Poker players in the Keystone state will have plenty of chances to qualify online for one of the most anticipated live events in the region. Earlier this month, Borgata and BetMGM announced major news that a live poker tournament series was coming back to Atlantic City.
“Poker players have been eagerly waiting for Borgata’s big return to the live tournament circuit. We are thrilled to have BetMGM be the exclusive home for online registration and qualification for The Return. Players in all of our U.S. markets will have weekly chances to qualify online and reserve their seat in one of the year’s biggest poker events as BetMGM Poker continues to offer great experience at MGM properties across the country,” says Luke Staudenmaier, Director of Poker.
The live event series will run from Jan. 2-8 in Atlantic City and will generate over $4 million in guaranteed prize pools. BetMGM Poker PA has announced online qualifiers for players to get into these main events without crushing their bankrolls.
BetMGM PA online satellites award $6,000 prize packages
PA online poker players can get in on the action for as little as $5. Online qualifiers are starting on Sunday, Nov. 20. The winners of the main events online will be placed directly into the live events this January. The prize package includes:
- $5,300 main event seat for Jan. 4
- Four-night hotel stay at Borgata Atlantic City
- $200 in cash
“BetMGM recognizes the strong legacy of tournaments at Borgata and is thrilled to collaborate with the team to bring online qualifiers to ‘The Return,'” said Staudenmaier. “In the upcoming months, we look forward to offering online poker players various ways to qualify for this momentous event which will kick off 2023 with a bang!”
BetMGM PA online poker satellite schedule for Borgata $1M GTD Return
| Day | Time | Qualifier | Total Buy-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 7 p.m. | $5 Borgata Round 1, 3x $20 Tickets GTD | $5 |
| Monday | 8 p.m. | $20 Borgata Round 2, 2x $100 Tickets GTD | $20 |
| Tuesday | 5:30 p.m. | $5 Borgata Round 1, 3x $20 Tickets GTD | $5 |
| Tuesday | 6:30 p.m. | $20 Borgata Round 2, 2x $100 Tickets GTD | $20 |
| Tuesday | 8 p.m. | $100 Borgata Round 3, 2x $500 Tickets GTD | $100 |
| Wednesday | 7 p.m. | $5 Borgata Round 1, 3x $20 Tickets GTD | $5 |
| Wednesday | 8 p.m. | $20 Borgata Round 2, 2x $100 Tickets GTD | $20 |
| Thursday | 5:30 p.m. | $5 Borgata Round 1, 3x $20 Tickets GTD | $5 |
| Thursday | 6:30 p.m. | $20 Borgata Round 2, 2x $100 Tickets GTD | $20 |
| Thursday | 8 p.m. | $100 Borgata Round 3, 2x $500 Tickets GTD | $100 |
| Friday | 7 p.m. | $5 Borgata Round 1, 3x $20 Tickets GTD | $5 |
| Friday | 8 p.m. | $20 Borgata Round 2, 2x $100 Tickets GTD | $20 |
| Saturday | 5:30 p.m. | $5 Borgata Round 1, 3x $20 Tickets GTD | $5 |
| Saturday | 6:30 p.m. | $20 Borgata Round 2, 2x $100 Tickets GTD | $20 |
| Saturday | 8 p.m. | $100 Borgata Round 3, 2x $500 Tickets GTD | $100 |
| Sunday | 3:30 p.m. | $5 Borgata Round 1, 3x $20 Tickets GTD | $5 |
| Sunday | 4:30 p.m. | $20 Borgata Round 2, 2x $100 Tickets GTD | $20 |
| Sunday | 6 p.m. | $100 Borgata Round 3, 2x $500 Tickets GTD | $100 |
| Sunday | 8 p.m. | $600 Borgata Final, 1 Package GTD | $600 |
How to register for The Return – Borgata $1M guarantee
Online registration will also be available starting in December. Players will be directly able to buy into the Main Event online between Dec.1 -31. Live in person registration starts Jan. 2. According to the Borgata site:
- Log in to your BetMGM account through the BetMGM Poker App and choose The Return Online Registration Tournament to secure your seat.
- Events may sell out through the BetMGM platform.
- All players making the final table for the Championship Event will receive a complimentary room on Saturday, January 7.
Qualifiers will be available online until Dec. 23. Here is a list of all announced qualifiers to date:
The Return at Borgata – Live Event Schedule
The Borgata tournament series will include some firsts for the casino. This includes the first-ever Borgata Mystery Bounty event set for Jan. 2.
Mystery Bounties are a growing trend among the poker community. When players eliminate another player they receive an envelope with an unknown prize. Mystery bounties allow players to win big, but they don’t know what prize they get until the package is opened. The top mystery prize for this event will be $250,000.
The complete Borgata Return schedule is as follows:
- $2,200 NLH Mystery Bounty (Event 1, Jan. 2-3) – $1M guaranteed
- $560 NLH Live Satellite Qualifier to Main Event (Event 2, Jan. 3) – 1 in 10 win
- $5,400 NLH Main Event (Event 3, Jan. 4-8) – $1M guaranteed
- $2,100 NLH 1k Bounty (Event 4, Jan. 6-7) – $150,000 guaranteed
- $1,100 NLH Survivor (Event 5, Jan. 7-8) – $100,000 guaranteed
“The return of championship poker to Borgata is a long time coming,” said Vincent Alonge Jr., Borgata’s Director of Poker Operations.
Poker Influencers Meet Up
In November live events, Borgata invited some pros to the tables. The poker room hosted live meet up games with players such as Youtuber Ethan “Rampage” Yau and Darren Elias.
Borgata has already hinted that additional events are planned for January as more pros roll into town. Be on the lookout for more in person events coming soon.
Image c/o BetMGM.