Across the United States, poker players have access to quality poker gaming via tournament series, cash gaming and more. Casino operators often offer tour’s or series in order to provide multiple poker tournaments over a certain time frame. MGM Resorts International is a huge gaming operator that just recently announced a brand new poker tour involving their venues on the East Coast. Known as the East Coast Poker Tour, the ECPT will offer players a chance to compete in quality poker gaming in the US within the operator’s venues located in this region of the nation.
ECPT Details
The ECPT will take place at venues owned by MGM on the Eastern side of the US. These venues include the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City, MGM Springfield in Massachusetts and the MGM National Harbor in Maryland. According to a press release, MGM is using the ECPT as a way to showcase their three industry-leading properties via an excitement tournament series.
During the first five events, players will be able to qualify for a special ECPT leaderboard challenge. The top 90 players on the board will earn a seat to the Borgata Fall Poker Open Championship. MGM will also throw in a two night stay at the venue or these players.
The new tour will also see the five winners of the Main Event plus one randomly selected player given a Championship prize package. According to MGM, at least 100 players will win this special package, so there may be potential for even more players to win entry into this big event.
Tournament Details
The ECPT schedule will kick off in February at the MGM National Harbor. The Potomac Winter Poker Open will take place from February 5th through the 17th. This stop on the tour will include a guaranteed $500,000 championship with a $3,000 buy-in. This is the only stop thus far with a full schedule. During the first ECPT stop, there will be 14 total events taking place.
Next on the schedule is the Borgata Spring Poker Open at the Borgata Casino. This stop will take place from April 7th through the 24th. Players will find a $1 million championship with a $2,700 buy-in. The Borgata will also play host to the next stop, from July 7th through the 24th. The Borgata Summer Poker Open will feature a $1 million championship as well with a $2,700 buy-in.
From July 22nd to August 3rd, the MGM National Harbor will host the Potomac Poker Open, featuring a $1 million championship. This event will have a $3,500 buy-in. MGM Springfield will then host the Armory Classic from August 12th to the 24th while the Borgata hosts again from November 15th through the 20th with the Borgata Fall Poker Open Championship. This stop will feature a $2 million championship with a $3,500 buy-in.
It will be interesting to see how well-received the new ECPT is by poker players, both amateurs and professionals alike. The new tour seems to be providing good value as well as incentives that should see players showing up on the East Coast to take part.
