BetMGM Online Qualifier Jack Kwon Turns $400 Satellite into BWPO Championship $407K Finish
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (January 21, 2026) – The Borgata Winter Poker Open Powered by BetMGM delivered a strong start to 2026 poker action. The Borgata Winter Poker Open ran from January 2 through January 18 with 37 main events and was highlighted by a $3,500 Winter Poker Open Championship.
The BWPO Championship offered a $3,000,000 total guaranteed prize pool, attracted 895 entries and paid 119 players. Blake Vodges capped a huge comeback to win the Championship and $437,980 following a heads-up deal with Jack Kwon. Kwon, a BetMGM Poker online qualifier, parlayed winning his seat through a $400 online satellite to a $407,110 second place finish. The Final Table also featured Olivier Busquet, whose $9.3 million career earnings include a 2025 Borgata Summer Poker title.
“Jack Kwon turning a $400 online satellite into a six-figure Final Table payout is why BetMGM invests so heavily in qualification pathways. Events like the Borgata Winter Poker Open, along with the announced slate of 2026 Opens, will continue to underscore BetMGM Poker’s true differentiator -- the bridge between online and live poker.” David Mileaf - Director of Poker at BetMGM
Additional Borgata Winter Poker Open highlights included:
- Approximately 150 players qualified for the BWPO at BetMGM Poker through online satellites.
- Nearly 1,000 BetMGM Poker players used on-site mobile registration to sign up for live BWPO events.
- In the Deepstack Main Event, Akash Hotwani outlasted a field of 4,280 to win $323,775 and his first Borgata/BetMGM trophy.
- Michael Renna topped a field of 4,082 entries to score an Almighty Winter Kick Off and $190,740.
- The $380 Seniors Championship beat its $75,000 guarantee with 387 entries and a final table deal between Michael McGuinness and Michael Chang. McGuinness earned $19,970 and his ninth Borgata title.
- A player hit a royal flush in 2-7 mixed at the BWPO—one of the most unlikely moments in poker, with odds of just 1 in 649,352.
- It drew attention across social media by comparing it to the likelihood of pro sports citywide championship sweeps.
“The Winter Poker Open delivered exceptional competition and strong participation, further cementing Borgata’s reputation as a premier poker destination while setting the stage for a successful year ahead.” Kellie DeCelis - Director of Poker Operations at Borgata
Borgata Poker and BetMGM announced the full 2026 Poker Open schedule powered by BetMGM. The following all come with over $4,000,000 in total guarantees.
- Spring Poker Open: April 22-May 8
- Summer Poker Open: July 15-31
- Fall Poker Open: November 3-17
Poker enthusiasts can recap BWPO action through coverage from Poker.Org, and previously live streamed events on BetMGM’s YouTube channel. All main events for the Borgata Winter Poker Open were reported to the GPI Index & Hendon Mob.
Players can earn BetMGM Rewards Points and Tier Credits by playing at BetMGM Poker. BetMGM Rewards points can be redeemed for digital bonuses, MGM Rewards Points, and Marriott Bonvoy Points.
As BetMGM continues to expand into new markets and introduce new features, responsible gaming remains a key focus. Additionally, BetMGM is proud to provide resources to help customers play responsibly including GameSense, an industry leading program, developed and licensed to MGM Resorts by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. Through the integration within BetMGM’s mobile and desktop platforms, customers can receive the same GameSense experience they have grown to rely on at MGM Resorts properties nationwide. This complements BetMGM’s already existing responsible gambling tools which serve to provide customers with an entertaining and safe digital experience.
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