Last Updated on October 1, 2026 by Bala Kumar
The Victorian Poker Championship is a live poker festival run by Crown Melbourne in its Level 1 Poker Room in Southbank. The 2026 edition runs from October 12 to 27, with 21 events over 16 days. The headline tournament is the A$2,500 Victorian Champs Main Event, with four Day 1 flights from October 21 to 24 and a final table on October 27.
The schedule covers a wide range of buy-ins, from A500hyperturbosandA240 satellites up to an A$10,600 Super High Roller. It also includes mixed-game events such as H.O.R.S.E., 8-Game and 2-7 Triple Draw. This page covers the schedule, Main Event structure, satellites, registration rules, payouts and results as they happen.
Victorian Poker Championship 2026 Key Dates
| Date | What happens |
| Oct 12 | Festival begins — Opening Event Day 1, Flight 1 |
| Oct 21 | Main Event Day 1A |
| Oct 24 | Main Event Day 1D (final starting flight) |
| Oct 25 | Main Event Day 2 (late registration closes after Level 13) |
| Oct 26 | Main Event Day 3 |
| Oct 27 | Main Event final table and champion crowned · Closing Event |
Victorian Poker Championship 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Tournament | Victorian Poker Championship 2026 |
| Location | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Venue | Level 1 Poker Room, Crown Melbourne, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank VIC 3006 |
| Dates | October 12–27, 2026 |
| Main Event | A2,500(A2,200 prize pool + A$300 fee), Oct 21–27 |
| Guarantee | None announced |
| Events | 21 numbered events, plus about 50 satellites |
| Buy-in range | A500–A10,600 (satellites from A$240) |
| Who can enter | Crown Rewards members aged 18+ |
| Organiser | Crown Melbourne |
| Official information | Crown Melbourne – Victorian Poker Championship |
What Is the Victorian Poker Championship?
The Victorian Poker Championship is a multi-week tournament series hosted by Crown Melbourne. The series is part of Crown Melbourne’s annual live poker calendar and has been held at Crown for many years.
Rather than one tournament, it is a full festival. The Main Event sits at the centre, surrounded by side events, high rollers, bounty formats, mixed games and daily satellites. Players can build a schedule that suits their budget and favourite games.
For 2026, the series has moved from its usual autumn slot (the 2025 edition ran from April 27 to May 12) to October. It follows directly after the Australian Poker Tour’s Melbourne Champs II, which runs at Crown until October 11. Joe Hachem and Van Marcus return as series ambassadors, and each has a special feature event named after him.
Victorian Poker Championship 2026 Schedule
| Date | # | Event | Buy-in (A$) | Entry type |
| Oct 12–15 | 1 | Opening Event NLHE (4 flights; Day 2 Oct 16, Day 3 Oct 17) | 1,250 | Unlimited re-entry |
| Oct 12 | 2 | VPC Turbo NLHE | 600 | Unlimited re-entry |
| Oct 13 | 3 | VPC 600 NLHE | 600 | Unlimited re-entry |
| Oct 14 | 4 | H.O.R.S.E. | 1,250 | Unlimited re-entry |
| Oct 15 | 5 | Terminator NLHE (A$250 knockouts) | 600 | Unlimited re-entry |
| Oct 16–17 | 6 | Van Marcus Special Feature PLO | 1,250 | Unlimited re-entry |
| Oct 16 | 7 | Freezeout Blitz NLHE | 600 | Freezeout |
| Oct 17–19 | 8 | Mystery Bounty NLHE (2 flights; Day 2 Oct 19) | 1,250 | Unlimited re-entry |
| Oct 18 | 9 | Limit Omaha Hi-Lo | 1,250 | Unlimited re-entry |
| Oct 19–20 | 10 | Deep Freeze NLHE | 2,000 | Freezeout |
| Oct 20–21 | 11 | High Roller $5K Challenge NLHE | 5,000 | Unlimited re-entry |
| Oct 21–27 | 12 | Victorian Champs Main Event NLHE | 2,500 | One re-entry per flight |
| Oct 21 | 13 | 8-Game | 1,250 | Unlimited re-entry |
| Oct 22 | 14 | VPC Hyper NLHE | 500 | Unlimited re-entry |
| Oct 22–23 | 15 | Super High Roller NLHE | 10,600 | Unlimited re-entry |
| Oct 23 | 16 | 2-7 Triple Draw | 1,250 | Unlimited re-entry |
| Oct 24 | 17 | Turbo High Roller NLHE | 1,000 | Unlimited re-entry |
| Oct 25–26 | 18 | Joe Hachem Special Feature NLHE | 2,000 | Unlimited re-entry |
| Oct 26–27 | 19 | Mini Main Event NLHE | 1,000 | See note below |
| Oct 26–27 | 20 | High Roller $5K Challenge PLO | 5,000 | Unlimited re-entry |
| Oct 27 | 21 | Closing Event NLHE | 700 | Unlimited re-entry |
Source: Crown’s official tournament schedule. Crown says the schedule can change without notice.
Note on conflicting dates: Crown’s schedule and structure sheet don’t fully agree for three events. The structure sheet lists the $5K NLHE Challenge on Oct 19–20, and the Mini Main and Joe Hachem events both starting Oct 25. It also lists the Mini Main as single entry, while the schedule shows unlimited re-entry. This page follows the schedule. Confirm with the Poker Room before planning around these events.
Event formats worth knowing:
• Terminator (#5): each player carries a Terminator chip. Whoever eliminates you collects it and redeems it for A$250.
• Mystery Bounty (#8): bounties start once the money is reached on Day 2. Each knockout earns an envelope worth between A$300 and 25% of the bounty pool.
• Joe Hachem Special Feature (#18): starts 8-handed, moves to 6-handed at 60 players, then switches to a heads-up format for the final 16.
• Mixed games: H.O.R.S.E. rotates Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Stud and Stud Hi-Lo. The 8-Game adds 2-7 Triple Draw, No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha.
Victorian Poker Championship Main Event
The A$2,500 Victorian Champs Main Event is the festival’s headline tournament.
| Main Event detail | 2026 information |
| Buy-in | A2,500(A2,200 to the prize pool + A$300 fee) |
| Guarantee | None announced |
| Day 1 flights | 1A Oct 21 · 1B Oct 22 · 1C Oct 23 · 1D Oct 24 (all 12:10pm) |
| Day 2 / Day 3 | Oct 25 and Oct 26 (12:30pm) |
| Final table | Oct 27 (12:30pm) |
| Starting stack | 60,000 chips (300 big blinds) |
| Blind levels | 40 minutes on Day 1, 60 minutes from Day 2 |
| Late registration | Until the end of Level 13 (first level of Day 2) |
| Re-entry | One re-entry per Day 1 flight; one entry on Day 2 |
| Time banks | 4 at the start, 4 more on Day 2, 3 more at the final table (30 seconds each) |
How much money do I need to play the Main Event?
A single entry costs A$2,500. Each Day 1 flight allows one re-entry, so one flight can cost up to A$5,000. Because you can only take one entry into Day 2, players who use more than one flight should ask the tournament director how multiple stacks are handled.
The cheaper route is a A$300 satellite, which runs most days. Players travelling to Melbourne should also budget for accommodation, food and transport for every day they expect to play, including Day 2 and Day 3 if they survive.
Main Event Structure
All details come from Crown’s official tournament structure sheet. All levels use a big blind ante equal to the big blind.
Day 1 (40-minute levels)
| Level | Small blind | Big blind | BB ante |
| 1 | 100 | 200 | 200 |
| 2 | 200 | 300 | 300 |
| 3 | 200 | 400 | 400 |
| Break | |||
| 4 | 300 | 500 | 500 |
| 5 | 300 | 600 | 600 |
| 6 | 400 | 800 | 800 |
| Break | |||
| 7 | 500 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| 8 | 600 | 1,200 | 1,200 |
| 9 | 1,000 | 1,500 | 1,500 |
| Break | |||
| 10 | 1,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| 11 | 1,500 | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| 12 | 1,500 | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| End of Day 1 |
Day 1 start and finish: each flight starts at 12:10pm and plays 12 levels (eight hours of play plus three breaks). Players who survive bag their chips and advance to Day 2. Unlike the Opening Event and Mystery Bounty, whose flights stop when 12.5% of the field remains, the Main Event structure sets no percentage cut-off.
Day 2 onwards (60-minute levels)
| Level | Blinds / BB ante | Level | Blinds / BB ante |
| 13 | 2,000 / 4,000 / 4,000 | 25 | 30,000 / 60,000 / 60,000 |
| Break | 26 | 40,000 / 80,000 / 80,000 | |
| 14 | 2,500 / 5,000 / 5,000 | 27 | 50,000 / 100,000 / 100,000 |
| 15 | 3,000 / 6,000 / 6,000 | 28 | 60,000 / 120,000 / 120,000 |
| 16 | 4,000 / 8,000 / 8,000 | 29 | 75,000 / 150,000 / 150,000 |
| 17 | 5,000 / 10,000 / 10,000 | 30 | 100,000 / 200,000 / 200,000 |
| 18 | 6,000 / 12,000 / 12,000 | 31 | 125,000 / 250,000 / 250,000 |
| 19 | 8,000 / 16,000 / 16,000 | 32 | 150,000 / 300,000 / 300,000 |
| 20 | 10,000 / 20,000 / 20,000 | 33 | 200,000 / 400,000 / 400,000 |
| 21 | 12,000 / 24,000 / 24,000 | 34 | 250,000 / 500,000 / 500,000 |
| 22 | 15,000 / 30,000 / 30,000 | 35 | 300,000 / 600,000 / 600,000 |
| 23 | 20,000 / 40,000 / 40,000 | 36 | 400,000 / 800,000 / 800,000 |
| 24 | 25,000 / 50,000 / 50,000 |
Breaks: the structure marks where breaks fall but doesn’t state their length. Ask at the tournament desk.
Late registration cut-off: players can still enter until the end of Level 13 on Day 2. Crown’s schedule lists a single A$2,500 entry on Day 2 itself.
Prize Pool & Payouts
How the prize pool works
Crown’s T&Cs say the prize pool is made up of all buy-ins, re-entries and add-ons, less admin fees. For the Main Event, every entry adds A$2,200 to the pool. Crown announces the actual pool and payout breakdown when registration closes.
Illustration only: 300 entries × A2,200=A660,000 prize pool. 500 entries × A2,200=A1,100,000.
Payout percentages
Crown publishes payout tables for 6-handed, 8-handed and 9-handed tournaments, scaled to field size. Two examples from the published 9-handed table:
| Field size (9-handed table) | 1st place | 2nd place | 3rd place |
| 250–319 entries | 23.60% | 14.36% | 9.40% |
| 1,240+ entries | 20.00% | 11.95% | 7.55% |
Crown reserves the right to adjust payouts for rounding. Final-table deals are allowed only if every remaining player agrees and the tournament director approves. Prizes are paid in cash chips, which can be redeemed at any Crown cage for cash, a cheque, or both.
2026 Main Event payouts
[Update when registration closes — Oct 25]
| Measure | Figure |
| Total entries | – |
| Unique players / re-entries | – |
| Prize pool | – |
| Places paid | – |
| Minimum cash | – |
| First prize | – |
| Place | Prize (A$) | Place | Prize (A$) |
| 1st | – | 6th | – |
| 2nd | – | 7th | – |
| 3rd | – | 8th | – |
| 4th | – | 9th | – |
| 5th | – |
Buy-ins, Events & Tournament Formats
Lower buy-in events (A$700 or less) The A500VPCHyper,theA600 VPC Turbo, VPC 600, Terminator and Freezeout Blitz, and the A700ClosingEvent.SatellitesstartatA240.
Mid-stakes events (A1,000–A2,500) The Opening Event, Mystery Bounty, all mixed games, Van Marcus PLO, Deep Freeze, Joe Hachem Special Feature, Mini Main, Turbo High Roller, and the Main Event.
High buy-in events (A$5,000+) The two A5,000Challenges(NLHEandPLO)andtheA10,600 Super High Roller.
How to Qualify: Satellites Explained
Direct buy-in vs satellite
Direct buy-in: pay the full registration cost at the Poker Room desk and take your seat. Simple, but it costs the full amount.
Satellite: pay a smaller amount to play a mini-tournament where the prize is a seat in a bigger event. If you win a seat, Crown registers you into the target event. You don’t pay the full buy-in.
Satellite schedule and seat values
| Satellite | Cost (A$) | Seat awarded | Approx. entries per seat* | Start stack / levels | Dates |
| Main Event | 300 (250 + 50) | A$2,500 Main Event | 10 | 15,000 / 15 min | Most days, Oct 12–25 |
| Main Event (10 seats GTD) | 360 (300 + 60) | A$2,500 Main Event | 8–9 | 25,000 / 20 min | Oct 20, 6:10pm |
| Opening Event | 300 | A$1,250 Opening Event | 5 | 12,000 / 15 min | Oct 12–15 |
| Side events (H.O.R.S.E., PLO, Mystery Bounty, Limit O8, 8-Game, 2-7) | 300 | A$1,250 entry | 5 | 12,000–20,000 / 15 min | Oct 13–22 |
| Deep Freeze | 300 | A$2,000 Deep Freeze | 8 | 12,000 / 15 min | Oct 18–19 |
| $5K Challenge (NLHE & PLO) | 550 (500 + 50) | A$5,000 Challenge | 10 | 20,000 / 15 min | Oct 19, 20, 25 |
| Super High Roller | 1,150 (1,060 + 90) | A$10,600 Super High Roller | 10 | 25,000 / 20 min | Oct 21, 6:10pm |
| Mini Main | 240 (200 + 40) | A$1,000 Mini Main | 5 | 10,000 / 15 min | Oct 25–26 |
*Our calculation from each satellite’s prize-pool contribution divided by the target event’s full cost. Actual seats depend on entries.
Key satellite rules (from Crown’s T&Cs)
• Re-entry: VPC satellites allow unlimited re-entries during late registration. When registration closes, you can give up your remaining chips to re-enter.
• Leftover money: in multi-table satellites, any money left over after seats are awarded is paid as a single cash prize.
• When the seat is used: a satellite seat is for the target event in this series. Register it at the Poker Room desk before that event’s registration closes.
• Already registered? If you win a seat for an event you’ve already bought into directly, your direct buy-in is refunded.
• Winning extra seats: additional seats may, at Crown’s discretion, be converted to credit or transferred to a player who doesn’t already hold a seat in that event.
• Withdrawal: seats won in satellites can’t be withdrawn for cash, except in limited cases such as death or hospitalisation (with written evidence).
Other qualification routes
The Australian Poker Tour is Crown’s official satellite partner for 2026 and said it would guarantee more than 50 Main Event seats through qualifiers in Melbourne. APT also runs satellites during Melbourne Champs II (Sept 30 – Oct 11). Crown’s own satellite program started on July 5. No online satellite route has been announced.
Payment & Registration Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
| Who can enter | Crown Rewards members aged 18+ who are not excluded from Crown |
| Crown Rewards | Join free at a Crown Rewards desk at Crown Melbourne; appropriate primary ID is required |
| Where to register | In person at the tournament registration booth, Level 1 Poker Room |
| Online registration | Not offered — Crown’s T&Cs require registering in person |
| Registration opening | Registrations are already open in the Poker Room |
| What to bring | Valid photo ID and your Crown Rewards card |
| Payment | Crown’s documents don’t list accepted payment methods — confirm with the Poker Room before you travel |
| Currency | All buy-ins and prizes in Australian dollars (A$) |
| Fees | Each registration includes a prize-pool amount and a commission (e.g. Main Event A2,200+A300). The fee is GST-inclusive |
| Prize payment | Cash chips, redeemable at any Crown cage for cash or cheque |
How to register, step by step
1. Join Crown Rewards at a Crown Rewards desk if you aren’t already a member. Bring primary photo ID.
2. Check the official schedule for your event’s start time and late-registration level.
3. Go to the tournament registration booth in the Level 1 Poker Room.
4. Show your photo ID and Crown Rewards card and pay the registration cost (or present your satellite seat).
5. Collect your seat card with your table and seat number.
6. Arrive before the start, or before late registration closes.
Victorian Poker Championship Results 2026
[Update during event]
| Event | Winner | Entries | Prize Pool (A$) | First Prize (A$) |
| #1 Opening Event | – | – | – | – |
| #8 Mystery Bounty | – | – | – | – |
| #11 $5K Challenge NLHE | – | – | – | – |
| #12 Main Event | – | – | – | – |
| #15 Super High Roller | – | – | – | – |
| #18 Joe Hachem Special Feature | – | – | – | – |
| #20 $5K Challenge PLO | – | – | – | – |
2026 Main Event Live Results
[Update during event — add each flight as it finishes]
Day 1 flights
| Flight | Date | Entries | Players bagged | Chip leader | Chips |
| Day 1A | Oct 21 | – | – | – | – |
| Day 1B | Oct 22 | – | – | – | – |
| Day 1C | Oct 23 | – | – | – | – |
| Day 1D | Oct 24 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | – | – | – | – |
Day 2 and Day 3
| Day | Date | Players starting | Players remaining | Chip leader | Chips |
| Day 2 | Oct 25 | – | – | – | – |
| Day 3 | Oct 26 | – | – | – | – |
Final table — October 27
| Place | Player | Country | Prize (A$) |
| 1st | – | – | – |
| 2nd | – | – | – |
| 3rd | – | – | – |
| 4th | – | – | – |
| 5th | – | – | – |
| 6th | – | – | – |
| 7th | – | – | – |
| 8th | – | – | – |
| 9th | – | – | – |
Winning hand: – · Runner-up hand: –
Past Victorian Poker Championship Winners
Only verified results are listed.
| Year | Main Event Winner | Buy-in | Dates |
| 2026 | To be decided Oct 27 | A$2,500 | Oct 21–27 |
| 2025 | Liam Jehu (Australia) | A$2,500 | May 8–12 |
Tournament Rules & Conduct
Beyond each event’s structure, Crown’s T&Cs set some rules every player should know:
• Shot clock: most events use a 15–30 second shot clock with time-bank cards. The Main Event structure lists time banks only.
• Phones: devices must not rest on the table felt, and you can’t use a phone while you have a live hand.
• No strategy tools: betting apps, charts and other strategy aids are banned in the tournament area.
• Final tables: headphones and similar audio devices aren’t allowed.
• Language: English only while a hand is in progress.
• Absent players: if you’re away from your seat, your blinds and antes are still taken.
• Disputes: the tournament director’s decision is final. Crown follows the 2024 Poker Tournament Directors Association rules.
Venue, Travel & Accommodation
The venue
The Poker Room is on Level 1 of the casino at Crown Melbourne, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank, on the south bank of the Yarra River. The same room hosts the Aussie Millions.
Getting there
• From Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine): about 25 km away. SkyBus runs to Southern Cross Station, a short tram ride or walk across the river. A taxi or rideshare takes about 25–40 minutes depending on traffic.
• Public transport: trams stop near Crown on Clarendon Street and Spencer Street. Melbourne trams use a myki card.
• Parking: Crown has on-site car parks. Check rates on Crown’s website.
Where to stay
• On site: Crown Towers, Crown Metropol and Crown Promenade are all inside the complex, a short walk from the Poker Room.
• Nearby: Southbank and the CBD have many hotels and serviced apartments within 5–15 minutes’ walk.
• VPC hotel rates: Crown offered special VPC rates for stays from Sept 30 to Oct 27, but bookings closed on September 23.
• Booking tip: October also brings Melbourne Champs II and the spring racing season, so book early.
Before You Go: Join Crown Rewards, bring valid photo ID, check your event’s start time and late-registration level, and confirm payment options with the Poker Room.
Who Should Play the Victorian Poker Championship?
Beginners and first-timers can start with the A500–A700 events or an A240–A300 satellite.
Recreational players can build a schedule around the Opening Event, Mystery Bounty and Mini Main, with a satellite shot at the Main Event.
Regular live grinders have four Main Event flights and a full side-event schedule.
High rollers have two A5,000ChallengesandtheA10,600 Super High Roller.
International players can check Crown’s current registration and eligibility requirements before travelling. Overseas visitors generally need a valid passport and an Australian visa or electronic travel authority. All players must join Crown Rewards and be 18 or over.
Tips for First-Time Players
Before arriving
• Join Crown Rewards ahead of your first event.
• Check your event’s start time and late-registration level.
• Bring valid photo ID.
• Confirm payment options with the Poker Room.
At the venue
• Arrive early, especially on Main Event flight days.
• Double-check your table and seat number.
• Note when breaks are scheduled.
• Listen for tournament announcements.
During the event
• Know the blind structure for your event.
• Keep your phone off the table and away from live hands.
• Keep chips in stacks of 20, with higher denominations visible.
• Follow the dealers’ and floor staff’s instructions. If unsure, ask the floor.
Other Poker Festivals at Crown Melbourne
Crown also hosts the Aussie Millions, which ran from April 24 to May 10 in 2026; Crown Poker has announced April 8–24 for 2027. The APT’s Melbourne Champs II runs at Crown from September 30 to October 11, 2026, the day before the VPC begins.
Latest Victorian Poker Championship News
[Keep updated and link each item to its PokerClubGames article.]
• Sept 30, 2026: Full 2026 schedule coverage published. [Internal link]
• Sept 25, 2026: APT confirms satellites into VPC events during Melbourne Champs II. [Internal link]
• June 17, 2026: Crown reveals 21-event schedule; APT named official satellite partner with 50+ Main Event seats guaranteed. [Internal link]
• Day 1 flight results — Oct 21–24
• Day 2 and Day 3 results — Oct 25–26
• Final table and winner — Oct 27
• 2027 dates — pending
FAQs
What is the Victorian Poker Championship?
A live poker festival run by Crown Melbourne, with an A$2,500 Main Event and 20 other events, plus satellites.
When is the Victorian Poker Championship 2026?
October 12–27, 2026. The Main Event runs October 21–27.
How much is the Main Event buy-in?
A2,500(A2,200 prize pool + A$300 fee). One re-entry is allowed per Day 1 flight.
How can I qualify for the Main Event?
Buy in directly, win an A$300 Crown satellite, or qualify through Australian Poker Tour satellites.
Do I need to be a Crown Rewards member?
Yes. All players must be Crown Rewards members aged 18 or over. You can join at a Crown Rewards desk with ID.
