BetMGM Poker Darren Elias’ Journey From PA To Stardom

Darren Elias is likely one of the finest poker gamers on the planet. His profession earnings are north of $11.2 million and he’s competing within the BetMGM Poker Championship at Aria Resort & On line casino in Las Vegas from June 9-13.

Elias is collaborating within the $2 million event with 13 World Poker Tour ultimate tables and a file four-time World Poker Champion designation to his resume.

Elias was born within the Boston space, however moved round continuously rising up. Now that Elias is a well known poker participant, he can look again to his Erie, PA days when he received his poker begin beating buddies from highschool.

Darren Elias’ love of poker began throughout highschool years in Pennsylvania

A giant a part of Elias’ poker inspiration got here from watching Chris Smith, often known as Chris Moneymaker, win the Foremost Occasion on the 2003 World Collection of Poker (WSOP). Smith turned the primary world champion to win the WSOP Foremost Occasion after qualifying via a web based poker website. Smith has been credited with revolutionizing the sport of poker after his historic win.

Elias started enjoying together with his associates within the basement of his home as a junior whereas attending McDowell Excessive Faculty in Erie. He and his associates competed in 10-to-25-cent No Restrict or a $5 Sit and Go. Although beating highschool buddies isn’t an enormous accomplishment, Elias knew he had one thing.

“I at all times loved it somewhat greater than all people else and I at all times received,” Elias mentioned. “I noticed I had some expertise.”

Elias began enjoying small stakes No Restrict on-line together with his associates and observed, as soon as once more, he performed greater than everybody else. He in the end began to search out success whereas in school.

In Elias’ sophomore yr at College of Redlands, he began competing in larger stakes video games and received six figures in a event.

“I performed water polo and swimming, so I used to be fairly sports-focused in school,” Elias defined. “After I began having success in poker, I shifted my focus and began taking poker extra significantly. I used to be lacking observe and going to Vegas, enjoying EPT (European Poker Tour), Monte Carlo, and I went to Australia. I used to be taking all these journeys in school to chase my poker goals.”

Due to the quite a few poker excursions in school, it took Elias an additional yr to get his diploma in Artistic Writing.

“It made my mother and father glad, in case I went broke. They wished me to have a level,” Elias mentioned, half-joking.

Elias acknowledged he by no means received a job after school, and continued his skilled poker profession.

BetMGM Poker Championship at Aria particulars

Aria Resort & On line casino in Las Vegas is internet hosting the BetMGM Poker Championship for a second straight yr. The event is scheduled through the 2023 Aria Poker Basic, which supplies BetMGM six straight days of poker motion. The occasion begins on June 8 with a Thriller Bounty occasion. The ultimate desk on June 13 shall be reside streamed from PokerGO Studio.

BetMGM Poker is sending 148 whole gamers who certified on-line to Aria to compete within the championship. Will O’Connor, BetMGM Senior Supervisor of Poker Advertising, included an $800 Thriller Bounty, along with the $3,500 championship entry.

“Gamers, regardless of the place they’re from, are beginning to love that thriller bounty idea,” O’Connor mentioned. “Including that to the entire participant expertise and prize pool, along with final yr’s bundle, is unquestionably a step in the precise course.”

Final yr, BetMGM despatched 66 gamers to Vegas. O’Connor attributes the rise in numbers this yr to a greater promotional suite and event schedule.

Elias completed sixth in final yr’s competitors.

How BetMGM Poker has grown since partnering with Elias

Elias works with BetMGM to assist develop the sport of poker, particularly in regulated states reminiscent of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Michigan. He represents BetMGM on the many occasions he competes in and likewise takes half in promotional duties whereas appearing as a advisor for BetMGM gamers.

“Throughout the final 2.5 years, the steps and evolution of BetMGM turning into an actual participant within the reside or omnichannel area and having Darren be the chief of that cost, from a headline advertising and marketing perspective, has been the most important change,” O’Connor mentioned.

O’Connor additionally talked about Elias enjoying within the largest occasions and sharing his experiences with BetMGM gamers has been immeasurable. One in every of Elias’ favourite duties is rising the partnership between BetMGM and its branded retail casinos throughout the nation. By doing so, one among Elias’ targets is merging the web product with the retail casinos. Having occasions such because the BetMGM Poker Championship is doing simply that.

“We try to construct these premier, reside poker tournaments like we’ve occurring this week,” Elias mentioned. “After I got here on [in 2021], this was a dream and didn’t actually exist. Over the previous few years, it’s come to fruition and it’s solely going to develop from right here.”

Elias resides in Eagles nation

Elias lives in Medford, New Jersey together with his household when he’s not touring enjoying poker. He mentioned he’s going to play in about 12-15 occasions this summer time.

When Elias isn’t enjoying poker, he’s huge on smoking meats. Because the unofficial begin to summer time requires some grilling, Elias mentioned he likes cooking ribs and wings. He’s within the strategy of studying brisket.

Since his spouse is a vegetarian, he’s both smoking the meat for himself or his neighbors.

“[My neighbors] are 100% Eagles savages. It’s principally Philly,” Elias mentioned.

He famous he retains his roots in Boston, and is a Patriots fan. Nevertheless, it’s good of Elias to share his meals with Eagles followers.

Elias will attempt to make his neighborhood, household and everybody who helps him proud as he appears to be like to earn extra poker {hardware} this summer time.