Maryland Live Casino Poker Room
If you're a US poker player in the Mid-Atlantic, you've probably heard about the action at Maryland Live's poker room. Located just off I-95 between Baltimore and DC, it's become a major hub for cash games and tournaments in the region. But what's it really like to play there, and how does it stack up against online options like BetMGM or Borgata Online? Let's get into the specifics.
What Games and Stakes You'll Find
The Maryland Live poker floor has over 50 tables running consistently. The bread and butter is No-Limit Texas Hold'em. You can reliably find $1/$2 and $2/$5 cash games, with buy-ins typically capped at 100 big blinds. The room also spreads Pot-Limit Omaha, often at $1/$2 stakes, and occasionally mixed games like Seven Card Stud. For tournament players, there's a daily schedule with buy-ins ranging from $100 to $400, featuring guaranteed prize pools that can hit $50,000 on weekends. The 'Big Stack' tournaments on Saturdays are particularly popular.
Promotions and Player Rewards
Your play earns you points on the Live! Rewards card, which can be redeemed for food, hotel stays, or casino credit. The poker room runs specific promos like high hand bonuses that pay out every 30 minutes—sometimes $500 or more for the best hand using both hole cards. They also have bad beat jackpots that frequently climb over $100,000, paid from a drop taken from each pot.
Comparing the Live Experience to Online Poker in Maryland
While you can't play online poker for real money on sites like PokerStars or WSOP.com in Maryland yet, you can play casino games at licensed online casinos like BetMGM Casino and DraftKings Casino. This is a key distinction. At Maryland Live, you're getting the social, tangible experience. Online, you might find a 100% deposit match up to $1,000 with a 15x wager requirement at BetMGM Casino, but you're playing against a random number generator, not reading physical tells. Many players do both: grind online for convenience and hit the live room for the bigger thrill and competition.
Location, Parking, and Amenities
The casino is at 7002 Arundel Mills Circle in Hanover. Parking is free in the massive garage. Once inside, you're not just limited to poker. There's a sportsbook (FanDuel operates it), hundreds of slots, and table games. For food, you have quick options like the Prime Rib Deli or sit-down meals at The Grill. The poker room itself has dedicated servers for drinks.
What First-Time Visitors Need to Know
Bring your ID. You must be 21 to enter and play. The dress code is casual, but avoid offensive graphics. It's a non-smoking environment on the gaming floor. For cash games, you sign up on a digital waitlist at a kiosk or via a phone app—you don't talk to the podium directly. Weekday afternoons are less crowded, while Friday and Saturday nights have the longest waits for popular stakes. Most players use cash to buy chips, but you can also get markers (credit) or use ATM/debit card cash advances for a fee.
FAQ
What's the rake at Maryland Live poker room?
For most cash games, the rake is 10% of the pot, capped at $5. There's also a $1 promotional fee per pot that funds the high hand and bad beat jackpots. So, effectively, you're looking at a total of $6 max taken from each hand.
Can I use my phone at the poker table?
Yes, but with major restrictions. You can't take calls at the table—step away to do that. Texting and browsing are generally allowed, but you cannot have headphones in both ears as you need to be able to hear the dealer. Never point your phone camera at the table or other players' cards.
Do they have poker tournaments every day?
Yes, there is a scheduled tournament every single day. The morning tournaments usually start at 10 AM with lower buy-ins (around $100). The evening tournaments, which are larger, typically start at 6 PM or 7 PM. You can find the full weekly schedule on the Maryland Live Casino website.
What's the best way to get a seat on a busy night?
Use the Bravo Poker Live app. You can see the waitlist for every game and put your name on it before you even leave your house. This can save you an hour or more of waiting around. Just make sure you check in at the podium within the time limit once you arrive, or you'll lose your spot.
Can I play online poker legally in Maryland instead?
Not for real money against other players yet. Maryland has legalized online poker, but the regulatory framework and licenses are still being set up. For now, your legal real-money poker options are physical rooms like Maryland Live or social/sweepstakes poker apps. You can, however, play online casino games at licensed sites like Caesars Palace Online Casino or BetRivers Casino.