After four weeks of record breaking entries, it is now almost expected that PokerStars will continue to attract record numbers of players from around the world, but most importantly the United States despite recent legislative attempts to hamstring the industry and scare off international companies.
Each week recently the PokerStars Sunday Millions tournament has
brought a new attendance or prize-pool record, and this weekend was
no exception. 6 740 players signed up for the event, generating a
$1 348 000 prize pool, with $188 720 the listed first-place money.
975 players were 'in the money', with player "Legato scooping
the winner's pot.
Over at Full Tilt Poker, event number 2 of the Full Tilt Online Poker
Series had temporarily replaced the usual big-money Sunday tourney,
but the players were still out in force with 3 010 registering for
the $216 No-Limit Hold'em, $500 000 Guarantee. It produced one of
the largest Full Tilt prize funds ever at $602 000. Player "Joskins"
collected the $107 788 first place paycheck.
Ultimate Bet's $200 000 Guaranteed tournament pulled in 946 entrants
who paid $215 each for their chance at a big cash-in at Ultimate Bet,
and with UB's standard guarantee in play, 100 players cashed and the
first prize paid $45 000. "njm3111" added $45 000 to his
(or her) bank balance.
Party Poker, which excludes US players, had a quieter night on its
$200 000 Guaranteed games. 942 players entered, so the standard payout
numbers were in place, including the scheduled $47 000 first-place
prize.
According to PokerSiteScout, the top 5 poker rooms in terms of average real money ring game player counts are (measured at Nov 11):
- PokerStars, 8003.
- Full Tilt Poker,3809.
- Party poker, 3794.
- UltimateBet, 1679.
- Microgaming, 1589.