Borgata Fall Poker Open 2026: Full Schedule, $4M Guarantees & Main Event

The Borgata Fall Poker Open 2026 officially begins November 4, bringing two weeks of tournament poker and more than $4 million in advertised guarantees to Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Running through November 17 at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, the festival features major No-Limit Hold’em championships, smaller multi-flight events, mixed-game tournaments, online qualifiers, and a special BetMGM Hybrid Championship that begins online and concludes at a live final table.

Four tournaments headline the live schedule: the $600 Fall Deepstack Kick Off with $1 million guaranteed, the $350 Mini-Main with $500,000 guaranteed, the $600 Fall Half-a-Milly Almighty with $500,000 guaranteed, and the $2,700 Championship with another $1 million guaranteed.

However, players do not need to enter a four-figure tournament to participate. Smaller events are available throughout the series, and BetMGM Poker is offering online qualifiers starting at $25 for selected championships.

The festival also brings Allen Kessler’s Chainsaw Mixed Series of Poker to Borgata, with dedicated H.O.R.S.E., Omaha Hi-Lo, Stud, T.O.R.S.E. and other mixed-game tournaments.

One of the most unusual events is the $500 BetMGM Fall Poker Hybrid Championship. Its opening stage takes place online on November 8, before the final seven players compete live at Borgata on November 13.

Here’s the complete guide to the Borgata Fall Poker Open 2026 schedule, guaranteed prize pools, tournament formats, online satellites, eligibility requirements and important registration rules.

Borgata Fall Poker Open 2026: Dates, Location and Guarantees

The 2026 Borgata Fall Poker Open takes place from Wednesday, November 4, through Tuesday, November 17.

The live tournaments are hosted at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, while eligible BetMGM Poker players can also participate in designated online events and qualifiers.

According to BetMGM’s official festival announcement, the program combines more than $4 million in guarantees with mixed games, special qualifiers, online tournaments and additional promotional opportunities.

Borgata Fall Poker Open at a Glance

All listed live tournament times are local Eastern Time.

The advertised guarantees apply to individual tournaments or to the festival as a whole, not to prizes guaranteed to every entrant.

Borgata Fall Poker Open November 4 Opening-Day Schedule

The festival opens with multiple events on Wednesday, November 4.

Players can choose between the $1 million guaranteed Kickoff, the first flight of the Mini-Main, an Omaha Hi-Lo tournament, a Bankroll Builder and a milestone qualifier.

Wednesday, November 4: Full Opening Schedule

The opening-day schedule is confirmed by PokerNews’ official festival preview and the published Borgata tournament calendar.

Some tournaments have additional starting flights or later final stages. A tournament appearing on November 4 does not necessarily mean its champion will be crowned that evening.

Borgata Fall Poker Open 2026 Main Tournament Schedule

The principal schedule features Hold’em tournaments across several buy-in levels, including major multi-day championships, short-handed events, bounty tournaments and age- or eligibility-specific competitions.

Main Events and Guarantees

A dash means no specific guarantee is listed in the cited festival overview, not that the event has no prize pool.

Multi-day tournaments are listed by their first scheduled date.

$600 Fall Deepstack Kick Off: $1 Million Guaranteed

The festival begins with one of its biggest prize-pool guarantees.

Event #1, the $600 Fall Deepstack Kick Off, offers a $1 million guaranteed prize pool.

The tournament features six starting flights across November 4–6.

Surviving players return for Day 2 on November 7, and the championship is scheduled to conclude November 8.

Fall Deepstack Kick Off Schedule

The six-flight structure gives eligible players more than one opportunity to attempt qualification.

However, the total number of entries permitted and other registration conditions depend on the individual tournament structure.

The $1 million guarantee is not the guaranteed first-place prize.

Instead, it represents the tournament’s minimum advertised prize pool under the applicable rules.

$350 Mini-Main: 17 Starting Flights and $500,000 Guaranteed

For players looking for a smaller entry fee, the Mini-Main is one of the most important events on the schedule.

The tournament has a $350 buy-in and a $500,000 guarantee.

It offers 17 starting flights from November 4 through November 16, with surviving players returning for Day 2 on November 17.

How Does the Borgata Mini-Main Work?

Each starting flight provides an opportunity to advance to the final day.

According to the published rules, players may make one re-entry per flight.

That means the event does not permit unlimited re-entries into the same starting flight.

However, players may have access to other starting flights under the tournament’s conditions.

Another important feature is that players who successfully bag chips at the end of a starting flight will already be in the money.

Mini-Main Key Rules

This structure is different from a conventional tournament where everyone starts at the same time and only reaches the money during the final session.

However, qualifying for Day 2 does not guarantee a particular final-table payout.

Players should check how the event handles multiple qualifying stacks and its full prize schedule before registering.

Our Re-entry Poker Tournament Guide explains how multiple entries affect tournament decisions and total costs.

$600 Fall Half-a-Milly Almighty: Another $500K Guarantee

The Fall Half-a-Milly Almighty begins November 9.

It features a $600 entry fee and a $500,000 guaranteed prize pool.

Six starting flights are scheduled across November 9–11.

The field then returns for Day 2 on November 12, with the final day scheduled for November 13.

According to the official BetMGM preview, the November 11 flights also include a special reduced-rake arrangement for eligible U.S. military service members in connection with Veterans Day.

However, that promotion has its own eligibility conditions and should not be treated as a discount available to every entrant.

$2,700 Borgata Fall Poker Open Championship: $1 Million Guaranteed

The festival’s flagship Championship begins Friday, November 13.

Event #22 carries a $2,700 buy-in and a $1 million guaranteed prize pool.

Two starting flights are scheduled for November 13 and November 14.

Surviving players combine for Day 2 on November 15.

Featured-table coverage is scheduled for November 16, followed by a live-streamed final table on November 17.

Borgata Championship Schedule

When Does Registration Close?

One of the most important Championship rules concerns late registration.

The published structure states that registration closes after Level 8.

There is no Day 2 registration.

Therefore, players cannot assume they can arrive on November 15 and buy directly into the second day.

Anyone planning to enter should review the available Day 1 flights and registration windows in advance.

For a broader explanation of the consequences of entering tournaments late, read our Late Registration Strategy Guide.

Is the $1 Million Guarantee the Winner’s Prize?

No.

The $1 million guarantee refers to the tournament prize pool.

The eventual first-place prize depends on the final number of entries and the tournament’s payout structure.

It would therefore be misleading to claim that the Championship winner is guaranteed to receive $1 million personally.

BetMGM Fall Poker Hybrid Championship: Online Start, Live Final Table

One of the festival’s most distinctive events is the $500 BetMGM Fall Poker Hybrid Championship.

The tournament begins online on Sunday, November 8.

After the online stage reaches its final seven players, those finalists are scheduled to compete in person at Borgata on Friday, November 13.

The event advertises a $100,000 guaranteed prize pool.

According to Borgata Online’s official promotion, each qualifying finalist receives a two-night hotel stay and a travel credit.

Hybrid Championship Details

However, winning a seat in an online qualifier and qualifying for the actual live final table are separate achievements.

Participants must also meet the applicable BetMGM Poker account and geographic eligibility requirements.

Do You Need to Be in New Jersey to Enter Online?

Real-money online poker participation is subject to BetMGM’s regulated-market and location requirements.

For the New Jersey online events covered in the festival schedule, players must satisfy the operator’s applicable New Jersey eligibility and geolocation conditions.

Simply holding a BetMGM account or living elsewhere in the United States does not automatically qualify someone to play from an unsupported location.

Also, anyone who reaches the Hybrid Championship’s live final table must be able to participate in person under the tournament’s conditions.

BetMGM Online Tournament Schedule During Borgata Fall Poker Open

Beyond the Hybrid Championship, BetMGM is hosting additional online tournaments during the festival.

The most frequent is the $100 Fall Poker Nightly C-Note, running each evening from November 4 through November 17.

According to PokerNews, each Nightly C-Note carries a $30,000 guarantee.

Online Events

*Published sources differ on the Fall Poker High Roller guarantee: the BetMGM preview lists $50,000, while PokerNews lists $55,000. Check the live BetMGM tournament lobby for the authoritative figure before registering.

The Nightly C-Note is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time each evening.

Because these events are online, their participation rules are different from simply entering a live tournament at Borgata.

Chainsaw Mixed Series of Poker: 11 Events at Borgata

The November festival also features the Chainsaw Mixed Series of Poker, associated with professional poker player Allen “The Chainsaw” Kessler.

The series emphasizes poker variants beyond standard No-Limit Hold’em.

According to Poker.org’s November 4 coverage, the Chainsaw series is making its Borgata debut and introduces custom trophies and a dedicated Player of the Series competition.

Chainsaw Mixed Series Schedule

The H.O.R.S.E. Championship advertises a $25,000 guarantee, while the T.O.R.S.E. Championship advertises $35,000 guaranteed.

Other events have their own applicable payouts and structures.

What Is Mixed-Game Poker?

Mixed-game tournaments rotate among different poker variants rather than using the same game for the entire event.

For example, H.O.R.S.E. traditionally rotates through Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven-Card Stud and Stud Hi-Lo.

Other mixed formats can introduce different draw or split-pot games.

However, players should review each tournament’s official game rotation before registering, because the name of the format determines the games and rules used.

Our Beginner’s Blueprint to Mixed Games explains the fundamentals of Stud, Razz and related variants.

Bar Poker Open: November 12–16

Another component of the festival is the Bar Poker Open.

Running November 12–16, this section provides several relatively modest-buy-in events and a separate Championship.

Most of the scheduled side events are open to the public, but the Bar Poker Open Championship itself is invitation-only.

Selected Bar Poker Open Events

Players should not assume that paying the entry fee for an ordinary Bar Poker Open side event provides eligibility for the separate invitation-only Championship.

That Championship has its own qualification requirements.

How to Qualify for Borgata Fall Poker Open Through BetMGM

Players interested in the larger live events do not necessarily need to pay the full tournament entry fee directly.

BetMGM Poker is offering online qualifiers and satellites for several major tournaments.

Its published schedule includes qualifying tournaments for the Kickoff, Mini-Main, Almighty and Championship.

Selected Online Qualifier Buy-Ins

Smaller feeder satellites may also be available for certain qualifiers.

However, entering a $25 qualifier does not guarantee winning a $350 tournament seat.

Each satellite has its own rules, seat allocation and eligibility conditions.

Do Qualifier Packages Include Travel Credit?

Borgata Online advertises packages that combine tournament entry with travel credit and promotional merchandise.

However, the exact value and conditions depend on the qualifier.

For example, a Championship package may differ substantially from a Mini-Main package.

Players should verify the prize description and applicable dates in the current tournament lobby.

Some published promotional pages contain inconsistent event-date information, so it is particularly important to cross-check packages against the official November 4–17 festival schedule before making travel arrangements.

What Is a Milestone Qualifier?

The Borgata schedule also features live milestone qualifiers.

These are special satellite tournaments in which players compete for tournament seats or packages.

The published schedule includes a $475 Borgata Big 4 qualifier on November 4, with a one-in-ten package structure described by BetMGM.

For example, the Big 4 package is designed to provide seats to the Kickoff, Mini-Main, Almighty and Championship events.

However, the exact way seats are awarded depends on the qualifying tournament’s structure and final field size.

Read our Poker Satellites Guide to understand the difference between qualifying for a seat and winning ordinary cash prize money.

BetMGM Deep, Deeper, Deepest Series: November 8–10

BetMGM is also sponsoring a three-event deepstack promotion during the festival.

The tournaments take place on consecutive days with increasing buy-ins.

BetMGM describes an additional promotional opportunity involving up to $25,000 in bonus money for qualifying participation across all three events.

However, participation in the three tournaments is not the same as a guaranteed personal $25,000 award.

Players should review the promotion’s eligibility and award structure before entering.

How to Register for Borgata Fall Poker Open 2026

Players entering live tournaments should confirm the event’s location, registration period, buy-in breakdown and applicable identification requirements.

Borgata’s poker information page states that tournament participants must be at least 21 years old.

It also requires an MGM Rewards card for participation and valid identification for prize payments.

Live Tournament Registration Checklist

1. Review the official Borgata Fall Poker Open schedule.
2. Select the tournament and starting flight you want to enter.
3. Check the event’s registration opening and closing times.
4. Bring valid identification.
5. Obtain or confirm your MGM Rewards account.
6. Review the entry fee and any optional add-on components.
7. Confirm the available payment and registration methods.
8. Arrive with enough time to complete the required procedures.

Some tournament buy-ins shown on the published schedule include an optional add-on component.

Therefore, players should check the individual structure sheet for the exact breakdown rather than assuming the entire listed amount enters the prize pool.

For the official information and current tournament links, visit the Borgata Poker Room website.

Which Borgata Fall Poker Open Tournament Should You Choose?

The best event depends on your familiarity with the game, available time, entry budget and personal preferences.

A player who enjoys traditional No-Limit Hold’em may prefer the Kickoff, Mini-Main or Championship.

Someone interested in several poker variants may prefer the Chainsaw Mixed Series.

Meanwhile, players using BetMGM Poker may find the Hybrid Championship particularly interesting because it connects online tournament play with a live final table.

Event Selection Comparison

No event is guaranteed to be profitable for a particular participant.

For example, a lower buy-in reduces the cost of one entry but does not eliminate tournament variance.

Likewise, choosing a tournament with a larger guarantee does not automatically improve an individual’s chance of reaching the final table.

Our Poker Bankroll Requirements Guide explains why tournament costs and financial exposure matter.

What Is the Difference Between a Tournament Guarantee and a Prize Pool?

Many Borgata events advertise large guaranteed prize pools.

However, a guarantee is not the same as the eventual total paid in prizes.

For example, consider a hypothetical tournament with a $500,000 guarantee.

If eligible entry contributions generate $550,000, the prize pool may increase beyond the guarantee.

If eligible contributions reach only $450,000, the organizer may need to cover the $50,000 shortfall under the applicable guarantee rules.

This shortfall is commonly called an overlay.

However, there is no reason to assume the Borgata events will have overlays simply because they advertise guarantees.

The final result can only be assessed once the relevant entries and prize-pool figures are known.

Can Players Make Deals at Borgata Final Tables?

Tournament deals, sometimes known as chops, are arrangements in which qualifying remaining players agree to redistribute some or all of the remaining prizes under permitted rules.

However, whether a deal is allowed depends on the individual tournament and venue procedures.

The existence of a large guaranteed prize pool does not automatically establish that players may make any deal they want.

If a deal is permitted, participants should understand how it changes the original payout distribution.

Our Poker Tournament Deals and ICM Chops Guide explains the relevant considerations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Borgata Fall Poker Open 2026

When does the Borgata Fall Poker Open 2026 start?

The live tournament festival begins Wednesday, November 4, 2026.

When does Borgata Fall Poker Open end?

The scheduled final day is Tuesday, November 17, 2026.

Where is the Borgata Fall Poker Open held?

Live events take place at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

How much money is guaranteed?

The festival advertises more than $4 million in combined guaranteed prize pools across its live and online program.

What is the Borgata Fall Poker Open Main Event buy-in?

The flagship Championship has a $2,700 buy-in and a $1 million guaranteed prize pool.

When does the $2,700 Championship begin?

Its first starting flight is scheduled for November 13, with a second flight November 14.

When is the Championship final table?

The final table is scheduled for November 17, with a livestream planned.

Can I register for the Championship on Day 2?

No. Published rules state that registration closes after Level 8 and there is no Day 2 registration.

How much is the Fall Deepstack Kickoff?

The buy-in is $600, with $1 million guaranteed. Six opening flights run November 4–6.

How many starting flights does the Mini-Main have?

The $350 Mini-Main has 17 starting flights from November 4 through November 16.

When is Mini-Main Day 2?

Day 2 is scheduled for November 17. Players who successfully advance from Day 1 are already in the money under the published structure.

How many times can I re-enter the Mini-Main?

The published rules permit one re-entry per starting flight, subject to the applicable registration conditions.

What is the Borgata Almighty guarantee?

The $600 Fall Half-a-Milly Almighty advertises a $500,000 guaranteed prize pool.

Does the festival have Omaha tournaments?

Yes. It includes Omaha Hi-Lo, Pot-Limit Omaha and other mixed-game events through the Chainsaw Mixed Series and the main schedule.

What is the Chainsaw Mixed Series?

It is a group of 11 mixed-game tournaments associated with Allen Kessler, featuring different poker variants and a Player of the Series competition.

What is the BetMGM Hybrid Championship?

It is a $500 tournament with a $100,000 guarantee. The online stage takes place November 8, and the final seven players are scheduled to compete live at Borgata on November 13.

Do Hybrid Championship finalists receive travel assistance?

Borgata advertises a two-night hotel stay and travel credit for the seven live finalists, subject to the tournament’s conditions.

Can I qualify for Borgata through online satellites?

Yes. BetMGM advertises qualifiers for selected live events, including Mini-Main qualifiers beginning at $25.

Are the $25 qualifiers guaranteed to award a seat to every player?

No. Qualifying tournaments award seats or packages based on their published structure. Paying the entry fee does not guarantee winning a seat.

Does Borgata have a Ladies Championship?

Yes. A $300 Ladies Championship with $25,000 guaranteed is scheduled for November 15.

Is there a Seniors Championship?

Yes. A $365 Seniors Championship for players aged 50 or older, with $50,000 guaranteed, is scheduled for November 8.

Can I play BetMGM online tournaments from anywhere?

No. Real-money online participation depends on the operator’s regulated-market, account, age and geolocation conditions. The New Jersey festival’s online events require applicable New Jersey eligibility.

How old do I need to be to play at Borgata?

Borgata states that tournament participants must be at least 21 years old and meet its identification and registration requirements.

Where can I find the official Borgata schedule?

Visit the official BetMGM Borgata Fall Poker Open page or the Borgata Poker website for schedules and event information.

Final Thoughts: Two Weeks of Poker and More Than $4 Million Guaranteed

The Borgata Fall Poker Open 2026 brings a varied live and online poker schedule to Atlantic City from November 4 through November 17.

Four major events headline the festival: the $600 Deepstack Kickoff, $350 Mini-Main, $600 Almighty and $2,700 Championship.

Together, those four tournaments advertise $3 million in guarantees, with additional events contributing to the festival’s overall $4 million-plus promotional total.

Players interested in non-Hold’em formats also have a substantial selection through Allen Kessler’s Chainsaw Mixed Series of Poker.

The BetMGM Hybrid Championship adds another distinctive element, allowing eligible online participants to attempt to qualify for a televised live final table at Borgata.

Meanwhile, online satellites provide alternative qualification paths for players who do not want to pay a major tournament’s full entry fee directly.

However, a satellite entry is not a guaranteed seat, a tournament guarantee is not a guaranteed individual payout, and every event has its own registration and eligibility conditions.

Players should confirm the latest schedule, buy-in breakdown, tournament structure and permitted entry methods before participating.

The key takeaway: The 2026 Borgata Fall Poker Open opens November 4 with more than $4 million in advertised guarantees, including two $1 million headline tournaments, a 17-flight Mini-Main, mixed-game championships and an online-to-live BetMGM Hybrid event.

Editorial note: This article is written from the perspective of November 4, 2026, using the official BetMGM and Borgata announcements and the published tournament schedule. Tournament results after that date are not included. Published schedules and promotional terms may change. Participants must meet applicable age and location requirements. Poker tournaments involve financial risk, and prizes or positive returns are not guaranteed.