It started on Tuesday, Sept. 3, and it hasn’t slowed down since. Just days into the latest iteration of the Borgata Poker Open powered by BetMGM Poker, poker has completely taken over the Event Center at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa — and players are feeling vey at home at their favorite East Coast venue.

Let’s take a look at the top four things to know so far about the BPO, thanks to live updates at the Borgata Poker Open on Poker.Org. 

1.  Mathew Ferrante is First Borgata Poker Open Winner

First, we must set aside Event 1 for the sake of getting to tournaments that are already past the registration deadline. Event 1 is the Kick-off Deep Stack, an $800 buy-in with a $1,000,000 guarantee. Its five starting flights run through Sept. 5. The final table is then set for Saturday, Sept. 7, on livestream directly from the Borgata Event Center. 

That brings us to Event 2, the $500 buy-in Omaha Hi/Lo Championship.

• Total entries: 114
• Total prize pool: $49,590
• Players paid: 15
• Minimum payout: $1,195
• Winner: Mathew Ferrante ($7,809)
• Note: A nine-way chop finished the tournament quickly with Ferrante claiming victory.

Many players looked forward to Event 3, a $380 Heads-Up tournament and a refreshing addition to the lineup. The field was capped at 64 players, and only eight remain to play on, with East Coast crusher Frank Funaro still in the mix. 

Mixed game players were happy with the selection, as Event 4 offered a $500 buy-in HOSE Championship playing on an eight-hand rotation. It delivered a solid field as well and took two days to find its champion:

• Total entries: 97
• Total prize pool: $41,280
• Players paid: 12
• Minimum payout: $1,032
• Winner: Philip Neiman ($8,632)
• Note: The final three players chopped for even money, with Neiman taking the trophy and just one extra dollar.

2.  Kick-off Deep Stack Drama

Speaking of Event 1, the $800 BPO Kick-off Deep Stack tournament, it carries a $1,000,000 guarantee that we might have already mentioned. The first four flights are done and one remains today. The big question is: Will it hit the guarantee?

• Day 1A:  238 entries (30 players remaining)
• Day 1B:  129 entries (17 players remaining)
• Day 1C:  292 entries (37 players remaining)
• Day 1D:  306 entries (39 players remaining)

Day 1E plays out today and is expected to be the largest. That’s going to be necessary to hit the guarantee. With $700 of each $800 buy-in going to the prize pool ($70 is a registration fee and $30 is a voluntary add-on), it looks like the Borgata will hit the guarantee today…though we can’t guarantee it!

3.  Poker Pros Get Prepped

Players are getting ready to crush the competition in a variety of ways.

Ari Engel kicked off his Borgata experience on opening day, and he revealed that he’s most excited for the lineup of mixed game tournaments. The buy-ins are at a perfect mid-stakes price point to try out some games and play alongside pros like Engel.

Brantzen Wong is already dreaming of his reaction to becoming a Borgata Poker Open champion. What’s it like in Brantzen Poker’s dreams?

And Caitlin Comeskey is excited about being back at Borgata…and about juiceheads? No, she’s just paying tribute to “Jersey Shore” with its viral TikTok sound.

4.  Livestreams Begin Friday

For those unable to be at the Borgata Poker Open – and for players who are there but like to multitask – the livestreams from the dedicated area of the Event Center begin this weekend. There are cash games in the lineup, as well as the final tables of some of the biggest BPO tournaments. Powered by BetMGM and live from the Borgata, the lineup is scheduled as follows:

• Friday, Sept. 6 (6 p.m. – midnight ET):  $2/$5 No Limit Hold’em cash game
• Saturday, Sept. 7 (starting at noon ET):  Event 1 (Kickoff Deep Stack) final table
• Sunday, Sept. 8 (6 p.m. – midnight ET):  Ladies Pink Chip No Limit Hold’em cash game
• Monday, Sept. 9 (starting at noon ET):  Event 8 (Mirror Mystery Bounty) final table
• Tuesday, Sept. 10 (6 p.m. – midnight ET):  $10/$10 Pot Limit Omaha cash game
• Wed., Sept. 11 (starting at 11:15 a.m. ET):  Event 19 (Heads-Up Championship) final round
• Thursday, Sept. 12 (5 p.m. – 11 p.m. ET):  $10,000/no max NLHE High Roller cash game
• Friday, Sept. 13 (starting at 12:15 p.m. ET):  Event 17 (Almighty Million) final table
• Saturday, Sept. 14 (starting at 1 p.m. ET):  BetMGM Online Hybrid Championship final table
• Monday, Sept. 16 (starting at 12:15 p.m. ET):  BPO Championship Main Event feature table
• Tuesday, Sept. 17 (starting at 12:15 p.m. ET):  BPO Championship Main Event final table

Get comfortable, as there is a lot of poker to watch across the next 11 days!

Learn more about the Borgata Poker Open and playing online for events by registering at BetMGM Poker.