The BetMGM Poker US Network has expanded its popular Hot Tables, which randomly drops prizes at cash game tables, to two more states.
Previously available only to New Jersey players, the operator has rolled out the feature to BetMGM Poker MI and BetMGM Poker PA platforms as well. Now Michigan and Pennsylvania online poker players will also get to try their luck at the Hot Tables, which injects extra prizes as randomized cash drops to players.
The Hot Tables promotion was added to MI & PA platforms last month and will run throughout 2023. The promotion is quite simple and effective: Each time a “Hot” table is triggered, players can win additional prizes on top of the regular cash pot.
It is currently available in No-Limit Hold 'em cash games, including the operator’s fast-fold variant, FastForward. Table stakes include: $0.10/$0.25, $0.25/$0.50, $0.50/$1, $1/$2, and $2.50/$5.
- Up to $75 in MTT tickets on top of the bonus
- Frequent MTT series with good guarantees
- Combined player pools in Michigan and New Jersey
Hot Tables Overview
- The Hot Tables feature is only available at NLH cash games and FastForward tables at select stakes
- Table stakes include $0.10/$0.25, $0.25/$0.50, $0.50/$1, $1/$2, and $2.50/$5
- All players are eligible for the promotion, and no opt-in is required
- There must be at least three players dealt in for a cash drop to trigger
- Splashed pot maximizes at $1500 at high-stakes
- The promotion runs throughout 2023
Hot Tables are available in five tiers — Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. In the first two tiers, only the winner of the hand takes the pot bonus, while Gold, Platinum, and Diamond tables give away 50% of the cash bonus to the winner and split the remaining 50% among other active players on the table.
While smaller payouts will be more frequent, the actual size of the boost can be boosted up to 1200 big blinds at low stakes, while at high stakes, the boost can be up to 300 big blinds, meaning a maximum top prize of $1500.
“[The Hot Tables feature gives grinders, recreational players, and everyone in-between a chance at the same life-changing prizing that BetMGM Casino players regularly enjoy through our jackpot network,” said Luke Staudenmaier, Director of Poker at BetMGM, in a press release last year.
BetMGM Hot Tables Payout Structure
| Tier | 25NL | 50NL | 100NL | 200NL | 500NL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | $0.50 to $1.50 | $1 to $3 | $2 to $4 | $2 to $6 | $5 to $15 |
| Silver | $1.50 to $4.50 | $2 to $6 | $3 to $7 | $4 to $12 | $10 to $30 |
| Gold | $2.50 to $7.50 | $4 to $12 | $5 to $15 | $6 to $14 | $20 to $60 |
| Platinum | $5 to $15 | $10 to $30 | $10 to $30 | $16 to $44 | $30 to $90 |
| Diamond | $100 to $300 | $200 to $600 | $250 to $750 | $300 to $900 | $500 to $1500 |
Cash Drops Have Become a Popular Promotional Feature
The concept of adding randomized cash drops has existed in the online poker industry for years. However, it was Phil Galfond’s upstart Run It Once Poker who pioneered the idea of dropping randomized cash prizes as a permanent cash game feature under the moniker “Splash the Pot” back in 2019, it was PokerStars who used this tactic for its milestone promotions over a decade ago.
Other competitors, such as Unibet and Winamax, have also used this for their dedicated time-gated promotions.
It can be seen as adding a way to create an exciting dynamic to the game as it adds extra elements of fun and skill. It encourages action and also acts as a bot deterrent.
- 100% up to $1,000 on your first deposit
- Quality live dealer action
- Exclusive progressive slots
The format has become a popular tool for operators to award prizes to their players, and BetMGM has become the latest online poker room to join the trend. The network also deployed Hot Tables in the Ontario regulated market.
After Run It Once debuted the format, GGPoker joined the bandwagon with its own take under the name Cash Drops. French online poker room Winamax launched a similar feature called Hold-Up. partypoker — part of the BetMGM Poker Network — followed suit, establishing the format in April 2021 under the moniker Hot Tables.
BetMGM, which uses partypoker’s software to run its operations, becomes the first operator to introduce the format in the regulated US market. Run It Once Poker, which is eyeing a US launch with BetRivers branding, will probably become the second US online poker operator with such a feature.
