Monte Carlo Millions
Encyclopedia
The Monte Carlo
Millions was the first ever poker tournament
to be staged in the city-state of Monaco
. The inaugural event was completed on 12 November 2004. Apparently birthed out of the preceding explosion of Texas Hold 'em
popularity, it was conceived of and sponsored by Prima Poker. The field was limited to 80 players and the buy-in was $14,000 USD. A vast majority of the competitors were world famous professionals, with the remainder of the field online satellite winners and lesser known professionals.
The 2004 event was dominated nearly start to finish by the world's top tournament player, Phil Ivey
. With three players remaining, however, he was outdrawn by unheralded Finn Jani "Hellraiser" Sointula
, who would go on to take the title and $400,000 USD first prize after knocking out Ivey.
In November 2005, the second MCM tourney featured a 120 player field and a $25,000 buyin. It featured the largest prize pool in European History: $3 million, with $1 million going to the winner. The tournament was notable for offering the last spot at the final table to the winner of a "second chance" tournament with a field consisting of the players eliminated from the main event. Ivey won the 2005 tournament over Paul "ActionJack" Jackson
. (Ivey went on to win a second single table invitational tournament adjunct to the Monte Carlo Millions the next day).
The Monte Carlo Millions has been broadcast in the UK on Pokerzone
. In the United States the event airs on Fox Sports Net
. In Canada it was broadcast on CGTV (now GameTV).
Monte Carlo Casino
The Monte Carlo Casino is a gambling and entertainment complex located in Monte Carlo, Monaco. It includes a casino, the Grand Théâtre de Monte Carlo, and the office of Les Ballets de Monte Carlo....
Millions was the first ever poker tournament
Poker tournament
A poker tournament is a tournament where players compete by playing poker. It can feature as few as two players playing on a single table , and as many as tens of thousands of players playing on thousands of tables...
to be staged in the city-state of Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
. The inaugural event was completed on 12 November 2004. Apparently birthed out of the preceding explosion of Texas Hold 'em
Texas hold 'em
Texas Hold 'em is a variation of the standard card game of poker. The game consists of two cards being dealt face down to each player and then five community cards being placed face-up by the dealer—a series of three then two additional single cards , with...
popularity, it was conceived of and sponsored by Prima Poker. The field was limited to 80 players and the buy-in was $14,000 USD. A vast majority of the competitors were world famous professionals, with the remainder of the field online satellite winners and lesser known professionals.
The 2004 event was dominated nearly start to finish by the world's top tournament player, Phil Ivey
Phil Ivey
Phillip Dennis "Phil" Ivey Jr. is an American professional poker player who has won eight World Series of Poker bracelets, one World Poker Tour title and appeared at nine World Poker Tour final tables...
. With three players remaining, however, he was outdrawn by unheralded Finn Jani "Hellraiser" Sointula
Jani Sointula
Jani Sointula is a Finnish professional poker player from Helsinki.In November 2004, he won the Monte Carlo Millions, defeating fellow countryman Juha Helppi in the final heads-up confrontation to take home the $400,000 first prize...
, who would go on to take the title and $400,000 USD first prize after knocking out Ivey.
In November 2005, the second MCM tourney featured a 120 player field and a $25,000 buyin. It featured the largest prize pool in European History: $3 million, with $1 million going to the winner. The tournament was notable for offering the last spot at the final table to the winner of a "second chance" tournament with a field consisting of the players eliminated from the main event. Ivey won the 2005 tournament over Paul "ActionJack" Jackson
Paul Jackson (poker player)
Paul "ActionJack" Jackson is an English professional poker player from Birmingham.-Poker career:Jackson started off playing brag and later played blackjack and roulette in casinos...
. (Ivey went on to win a second single table invitational tournament adjunct to the Monte Carlo Millions the next day).
The Monte Carlo Millions has been broadcast in the UK on Pokerzone
Pokerzone
Pokerzone was a channel dedicated to poker, broadcasting on Sky Digital channel 843 since 19 May 2005. Previously known as Game In TV it rebranded on 26 April 2005 and launched the following month....
. In the United States the event airs on Fox Sports Net
Fox Sports Net
The Fox Sports Regional Networks, or simply Fox Sports Net , are a collection of cable TV regional sports networks in the United States owned and operated by News Corporation.- Beginnings :...
. In Canada it was broadcast on CGTV (now GameTV).