North Carolina East Regional Championship
NC-East
Saturday, August 22nd, 2026
Registration Opens: 11:00am
Tournament Starts: 12:00pm
TD: Chris Archambault
Locals Tavern
1107 New Pointe Blvd
Brunswick, NC 28451
910-769-1289
DEFENDING TOP 3
Christy Straka
Linda Janas
Maureen Mangassarian
Event, Venue, and Hotel 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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Locals Tavern is a great WTP venue with spacious areas for the Regional weekend. There will be plenty of drink selections, plenty of parking, and much more. Plus, Locals 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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Food/drink specials will be posted at the venue.
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Traveling to the NC East Regionals? Stay at the nearby Anchor Inn Motel (2-minute walk from Paul’s!). It's the perfect place to crash for Regionals weekend. Use the code PAULS20 and get 20% off your stay!
CLICK HERE or go to www.anchorinnmotelnc.com to book now.
Participating WTP Bars and Prize Info
Backspin Social
Beach Bum's Pizzeria Bar & Grill
Bogue Sound Distillery
Brunswick Beer Xchange
Brunswick Beer Xchange Tuesday
Diamonds Grill and Billiards
Diamonds Grill and Billiards (Friday)
Gaffers at Birdies at Starhill Golf
Good Hops Brewing
Leaf and Barrel Provisions Co
Level 1 Retro Lounge Thur.
Level 1 Retro Lounge Wed.
Locals Tavern
OKI Pub
Paul's of Oak Island
Sandspur Farm
Shipwrecks Bar and Grill
Surf City Line
Tapped
The Brown Pelican
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 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
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22nd
10:00am: TD Tournament
This event is for current and assistant TD's from Season 1 2026 at NC East bars only (2 max per bar) to reward their hard work all season long!
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11:00am: 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.
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11:45am: Registration Closes
12:00pm: Regional Championship Tournament
There will be Regional Awards and some brief announcements prior to start time.
Side games may take place when enough players are available. Check with your TD if you get knocked out.
Season 2-2025 Winners
CHAMPION: CHRISTY STRAKA
2. Linda Janas
3. Maureen Mangassarian
4. Thurston Davis
5. Rick Alexander
6. Lancelot Hu
7. Jeff Thompson
8. Gary Aharoni
9. Kathy Collier
Previous Regional Champions
Season 2-2025/26: CHRISTY STRAKA
Season 1-2025: DIANNE MAHER
Season 2-2024: GERALD VESELY
Season 1-2024: BRANDON FARROW
Season 2-2023/24: JAMES CANONI
Season 1-2023: JUSTIN MILES
Season 2-2022/23: JEFF STOFFER
Season 1-2022: LESHAN FERNANDO
Season 2-2021/22: BRAD McCLANAHAN
Season 2-2019/20: CHUCK TRADER
Season 1-2019: JOHN WHITE, SR.
Season 2-2018/19: BOB WALASIN
Season 1-2018: ERIC WALLACE
Season 2-2017/18: KEITH FICK
Season 1-2017: JAMES ARNOLD
Season 2-2016/17: JUDY DeCICCO
Season 1-2016: RICH PELLEU
Season 2-2015/16: ADRIAN ALLEN
Season 1-2015: SHERRY SCHAEFTER
Season 2-2014/15: ROGER LEACH
