Patience is a virtue. Patience in poker can be a profitable virtue, as awaiting the right opportunities can put them in prime position to prepare and execute the best strategy when it matters most.
In November 2024, BetMGM Poker offered its poker players in New Jersey and Michigan a smooth transition to shared liquidity. Players saw the growth of games, stakes, and guarantees, as BetMGM demonstrated the multitude of benefits and explained the concept of shared liquidity in the online poker space. That merging of sites across state lines was the first for BetMGM and set the standard for further growth.
As Pennsylvania mulled the idea of shared poker liquidity for years, Governor Josh Shapiro finally made it happen in April 2025, by signing the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA). He even touted its benefits for Pennsylvania poker players in a video call with PokerGO’s Mori Eskandani.
On the same day, BetMGM came fully prepared with its exciting announcement that it would launch its previously combined New Jersey/Michigan poker player pool with Pennsylvania the following Monday, April 28. As the first operator to reveal its plan, players had the chance to share in the anticipation of the big tri-state launch.
Celebratory C-Note Tournament and More
On the first night of the newly shared player pool that included Pennsylvania, BetMGM Poker took its signature C-Note tournament and turned it into a Free Note. That’s right; it was a freeroll tournament with $30,000 in the prize pool, run alongside the nightly C-Note.
The Free Note pulled in 1,274 players to give away pieces of the $30,000 prize pool. And the new version of the $100 buy-in C-Note had a whopping 495 entries, pushing the prize pool to $45,000.
Other BetMGM tournaments brought the masses to the tables as well. In total, BetMGM ran 72 MTTs on that first day (April 28), and the numbers pushed past the $155,000 in guarantees to boost the actual prize pools to $216,000. Some of the highlights included:
- $50 buy-in Monster Monday with $10,000 guaranteed = 360 entries created $16,000 prize pool
- $250 buy-in 40-Stack with $20,000 guaranteed = 146 entries created $34,000 prize pool
- $25 buy-in Daily Quarter with $7,000 guaranteed = 420 entries created $9,600 prize pool
Milestones and More Money
Since BetMGM Poker blended the players from three states onto a single platform, the overall results have been impressive. Those overseeing the changes have a front-row seat to the growth.
“Shared liquidity between all three BetMGM Poker US markets is a major milestone for our brand,” commented Will O’Connor, Senior Manager of Poker Marketing. “Not only are we able to offer larger prize pools and more games, but we’re creating a more dynamic and exciting experience for players of all levels.”
Senior Manager of Poker Operations David Mileaf echoed that sentiment with a particular eye on Pennsylvania: “We’re all extremely excited for the future of BetMGM Poker now that all markets have merged. The players in PA, especially, have a lot to celebrate now that they have the opportunity to win for themselves what previously would be the entire prize pool in a ring-fenced market.”
For example, let’s look at the Sunday Main, a $250 buy-in tournament on the must-play list for many players. Prior to the shared liquidity launch, the prize pool averaged $21,000, just past the guarantee of $20,000. Meanwhile, the combined NJ/MI player pool averaged $56,000 to be won. Now, with all three states playing together, the Sunday Main eclipsed $100,000 in the prize pool for two weeks straight. And the first-place prize alone was more than $20,000.
May Millions by the Numbers
BetMGM Poker also celebrated the new tri-state poker action with the May Millions tournament series. And in case you’re wondering, no, there cannot be too many ways to celebrate improved online poker in the United States.
The May Millions, as you may remember, guaranteed a million dollars in prize money for four days of tournaments. And the final numbers are in:
- Total events played: 18
- Total individual entries: 7,088
- Total prize pools disbursed: $1,232,428
The Six-Figure Sunday, with its $1,000 buy-in and $400,000 guarantee, brought in 533 entries for an actual prize pool of $506,350. The winner received a trophy and more than $90,000. The Sunday C-Note during that series attracted 686 entries, generating a prize pool of $63,112, far beyond the $50,000 guarantee. And the winner of that $100 buy-in event collected more than $10,800. And the Sunday Main, with its $250 buy-in and special May Millions $100,000 guarantee, showed 491 entries and $114,403 in the pot. The first-place money of $20,684 went with a trophy to the winner.
BetMGM Ambassador Darren Elias noted, “Seeing this commitment from players makes me optimistic about the future of online poker on BetMGM, and it definitely renews my enthusiasm for the online game. I’m excited to see what we’ll be able to do next.”
BetMGM Poker Ambassadors in Action
Is it fair to say that BetMGM has the best poker ambassadors? It could certainly make that case.
When content creators Abby Merk and Brantzen Wong heard about the shared liquidity development, they were at BetMGM National Harbor in Maryland. They quickly made their way to Philadelphia, though, to get in on the online poker action. Who can resist a $30,000 freeroll?
Speaking of Merk, keep your eyes on her social media accounts this summer as she juggles her responsibilities and poker passions. She will, of course, be in Las Vegas for poker summer camp, notably highlighted by the BetMGM Poker Championship at ARIA and punctuated by poker meetup games every week. But she also has her eyes on the newly-announced Borgata Summer Poker Open in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Can she do it all?
Always a Seat at the Poker Table
The best thing about online poker, especially in an expanded market as offered by BetMGM, is that there is always a seat at the table. Want a cash game at a particular stake? Pull up a virtual seat. Want to get in on the daily or weekly tournament action? Buy in or satellite in, as you wish.
Another perk of playing at BetMGM Poker online is that it is legal and regulated, giving you the safest environment to compete and deposit (and withdraw!) your poker money. And it’s simple to set up an account to play poker at BetMGM, as well as to deposit with an excellent welcome bonus.
