Last Updated on September 24, 2026 by Bala Kumar
Poker has a way of reaching every corner of life: online championships, packed European card rooms, and even small-town fundraisers where the “cards” are collected from the back of a motorcycle. This week’s roundup brings all three together.
1. PokerStars Puts Women Front and Centre at WCOOP
PokerStars is using this year’s World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) to shine a spotlight on women in poker, anchored by its Women’s World Championship event this Sunday.
The event has more than a trophy on the line. The top three finishers will each earn a free seat into the £20,000 Women’s Classic, which takes place during Ladies Weekend at the Hippodrome Casino in London from October 16 to 18. Each prize is a £300 entry ticket, so what could start as a Sunday online session could end with a trip to one of London’s best-known casinos.
The London weekend is designed as more than a tournament. It is part of a wider effort to grow women’s participation in the game, with learning sessions and a social atmosphere planned for players. Well-known names such as Marle Spragg and Jennifer Shahade are expected to attend, and Shahade will also run a masterclass.
Why it matters: Qualifier-style prizes like these lower the barrier to entry. A player who might never buy into a live event directly gets a real path to a live festival, coaching, and a community of fellow players.
2. King’s Million: The €400 Deepstack Reaches Its Final Day
Over in the Czech Republic, the 2026 King’s Million European Poker Championship at King’s Resort in Rozvadov has been delivering big fields, and the €400 Deepstack has been one of its headline side events.
The tournament comfortably beat its €300,000 guarantee after drawing more than 1,000 entries across five opening flights. According to the latest live figures from the event, the final numbers stand at 1,054 entries and a prize pool of €358,360.
How Day 2 Began
A total of 106 players came back for the final day, with every survivor already locked into at least €800. Leading the charge heading into Day 2 was Romania’s Dan Galinsch, the only player sitting on more than 2 million chips.
| Rank | Player | Country | Chips (start of Day 2) |
| 1 | Dan Galinsch | Romania | 2,072,000 |
| 2 | Alexey Mishuk | Israel | 1,728,000 |
| 3 | “Boundless” | Cuba | 1,724,000 |
| 4 | Efim Dorfman | Romania | 1,618,000 |
| 5 | ZEBU55 | Germany | 1,566,000 |
To keep things moving, levels on the final day were lengthened to 40 minutes, with a break every two hours.
Live Status
At the latest update, the field had been cut from 106 down to just six players, with blinds at 300,000/600,000 (600,000 ante) in Level 33. The average stack was around 10.5 million chips, and the next player out will collect €11,200 for sixth place. A champion is expected to be crowned tonight, so check back for the winner.
Why it matters: A €400 buy-in attracting over a thousand entries shows how strong mid-stakes live poker in Europe remains. These events give recreational players a real shot at a meaningful score without a high-roller budget.
3. A Poker Run With a Purpose in Paris, Texas
Not every poker story involves chips and felt. In Paris, Texas, Big Brand Tire & Service is hosting a “Poker Run For A Purpose” on October 10, with money going to CASA for Kids, and bikers, Jeep owners, and car enthusiasts are all invited.
The organisers say the partnership aims to raise local awareness about the growing challenges children face in the foster care system.
How It Works
In a poker run, participants collect a playing card at each checkpoint, and the best hand at the end wins. This one covers a scenic route of roughly 150 miles with five stops, plus prizes and raffles along the way. The checkpoints are Big Brand Tire & Service, CASA for Kids, Slaughter’s BBQ, The Barrel House, and Buffalo Joe’s.
Event Details
| Detail | Info |
| Date | Saturday, October 10 |
| Registration | $20 |
| Where | Big Brand Tire & Service, 1234 Main Street, Paris, TX |
| Sign-in | 8:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. |
| Departure | Kickstands up at 10:00 a.m. |
Why it matters: Poker runs show the game’s lighter side: no bluffing required, just luck of the draw, a good ride, and a cause that helps children in the local community.
The Takeaway
From online qualifiers opening doors for women players, to a thousand-plus field battling in Rozvadov, to a charity ride in small-town Texas, this week proves poker is as much about community as competition. Whether you are clicking buttons, stacking chips, or twisting a throttle, there is a seat at the table for you.
FAQs
1. What is the Women’s World Championship at WCOOP?
The Women’s World Championship is a PokerStars WCOOP event focused on women’s participation in online poker, with the top three finishers earning seats to the Women’s Classic in London.
2. What is the King’s Million €400 Deepstack?
The €400 Deepstack is a major side event at the 2026 King’s Million European Poker Championship in Rozvadov. It attracted 1,054 entries and created a €358,360 prize pool.
3. Who led the King’s Million €400 Deepstack on Day 2?
Dan Galinsch of Romania led the 106-player Day 2 field with 2,072,000 chips.
4. What is the Poker Run For A Purpose in Paris, Texas?
It is a charity poker run scheduled for October 10, 2026, where participants collect playing cards at checkpoints during a roughly 150-mile route. Proceeds support CASA for Kids.
5. How does a poker run work?
Participants visit designated checkpoints and collect one playing card at each stop. At the end of the route, players compare their cards to form the best poker hand, with prizes awarded to the winners.
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