new champ?
Season 1-2026 Winners
CHAMPION: MIKE THURSTON
2. Keith Sweitzer
3. Sam Kelly
4. David Cooke
5. Howard Hass
6. Philip Abbate
7. Tim Todriff
8. Anita Patterson
9. Matt Milliken
10. Sara Jackson
11. Heather Knill
12. Matt Kennedy
13. Sal Abbate
14. Rhonda Hegeman
15. Dan Askin
Previous Regional Champions
Season 1-2026: MIKE THURSTON
Season 2-2025/26: JOHN HOETJES
Season 1-2025: JIM McKNIGHT
Season 2-2024/25: VALERIE JEWELL
Season 1-2024: DEAN LaFEMINA
Season 2-2023/24: JOHN CHRISTOPHER
Season 1-2023: KEN CALITRI
Season 2-2022/23: SEAN HUBERTY
Season 1-2022: BRENDAN SULLIVAN
Season 2-2021/22: JOHN JACKSON
Season 2-2019/20: FRANK MESSINA
Season 1-2019: JACK KELLEY
Season 2-2018/19: ZSOLT VASS
Season 1-2018: MAX DIEBER
Season 2-2017/18: JON GREENFIELD
Season 1-2017: MITCH McMILLEN
Season 2-2016/17: BILLY CASSEL
Season 1-2016: RALPH COSENZA
Season 2-2015/16: RICH ARMATO
Season 1-2015: WILL McGROTTY
Season 2-2014/15: ADAM TRAVAN
Season 1-2014: MARLON DELINOIS
Season 2-2013/14: TONY MORRIS
Season 1-2013: RANDY SANCHEZ
Winter-2013: JOHN HENEGHAN
