MARCH 2026
The Daily Five: March 1, 2026
- WSOP-C Horseshoe Hammond: $1,700 Main Event Day 2 “Moving Day” Underway
- Why it matters: Following two massive starting flights, the field in Hammond has converged for Day 2. With the $1 Million guarantee long forgotten and the total prize pool topping $2.5 Million, the remaining players are battling for a $400k top prize. Several “Chicago-land” legends are at the top of the counts, chasing a ring and the automatic bid to the 2026 Tournament of Champions.
- EPT Paris 2026: Post-Series Data Confirms “Largest Non-Barcelona EPT” in History
- Why it matters: In the aftermath of yesterday’s Main Event finale, official numbers released today confirm that Paris 2026 was the most successful tour stop outside of Spain. With over 1,980 Main Event entries, the festival generated a total prize pool of over €25 Million across all events. This success confirms Paris as a permanent “Big Three” stop for the European poker calendar.
- New York S2164: “Skill-Based” Poker Amendment Heads to Assembly floor for Final March Budget Review
- Why it matters: Following its approval by the Senate Finance Committee, the “Skill-Based” online poker amendment reached the Assembly floor today. This is the final legislative push before the April budget deadline. If it passes this chamber, New York will formally begin the process of joining the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) by late summer.
- Wynn Millions: $3,500 Championship Crowns Champion ($1.1M)
- Why it matters: In a finale that concluded late last night in Las Vegas, the Wynn Millions Championship was decided in a three-way deal. The final table, which featured an elite “Vegas Home Guard” lineup, solidified Calvin Anderson’s lead in the 2026 Global Poker Index (GPI) rankings. The total prize pool officially doubled its $2M guarantee, cementing the Wynn’s status as the premier spring destination for pros.
- Maryland SB 603: iGaming Referendum Gathers Final Bipartisan Support Before Senate Vote
- Why it matters: To win over hesitant lawmakers, proponents of the Maryland iGaming bill successfully defended the “Prop Bet Shield” amendment today. This allows the state to immediately suspend college player props if the November referendum passes. This compromise has effectively neutralized opposition from collegiate athletic directors, clearing a path for a full Senate vote next week.
The Daily Five: March 2, 2026
- WSOP-C Horseshoe Hammond: $1,700 Main Event Crowns Champion ($412,480)
- Why it matters: In a finale that concluded late last night, the “Chicago-land” stop crowned its newest champion. Outlasting a massive field of 1,840 entries, the winner secured nearly half a million dollars and an automatic bid to the 2026 Tournament of Champions. The total prize pool officially topped $2.7 Million, cementing Hammond as the highest-volume circuit stop of the quarter.
- New York S2164: “Skill-Based” Poker Amendment Reaches Assembly “Final Briefing” Phase
- Why it matters: Following its approval by the Senate Finance Committee last week, the amendment to classify online poker as a game of skill reached the Assembly floor today for its final pre-budget briefing. This is the “red zone” for the bill; if it survives this week’s fiscal review, it will be included in the April 1st state budget, potentially launching regulated NY poker by late 2026.
- EPT Paris 2026: Final Post-Series Data Confirms €25M Total Festival Prize Pool
- Why it matters: Official numbers released today by PokerStars confirm that the Paris stop was the most successful non-Barcelona event in EPT history. Driven by over 700 online qualifiers, the festival saw record attendance in both the €1,100 FPS and €5,300 Main Events. This success guarantees Paris a permanent “Big Three” spot on the European calendar for 2027.
- Maryland SB 603: iGaming Referendum Heads to Full Senate Vote with “Prop Bet Shield”
- Why it matters: The bill to put online poker and casinos on the November ballot reached the Senate floor today. To ensure passage, proponents have codified the “Prop Bet Shield,” which allows for the immediate suspension of collegiate player props if the referendum passes. This compromise has successfully neutralized opposition from university athletic directors across the state.
- Wynn Millions: Post-Championship “High Roller” Results Solidify 2026 GPI Standings
- Why it matters: Following Calvin Anderson’s dominant run in the $3,500 Championship last night, updated Global Poker Index (GPI) rankings released today show a massive shift. The “Vegas Home Guard” now occupies four of the top five spots in the 2026 Player of the Year race, highlighting the high technical density of the current Las Vegas spring circuit.
The Daily Five: March 3, 2026
- Wynn Millions: Kathy Liebert Wins $1,100 Seniors Event ($48,210)
- Why it matters: The Poker Hall of Famer added another trophy to her mantle today in Las Vegas. Outlasting a field of veteran pros, Liebert’s victory highlights the “Seniors” market’s continued strength in 2026. This serves as a high-profile lead-in to the $3,500 Championship Final Table scheduled for tomorrow, where the winner is set to bank over $1 Million.
- EPT Paris Final Recap: Jorge Abreu Dominance Confirms “The Year of Portugal”
- Why it matters: In the fallout of the largest EPT Main Event ever held outside of Barcelona, analysts today are dissecting Jorge Abreu’s clinical performance. The festival officially cleared €25 Million in total prize pools, with the “Power Path” online qualification system responsible for a 22% increase in unique player participation—a blueprint PokerStars plans to replicate for the EPT Monte Carlo in April.
- New York S2164: “Skill-Based” Poker Strategy Reaches Critical Budget Crossover
- Why it matters: Today marks a “make-or-break” session in Albany. Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr.’s amendment to classify online poker as a game of skill is being evaluated for inclusion in the final April budget. If the Assembly adopts the Senate’s fiscal language this week, New York would be legally cleared to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) by the end of Q3 2026.
- WSOP-C Turning Stone: Preview of New York’s Largest 2026 Stop
- Why it matters: With Horseshoe Hammond entering its final week, all eyes in the Northeast are turning to the Turning Stone Resort. Officials today confirmed that the March 12–23 series will feature 18 gold rings and a record $2.5 Million in guarantees. This stop is expected to draw a massive “crossover” crowd from the New Jersey and Canadian markets.
- PGT PokerGO Cup: David Coleman Wins Event #1 for $120,000
- Why it matters: The 2026 PokerGO Cup kicked off this week at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas. Coleman’s victory in the $5,100 NLH opener sets the tone for the series, which is currently the highest-density “Pro-only” event on the calendar. This series is a critical points-earner for the PGT Player of the Year race, currently led by early-season standout Calvin Anderson.