MONTE-CARLO, Monaco, Nov. 22, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Just six players remain in the world's most exclusive poker tournament, the Monte Carlo Millions www.montecarlomillions.com. With the $1 million first prize at stake, today's finalists will be the first-ever poker players to duke it out in the Casino de Monte-Carlo on the opulent tables of one of the world's oldest and most glamorous casinos. The $3 million prize pool guaranteed by the Prima Network will be up for grabs among top players hailing from the United States, United Kingdom and Sweden.
# Player Name Chip Count 1 Phil Ivey $2,317,000 2 Richard Herbert $ 908,000 3 Paul Jackson $ 809,000 4 Marc Goodwin $ 681,000 5 Bengt Sonnert $ 582,000 6 Kenna James $ 310,000 7 Monte Carlo Gold Winner $ 160,000
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2108
As world travelers know, the Casino de Monte-Carlo is located in the heart of Monte-Carlo on Casino Square, and has been a favorite gambling site of kings and queens, industrialists, writers and artists -- not to mention James Bond in "Never Say Never Again." It is perhaps one of the last places on earth where a sense of history, occasion and grandeur still envelops the hopeful gambler. All who enter the casino seek out the luck of Louis XIV, as players are encouraged to touch the knee of his horse on the equestrian statue at the front of the Hotel de Paris before entering.
"It's been an amazing tournament so far and this final grouping of players is an extraordinary match of wits, skills and bravado that's worthy of the most spectacular casino in the world," said Tournament Director Matt Savage. "In more than a century, no one has ever played poker in the casino and no finer tournament than the Monte Carlo Millions could be the first to bring the game within its hallowed halls."
With one day left to go before the final table, more than 100 players gathered today to play in the Monte Carlo Gold tournament. The winner will take the last seat at the final table, and the chance for its million dollar first prize. Buzz and speculation continue as the field narrows with every hour, as players ask, "Who will win the Monte Carlo Millions 2005?"
Keep up with the minute-by-minute action at http://www.montecarlomillions.com/blog05d3a.php, home of the official live blog of the tournament.
Photo is also available at NewsCom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.
About The Prima Network
The Prima Network is the world's largest online poker network. Powered by Microgaming software, the leading developer of Internet gaming systems, Prima licenses to more than thirty operators worldwide to form a global poker network. The Prima Network ensures that a critical mass of online poker players and a wide variety of games and tournaments are available at all times. Sought by online poker players and operators, the Prima Network symbolizes quality, representing the highest standards in online poker play, fairness, and credibility. For more information, please visit www.primapoker.net.
