Mgm National Harbor Poker Room Comps
NOTE: This entry was originally posted on a different site on March 13, 2017 and has been slightly edited prior to re-posting here.
I hate being a hater, but MGM National Harbor’s poker comps system hates me back.
Last week I played poker nearly every day at this new poker room. Overall, it is excellent – spacious, comfortable, lots of action, competent staff and worthy of an overall highly favorable review. I’ll definitely go there again.
$2/hour poker comps. It can only be used for food. It is earned in a separate account from poker comps at other MGM properties and separate from regular casino comps. You have to go to the superviser stand in the back of the room and have them transfer comps to your card to be presented at the restaurant. Sleep Well Gift Giveaway. Friday, December 18 &Saturday, December 19 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. It might be harder to get out of bed when you earn 100 Slot Points or 800 Tier Credits from table play between 6 a.m. On either Friday, December 18 or Saturday, December 19.
Excellent poker room! Lots of bonuses, action, tournaments, and you can always find a good game! I travel and play all over the country and MGM NH is my favorite on the east coast by far! If you want to experience live poker at its finest. This is the place to play. MGM National Harbor Poker Room Overview Part of MGM Casino - National Harbor. The 46-table poker room at MGM National Harbor offers 24/7 live action poker featuring a selection of exciting games, including exclusive high limit games, with seven card stud and draw poker available upon request.
At a comp rate of $2/hour, I earned some decent meal money. Every so often, I get hungry. When I get hungry, I want to eat. The casino has an excellent variety of food options, all at resort prices. To offset MGM’s resort prices, I want to use the comp dollars as much as possible.
Seems simple, right?
If you order food at the table, to eat while still playing poker, it goes like this… Realizing you are hungry, you ask a server for a food menu. The server explains that there are separate food servers, and the beverage servers do not handle food. Look for a server with a purple shirt and black vest. Not seeing any, you ask the dealer if they can help locate a server. No problem says the dealer, and he pressed a button on his control panel beneath the letter F (representing a special 4-letter “F-word,” of course I’m talking about Food) and a light goes on. That should do it. About 20 or 30 minutes later, a food server appears, looking sharp in a purple shirt and black vest. The food menu is limited to a few options from each of the places in a food court, which includes a seafood vendor, fried chicken and donuts vendor, pizza, mexican, sushi, deli, Asian, ice cream shop, and Shake Shack. Except not the Shake Shack or the ice cream shop. And not everything at the other places, just 3 or 4 options from each.
I decide to go with the spring rolls from the Asian place. I give the food server my mLife card (MGM’s customer rewards program is called mLife) and show my ID, and all is good. 40 minutes later, the server returns and asks me if I ordered spring rolls. “Why yes I most certainly did, and I’m really looking forward to them.” “Sorry, they’re out of them. Would you like to see the menu again?” Hungry turns into Hangry. I go for the chicken tenders. Another 40 minutes later it is now nearly 2 full hours after the first hunger pains, my chicken tenders and fries arrive and I don’t really care how they taste. My comps paid for it, and the server returns my mLife card.
For dining at the table, start the process at least an hour before you will be hungry.
But maybe you don’t want to eat at the table. Maybe you want something that isn’t on the limited table service menu, or want to dine at one of the fancier restaurants and not the food court or you really like the Shake Shack.
In that case, you have to go to the poker check-in desk and ask the staff to transfer a portion of your comps balance, which is tracked on your mLife card, to a different category or bin or account which is also tracked on the same mLife card, in order to be able to use it at the food court or any of the fancy restaurants. With a line of people growing behind you, the conversation goes like this:
Poker staff: Where you are going to eat?
Me: I’m not sure… I’m going to walk down to the food court and see what looks good.
Poker staff: OK, that’s called The District. I can do that, as long as you aren’t going to the Shake Shack. If you plan to eat at the Shake Shack, I have to do it one way, because Shake Shack isn’t owned by the casino. For the rest of The District, I have to do it another way.
Me: Are you shitting me?
Poker staff: No. That’s really how we have to do it.
Me: Out of curiosity, what if I wanted to eat at one of the fancy restaurants, like Jose Andres’ place?
Poker staff: Then I have to specify which restaurant, just let me know and I can handle it.
Me: I hear the Shake Shack is really good, but I haven’t been there yet and haven’t even looked at their menu. I guess I’ll pass on that for today and eat somewhere else in the food court.
Poker staff: How many dollars do you want transferred?
Me: I don’t know… I’m still not sure what I’m going to get. Does it matter? If you transfer extra, the unused balance will be available to use later, right?
Poker staff: Wrong. Let’s say I transfer $20. This is only good for one transaction. If you only use $15, the $5 unused portion of your comps is forfeited.
Me: Are you shitting me?
Poker staff: No. If you know what you are going to get and how much it will cost, you can transfer the exact amount. Or you can guess and probably want to guess on the low side so you don’t forfeit any of your comps.
Me: [glance over my shoulder, line is getting longer] Uh… I guess transfer ten bucks and I’ll figure it out. The food court is a couple hundred yards away, and I don’t want to walk down there just to plan my meal so I can walk back over here and wait in line to do this again so I can walk back over there to eat.
Poker staff: You got it, my man. Give me just a few seconds. [He swipes my mLife card through a card reader, enters about the same number of keystrokes as a rental car clerk setting up a new reservation, then swipes my mLife card through a different card reader, a few more keystrokes, a fake smile and off I go.]
It’s clear that the poker room management didn’t design this system themselves. I feel sorry for them. Not every customer is as delightful to deal with as me. The line moves slowly, including mostly players who just want to sign up to get on a waiting list.
The next day, while walking to a restroom, I pass by a glass door with a sign that says Casino Host & Credit. On the way back, I decide to go inside and see if that would be the proper place to provide a little customer feedback. There is a management looking guy standing by the door, wearing a suit and MGM nametag. He looks very official. For purposes of this blog entry, I’ll refer to him as “Vlad.”
I ask Vlad if the casino is interested in hearing feedback from customers about their experience there. Yes, he says. I ask where I should go to provide some, and Vlad says “you can talk to me.” We are not inside the office, but outside the office near slot machines and other gaming. With head-thumping music blaring. Vlad does not invite me into a quieter place to talk.
Trying to explain that I feel sorry for the poker room staff who have to deal with this cumbersome system and resulting hangry customers, and that we’re all frustrated by the lack of integration of the poker comps system with the rest of the casino, I lay out my case. I probably look highly agitated. Partly because there is a very high base noise level and I practically have to shout just to be heard. Partly because I am highly agitated.
When I reach a pause, Vlad responds. First he explains that he has no involvement in running the poker room. He knows their comp system is separate, but doesn’t know how it works, the rate at which comps are earned or any other details whatsoever. But it’s that way because the poker room isn’t profitable and doesn’t make any money for the casino. Then he explains that if it were up to him – and Vlad wants me to know that he’s worked in the casino industry in Atlantic City for over 25 years – there would be no poker room at all. In Vlad’s opinion, poker is a waste of valuable casino space that could make a lot of money if it was used differently.
Translation: Dear customer, if it was up to me, you would not be our customer! So it is OK with me that the part of our business that you patronize is systematically pissing you off.
We actually chat for about 20 more minutes. Vlad isn’t unpleasant; he just knows where he stands and isn’t shy about it.
Mgm National Harbor Poker Room
My points goes like this:
- If it was up to Vlad, there would be no poker room, right? [Vlad: right.]
- But there is a poker room, so that means somebody other than you decided there should be one, right? [Vlad: right.]
- And that makes the poker players in that poker room a subset of all of the customers of this glorious MGM National Harbor Resort & Casino, right? [Vlad: right.]
- The poker room provides comp credits to its players, right? Whatever the formula is, it is a non-zero amount. [Vlad: right.]
- So if you are going to have a poker room and give the players comp dollars, why – when spending $1.2 billion dollars to build this place – would you design a comps system that systematically frustrates the poker room staff as it also systematically pisses off that subset of your customers? [Vlad: uh…]
Vlad gives me a long explanation of comps, how some comp dollars are automatically generated as a by-product of each game based on the amount of time and stakes played, and other comps are awarded at management discretion so he can give some extra meal money to some poor schmuck who loses his entire wad really fast. All of which applies only to the non-poker parts of the casino.
As for the poker room, Vlad maintains that he doesn’t have anything to do with it, doesn’t know how it operates, but a different system is justified based on the bad economics of poker rooms for casinos.
The same approach to using poker room comps is used at all MGM properties. At the Aria or Bellagio, however, you have to go to a different desk and not the player check-in desk, and get a paper voucher for the amount of comp dollars you want to use (or lose). And poker comps earned at one MGM property can only be used at that property – you cannot use Aria poker comps to buy food at Bellagio or MGM Grand and vice versa. It is equally maddening for the players, although not quite as bad as forcing the check-in desk to handle the comps too.
Given MGM’s otherwise strong commitment to poker, with large and active poker rooms in many of their properties (Bellagio and Aria are among the top poker rooms in Las Vegas; MGM National Harbor is now one of the largest poker rooms on the east coast), it is beyond my comprehension that they don’t integrate the poker comps with the rest of the gaming areas. Maryland Live! does. Caesar’s/Harrah’s/Horseshoe does. Other casinos do.
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The Texas holdem poker scene is alive in the state of Maryland.
The recent addition of the MGM National Harbor casino and poker room has only
further strengthened this. While Maryland Live! dominated the poker scene for
several years, they now have tough competition in MGM. But given how the game is
expanding in the state, and the fact that more players will be commuting in from
neighbouring states, this isn’t too much of an issue and there’s certainly
enough demand for both large rooms to be running.
On top of these two premier rooms you’ll also find poker at the Horseshoe
Casino in Baltimore, which is operated by Caesars Entertainment, and the
Hollywood Casino in Perryville. While these are both a little bit smaller than
MGM and Maryland Live! they still offer a wide range of games and always have
some action.
The game of choice in Maryland is no limit Texas holdem. All tournament play
in the below listed poker rooms are in this variant, with only some cash games
tables offering Omaha, limit holdem and mixed games. If you prefer these
variants you’ll need to visit the larger poker rooms on the weekends and when
it’s busier, to ensure there is a suitable game running.
Stakes wise you should be able to find a game that suits your budget. For all
you high rollers out there you’ll find some larger games at Maryland Live! and
MGM, while these rooms, and the others in the state, also offer low stake games
generally starting at $1 / $2 no limit Texas holdem. One of the better things
about poker here is that the buy in ranges are very wide, so you can come into
games with a deep stack so you can extract maximum value if you have a solid
game. This is always a good thing for the player.
Gaming in Maryland is quite common and accepted, with multiple casinos
running in the state as well as lottery, bingo, horse and dog racing, and
raffles. You won’t have to go far to get a taste of gaming with the casinos and
establishment being evenly spread geographically around the state.
The industry is highly regulated though and there’s a stringent permit and
regulation process for operating and running casinos or gaming establishments.
The state has always been supportive of gaming in one form or another, mainly
because they have a long history with horse racing and the fact the Preakness
Stakes is held each year in Baltimore. This is, of course, one of the famed
Triple Crown races and is held on the third Saturday in May each year.
Online Poker
Online poker is not permitted under Maryland law and they have no legislation
in place for organisations to receive a permit to run an online card room out of
the state. This law doesn’t extend to Maryland residents however, and there’s
nothing that specifically states you can’t play at an off shore online poker
room.
Although at the federal level this isn’t really permitted and the government
has held the major sites to account in this respect, you can still play online
although at most reputable sites you’ll be breaching their terms and conditions.
While a simple VPN set up can get you around this, it’s unadvisable and we
wouldn’t recommend you do this.
Not only is it opening you up to a grey area of legislation in the United
States, but you’re also risking the integrity of the games online by doing so.
Due to the relaxed nature of Maryland in respect to live poker games, it’s
likely that in the next few years they may regulate online play, but it’ll take
some time and some other key neighbouring states to take the plunge first.
In general, your prospects are quite good if you live in Maryland and like to
play Texas holdem poker. You have some great rooms in MGM National Harbor and
Maryland Live! and the popularity of the game is still strong.
This means you’ll come across a good mix of professionals, amateurs, and
first time players at the table which always makes things interesting and
ensures that the poker economy is strong. The game will only continue to improve
if they regulate online poker soon and continue to offer great service in the
live rooms.
List of Maryland Poker Rooms
Here is our compiled list of all the poker rooms you can find in the state of
Marlyand:
Hollywood Casino Perryville
- Location: Perryville, Maryland
- Hours: Monday to Thursday from 9am until 5am, Friday to Monday open 24 hours
until Monday at 5am - Tables: 8
- Games: Up to three no limit holdem tournaments are held here each day, with
free-rolls up to $100 buy ins being available, you should be able to find a game
at the right price for you. If you are looking for a cash game you’ll find $1 /
$2, $2 / $5 and $5 / $10 no limit holdem games running here. - Ambience: This poker room features red felt tables against a modern decor.
The room is completely non-smoking and they have TVs on the walls to keep you
entertained while you play. There is plenty of space in the room and it’s
partially separate from the rest of the casino in one corner so you won’t be
distracted too much while you play. - Hospitality: Comps can be earned while you play through the Club Hollywood
program and you’ll also receive cocktail and food service at the table while you
play. They also offer promotions and jackpots including a high hand prize. - Players: The standard of play in this room is decent, somewhere in between
terrible and tough. You’ll usually come across one or two hyper aggressive
players on the table and the rest will be mostly standard players who are in it
for a bit of fun. Dealers and staff in the room are helpful and knowledgeable
and will ensure you are looked after when you play.
Horseshoe Baltimore
Mgm National Harbor Poker Room Comps Buffet
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland
- Hours: 24 hours, 7 days
- Tables: 25
- Games: If you are looking for tournament play you will find at least one, and
sometimes two, no limit holdem events each day. The buy in ranges from $65 up to
$350, depending on the day and time of the event. For the cash players they
spread $1 / $3, $2 / $5, $5 / $10 and $10 / $20 no limit holdem, $3 / $6, $5 /
$10, $10 / $20, $20 / $40, $30 / $60 and $40 / $80 limit holdem and $5 / $10
limit Omaha 8 or better. - Ambience: This no smoking room features TVs on the walls to keep you
entertained between hands and clean and well maintained tables and comfortable
chairs. The green felt tables sits in well with the brown and beige decor in
this modern yet traditional poker room, it’s well-lit and is a really nice place
to play. - Hospitality: This poker room offers a huge number of cash prizes for bad
beats and also high hands. So make sure you check in with room staff on what’s
available when you play. You can earn comps here through the Total Rewards
program, and they’ll also provide you with frequent food and cocktail service so
you need never miss a vital hand during your session. - Players: The dealers in this room are great, and run a fast and accurate
game. Management is OK but they seem to favor regulars a little bit which is a
bit backwards. You’ll find some very loose action in this room which means
you’ll need to bring a solid game and some patience. On weekend evenings the
room is pumping and you’ll be able to find a lot of value in most of the limit
and no limit games.
Maryland Live! Casino at Arundel Mills
- Location: Hanover, Maryland
- Hours: 24 hours, 7 days
- Tables: 52
- Games: You’ll find up to two tournaments every day here except Saturday. The
game is mostly always no limit holdem and the buy in ranges from $100 to $150.
For the cash players out there they spread $1 / $2, $2 / $5, $5 / $10 and $10 /
$25 no limit holdem, $2 / $2, $5 / $5 and $10 / $10 pot limit Omaha high, $4 /
$8 limit Omaha 8 or better, $4 / $8 limit holdem and $8 / $16 mixed games. - Ambience: This no smoking poker room is huge and features clean red felt
tables with brown trim against a modern brown and beige decor. The lighting is
soft and the chairs comfortable which is great for a long session. In the room
itself they also have TVs placed on the walls to keep you entertained between
hands. - Hospitality: Maryland Live! poker room offers players cocktail and food
service at the table while they play, as well as the opportunity to earn comps
at a rate of $1 per hour through the Live! rewards program. They also run a
range of promotions and jackpots including high hand bonuses. - Players: You’ll find some very tough players in this poker room, particularly
in the higher limit games. In the low limits the play will be softer yet very
aggressive, so you’ll need to show some patience and think every hand through in
order to do well. They really do look after the player here and offer some
excellent amenities and services, especially since some stiff competition opened
up. This is one of the premier rooms in Maryland and it’s always a relaxed and
fun place to play.
MGM National Harbor
- Location: Oxon Hill, Maryland
- Hours: 24 hours, 7 days
- Tables: 39
- Games: You’ll find $1 / $3, $2 / $56, $5 / $10, $25 / $50 and $50 / $100 no
limit holdem, $1 / $2, $5 / $5, $5 / $10, $10 / $25, $25 / $50 and $50 / $100
pot limit Omaha high and $10 / $20 and $15 / $30 limit holdem cash games in this
poker room. For the tournament players they run no limit holdem events on
Monday and Wednesday at 11am with a buy in of $120. - Ambience: This brand new non-smoking poker room is well-lit, modern and great
on the eye. It’s a comfortable place to play with TVs on the walls to keep you
entertained between hands and comfortable beige chairs. The light brown and
beige felt tables clash well with the similarly colored walls and carpets. It
feels like you are playing in a coffee themed room which works very nicely, even
though it sounds strange. The room itself is connected to the rest of the main
casino floor so you do get a bit of flow through in respect to noise and foot
traffic. - Hospitality: Comps can be earned at a rate of $2 per hour in all games, and
$3 per hour in time raked games, through the MLife rewards program. While
playing here you will receive food and cocktail service at the table and they
run a series of promotions and jackpots for players including high hand bonuses
and a progressive bad beat jackpot. - Players: This room only opened in late 2016 and they have really hit the
marketplace hard in Maryland. The player pool is still increasing and the games
are becoming more popular here and it’s a great alternative for many who used to
play at Maryland Live!. The standard of play will be quite different depending
upon when you visit, with the games being tougher during the week and loosening
up on the weekend. Dealers and staff here are good and attentive and if you have
played recently at Horseshoe or Maryland Live! you should recognise a few of
these faces.
Conclusion
Maryland is a great place to live if you play Teas holdem and it’s great to
visit for poker play. With two big casino players in the small state and two
other poker rooms you don’t need to travel far to play.