Josh Mammen triumphed over Erik Eisen in a thrilling heads-up match to secure the title of the 2026 BetMGM Poker Championship, culminating in an exhilarating final table on July 5 at the ARIA in Las Vegas, which featured a unique five-way chip deal.
The $3,500 buy-in tournament attracted 1,512 participants, generating a prize pool exceeding $4.8 million, comfortably exceeding the $4,000,000 guarantee.
“Kudos to Josh Mammen for an astonishing performance in securing the BetMGM Poker Championship title. From eclipsing the guarantee to the strategic five-way deal at the final table, this event encapsulated the thrill, tension, and community spirit that define tournament poker. Summer in Las Vegas is synonymous with poker, and BetMGM is thrilled to be creating a lasting legacy within that culture,” stated David Mileaf, Director of Poker at BetMGM.
Final Table Standings
- Josh Mammen – $481,180*
- Erik Eisen – $431,180*
- Paul Hofer – $431,180*
- Nick Palma – $431,180*
- Ariel Celestino – $431,180*
- Mike Wilklow – $165,300
- Pavlos Xanthopoulos – $135,300
- Uri Kadosh – $106,500
- Nenad Cvetkovic – $79,935
*Indicates a deal to distribute the remaining prize pool among the top five finishers.
“Congratulations to Josh Mammen on a remarkable achievement in this year’s BetMGM Poker Championship. Achieving beyond the $4 million guarantee and highlighted by a strategic five-way deal at the final stage preceding an exciting heads-up showdown, this event demonstrated the complexity and tactics involved in tournament poker,” remarked Sean McCormack, Executive Director of Poker Strategy & Development at MGM Resorts.
“In contrast to most competitions, tournament poker permits participants to negotiate the distribution of the remaining prize pool, a cherished tradition that introduces another strategic layer to championship gameplay,” McCormack emphasized.
Mammen entered the tournament with lifetime tournament earnings of $83,297. The $481,180 first-place payout boosted his career winnings nearly six-fold.
Online Qualifiers Cash In
Ninety-two players qualified online via BetMGM Poker platforms across New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ontario, securing packages that included entry to the tournament, a five-night stay at ARIA, travel credits, and a BetMGM swag bag.
Six of these qualifiers made it to the payout stage. Connor Boyle secured 24th place, earning $14,000 – the highest finish among this group. Terry Brennan, who clinched his seat through a $5 satellite, achieved his first cash in a live tournament, totaling $12,920.
BetMGM Poker players can earn BetMGM Rewards Points and Tier Credits, which can be redeemed for digital bonuses, MGM Rewards Points, and Marriott Bonvoy Points.