The Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) is returning to Milwaukee’s Potawatomi Casino from September 30 to October 5 for the 2025 Wisconsin Poker State Championship. The series will include 11 Gold Card events and culminates in a $1,110 buy-in Main Event with a $1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool.
$1M Guaranteed Main Event Structure
The Main Event will provide players with 100,000 starting chips and 40-minute levels. The schedule is as follows:
- Day 1a: Thursday, October 2 at 12:00 p.m. (late registration until 9:10 p.m.)
- Day 1b: Friday, October 3 at 12:00 p.m.
- Day 1c: Saturday, October 4 at 12:00 p.m.
All remaining players will advance to Day 2 on Sunday, October 5, to determine the champion.
Notable side events include:
- Event #1: 100 Grand Stack NLH – $400 buy-in, $200,000 GTD
- Seniors (50+) Monster Stack NLH – $400 buy-in
- Last Chance Monster Stack NLH – $200 buy-in
When the MSPT last visited Potawatomi earlier this year (January 30–February 2), the stop drew 1,697 entries, surpassing the venue’s previous record of 1,658 set in 2017. That event ended with Timothy Thorp defeating Umut Ozturk heads-up to claim $244,362.
Burger Promotion Awards Main Event Seat
From September 22 to September 28, Players Bar in Madison will host a special promotion tied to its “Burger of the Week.” Anyone who orders the MSPT Burger will be entered into a random drawing for a $1,110 seat in the Wisconsin State Championship Main Event.
The burger itself is a Wisconsin-inspired creation: a thick beef patty topped with spicy cheddar cheese, grilled onions, and macaroni & cheese mixed with sliced State Street Brats. Each purchase also contributes $2 to the Ronald McDonald House charity.
To qualify, customers must:
- Buy an MSPT Burger.
- Take a photo with it.
- Post the photo on one of the following platforms:
- Players Bar Facebook page
- X/Twitter tagging @ChadAHolloway & @msptpoker
- Instagram tagging @DISCO_CHAD & @msptpoker
- Madison Poker Community (MPC) Facebook page
- MSPT Facebook page
Each burger purchase counts as one entry per day. Multiple entries are allowed, and the drawing will take place on September 30. The winner will be contacted via the platform they used to post. The seat is non-transferable and will be issued on-site at Potawatomi Casino.
Players Bar’s Legacy in Wisconsin Poker
Players Bar has long been a gathering place for the Wisconsin poker community. Phil Hellmuth Jr., who went on to win the 1989 World Series of Poker Main Event, often played there in his early days and continues to return occasionally. Just last month, Hellmuth was spotted at Players Bar playing cards with owner Mark “Poker Ho” Kroon and PokerNews’ Chad Holloway.
The 2025 MSPT Wisconsin Poker State Championship blends high-stakes tournament action with a unique local promotion, making it a standout event for both poker professionals and the broader Wisconsin poker community.
