WSOP Thunder Valley

WSOP Thunder Valley in Lincoln, California, is a regular stop for the World Series of Poker Circuit. It takes place twice a year at Thunder Valley Casino Resort, with the first 2024 event scheduled for the middle of January. This guide will answer a few questions regarding the tournament, such as where and when WSOP Thunder Valley is, how to qualify, where to park and find accommodation, and more.

Playing real-money poker at Thunder Valley Casino Resort or any other licensed California casino is perfectly legal. However, you’re not allowed to play poker online, nor are there any legal sports betting apps in California, so betting on the event is unavailable.

About WSOP Thunder Valley

The first WSOP event at Thunder Valley Casino Resort took place during the 2017-18 season. Nick Pupillo from Gilbert, Arizona, won the tournament marking his second tour win and taking home $170,286.

WSOP Thunder Valley takes place twice every season, usually in September and January. The event was canceled multiple times between 2020 and 2022 due to Covid restrictions, but it returned to its regular schedule in Sept. 2022. Robert Grossglauser won the tournament’s last edition, cashing in just over $200,000.

Casino Games at Thunder Valley Casino Resort

Thunder Valley Casino Resort is a 250,000 sq/ft tribal casino in Lincoln, CA, several miles north of Sacramento. The United Auburn Indian Community owns and operates the casino.

The venue is home to several high-end poker tournaments during the year. Some of the previous poker events held here include WPT Rolling Thunder, WPT Kickoff, AnteUpWorlds 2022, RunGood Poker Series, and more.

The casino’s 24/7 poker room features 27 tables but can expand to 50 when needed during big tournaments. Apart from blockbuster events, guests can participate in many dailies with varying tournament structures and prizes.

As for other gaming options, the casino offers over 3,000 slot machines, including 100 high-limit slots, a variety of table games, and a large bingo hall. Retail sportsbooks in California are illegal, so you won’t find any sports betting options at Thunder Valley Casino Resort.

WSOP Thunder Valley Sponsorships

WSOP Thunder Valley doesn’t have any notable sponsorships at the moment.

WSOP Thunder Valley Participants

You can participate in the WSOP Thunder Valley event by progressing through one of the satellites that take place in the weeks leading up to the main event. You can learn more about the schedule and how to sign up for the tournament by visiting the casino’s official website or going to WSOP.com.

WSOP Thunder Valley Past Winners

Here’s a full list of the WSOP Thunder Valley event results:

• September 2017: Nick Pupillo
• January 2018: Hafiz Khan
• September 2018: Brett Murray
• January 2019: Thomas Kornechuk
• September 2019: Paul Richardson
• January 2020: Jaime Haletky
• January 2022: Victor Paredes
• September 2022: Robert Grossglauser

The September 2022 edition of WSOP Thunder Valley Main Event was the largest one yet. It consisted of a $1,099,890 prize pool, with Robert Grossglauser winning the event and taking home $205,203.

Where Can I Watch WSOP Thunder Valley?

You can try catching a live stream of the event on WSOP’s YouTube channel. However, due to this not being one of the bigger WSOP tournaments, chances are that there won’t be a live stream at all, as we found no evidence of previous streams.

WSOP Thunder Valley Venue Parking

Parking at Thunder Valley Casino Resort is free, including the complimentary valet service in front of the hotel and in the garage. The casino’s parking lot has room for about 4,000 vehicles. 

WSOP Thunder Valley Venue Accommodations

Thunder Valley Casino Resort features 408 rooms, among which are 46 suites. Guests can enjoy the hotel’s amenities, including business services, meeting rooms, a state-of-the-art gym, a gift shop, and an outdoor pool.

WSOP Thunder Valley FAQ