Many poker players heard the news last week. It was the talk of the online poker sphere, as BetMGM combined its player pools in Michigan and New Jersey. The historic move was a milestone for BetMGM and played an integral role in taking the United States online poker market to a new level.
That US market is still growing. Using the multi-state shared liquidity agreement helps it expand beyond growth that is possible in any singular state. BetMGM is fostering that progress and pulling its players together for bigger and better online poker.
While the BetMGM MI-NJ connection went smoothly and players reported an easy transition, there were a few questions that arose on social media and via customer service. To be fully transparent and helpful, we put together a list of frequently asked questions and, of course, the answers.
FAQ: Shared Liquidity and Cash Games
Players become accustomed to the poker cash games lobby of their favorite online poker site, and they’re curious about any changes created by shared liquidity.
What will change in cash games?
The most significant change for BetMGM cash game players is the increased number of games and stakes. With more players in the overall pool, it allows for more game variations and stakes.
What games and stakes are available?
The most frequently requested games are No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, and PLO Hi-Lo. They start at just $0.01/$0.02 and usually top off at $25/$50.
FAQ: Shared Liquidity and Poker Tournaments
Players also get used to the lineup of daily and weekly tournaments. They know where to find their favorites and how to sort through them all. Has anything changed?
What will change for BetMGM Poker tournaments?
The tournament lobby shows more options for daily, weekly, and specialty tournaments. Many of the guarantees were increased, so there is more value for players in the schedule. There will be new players in the mix as well – new opponents from another state.
Where is my favorite tournament?
The normal tournaments are still in the lobby; most of them just increased their guarantees. Daily tournaments range from $5 to $50 buy-ins. The Big Shots tournament buy-ins range from $25 to $500, with plenty of options throughout each week. There are turbos and knockouts, deepstacks, and 6-max tournaments with varying structures and reentry options.
FAQ: Shared Liquidity
These questions pertain to the shared liquidity process and impact on poker sites and players.
What is MSIGA?
The Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) is the partnership between states allowing online poker operators to share prize pools across state lines. Governors of partnering states must sign it before each state’s regulator can establish the framework for shared liquidity, at which point the operators with sites in more than one of the states signed on to MSIGA can begin the process of connecting those sites.
Currently, the states whose governors have signed on to MSIGA are:
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- Michigan
- West Virginia
- Delaware
What is shared online poker liquidity?
When states sign MSIGA, operators in those states can connect their sites so their players can share poker tables and prize pools. It makes the games more liquid – running smoothly across state lines to create a larger, seamless poker site. In the case of BetMGM Poker, it connected its New Jersey and Michigan sites to run together as one site. That started on November 6, and this shared liquidity will continue indefinitely.
Why did Michigan and New Jersey join together without Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has yet to sign on to MSIGA. BetMGM chose to pursue shared liquidity between Michigan and New Jersey now and add states like Pennsylvania at a later time, when that state indicates it is ready to participate.
When might Pennsylvania sign the agreement?
Recently, Governor Josh Shapiro indicated that he wants to sign the multi-state agreement to increase online poker revenue and create a better playing environment. This is likely to happen in early 2025, at which point BetMGM will be able to start working with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to connect Pennsylvania with Michigan and New Jersey. This is a time-consuming process, though, and could take many months – perhaps a year – to complete.
Are there other states that could join?
Nevada and Delaware are both included in MSIGA, but each state has only one online poker operator at this time. BetMGM does not operate live online poker in those states.
West Virginia signed on to MSIGA in 2024, but there are no online poker sites in operation there yet.
Pennsylvania appears to be ready to sign in the coming months. Connecticut and Rhode Island could sign the agreement, but neither has operational online poker sites yet.
FAQ: BetMGM Poker Online
To complete this list of questions and answers, it’s only fair to address the questions most commonly asked on social media and on BetMGM Poker online.
Why should I use a welcome bonus code?
When making a deposit as a new player on BetMGM, it’s always beneficial to use a poker bonus code, as it makes your deposit go farther. A match bonus – 100% for example – awards a bonus in the amount of your deposit that you earn from regular play at cash games or tournaments. It is a way to boost your bankroll without any additional investment.
What is the best online poker bonus to use?
As this is the first full week of shared liquidity, there are two specific promotions for players in Michigan and New Jersey. Both of them are valid through November 16.
- For the 100% deposit match up to $500, use code PHMB-500-NJMIPCT. You can find out more information here:
- Players may participate in the Instant Log In Spin the Wheel daily for their chance to win one of several prizes. Click below for more information:
There are other online poker promotions to use while playing. For example, play certain games during BRP Builder Power Hours to earn double BetMGM Rewards Points, which can later be exchanged for online products, game play, and various other incentives.
What is a Spin the Wheel promotion?
Spin the Wheel promotions run numerous times throughout the year, often leading up to online poker tournament series and special events. By earning a certain number of BetMGM Rewards Points daily, players can spin a wheel for prizes that usually include tournament tickets and SPINS tickets.
What is a Pick-a-Card promotion?
This is another promotion that runs throughout the year for players participating in tournament series. Again relying on earning BetMGM Reward Points daily, players can then pick a card daily from several options, each offering some type of tournament ticket or qualifier ticket.
While the merging of Michigan and New Jersey player pools went smoothly and players reported an easy transition, there were a few questions that arose on social media and via customer service.
