Black Hat Executive Poker Invitational 2026
An Invitation-Only Poker Tournament for CISOs and Cybersecurity Executives
5 August 2026 (Wednesday)
Mandalay Bay Poker Room | Las Vegas, Nevada
The CxO Security Forum Black Hat Executive Poker Invitational brings together CISOs, CIOs, security executives, cybersecurity founders, industry authors, speakers, and other invited leaders for a private evening of Texas Hold ’Em during Black Hat USA 2026.
The tournament will take place on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, at the Mandalay Bay Poker Room in Las Vegas, beginning at approximately 8:30 p.m. and concluding before midnight.
This is not a sales event or another conference reception filled with presentations. It is a small, friendly tournament built around strategy, conversation, and genuine interaction among peers.
Participation is limited to invited executives and approved guests. Seating is extremely limited.
Black Hat Networking Without the Sales Pitch
Black Hat week offers no shortage of receptions, demonstrations, dinners, and vendor events. The Executive Poker Invitational is intentionally different. There will be:
- No presentations
- No panel discussions
- No product pitches
- No attendee-list distribution
- No crowded expo-floor atmosphere
Instead, invited executives will have several hours to play cards, catch up with familiar colleagues, meet other senior leaders, and enjoy some friendly competition in a relaxed setting. You do not need to be a serious poker player. The tournament is designed for executives who enjoy the strategy and social side of poker but may not want to join an unfamiliar public casino game.
Come for the cards. Stay for the conversations.
Date and Time
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Approximately 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
The tournament is scheduled after the main Black Hat conference day and is expected to finish before midnight.
Location
Mandalay Bay Poker Room
3950 South Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
Tournament Format
- Texas Hold ’Em
- Professionally dealt tournament
- Approximately three tables, increasing tournament blinds
- Final table with First-, second-, and third-place cash prizes
- Approximately two-and-a-half hours of play
The structure is intended to keep the evening moving while leaving ample time for conversation and introductions.
Invitations are reviewed individually. Please use your professional email address and include your current title and organization.
Who May Attend?
A Private Gathering for Senior Cybersecurity Leaders
This event is intended primarily for senior executives attending Black Hat USA, DEF CON, BSides Las Vegas, or related cybersecurity gatherings taking place in Las Vegas that week. Invitations may be extended to:
- Chief Information Security Officers
- Chief Information Officers
- Business Information Security Officers
- Chief Technology Officers
- Chief Risk Officers
- Senior security and technology executives
- Selected cybersecurity founders
- Recognized authors, researchers, and speakers
- Other invited friends of the CxO Security Forum community
This is not an open-registration public poker tournament.
Requesting an invitation does not guarantee a seat. Each request will be reviewed to preserve the executive composition and peer-focused nature of the gathering.
Limited Seating – Approximately 30 Seats Will Be Available
The Black Hat Executive Poker Invitational is deliberately small. The expected format is three tables with approximately ten players at each table. Keeping the tournament limited allows participants to spend meaningful time with one another instead of simply exchanging business cards in another crowded reception. Priority will be given to active CISOs, CIOs, senior cybersecurity leaders, and invited members of the CxO Security Forum community.
Once all seats have been confirmed, additional qualified executives may be placed on a waiting list.
Entry and Prize Structure
A Low-Stakes, Professionally Managed Tournament The planned executive entry is $50 in cash, providing approximately $200 in starting tournament-chip value, with participating community supporters subsidizing the balance. Cash prizes are planned for:
- First place
- Second place
- Third place
The objective is not high-stakes gambling. It is an enjoyable, structured competition among peers who appreciate strategic thinking.
Final tournament rules, prize amounts, rebuy availability, and player instructions will be provided directly to confirmed participants.
No Poker Experience Required – Strategy Matters More Than Experience
Some invited executives will be experienced players. Others may know only the basics of Texas Hold ’Em. Both are welcome. Professional dealers will manage the game, explain table procedures when needed, and keep the tournament moving. The atmosphere will be competitive but friendly.
The gathering is designed for people who enjoy strategic thinking, good conversation, and the opportunity to test their poker face against fellow cybersecurity leaders.
More Than a Poker Tournament! Meet CISOs, Authors, Founders, Speakers, and Industry Leaders
The players will form the center of the evening, but the gathering will also include invited members of the broader cybersecurity community.
Selected authors, conference speakers, founders, executives, and other recognized industry figures may stop by to watch the action, have a drink, and reconnect with colleagues.
Participants may play in the tournament, observe from the rail, or spend part of the evening in conversation with other invited guests.
The goal is not to manufacture networking. It is to create the kind of comfortable environment in which worthwhile relationships develop naturally.
Why the CxO Security Forum Is Hosting This Event: Building Cybersecurity Relationships Beyond the Conference Floor
The CxO Security Forum is a private executive community created to bring together cybersecurity, technology, risk, compliance, fraud, and business leaders. Our gatherings emphasize:
- Trusted peer relationships
- Candid executive conversation
- Carefully selected participants
- Community over lead generation
- Useful introductions without unnecessary sales pressure
We host executive briefings, roundtables, private receptions, conference-adjacent gatherings, and other experiences where senior leaders can spend meaningful time together. The Black Hat Executive Poker Invitational applies the same philosophy to an informal evening of cards, strategy, and conversation.
Supporting the Cybersecurity Community – A Small Number of Supporting Solution Providers
A maximum of approximately three non-competing cybersecurity solution providers may be invited to support the tournament. Supporting organizations help make the event possible, but the evening will not include product presentations, formal demonstrations, or sales speeches. Their representatives participate as members of the gathering—not as exhibitors working a room. The objective is to recognize companies that actively support the executive cybersecurity community while protecting the experience for invited leaders.
(After your request is approved, look out for a confirmation email & calendar invite shortly)
Location
3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Poker Room
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Mandalay Bay Poker Room - Las Vegas, NV
Hosted by the CxO Security Forum
Limited Seating – Approximately 30 Seats Will Be Available
The Black Hat Executive Poker Invitational is deliberately small. The expected format is three tables with approximately ten players at each table. Keeping the tournament limited allows participants to spend meaningful time with one another instead of simply exchanging business cards in another crowded reception. Priority will be given to active CISOs, CIOs, senior cybersecurity leaders, and invited members of the CxO Security Forum community.
Once all seats have been confirmed, additional qualified executives may be placed on a waiting list.
Entry and Prize Structure
A Low-Stakes, Professionally Managed Tournament The planned executive entry is $50 in cash, providing approximately $200 in starting tournament-chip value, with participating community supporters subsidizing the balance. Cash prizes are planned for:
- First place
- Second place
- Third place
The objective is not high-stakes gambling. It is an enjoyable, structured competition among peers who appreciate strategic thinking.
Final tournament rules, prize amounts, rebuy availability, and player instructions will be provided directly to confirmed participants.
More Than a Poker Tournament! Meet CISOs, Authors, Founders, Speakers, and Industry Leaders
The players will form the center of the evening, but the gathering will also include invited members of the broader cybersecurity community.
Selected authors, conference speakers, founders, executives, and other recognized industry figures may stop by to watch the action, have a drink, and reconnect with colleagues.
Participants may play in the tournament, observe from the rail, or spend part of the evening in conversation with other invited guests.
The goal is not to manufacture networking. It is to create the kind of comfortable environment in which worthwhile relationships develop naturally.
Why the CxO Security Forum Is Hosting This Event: Building Cybersecurity Relationships Beyond the Conference Floor
The CxO Security Forum is a private executive community created to bring together cybersecurity, technology, risk, compliance, fraud, and business leaders. Our gatherings emphasize:
- Trusted peer relationships
- Candid executive conversation
- Carefully selected participants
- Community over lead generation
- Useful introductions without unnecessary sales pressure
We host executive briefings, roundtables, private receptions, conference-adjacent gatherings, and other experiences where senior leaders can spend meaningful time together. The Black Hat Executive Poker Invitational applies the same philosophy to an informal evening of cards, strategy, and conversation.
Supporting the Cybersecurity Community – A Small Number of Supporting Solution Providers
A maximum of approximately three non-competing cybersecurity solution providers may be invited to support the tournament. Supporting organizations help make the event possible, but the evening will not include product presentations, formal demonstrations, or sales speeches. Their representatives participate as members of the gathering—not as exhibitors working a room. The objective is to recognize companies that actively support the executive cybersecurity community while protecting the experience for invited leaders.
No Poker Experience Required – Strategy Matters More Than Experience
Some invited executives will be experienced players. Others may know only the basics of Texas Hold ’Em. Both are welcome. Professional dealers will manage the game, explain table procedures when needed, and keep the tournament moving. The atmosphere will be competitive but friendly.
The gathering is designed for people who enjoy strategic thinking, good conversation, and the opportunity to test their poker face against fellow cybersecurity leaders.
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