Darren Elias' "End Boss Poker Series" BetMGM

Darren Elias' "End Boss Poker Series" BetMGM
Day: 1

Darren Elias' The End Boss Poker Series" on BetMGM is Officially Underway!

Darren Elias End Boss
Darren Elias End Boss

From November 23-28, Darren Elias will host an online poker series dubbed "The End Boss Poker Series" on the BetMGM platform in a trio of states — Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Given player pools are not yet combined, each state will hold its own online series.

Each day, BetMGM will host one tournament with buy-ins ranging from $150 to $1,060. All told, there is more than $750,000 in guaranteed prize pools across all three states. Elias is known as an "end boss" himself, at least on the World Poker Tour (WPT) where he holds the record with four titles and 12 final table appearances.

Elias plans to participate throughout the New Jersey series, and if you knock him out in the $150K GTD Main Event Tournament on November 28, you will earn a free 3-day/2-night stay at the Borgata in Atlantic City. Additionally, the winner of the Main Event, you’ll receive a free entry into a special New Year Knockout Tournament.

“We’re thrilled to introduce The End Boss Poker Series to our players," said BetMGM Director of Poker Luke Staudenmaier. "During the development process, we worked closely with Darren, a poker legend, to ensure that the series was accessible to those celebrating the holiday weekend and created with the entire partypoker US Network in mind, from our recreational players to our most competitive players.”

Learn more & download to play:

New Jersey: https://poker.nj.betmgm.com

Pennsylvania: https://poker.pa.betmgm.com

Michigan: https://poker.mi.betmgm.com

Learn about End Boss Poker Series on PokerNews Podcast

Elias Gives Us the Details

PokerNews presenter Lara Neacy interviewed the WPT G.O.A.T. during the 2021 World Series of Poker (WSOP) to discuss his new poker series.

"It's an online series on BetMGM and the partypoker network in the U.S.," Elias said. "It will be available in three states at the same time. We're already running satellites. I think we're going to have 40 to 50 satellite players in each state in the Main Event."

The Main Event, a $150,000 guaranteed no-limit hold'em tournament, will take place November 28 and costs $1,000 to enter. Each of the three states will have a separate but similar tournament running daily during the series. Over the course of seven events in six days, the End Boss series promises to award at least $750,000 in prize money.

To participate in The End Boss Poker Series, players must be physically located in New Jersey (BetMGM Poker, Borgata Poker, partypoker NJ), Pennsylvania (BetMGM Poker, Borgata Poker), or Michigan (BetMGM Poker). There will be a variety of tournament qualifiers and satellites for players to win their way into The End Boss Poker Series, starting as low as $5. Any player that participates in the Series will be invited to a December freeroll that will award entries into a special New Year Knockout PKO tournament.

End Boss Poker Series Schedule

DateTime (ET)TournamentGuarantee
11/237:00 p.m.Event #1 $535 8-Max NLH$40,000
11/247:00 p.m.Event #2 $215 8-Max PLO$20,000
11/257:00 p.m.Event #3 $320 8-Max Progressive Knockout Bounty$25,000
11/267:00 p.m.Event #4 $215 Friday Night Freezeout$15,000
11/275:00 p.m.Event #5 $535 Saturday 6-Max NLH$40,000
11/285:00 p.m.Event #6 $1,060 Main Event 8-Max NLH$150,000
11/287:00 p.m.Event #7 $215 Second Chance 8-Max NLH$25,000

As mentioned above, players in New Jersey will have an opportunity to compete against Elias in these online poker tournaments. And players in all three states will compete for a separate "End Boss" award, handed out to the top overall performer during the series, which includes a special entry into a New Year Knockout PKO tournament.

PokerNews will provide daily recaps of the End Boss series events.

"georgejanssen" Claims End Boss Michigan Event #3: $20K GTD PKO 8-Max Bounty Title

On Thursday, players in the Wolverine State were treated to "The End Boss Poker Series" $320 buy-in Event #3: $20K GTD PKO 8-Max Bounty. The tournament attracted 60 runners, which meant $11,000 from the prize pool went to the regular pool while $9,000 went to the bounty pool.

The tournament ran for 5 hours and 42 minutes, and when the dust settled it was "georgejanssen" besting "GoadPoker" in heads-up play to win the title for $2,806.10 plus the $2,967.20 PKO bounty for a total payday of $5,773.30.

End Boss Michigan Event #3 Final Table Results

PlacePlaceBountyPrizeTotal Payout
1"georgejanssen"$2,967.20$2,806.10$5,773.30
2"GoadPoker"$1,107.18$2,803.90$3,911.08
3"Garbanzo"$862.50$1,903$2,765.50
4"Kyler80"$1,078.12$1,182.50$2,260.62
5"Treeguy88"$112.50$858$970.50
6"JuicyGetJuice"$206.25$627$833.25
7"farmhand"$187.50$462$649.50
8"LouisD60"$0$357.50$357.50

Only the final table of eight got paid a part of the regular prize pool, but several others claimed bounties including "Ama0410" ($300), "Fluffhead" ($187.50), and "coNNB" ($318.75), just to name a few.

Event #4: $215 Friday Freezeout 8-Max RE begins at 7 p.m. ET on the Michigan poker site and features a $10,000 guaranteed prize pool. The End Boss Poker Series is also running in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and will conclude November 28.

Here's a look at those who've captured End Boss Poker Series titles thus far in Michigan:

DateStateTournamentEntriesPrize PoolWinnerPrize
11/23/21MIEvent #1: $535 No-Limit Hold'em62$31,000"JBird401"$8,162
11/24/21MIEvent #2: $215 Pot-Limit Omaha69$15,000"ALLforOne1forALL"$3,949
11/25/21MIEvent #3: $320 8-Max Bounty60$20,000"georgejanssen"$5,773.30

Forlenza, Vanauken & Dodd Final Table End Boss New Jersey Event #3: $25K GTD PKO 8-Max Bounty

Ryan Dodd
Ryan Dodd

On Thursday, players in the Garden State State competed in "The End Boss Poker Series" $320 buy-in Event #3: $25K GTD PKO 8-Max Bounty, which drew 58 entrants and saw the $25,000 prize pool split with $16,300 going to the regular pool and $8,700 to the bounty pool.

The tournament ran for 4 hours and 37 minutes, and saw "Cashmncs" and "szajbus_jeden" make it to heads-up play. By doing so, each locked up $4,154.87 in prize money but had to battle for the even bigger $4,359.38 PKO bounty. The former ultimately prevailed for a total payday of $8,517.51.

End Boss New Jersey Event #3 Final Table Results

PlacePlaceBountyPrizeTotal Payout
1"Cshmncs"$4,359.38$4,158.13$8,517.51
2"szajbus_jeden"$506.25$4.154.87$4,661.12
3"pay4medsc00l"$562.50$2,819.90$3,382.40
4John "Slapshot1085" Forlenza$309.37$1,752.25$2,061.62
5"wxg5316068"$150$1,271.40$1,421.40
6Eric “alwaysliquid” Vanauken$206.25$929.10$1,135.35
7Ryan "Whosyourdoddy" Dodd$712.50$684.60$1,397.10
8"CryBaby"$0$529.75$529.75

Others to claim some bounties and make some money were Daniel “leinad” Buzgon ($75), Angel "chromeking" Lopez ($112.50), and "ScarletRaptor" ($225). BetMGM Ambassador Darren "Darren_Elias" Elias competed in the tournament but neither cashed nor claimed any bounties.

Event #4: $215 Friday Freezeout 8-Max RE begins at 7 p.m. ET on the New Jersey poker site and features a $15,000 guaranteed prize pool. The End Boss Poker Series is also running in Pennsylvania and Michigan, and will conclude November 28.

End Boss NJ
End Boss NJ

Here's a look at those who've captured End Boss Poker Series titles thus far in New Jersey:

DateStateTournamentEntriesPrize PoolWinnerPrize
11/23/21NJEvent #1: $535 No-Limit Hold'em89$44,500"Cholie"$13,906
11/24/21NJEvent #2: $215 Pot-Limit Omaha76$20,000"gary_kos"$6,566
11/25/21NJEvent #3: $320 8-Max PKO Bounty58$25,000"Cshmncs"$8,517.51

Tags: Ryan Dodd

End Boss Pennsylvania Event #3: $20K GTD PKO Bounty Ends in Heads-Up Deal

On Thursday, players in the Keystone State competed in "The End Boss Poker Series" $320 buy-in Event #3: $20K GTD PKO Bounty, which drew 44 entrants and saw the $20,000 prize pool split with $13,400 going to the regular pool and $6,600 to the bounty pool.

The tournament ran for 5 hours and 47 minutes and saw "ZetaPoker" and "NitWithTrix" make it to heads-up play. By doing so, each locked up $3,751.72 in prize money but had to battle for a big PKO bounty. The duo ultimately opted to strike a deal that saw "ZetaPoker" claim the title and $1,256.25 from the bounty for a total payday of $5,008.54, while "NitWithTrix" finished as runner-up but got more as $2,048.44 from the bounty deal earned them a total payout of $5,800.16,

End Boss Pennsylvania Event #3 Final Table Results

PlacePlaceBountyPrizeTotal Payout
1"ZetaPoker"$1,256.25$3,752.29$5,008.54*
2"NitWithTrix"$2,048.44$3,751.72$5,800.16*
3"moontime"$510.94$2,546$3,056.94
4"Do_psychedelics"$300$1,474$1,774
5"Krayzie777"$0$1,072$1,072
6"davelower2"$337.50$804$1,141.50

*Denotes heads-up deal.

Others to make a little money by collecting bounties were "Globglogabgalab" ($459.37), "SouthPenn" ($393.75), "Until_Wilted" ($112.50), "Crypto1010" ($150), and "Nessmuk" ($225).

[B]Event #4: $215 Friday Freezeout 8-Max R/B] begins at 7 p.m. ET on the Pennsylvania poker site and features a $10,000 guaranteed prize pool. [B][URL="https://www.pokernews.com/news/2021/11/darren-elias-betmgm-poker-series-40258.htm"]The End Boss Poker Series[/URL][/B] is also running in New Jersey and Michigan, and will conclude November 28.

Here's a look at those who've captured End Boss Poker Series titles thus far in Pennsylvania:

[TABLE width="100"]
*Date State Tournament Entries Prize Pool Winner Prize*
11/23/21 PA Event #1: $535 No-Limit Hold'em 65 $32,500 "TwinSpin" $8,557
11/24/21 PA Event #2: $215 Pot-Limit Omaha 52 $15,000 "moontime" $4,481
11/25/21 PA Event #3: $320 8-Max PKO Bounty 44 $20,000 "ZetaPoker" $5,008.54[/TABLE]

"Cuz1455" Wins End Boss Michigan Event #4: $10K GTD Friday Freezeout 8-Max RE

On Friday, players in the Wolverine State were treated to "The End Boss Poker Series" $215 buy-in Event #4: $10K GTD Friday Freezeout 8-Max RE. The tournament attracted 53 runners, which surpassed the guarantee with a $10,600 prize pool.

After "Lauren S" was eliminated on the bubble in 11th place, the prize pool was paid out amongst the top 10 finishers. Those to cash but fall short of the final table were "chases-" (9th - $324.46) and "Littlelady420" (10th - $324.46).

"georgejanssen", who on Thursday night won Event #3: $320 8-Max Bounty, was looking to go back-to-back, but ultimately came up short finishing in sixth place for $646.60.

The tournament ran for 4 hours and 41 minutes, and saw "Cuz1455" defeated "mangocoin" in heads-up play to win the title and $3,167.08 first-place prize.

End Boss Michigan Event #4 Final Table Results

PlacePlacePrize
1"Cuz1455"$3,167.08
2"mangocoin"$1,908
3"aardvark555"$1,378
4"Wamboozler"$1,060
5"rkellyisback"$837.40
6"georgejanssen"$646.60
7"Maintainen"$530
8"Chase777"$424

On Saturday, Event #5: $535 6-Max NL RE begins at 7 p.m. ET on the Michigan poker site and features a $30,000 guaranteed prize pool. The End Boss Poker Series is also running in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and will conclude November 28.

Here's a look at those who've captured End Boss Poker Series titles thus far in Michigan:

DateStateTournamentEntriesPrize PoolWinnerPrize
11/23/21MIEvent #1: $535 No-Limit Hold'em62$31,000"JBird401"$8,162
11/24/21MIEvent #2: $215 Pot-Limit Omaha69$15,000"ALLforOne1forALL"$3,949
11/25/21MIEvent #3: $320 8-Max Bounty60$20,000"georgejanssen"$5,773.30
11/26/21MIEvent #4: $215 Friday Freezeout 8-Max RE53$10,600"Cuz1455"$3,167.08

John "Slapshot1085" Forlenza Makes Back-to-Back End Boss Final Tables in New Jersey

On Friday, players in the Garden State State competed in "The End Boss Poker Series" $215 buy-in Event #4: $15K GTD Freezeout 8-Max NLH, which drew 77 entrants who generated a $15,400 prize pool paid out to the top 10 finishers. BetMGM Ambassador Darren "Darren_Elias" Elias didn't even come close to the money in this particular event after busting in 43rd place.

After "SLHalper13" busted on the bubble in 11th place, two more had to go before the final table was set. Those wound up being "Lanfeust" and "imperator3", who fell in 10th and 9th place respectively for $355.74 apiece.

For the second night in a row,John "Slapshot1085" Forlenza was at the final table, but his quest at his first "End Boss" title came to an end in sixth place, good for $870.10. From there, "BigL_Eazy7" (5th - $1,170.40), "DixonKuntz" (4th - $1,555.40), and "Edsebo" (3rd - $2,017.40) all fell before heads-up play.

It took 6 hours and 12 minutes of play before "stiltwalk1974" defeated "ndirish50" to win the tournament for a $5,055.82 payday.

End Boss New Jersey Event #4 Final Table Results

PlacePlacePrize
1"stiltwalk1974"$5,055.82
2"ndirish50"$2,849
3"Edsebo"$2,017.40
4"DixonKuntz"$1,555.40
5"BigL_Eazy7"$1,170.40
6John "Slapshot1085" Forlenza$870.10
7"audidriver"$669.90
8"La_Flama_Blanca"$500.50

On Saturday, Event #5: $535 6-Max NLH begins at 7 p.m. ET on the New Jersey poker site and features a whopping $40,000 guaranteed prize pool. The End Boss Poker Series is also running in Pennsylvania and Michigan, and will conclude November 28.

Here's a look at those who've captured End Boss Poker Series titles thus far in New Jersey:

DateStateTournamentEntriesPrize PoolWinnerPrize
11/23/21NJEvent #1: $535 No-Limit Hold'em89$44,500"Cholie"$13,906
11/24/21NJEvent #2: $215 Pot-Limit Omaha76$20,000"gary_kos"$6,566
11/25/21NJEvent #3: $320 8-Max PKO Bounty58$25,000"Cshmncs"$8,517.51
11/26/21NJEvent #4: $215 Freezeout 8-Max NLH77$15,400"stiltwalk1974"$5,055.82

"Tbb1798" Victorious in End Boss Pennsylvania Event #4: $10K GTD Freezeout 8-Max

On Friday, players in the Keystone State competed in "The End Boss Poker Series" $215 buy-in Event #4: $10K GTD Freezeout 8-Max, which drew 39 entrants and saw the $10,000 prize pool paid out to the final table of eight.

Among those to participate but fail to cash were "GusMansen", "LilNubbers", and bubble boy "Johnybliz", just to name a few.

The tournament ran for 4 hours and 51 minutes and saw "Tbb1798" defeat "No Tilt Pls" in heads-up play to claim the title and $3,324.60 first-place prize.

End Boss Pennsylvania Event #4 Final Table Results

PlacePlacePrize
1"Tbb1798"$3,324.60
2"No Tilt Pls"$1,950
3"Nessmuk"$1,350
4"TheSunRunner"$1,050
5"Globglogabgalab"$800
6"CleggsOnGG"$620
7"NitWithTrix"$500
8"Vince DeMarco"$405.40

On Saturday, Event #5: $535 6-Max NLH begins at 7 p.m. ET on the Pennsylvania poker site and features a $30,000 guaranteed prize pool. The End Boss Poker Series is also running in New Jersey and Michigan, and will conclude November 28.

Here's a look at those who've captured End Boss Poker Series titles thus far in Pennsylvania:

DateStateTournamentEntriesPrize PoolWinnerPrize
11/23/21PAEvent #1: $535 No-Limit Hold'em65$32,500"TwinSpin"$8,557
11/24/21PAEvent #2: $215 Pot-Limit Omaha52$15,000"moontime"$4,481
11/25/21PAEvent #3: $320 8-Max PKO Bounty44$20,000"ZetaPoker"$5,008.54
11/26/21PAEvent #4: $215 Freezeout 8-Max NLH39$10,000"Tbb1798"$3,324.60

"Vmendi123" Wins End Boss Michigan Event #5: $30K GTD Saturday 6-Max RE

On Saturday, "The End Boss Poker Series" $535 buy-in Event #5: $30K GTD Saturday 6-Max RE was offered to players in Michigan. The tournament attracted 68 runners, which surpassed the guarantee with a $34,000 prize pool.

"georgejanssen" was looking for his third End Boss final table in a row but came up short by leaving empty-handed in 14th place. Only the final table of seven got paid, which meant "Pepbuz" was the bubble boy after busting in eighth place.

Among those to cash were "sportfreak25" (7th - $1,530), "Live4" (5th - $2,652), and "Turkeyspanka" (3rd - $4,675). It took 6 hours and 34 minutes of play, but eventually "Vmendi123" bested "TheDuke8605" in heads-up play to win the tournament for $12,954.

End Boss Michigan Event #5 Final Table Results

PlacePlacePrize
1"Vmendi123"$12,954
2"TheDuke8605"$6,715
3"Turkeyspanka"$4,675
4"suspectdevice"$3,485
5"Live4"$2,652
6"mattchewy77"$1,989
7"sportfreak25"$1,530

On Sunday, the $1,060 buy-in Event #6: $100K GTD Main Event 8-Max NLH begins at 5 p.m. ET on the Michigan poker site followed by the $215 buy-in Event #7: $20K GTD Second Chance 8-Max at 7 p.m. ET.

URL="https://www.pokernews.com/news/2021/11/darren-elias-betmgm-poker-series-40258.htm"]The End Boss Poker Series[/URL][/B] is also running in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and will conclude November 28.

Here's a look at those who've captured End Boss Poker Series titles thus far in Michigan:

DateStateTournamentEntriesPrize PoolWinnerPrize
11/23/21MIEvent #1: $535 No-Limit Hold'em62$31,000"JBird401"$8,162
11/24/21MIEvent #2: $215 Pot-Limit Omaha69$15,000"ALLforOne1forALL"$3,949
11/25/21MIEvent #3: $320 8-Max Bounty60$20,000"georgejanssen"$5,773.30
11/26/21MIEvent #4: $215 Friday Freezeout 8-Max RE53$10,600"Cuz1455"$3,167.08
11/27/21MIEvent #5: $535 Saturday 6-Max NL RE68$34,000Vmendi123$12,954

Darren Elias Finished 3rd in End Boss NJ Event #5: $535 Saturday 6-Max NL RE

Darren Elias
Darren Elias

On Saturday, "The End Boss Poker Series" continued in New Jersey with the $535 buy-in Event #5: $40K GTD Saturday 6-Max NL RE, a tournament that attracted 68 runners. That meant the $40,000 prize pool was paid out to the top nine finishers.

Among those to compete but fail to cash were Michael "Gags30" Gagliano, Anthony "supremetny" Chin. and Don "dhimp20" Himpele, who was the bubble boy after falling in 10th place.

Ryan “simlSgg” Hagerty's excellent 2021 continued with an End Boss final table appearance where he ultimately finished in eighth place for $1,200. Meanwhile, BetMGM Ambassador Darren Elias, who helped design "The End Boss Poker Series," had his best finish to date taking third place for $5,600.

After 6 hours and 53 minutes, it was "ZenRead" defeating "Core4" in heads-up play to win the tournament for $11,770.40.

End Boss New Jersey Event #5 Final Results

PlacePlacePrize
1"ZenRead"$11,770.40
2"Core4"$9,589.61
3Darren "Darren_Elias" Elias$5,600
4"s2rtt"$4,160
5"MBohmerwald23"$3,120
6"MYSTICMOUNTAIN"$2,160
7"jdd17"$1,200
8Ryan “simlSgg” Hagerty$1,200
9"ROCK64"$1,200

On Sunday, the $1,060 buy-in Event #6: $150K GTD 8-Max NLH Main Event will get underway at 5 p.m. ET followed by the $215 buy-in Event #7: $25K GTD Second Chance 8-Max NLH two hours later at 7 p.m. ET.

The End Boss Poker Series is also running in Pennsylvania and Michigan, and will conclude November 28.

End Boss NJ
End Boss NJ

Here's a look at those who've captured End Boss Poker Series titles thus far in New Jersey:

DateStateTournamentEntriesPrize PoolWinnerPrize
11/23/21NJEvent #1: $535 No-Limit Hold'em89$44,500"Cholie"$13,906
11/24/21NJEvent #2: $215 Pot-Limit Omaha76$20,000"gary_kos"$6,566
11/25/21NJEvent #3: $320 8-Max PKO Bounty58$25,000"Cshmncs"$8,517.51
11/26/21NJEvent #4: $215 Freezeout 8-Max NLH77$15,400"stiltwalk1974"$5,055.82
11/27/21NJEvent #5: $535 Saturday 6-Max NL RE68$40,000"ZenRead"$11,770.40

Tags: Darren Elias

"Grand River 570" Wins End Boss PA Event #5: $535 6-Max NLH

On Saturday, players in Pennsylvania competed in The End Boss Poker Series Event #5: $535 6-Max NLH, a tournament that attracted 54 entrants and offered up a $30,000 prize pool to the top 10 finishers.

Among those to cash after "SammyParadise99" bubbled in 11th place were Aubrey "RiverMeDaddy" Williams (9th - $918.30), "Abelnator" (6th - $1,830), and "BigAndBlind77" (4th - $3,000).

After "johnny_civ" bowed out in third place for $3,900, the title came down to "Love2Lose22" and "Grand River 570". After nearly six hours of play, the latter came out on top to the tune of $8,963.40/

End Boss Pennsylvania Event #5 Final Results

PlacePlacePrize
1"Grand River 570"$8,963.40
2"Love2Lose22"$5,400
3"johnny_civ"$3,900
4"BigAndBlind77"$3,000
5"TenTenWalnut"$2,370
6"Abelnator"$1,830
7"CaptainLevi"$1,500
8"TheSunRunner"$1,200
9Aubrey "RiverMeDaddy" Williams$918.30
10"CleggsOnGG"$918.30

On Sunday, the $1,060 buy-in Event #6: $100K GTD Main Event will get underway at 5 p.m. ET followed by the $215 buy-in Event #7: Second Chance $20K GTD 8-Max NLH two hours later at 7 p.m. ET. The End Boss Poker Series is also running in New Jersey and Michigan, and will conclude November 28.

Here's a look at those who've captured End Boss Poker Series titles thus far in Pennsylvania:

DateStateTournamentEntriesPrize PoolWinnerPrize
11/23/21PAEvent #1: $535 No-Limit Hold'em65$32,500"TwinSpin"$8,557
11/24/21PAEvent #2: $215 Pot-Limit Omaha52$15,000"moontime"$4,481
11/25/21PAEvent #3: $320 8-Max PKO Bounty44$20,000"ZetaPoker"$5,008.54
11/26/21PAEvent #4: $215 Freezeout 8-Max NLH39$10,000"Tbb1798"$3,324.60
11/27/21PAEvent #5: $535 Saturday 6-Max NL RE54$30,000"Grand River 570"$8,963.40