What You Can Expect

**WOW and CSW divisions offered – all are welcome!**

Team Trivia, Hosted Dinners, Full Live Stream

Full refunds available up until the day of tournament

Tournament Venue: Albany Marriott

189 Wolf Rd, Albany NY 12205 USA

Tournament Information

• All entry and commuter fees must be paid by June 28, 2026. We cannot accept cash on site. If you have not paid, you will be dropped from the tournament. To register or pay your entry fee, go to the "contact and registration page."

• Commuter fee per person (if not staying at the tournament hotel and within the room block) for main event:  $40 US ($60 CDN).

• Swiss/COP pairings will be used for this tournament.

• Bob Linn Superstars (CSW 1600+, unlimited play ups).  Bob Linn Rising Stars (<1600). Seeds for CSW are determined by qualification rating - see a full explanation at the bottom of this page.

• US and Canadian passport holders who win place prizes are eligible for additional prize amounts (see NA Bonus in prize tables). 

• WOW - If we have 40+ registrations and are even, we will split it into two divisions. If we are odd in WOW the division will be run as an open. There will be generous class prizes in either division structure.

• If you would like to see the difference between WOW and NWL, check this page.

• CSW will be streamed each round. Players rated 1600+ should expect to be streamed.

• In addition to place prizes, performance-based prizes will be given in all divisions

• Prizes paid in $USD. Prize payouts $100 USD and over will be paid electronically or by check

• Directors may alter tournament structure in best interest of the event, including spread Gibsonization

• Reduced price "Grab & Go" lunch menu available.

• * Canadian prices are subject to change based on exchange rates

• Check our frequently asked questions (FAQ) page for other info

Tournament Schedule

Wednesday July 1

• 11:30 AM - 3:15 PM Early Bird Rounds 1-4, then 30 minute snack break

• 3:45 PM -   6:45 PM  Early Bird Rounds 5-7

Thursday July 2

• 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM  Main Event Rounds 1-4. You must check in by 8:30 AM July 2 (or earlier) to be paired

• 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM Lunch

• 2:45 PM - 6:45 PM Main Event Rounds 5-8

• 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Hosted Dinners: click to sign up

• 9:15 PM - 12:00 AM Event, TBD

Friday July 3

• 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM  Main Event Rounds 9-12

• 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM Lunch

• 2:45 PM - 6:45 PM Main Event Rounds 13-16

• 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Hosted Dinners: click to sign up

• 9:15 PM - 12:00 AM Event, TBD

Saturday July 4

• 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM  Main Event Rounds 17-20

• 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM Lunch

• 2:45 PM - 6:45 PM Main Event Rounds 21-24

• 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Hosted Dinners: click to sign up

• 9:15 PM - 12:00 AM Event, TBD

Sunday July 5

• 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM  Main Event Rounds 25-28

• 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM Awards

CSW Prize Tables

CSW Qualification System for the July 4th, 2026 Tournament

Why Qualification Matters

To ensure fairness and transparency, divisions are set using a qualification rating. This system lets players know their division before registering,allows players to keep competing without being forced up into Superstars if their rating rises, and prevents intentional rating drops to enter a lower division.

Qualification Rating

1. Lock Date

   • Qualification ratings are locked on October 1, 2025.
     
     

2. Which Rating Counts

   • Your qualification rating is the higher of your:

     • WGPO CSW rating, or

     • WESPA rating,
       provided you have been active in at least one of these systems during the 12 months prior to October 1, 2025.

   • Active means having played at least one rated tournament in that system in the past year.
     
     

3. If You’re Inactive or Unrated

   • If you do not have an active WGPO CSW or WESPA rating within the past 12 months, the directors will assign a qualification rating. This will be determined using all relevant information available, including past ratings and playing experience, to ensure fair placement.

Divisions and Playing Up

• Divisions are set according to qualification rating cutoffs (Superstars is 1600+, Rising Stars is under 1600).

• Players may choose to play up into a higher division, but may not play down into a lower division.

Notes

• Ratings shown on the WGPO website may not reflect qualification ratings, since these are locked on October 1. Tournament directors will publish an official seeding list based on qualification ratings before the event.