While the spotlight remains on the WSOP and the summer live series in Las Vegas, BetMGM Poker is turning its focus to online players in New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania with the return of its Summer Classic tournament series.
Running for just one week from July 13 to 20, the series features 36 events and a combined $1.1 million in guaranteed prizes.
As in past editions, the series takes cues from America’s favorite pastime — Baseball — with creatively named tournaments like “First Pitch,” “RBI,” and “Slider.”
What sets this year apart is the expanded scope. Thanks to the recent merger of Pennsylvania into BetMGM Poker’s shared liquidity network, the Summer Classic will run as a single unified series across all three states, boosting both the number of events and total prize guarantees.
Key Highlights & Formats
The Summer Classic schedule features four to five tournaments each day, with buy-ins ranging from $25 to $1,000. Most events are priced at $250 or less, and guarantees span from $3,000 up to $300,000. The marquee event is the Grand Slam, a two-day tournament with a $1,000 buy-in and a $300,000 guaranteed prize pool, set to run on the final day, July 20.
For players seeking a more affordable alternative, the $250 Moonshot, also on July 20, offers a $100,000 guarantee.
Other notable events include the $250 First Pitch, kicking off the series with an $85,000 guarantee, and the $500 Leadoff PKO, also on opening day, boasting $70,000 in prizes.
Throughout the week, BetMGM’s signature daily event, the C-Note, runs every day. With a $100 buy-in, it guarantees $30,000 in prize money, bumped up to $40,000 on Sundays.
Though the series runs for just eight days, it offers a diverse mix of formats, including rebuys, progressive knockouts, turbos, and a handful of Omaha events, one of which is Omaha 8.
11 of the 36 tournaments are designated Jersey Events, where winners will receive a custom BetMGM Baseball jersey in addition to their cash prize. Each jersey will be personalized with the winner’s screen name and the event number. Naturally, all high-profile events, including those with buy-ins of $250 or more, are part of this special promotion.
- Up to $100 in tournament tickets on top of the bonus
- Frequent MTT series with good guarantees
- Combined player pools in Michigan and New Jersey
Terms & Conditions apply. Must be 21+. PA Only. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Terms. If you or someone you know has a Gambling Problem, help is available, Call 1-800-GAMBLER. In Partnership with Hollywood Casino Penn National Race Course.
Visit BetMGM.com for Terms and Conditions. Must be 21+. NJ only. New Customer Offer. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit and/or tournament entries. Rewards subject to expiry. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Terms & Conditions apply. Must be 21+. MI Only. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Terms.
Bet With Your Head, Not Over It. Must be 21 or over and in Michigan to play. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call the MDHHS Gambling Disorder Help-line at 1-800-270-7117 or visit the MDHHS website.
Shared Liquidity Pays Off
This marks just the second tournament series since BetMGM Poker merged its player pools across New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania to form a three-state network. The first was May Millions, which offered $1 million in guarantees across just 18 events. That series attracted over 7,000 entries and paid out $1.2 million, an average of nearly $70,000 per tournament.
With the Summer Classic featuring double the number of tournaments, similar or even higher prize pools and turnout are expected. Compared to last year’s edition, the growth in guarantees is especially striking.
In 2024, the Summer Classic was held separately in each state, as shared liquidity had not yet been implemented. At the time, the combined guarantees across all three series totaled just over $750,000 — $275,500 in New Jersey and $238,500 each in Michigan and Pennsylvania — spread over 78 tournaments. Now, the unified series boasts over $1 million in guarantees across just 36 events, underscoring the significant boost that shared liquidity brings.
“Shared liquidity between all three BetMGM Poker US markets is a major milestone for our brand,” said Will O’Connor, Senior Manager of Poker Marketing, in a recent press release. “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.”
The impact is also visible in revenue figures, with BetMGM’s poker network showing big growth in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania since the inclusion of Pennsylvania players.
Looking ahead, the big question is whether BetMGM Poker will expand further. The operator already offers online casino games in West Virginia, where BetRivers recently launched the state’s first online poker room. Nevada also remains a potential target, long rumored as a future BetMGM market, though it has yet to materialize.
“We’re all extremely excited for the future of BetMGM Poker now that all markets have merged,” said Senior Manager of Poker Operations David Mileaf. “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.”
