Daily Recap: Darren Elias Starts Series by Winning Event #1: $500 Kick-Off ($12,925)
The first day of the inaugural BetMGM Poker Online Championships commenced on Sept. 15 with Event #1: $500 Kick-Off No-Limit Hold'em and saw plenty of action and big winners across New Jersey, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
In Michigan, "Pollan" took down the Kick-Off event for $14,281. The Kick-Off event in Michigan drew 103 entrants to generate a prize pool of $48,410, smashing the guaranteed $35,000.
"Pollan" defeated heads-up opponent "TwoColorDeck," who in turn took home $8,423, while other players who made deep runs include "FlipWitnEdge" (3rd - $6,051), "LotLyzard" (4th - $4,551) and "ErikBachman" (5th - $3,510).
In New Jersey, BetMGM Poker ambassador Darren Elias took down the Kick-Off event to win the top prize of $12,925, not a bad start to the series for the "End Boss."
In Pennsylvania, meanwhile, it was "Until_Wilted" who emerged victorious to take home the top prize of $10,030.
Next up on the schedule in the BetMGM Poker Online Championship is Event #2: $250 PKO on Sept. 16.
MI #1: $500 Kick-Off No-Limit Hold'em
| PLACE | PLAYER | PRIZE | |
| 1 | "Pollan" | $14,281 | |
| 2 | "TwoColorDeck" | $8,423 | |
| 3 | "FlipWitnEdge" | $6,051 | |
| 4 | "LotLyzard" | $4,551 | |
| 5 | "ErikBachman" | $3,510 | |
| 6 | "Craddock13" | $2,614 | |
| 7 | "sirbluffsalot" | $1,985 | |
| 8 | "ivegotstylkid" | $1,525 | |
| 9 | Jason "krushurdreams" Johnson | $1,113 |