As a professional poker player and BetMGM Poker Ambassador, Darren Elias counts a few MGM Resorts destinations among his favorite places to play, including ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa in Atlantic City.

But it’s no secret that Elias also loves to play at MGM National Harbor, located just outside of Washington, D.C. He even shared a few of his favorite things at MGM National Harbor in an article for his BetMGM Poker Blog column, Darren’s Den.

The Washington Post teamed up with Elias for a visit to the property’s Poker Room and an interview with Adam Boone, Director of Poker at MGM National Harbor.

We’ve compiled a few of our favorite highlights – and share why Elias and Boone think playing poker at MGM National Harbor is so alluring.

Why MGM National Harbor’s Poker Room is a Top Destination For Poker Players

1. There’s an electric energy at MGM National Harbor that draws players like Elias. “MGM’s Poker Room has a rhythm. The chips have real weight … There’s something about being here live, surrounded by people who really study the game,” he says. 
2. Tech elements help enhance the experience. “We use tools like digital waitlists and other tools to help enhance the experience for our players and make it more smooth and efficient,” says Boone. “We also use automatic shufflers to speed up the process in between hands. So more hands per hour is more value to the players.”
3. Open 24 hours, seven days a week, the Poker Room caters to all levels. Says Boone, “Here at National Harbor we’ve created an environment that’s very welcoming for the beginners and also very competitive for our seasoned pros.”
4. The Poker Room offers a variety of cash games and tournaments. “Cash games are going to offer the players a little more flexibility, a little more time management,” says Boone. “You can buy in with what you want, you can play as long as you want, get up when you’re ready. In tournaments, it’s a little different. Everyone buys in for the same amount, they get the same amount of chips, and they’re really fighting to climb that payout ladder. We offer multiple tournaments every week. We also have a wide variety of cash games at different limits and different buy-ins.”
5. Boone reminds players that practicing responsible gambling is crucial, no matter what level the player is at. “Very important, right – always play for fun. This is entertainment. And never chase your losses.”

For more, catch the video and article of Darren Elias featured on The Washington Post. And to start learning how to play online before taking your skills to the Poker Room tables, register with BetMGM Poker