Summer is always an exciting time of the year to be a poker player, and one of my favorite events of the season has quickly become the BetMGM Championship at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. At a $3,500 entry fee, the BetMGM Poker Championship is affordable enough for lower stakes players to take a shot, but with over half a million dollars for first place, this event also draws in a number of top professional players. 

Last year’s event saw over 1,000 players vying for the coveted championship with the winner taking home a whopping $560,442. BetMGM and ARIA have even upped the ante this year with a $3 Million Guarantee, setting the stage for a record-breaking field.

The Perfect Setting For Serious Poker

One of the reasons I’m so fond of this event is that it’s hosted at ARIA, one of my favorite properties to play poker. I’ve enjoyed playing at ARIA since its debut in late 2009. In addition to being a gorgeous, clean, and comfortable space, Paul Campbell, Candace Everse, and the rest of the ARIA dealers and staff do a top notch job providing a world-class experience for the players. 

Another perk for the BetMGM Poker Championship will be the use of the esteemed PokerGO Studio for play on the later days. As the premiere venue for poker in my opinion, the PokerGo Studio regularly plays host to the highest stakes cash games and tournaments in the world, including events like the Super High Roller Bowl. Players lucky enough to advance to Day 3 of the BetMGM Poker Championship will have the added treat of playing out the remainder of their tournament in the Studio.

The tournament itself will be a four-day event with two starting days on June 7 and June 8 playing down ultimately to the final table live-streamed from the PokerGO Studio June 11. Players will enjoy escalating blind levels going from 50 minutes on Day 1 up to 75 minutes on Day 3. As a player, I’ve always enjoyed longer levels deeper in the tournament where the most meaningful play occurs.

While registration is obviously open to the public and anyone can play this event, BetMGM will be sending over 100 online qualifiers from New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania to come out to Las Vegas and try their luck. It’s not too late to win your seat, with qualifiers still running online including $7,000 ARIA Packages that feature entry to the tournament, hotel stay at ARIA during the event, and travel expenses. Make sure you read all the ways to qualify for the BetMGM Poker Championship.

My Favorite Places To Eat at ARIA Resort & Casino

Whether you are one of our online qualifiers staying at ARIA, or just a player passing through for the event, you will have access to some of the best restaurants in Las Vegas. As someone who has spent a lot of time at ARIA over the years, I’ll briefly lay out a few of my top options for a bite to eat during a break in the action. 

For a quick snack, the Posh Burger adjacent to the poker room is a great option if you need something on a 15-minute break. The newly constructed Proper Eats Food Hall on the Promenade Level has an eclectic spread of quicker options as well from around the world. For fine dining, it’s tough to beat a New York-style Italian feast at Carbone or a perfectly cooked steak at Jean-Georges Steakhouse. (But make ARIA restaurant reservations ASAP.)

All in all, the BetMGM Poker Championship is shaping up to be another can’t-miss event in 2024. With the summer providing a number of different choices in venues for tournament poker players, I know for me the totality of a tournament experience goes beyond the number of players and prize pools. 

Feeling comfortable at a venue and knowing I’m in good hands with a competent and well-trained staff is something I value highly when selecting where to play. Thus any chance I can get to play a major tournament at ARIA I’m in, and I hope to see you all there this June. Register at BetMGM Poker to participate.