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The Lions of the East poker tournament arrives at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City on Oct. 13, bringing eight additional starting flights to a cross-property event offering a $2 million guaranteed prize pool.
The tournament opened Oct. 7 at MGM National Harbor in Maryland, where eight qualifying flights concluded Oct. 12. Players advancing from either casino will reunite at Borgata on Oct. 18 for Day 2.
The event advertises a $600 buy-in, including a voluntary $30 staff add-on. Its two-casino format gives players multiple opportunities to qualify before the remaining field competes for the guaranteed prize pool.
$85 in Tournament Tickets on Deposit
100% Deposit Match up to $1,000
21+. NJ Only. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
$85 in Tournament Tickets on Deposit
100% Deposit Match up to $1,000
21+. NJ Only. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Borgata opens eight poker starting flights
Borgata hosts eight starting flights from Oct. 13-17, following eight at MGM National Harbor from Oct. 7-12.
The Atlantic City schedule is:
- Day 1A:Â Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 10:15 a.m.
- Day 1B:Â Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 10:15 a.m.
- Day 1C:Â Thursday, Oct. 15, at 10:15 a.m.
- Day 1D:Â Thursday, Oct. 15, at 5:15 p.m.
- Day 1E:Â Friday, Oct. 16, at 10:15 a.m.
- Day 1F:Â Friday, Oct. 16, at 5:15 p.m.
- Day 1G:Â Saturday, Oct. 17, at 10:15 a.m.
- Day 1H:Â Saturday, Oct. 17, at 5:15 p.m. (turbo)
The advertised $600 entry consists of $500 toward the prize pool, a $70 registration fee and a voluntary $30 staff add-on. Players purchasing the add-on receive 15,000 additional tournament chips, increasing their starting stack from 20,000 to 35,000.
Borgata says the staff gratuity goes directly to tournament personnel. The casino no longer withholds a percentage of the prize pool for dealer gratuities.
With $500 contributed per entry, the tournament would need 4,000 entries to cover its $2 million guarantee through buy-ins alone.
Registration and re-entry rules explained
Registration opens at 9 a.m. for each Borgata starting flight and closes at the beginning of Level 13. Players can register at the casino’s designated poker registration area or through the BetMGM Poker app.
Unlimited re-entries are permitted for players eliminated during the first 12 levels. Participants may also enter multiple starting flights, but only their largest qualifying stack advances to Day 2. Each additional qualifying stack earns a $1,200 payout.
Standard blind levels last 30 minutes through Level 24 and increase to 40 minutes beginning with Level 25. The final Borgata flight on Oct. 17 uses a turbo format with 20-minute levels. Players receive a 15-minute break approximately every two hours.
Each starting flight concludes when approximately 8% of its field remains. Payouts begin when the field reaches approximately 12.5% of entries, rounded down, with each Day 1 payout worth $1,200.
Players must be at least 21 years old and hold an MGM Rewards card. Registration fees are nonrefundable, and winners must present valid identification to collect their prizes.
Day 2 brings qualifiers to Borgata
Qualifiers from both Atlantic City casinos return to Borgata on Sunday, Oct. 18, at noon. Play continues until three tables remain or 12 hours have elapsed. If necessary, a third day will determine the winner.
Day 2 payouts will be finalized after all Day 1 flights conclude. Tournament staff will redraw seating at the end of each playing day and for the final table, with random table-breaking order used once five tables remain.
Every Day 2 qualifier receives a custom BetMGM Poker jersey representing the property where they advanced, along with a two-night hotel stay at Borgata for Oct. 17-18. Applicable taxes and resort fees are the player’s responsibility, with checkout scheduled for Oct. 19.
The event follows Tournament Directors Association rules, and tournament director decisions are final. Players residing outside the United States may face withholding on gross winnings exceeding $5,000, with buy-ins aggregated for tax reporting purposes.
Sunday Lion’s Stack adds $50K guarantee
Borgata’s tournament schedule also features the Sunday Lion’s Stack on Oct. 18 at 1:15 p.m., offering a separate $50,000 guaranteed prize pool.
The no-limit Texas hold’em event advertises a $400 buy-in, comprising $350 toward the prize pool, a $35 registration fee and a voluntary $15 staff add-on.
Participants begin with 20,000 chips, increasing to 30,000 with the add-on. Blind levels last 25 minutes, with unlimited re-entries permitted during the first 10 levels. Registration closes at the beginning of Level 11, and approximately 12.5% of the field will receive payouts.
The side event begins just over an hour after Lions of the East qualifiers return for Day 2, giving poker players another opportunity to compete for guaranteed prize money at Borgata.
