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PINE BLUFF, Ark. - (Gambling911.com) - Avid poker players will love the announced live poker tournaments taking place in the great state of Arkansas for the month of October 2026, with one event already underway as you read this.
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Arkansas Poker Showdown
The inaugural Arkansas Poker Classic, billed also as the Arkansas Poker Showdown, kicked off Tuesday October 6 and runs through the 11th. It takes place at the Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff.
Event Details
- Dates: October 6–11, 2026
- Location: Saracen Casino Resort, 1 Saracen Resort Drive, Pine Bluff, AR 71601
- Partner Tour: Gulf Coast Poker Tour (marking the first time a poker tour has hosted a series in Arkansas)
Key Tournament Highlights
• Main Event ($600 Buy-in): Features a $300,000 guaranteed prize pool across five starting flights with 40-minute levels.
• Side Events & Games: Includes fan-favorite formats such as Pot Limit Big O ($400 buy-in, $20,000 prize), Seniors ($400 buy-in, $30,000 prize), Pot Limit Omaha, Ladies, Rookies, and a Big Nightly ($300 buy-in).
Weekly Guaranteed Tournaments
Saracen is also advertising weekly guaranteed poker tournaments throughout the month of October. These feature a $60 buy-in, 20,000 starting chips, re-entry through the first break and a $1,000 minimum guaranteed prize pool when at least nine players register within the first 10 minutes. A $25 add-on provides another 10,000 chips.
2026 $50K GTD
The Oct. 22–25, 2026 $50K GTD at Saracen Casino Resort is a standalone No-Limit Hold'em multi-flight tournament at the Saracen Poker Room that will take place less than two weeks after the Arkansas Poker Classic.
Here are the important details:
- Guarantee: $50,000
- Buy-in: $350
- Starting stack: 30,000 chips
- Format: No-Limit Hold'em, four starting flights followed by Day 2
- Flight A: Thursday, Oct. 22 — 6 p.m.
- Flight B: Friday, Oct. 23 — 6 p.m.
- Flight C: Saturday, Oct. 24 — noon
- Flight D: Saturday, Oct. 24 — 6 p.m.
- Day 2: Sunday, Oct. 25 — noon
- Age: 21+, with state-issued ID required.
Top Ranked Poker Rooms in Arkansas for the Month of October
1. Saracen has a dedicated poker room, regular tournaments, including the Arkansas Poker Classic, and plenty of monthly promotions. More importantly, it is the only commercial poker venue in the state. Its current hours are Monday and Thursday 10 a.m.–4 a.m., Friday and Saturday until the last game breaks, Sunday 10 a.m.–4 a.m.; it's closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Gambling911.com's Top Ranked Tournament Players From the State
- Daniel Lowery hails from the Peter Pender/Charleston area where he operates a local sawmill. Lowery is the biggest active Arkansas tournament name. As of October 7, 2026, WSOP lists him with 21 Circuit rings, second all-time behind Maurice Hawkins' 26, plus 269 WSOP/WSOPC cashes and about $2.78 million in WSOP-tracked earnings.
- Michael Lech is one of Arkansas' better-known modern tournament professionals, with career live tournament winnings well into seven figures. He's had success in WSOP and other major tournament series.
- Nitis Udornpim, from Bentonville, is considered among the state's leading all-time live tournament earners. He finished 2nd in July's $ 1,100 No Limit Hold'em at the ARIA Poker Classic, Las Vegas .
Poker in Arkansas
Arkansas Constitution Amendment 100, approved in 2018, authorized casino gaming, and the Arkansas Racing Commission regulates poker. The current regulations specifically state that the Commission regulates the operation of “games of poker and all other similar games.”
A regulated “card game” is one where the casino isn't a party to the wagers and instead makes money through a rake, time charge or other player fee; the state's definition specifically includes poker.
Arkansas has established a framework for regulated online poker but is yet to provide a licensing structure. Some internationally licensed online poker sites are accessible from the state.
- Ace King, Gambling911.com
