Held for the first time in the year 2002, the Party Poker Million was won by Kathy Liebert. She took away the first prize that amounted to no less than a whooping 1 Million!. Other players also got to share in some of the additional winnings which amounted to $300,000. Three online players at Party Poker were also skillful enough to win part of this money.
Online Qualification
100 poker players qualified by playing at Party Poker and depositing $22. They received an entrance ticket to the Party Poker Million Finals on board the Elation. They also received accommodations for two on this Carnival Cruise ship.
The Party Poker Million Final
In the final round, Phil Hellmuth (a former world champion) played against another Kathy Liebert and a surprise entry - Berj Kacherian, who entered through the Party Poker online site. The prize up for grabs was a staggering $1,000,000. In a twist of fate, the favourite to win Hellmuth came in third, while the online qualifier came in second and Liebert took away her first million.
Prize Winners at the Party Poker Million I
| Position: |
Name: |
Cash Won: |
| 1 |
Kathy Liebert |
$1,000,000 |
| 2 |
Berj Kacherian |
$93,600 |
| 3 |
Phil Hellmuth |
$62,400 |
| 4 |
Bruce Yamron |
$46,800 |
| 5 |
Scot Buller |
$37,440 |
| 6 |
Chris Ferguson |
$24,960 |
| 7 |
Mike Yuwiler |
$18,720 |
| 8 |
Ken Flaton |
$15,600 |
| 9 |
Mel Judah |
$12,480 |
More on the Fabulous Poker Tournament
Leaving Los Angeles on the 10th of March, Mike Sexton offered the players complimentary drinks, food, gifts and entertainment at a special private party on board the Elation. And later on in the night - the fun began. New players mingled with older more professional players such as Johnny Chan, Tom McEvoy, Huck Seed, T.J. Cloutier, Marsha Wagonner, Barbara Enright, Men "The Master" Nguyen, Brian Saltus, Ken Flaton, Barry Shulman, David Chiu and Phil Ivey.
The 1st Party Poker Million was not only Party Poker's first poker tournament, it was also the first major poker tournament won by a woman. Party Poker successfully carried out the transformation from an online poker room to an offline major tournament that drew a wide range of poker players. Due to its success, Party Poker decided to have another one - and up till today - there have been four tournaments.