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OAKLAND PARK, Fla. (Gambling911.com) - Illinois will play host to the
Illinois Live Poker Tournaments November 2026
WSOP Circuit — Grand Victoria Casino, Elgin
Nov. 5–16
The World Series of Poker Circuit returns to the Chicago market with an 18-event schedule. Its $1,700 Main Event carries a $600,000 guarantee, making it one of the more significant Midwest tournaments in November. Players compete for coveted WSOP Circuit rings, attracting established professionals and recreational players from Illinois and surrounding states.
If you happen to be traveling from Illinois to other states during the month of November, be sure to check out the tournament schedule in each US state
Top Ranked Poker Rooms in Illinois
1 - Rivers Casino Des Plaines Des Plaines · Best overall and tournaments. The major Chicagoland poker destination features 22 table and a dedicated 5,600-square-foot room, cash games and a recurring $250 Monday No-Limit Hold'em tournament.
The venue has also hosted the MSPT Illinois Poker State Championship, which previously drew 1,807 entries and generated a $1.75 million prize pool.
2 - Grand Victoria Casino - A Caesars Rewards Destination - is located in Elgin and features a 20-table WSOP poker room.
Grand Victoria is a strong alternative to Rivers, particularly for players seeking a tournament-oriented room with Caesars Rewards benefits. It placed among the recognized tournament venues in Casino Player's 2026 Chicagoland awards.
3 - Hard Rock Casino Rockford - While the poker room is smaller than the aforementioned venues, Hard Rock is a convenient option for players in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. It finished second in Casino Player's 2026 Chicagoland Best Poker Room awards, behind Rivers.
Gambling911.com's Top Ranked Tournament Players From the State
1. Brandon Wilson - Probably the hottest poker player from Illinois at the moment.
Based in Chicago, Wilson began accumulating significant live tournament results in 2021 and had amassed more than $17.8 million in recorded tournament cashes by October 2026.
His success in 2026 is staggering with over $8.1 million in tournament cashes through October 10 and four victories.
Wilson also had a $2.241 million runner-up finish at the Triton Poker 10th Anniversary Special in Jeju, South Korea.
His Super High Roller Bowl victory moved him into fifth place in the PokerGO Tour standings at the time.
His 17 recorded career tournament titles demonstrate that he is more than a player who occasionally makes a deep run.
2. Matt Grapenthien - A mixed-game specialist from Chicago, Grapenthien took home $415,648 from the 2026 WSOP Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Championship victory.
Grapenthien won his second WSOP bracelet in July 2026, taking down the $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship. One of the strongest verified Illinois-connected performances of the summer.
3. Connor Drinan - From Arlington Heights, Drinan is a high-stakes tournament veteran that has earned $11.7 million in live career tournaments.
Drinan is one of the most accomplished players associated with Illinois, with major victories in both live and online tournaments. I couldn't confirm a significant October 2026 result, so his inclusion is based primarily on career accomplishments.
Poker in Illinois
The state does not currently regulate online poker rooms. Some of the larger networks that are accessible from the state are licensed internationally with a player pool from across North America and the rest of the world.
Wilson defeated Nick Petrangelo heads-up to capture his first Super High Roller Bowl championship and sixth PokerGO Tour title. He walked away with a cool $1,125,000 in that one.
- Ace King, Gambling911.com
