Middle Tennessee Regional Championships
TN-Middle
Saturday, August 29th, 2026
Registration Opens: 12:30pm
Tournament Starts: 2:00pm
TD's: Mark Borch-Jensen, Steven Taylor, Donna Sanders
AJ's Bar & Grill
8283 Carthage Hwy
Lebanon, TN 37087
615-547-4800
DEFENDING TOP 3
David Johnston
John Ferrell
Larry Watkins
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.
AJ's Bar & Grill 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, AJ's 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.
Food/drink specials will be posted at the venue.
Participating WTP Bars and Prize Info
AJ's Bar and Grill
AJ's Bar and Grill...Sunday
AJ's Bar and Grill-Thursdays
Beans Creek Winery
Club 1270 Cigar
Common John Brewing Company
DelMonaco Winery
Frank's
Frank's at Cane Hollow
Happy Trails Brewing Co
La Rivera Cantina
Midtown Social
Mud Bums
Santi's Mexican Grill and Sports Bar
Silver Silo
The Draft Bar and Grill
Whisky Trail BBQ and Steak House
Prizes awarded at this Regional Championship include:
1st PLACE: 3 Nights Hotel & 2 Access Passes to OPEN 2026
2nd PLACE: 3 Nights Hotel & 1 Access Pass to OPEN 2026
3rd PLACE: 2 Access Passes to OPEN 2026
4th & 5th PLACE: 1 Access Pass to OPEN 2026
The Top 10% of the player field earn seats in the National Championship Finals at OPEN 2026 this November!
Event Schedule
SATURDAY, AUGUST 29th
11:30am: TD Tournament
This event is for current and assistant TD's from Season 1 2026 at Tennessee bars only to reward their hard work all season long!
DEFENDING CHAMPION: Gene Davis
12:30pm: Registration Opens, T-Shirt Sales
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?
TBA: Single Table Sit-N-Go's
Knocked out of the Regional Championship? Join us for single-table events with great prizes up for grabs!
Previous Regional Champions
Season 2-2025: DAVID JOHNSTON
Season 1-2025: BILL CAHILL
Season 2-2024: KEN MAXWELL
Season 1-2024: NICK MELINDEZ
Season 2-2023/24: LEE JENSEN
Season 1-2023: JOSHUA WILLIAMS
Season 2-2022/23: WARD JONES
Season 1-2022: KYLE TINKHAM
Season 2-2025 Winners
CHAMPION: DAVID JOHNSTON
2. John Ferrell
3. Larry Watkins
4. Mathew King
5. Travis Baker
6. Zach Smith
7. Theresa Crews
8. Randle Holmes
9. Charlie Lyons
10. John Manning
11. Matt Wilhelm
