The festive season is approaching and Partypoker has unwrapped its biggest MTT of the year, Millions Online.
After breaking records in 2018, the Millions Online is back and will serve as another way for Partypoker to one-up its rivals.
Like last year, the guarantee is set at $20 million, but the aim is to beat that total and cement the event’s status as online poker’s richest MTT.
Million Dollar Injection Generates Early Interest
Leading up to the $10,300 tournament, Partypoker introduced a new series of satellites. In November alone, it awarded $1 million worth of tickets.
Ahead of Day 1A on Dec. 1, the promo team added more money to the pot. Anyone that took part in the opening flight had the chance to win an extra $1 million.
As per the rules of engagement, the Day 1A chip leader will bank the bonus prize if they go on to win the Millions Online outright. That offer appeared to have the desired effect, as 709 players anted up during the first session.
After 18, 20-minute levels, 115 players were left in the mix, with jiggidyigjohn leading the way with just over 20 million chips.
The 115 players left from Day 1A now have the chance to top up their winnings if they can clinch the Millions Online title on Dec. 10. With established pros such as Isaac Haxton, Jason Koon, and Anatoly Filatov in the mix, winning will be easier said than done.
With three more opening flights taking place between Dec. 8 and 9, Partypoker bosses expect at least 1,300 more players to buy in.
Partypoker Using Millions Online to Bolster Industry Position
In 2018, Day 1A attracted 1,574 entrants before interest dipped. A final flurry prevented an overlay, but it was touch and go until the end.
Although the number of entries this year is down by more than 50 percent, it’s worth noting that the buy-in has increased from $5,300 to $10,300. Based on that, the current level of interest seems to be in line with what it was in 2018.
While that doesn’t mean an overlay can’t happen, an average of 430 players over the next three Day 1s would fill the $20 million guarantee.
With PokerStars’ grip over the industry weakening in 2019, Partypoker will want more. If it can surpass last year’s efforts, it will send a message to the rest of the community.
As 2020 dawns, online poker’s hierarchy looks less defined than ever. For Partypoker, another successful Millions Online would not only cap off a positive year, but make the site a credible threat to the industry’s top three operators.
