BetMGM Poker Michigan Review 2023

Powered by the internationally respected partypoker software, BetMGM Poker brings a reliable and established poker platform to the Wolverine State. Michigan online poker players can enjoy peace of mind that the games being run are completely fair and regulated, that funds are safe and secure, and that the platform is technically sound.

Creating an account is easy – as is accessing that account on your mobile device – with a fully-featured sportsbook and casino just a few clicks away.

No BetMGM Poker Michigan Review would be complete if we didn’t take a good look at the welcome bonus. And if you’re ready to play online poker for real money in Michigan then you won’t want to miss this one, as it’s one of our favorites!

Why is that? Two reasons: $25 credit on the house, plus a matched 100% deposit bonus up to $600!

That $25 free play includes $10 cash credit and $15 in tournament tickets, and doesn’t even require a deposit! What’s more, for the cash credit to be eligible for withdrawal you only need to play a single raked hand of poker!

The 100% Matched Deposit, up to $600, is similar to offers we’ve seen from other operators, with bonus funds released in increments as you play. You won’t need a bonus code, or to opt-in, as this will be automatically credited when you make your first deposit.

This type of bonus typically rewards higher volume players who play enough to release the bonus in the time period allowed. However, with the addition of the free $25 on the house, this welcome offer really does have something for everyone.

If you play a lot of poker online, BetMGM Poker’s The Grind promo is for you. You don’t need to opt-in, just play poker and earn reward points – known as iRPs – as you go. At the end of the month your iRP total will be converted into a cash reward of up to $6,500 and added to your account. Simple!

Regular leader boards are also available for Sit & Go players, awarding tournament dollars to those who finish high up in the rankings.

One occasional promotion we love is the Fast Cash promo: opt-in to get a cash amount to unlock by earning iRPs, no strings attached.

Creating a new account at BetMGM Poker is refreshingly simple, very fast and allows you to get into the action – using the free $25 ‘house money’ – in super quick time.

Here’s all you’ll need:

• Your name
• Email address
• Physical address
• Phone number
• Social security number 

To claim the 100% matched deposit or make a withdrawal you’ll need to select a payment method, at which point you may be required to provide some additional verification such as ID documents.

If you’ve ever visited a BetMGM casino then you may already be aware of the M life Rewards program. This tiered loyalty program rewards players with all kinds of real-world perks such as personalized offers, dedicated service at BetMGM Sportsbooks, priority hotel check-in and even comped rooms at resorts from Las Vegas to Detroit and beyond.

We’re happy to report that when you play at BetMGM’s Michigan online poker site, you’ll be participating in the M life Rewards program just as you would be if you were gambling in the flesh. This means your online play contributes to an overall account, giving you benefits at resorts across the country as well as online-specific perks such as increased deposit limits and faster withdrawals.

The mobile app makes online poker gambling as easy on mobile as it is on computer. Provided you are within the state of Michigan (which you must be, legally, to take part in these online poker games), you should be able to access all the features of the desktop client using the mobile app.

iOS users can download the app for iPhone or iPad right from the App Store, for free. Android users can download the app directly from the BetMGM Poker website – just head to the ‘How to Play’ page for the download link.

Using the partypoker software which has been so successful across the world was a wise move, as the result is a reliable and secure online poker experience, whether you’re using the desktop or mobile versions.

One feature we really love is the FastForward tables. This allows you to instantly switch tables after you fold, getting dealt a new hand right away. This allows for much more play in less time.

Another thing BetMGM Poker really has going for it is the M life Rewards program. This loyalty scheme can be used for comped rooms, limos, Vegas show tickets, restaurant reservations and more.

When it comes to online poker Texas Hold’em is most people’s go-to game, but it’s always nice to have options. BetMGM does offer some other variants, namely Omaha and Seven Card Stud (as well as hi/lo versions of both), but we’d like to see a few more game variants spread – especially mixed games.

It’s also a shame that, for the moment at least, jackpot Sit & Go’s aren’t available. These fast, short-handed tournaments can provide a great way to win big money in just a few minutes.

Players looking for a ‘quick hit’ of poker action also have fewer promotions to get excited about, as many of the recurring promos involve leader boards which reward high volume play.

Whether it’s cash games or poker tournaments, if you’re looking to play online poker in Michigan BetMGM has seats open right around the clock.

Online poker cash games are available for the following game types: 

• Texas Hold’em

Two hole cards each, five community cards and a whole bunch of mind games make this one of the greatest card games ever devised. Available in no-limit, fixed-limit or pot-limit games. 

• Omaha & Omaha Hi/Lo

This variant of Texas Hold’em sees every player receive 4 hole cards instead of 2, on the condition that they must play exactly two of them. Again, Omaha is available in fixed-limit, no-limit and pot-limit varieties, as well as a Hi/Lo variant where half the pot goes to the best low hand (8-high or better). 

• Seven Card Stud

Players receive 2 hole cards and one ‘up’ – or ‘door’ – card, followed by 3 more up cards and a final hole card, with betting rounds between each deal. Played fixed-limit only, Seven Card Stud is also spread as a Hi/Lo game. 

Cash game stakes range from just $0.01/$0.02 up to $25/$50 for no-limit and pot-limit games, and slightly higher for fixed-limit games. 

The appeal of online poker tournaments lies in the challenge of overcoming an entire field of opponents, as well as the large prizes on offer for those who make it past the bubble.

Tournaments with guaranteed prize pools pay out a certain amount, whether enough players register to cover it or not. The result can be extra value, or even bigger fields and prizes thanks to the guarantee attracting even more players!

The largest guaranteed prize pool regularly available at BetMGM Poker is currently $40,000 (the weekly $215 Network Sunday tournament).

Tournament types include: 

• Heads-up

Maximum two players per table. 

• Standard Multi-Table

Regular multi-table tournaments, paying around 10-20% of the field. Some may offer a period of rebuys or re-entries, while others will be ‘freeze-outs’. 

• Sit & Go

These start as soon as the required number of players have registered. 

• Shootout

Be one of the final 3 remaining players at your table to win a portion of the prize pool and advance to the next round (maximum 4 rounds). 

• Satellite

Perform well to win entry to a larger or more expensive tournament. 

• Knockout / Progressive Knockout

In a knockout tournament you win a fixed cash bounty for every player you eliminate. Progressive knockouts are similar but have rising bounties, as each knockout sees you win part of the bounty with the other part added to your own bounty. 

Daily tournament buy-ins range from $0.25 to $535 (including tournament fees). 

Head for the ‘Tournaments’ section of the software to choose a tournament to play. Make sure you check out the tournament lobby to see what prizes are available, how many players are seated and how big the blinds are (many tournaments offer late registration).

BetMGM currently boasts a daily schedule of 70 multi-table tournaments, not including the many Sit & Go’s available around the clock.

Keep an eye out for special tournament series such as the BetMGM Online Series, where guaranteed prize pools can reach as high as $75,000!

In Michigan online poker players have some of the best poker software at their fingertips, and that includes the offering at BetMGM.

It’s powered by partypoker’s established and successful software, which has been used across partypoker’s international sites for years to help the brand become one of the largest and most successful names in online poker.

If we were being overly critical we might say that the user interface can be a little serious and lacking in fun or color, but that’s a small criticism in the scheme of things.

Ready to play online poker for real money in Michigan? Here’s what you need to know to get money in and out of your account.

Deposits

• Click or tap on your profile pic 
• In the ‘Cashier’ section, hit ‘Deposit’ 
• Select the relevant payment method and the amount you wish to deposit 

• Your deposited funds should be available for instant use  

Withdrawals

• Click or tap on your profile pic 
• In the ‘Cashier’ section, select ‘Withdrawal’ 

• Choose your preferred payment method, the amount you wish to withdraw, and hit ‘Submit’  

All deposit and withdrawal methods are available for both mobile and desktop clients.
Please note that you can only withdraw to a payment method if you have used that method to deposit in the past 180 days.

Customer Support & Help

BetMGM Poker does not offer telephone support or live chat, but thankfully email support is available 24/7, at: [email protected]

Safety, Security and Licensing

In Michigan online poker sites are licensed and regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). This organization protects Michiganders by overseeing online gambling and ensuring players’ interests are protected.

This protection includes inspection of any random number generators (RNGs), as well as making sure games are above board, promotions are straightforward and not misleading, and that player funds are safe and available.

Player data is also protected by 128-bit encryption, provided by Thawte Security.

License and Partnership

BetMGM Poker in Michigan is partnered with the MGM Grand Detroit and Entain/partypoker.

History & Reputation of BetMGM

The history of the MGM brand itself goes all the way back to classic Hollywood. One of the oldest film studios, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) was formed in 1924, becoming one of the most successful studios of its era.

The MGM Grand in Las Vegas opened in 1993, instantly becoming the largest hotel complex in the world.

The history of this organization has made it one of the most recognizable and successful entertainment brands of the past 100 years. It’s this reputation upon which BetMGM is trading, to assure customers that their gaming time at BetMGM will always be safe and fun.

Coupled with the extensive expertise of partypoker, one of the oldest online poker businesses in the world, the result is a product which aims to deliver the most authentic and fun experience to poker players in Michigan.

With decades of experience as a major online poker provider (partypoker), plus even longer as a brand at the forefront of gaming and entertainment (MGM), BetMGM has a lot going for it.

A good range of tourneys, including many with large guaranteed prize pools, is a great attraction for players of online poker tournaments. The Quick Seat function is a similarly appealing tool for online poker cash game players.

So is BetMGM the best there is for online poker players in Michigan?

While there’s more than just Texas Hold’em available, we’d like to see a few more variants on offer – especially when it comes to mixed games like 8-Game Mix or H.O.R.S.E. And while the promotions can be fun, we see more there for serious players who are willing to put in the hours, than recreational players who may not want to play every day.

If these issues are important to you, we’d recommend taking a look at PokerStars MI as an alternative. More game variants, the addition of jackpot sit & go’s, higher available stakes and a good mix of promos may just give PokerStars MI the edge, but at the same time there are certainly positives for BetMGM that can’t be ignored.

The loyalty program, for one, is peerless, and we can’t wait for the day we can get a comped room at the MGM Grand in Detroit thanks to our online poker play!

Finally, the welcome bonus is one of the best we’ve ever seen, and with the ability to use ‘house money’ to try the games out there really is no reason not to give BetMGM a try!