BetMGM Poker will host the Big, Big Series at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa from September 13-23, offering over $6 million in guaranteed prize pools and multiple entry options for players
BetMGM Poker is set to return to Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City this September with its largest live tournament series of the year. The Big, Big Series, scheduled for September 13-23, will feature more than $6 million in guaranteed prize pools, including a $3 million guaranteed Championship event. This series marks the one-year anniversary of the BetMGM Poker Tournament Room at Borgata and follows a summer of major poker events across the East Coast.
Key Events and Prize Guarantees
The centerpiece of the series is the $5,300 BetMGM Poker Big, Big Championship, which guarantees a $3 million prize pool. The Championship offers three starting flights on September 19, 20, and 21, with late registration open until the start of Day 2 on September 22. Players who advance will compete for the title on Day 3, September 23. In addition to the Championship, the schedule includes the $2,200 Big, Big Kick Off with a $1 million guarantee, and the $2,200 Big, Big Borgata Mystery Bounty, which guarantees $500,000. High-stakes players can enter the $10,200 Big, Big Baller on September 17, a two-day event with a $500,000 guarantee and entry fee covered by BetMGM Poker for those who qualify through milestone events.
Qualifiers, Satellites, and Player Access
Recognizing that the $5,300 Championship buy-in may be out of reach for some, Borgata is offering multiple qualifiers. Three $600 Championship qualifiers will award at least 50 seats in total, with the largest qualifier on September 18 guaranteeing 25 seats. Additional qualifiers on September 19 and 20 offer 15 and 10 seats, respectively. The series opens with Super Sattie Sunday on September 13, featuring hourly milestone qualifiers for $2,200 and $1,100 events, and a $1,000 Borgata Big 3 tournament. For players eliminated from main events, nightly $500 No-Limit Hold'em Super Turbos will run from September 17-22, providing additional tournament opportunities.
Mixed Games, One-Day Events, and Hotel Offers
The Big, Big Series schedule is not limited to No-Limit Hold'em. It begins with the $1,100 Big, Big Welcome: H.O.R.S.E. on September 13, offering a $25,000 guarantee. Mixed-game enthusiasts can enter E-Tay's $2,500 Big, Big 9 Game Mix with a $150,000 guarantee, and Omaha players have the $2,200 Big, Big Pot Limit Omaha (8 Max) with a $200,000 guarantee. Several one-day events are also planned, including the $1,100 Big, Big One Day: Bankroll Builder and Shot Clock Turbo, each with $100,000 guarantees. To accommodate players staying for the full festival, Borgata is offering a 10-night Stay & Play Bonus for $999 plus tax and resort fees, with additional discounts for Gold+ MGM Rewards members.
Context and Recent Tournament Trends
This announcement comes after a busy summer for BetMGM Poker, which hosted the Borgata Summer Poker Open in July and the Potomac Summer Poker Open in Maryland in August. The latter event saw notable winners, such as a Maryland family doctor who claimed the top prize at the Potomac Summer Poker Open Main Event, as reported in coverage of the Potomac Summer Poker Open. The Big, Big Series at Borgata is positioned as the largest live poker offering from BetMGM Poker this year, with a schedule designed to attract a wide range of players through diverse formats and accessible qualifiers.
Understanding tournament guarantees is essential for poker players evaluating event value. A guaranteed prize pool means the organizer commits to paying out at least the stated amount, regardless of the number of entries. If player buy-ins do not reach the guarantee, the operator covers the shortfall, known as an overlay. For players, overlays can represent added value, but guarantees also serve as a marketing tool to attract larger fields and generate interest in the series.
