The poker grinders barely had time to count their chips from the DeepStack Extravaganza before the next series dropped. The Venetian DeepStack Showdown kicks off today with more than $2.1 million in guaranteed prize pools across a schedule that runs through February 8.

If you're in Vegas and looking for action, this is your spot.

The Quick Hit

• Dates: January 19 - February 8, 2026
• Location: The Venetian Poker Room, Las Vegas
• Total guaranteed: $2.1 million+
• Format: Multiple buy-in levels, daily events

Fresh Off the Extravaganza

The DeepStack Extravaganza just wrapped yesterday, and it was a banger. That series ran from Christmas Eve through January 19 with $1.6 million in guarantees. Now the Showdown picks up right where it left off.

The Venetian poker room has become the go-to spot for tournament grinders who want value without the massive fields of the WSOP. The structures are solid, the staff knows what they're doing, and the Vegas Strip location means there's never a shortage of action.

What's on the Schedule

The Showdown features a mix of buy-ins designed to attract everyone from weekend warriors to serious grinders. You've got:

• Daily events starting at various buy-in levels
• Multiple Day 1 flights for bigger events
• Bounty tournaments for the hunters
• Guaranteed prize pools that actually get hit

The MSPT stopped at Venetian earlier this month for their Season 17 event, and the room handled those fields beautifully. Expect the same level of organization here.

WPT Lucky Hearts Wrapping Up

Meanwhile, over in Florida, the WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open is hitting its final table this week. Day 3 played down to 69 players yesterday, with Maryon Harper leading the remaining field.

That main event had 1,229 entries for a $3.9 million prize pool—well over the $3 million guarantee. First place is looking at nearly $1 million.

If you're a poker player in January 2026, you've got options from coast to coast.

The WSOP Circuit Is Also Rolling

Don't forget that the WSOP Circuit 2026 season shifted to a calendar-year format this year. There are Circuit stops running simultaneously in:

• Calgary, AB (through January 19)
• Durant, OK (through January 19)
• Thunder Valley, CA (January 15-26)
• Marrakech, Morocco (January 16-25)

Each ring event winner gets a $5,000 WSOP package. The Circuit has never been more valuable.

Why the Venetian Matters

The Venetian poker room has become something special in the Vegas ecosystem. It's the best of both worlds: a world-class room with massive tournament series, but without the circus atmosphere that can come with WSOP events.

The dealers are experienced. The structures give you time to play poker. The guarantees are realistic. And the buy-ins hit a sweet spot for recreational players and pros alike.

The Bottom Line

The DeepStack Showdown is three weeks of grinding opportunity. If you're in Vegas, if you're thinking about being in Vegas, or if you just want to watch the updates and live vicariously—this is your series.

$2.1 million in guarantees. Daily events. The Venetian poker room.

Shuffle up and deal.