$10 Million Guaranteed, $1 Million Guaranteed to Winner

Published on March 15th, 2019 10:43 am EST

The very first "Sunday Million" event on Pokerstars took place on March 6th, 2006.

The first 8-9 months of 2006 pretty much represented the peak of the "poker boom". A few months later, Jamie Gold would win the 2006 World Series of Poker, outlasting a massive (and still record) field of 8,772 other players to take home $12 million.

In the fall of 2006, the UIGEA would be introduced into law in the United States, which would result in companies like partypoker withdrawing from the US market. Pokerstars and Full Tilt Poker would remain in the US market, though this move would ultimately result in "Black Friday" taking place.

In March of 2006, Pokerstars was the #2 poker room in the world behind partypoker. It seems crazy to contemplate, especially given how big Pokerstars is now. At the time, Pokerstars was David and partypoker was Goliath, and the "Sunday Million" was seen as a way for Pokerstars to help gain market share.

At the time, Pokerstars was building their brand based on player-friendly promotions and outstanding customer service. Times have changed and Pokerstars' brand has taken a hit in recent years.

At the time, the launch of the "Sunday Million" was a big deal and was supported by many in the online poker community, as a strong competitor to partypoker was desired by many. The first event was a success, with "aaaaaaaa" taking down the tournament to win $173,843.

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Over the past 13 years, Pokerstars has hosted the "Sunday Million" more than 600 times and paid out more than $750 million in total prize money.

To celebrate the 13th anniversary of the event, Pokerstars will be hosting a special edition of the Sunday Million on April 14th.

The tournament will have a guaranteed prize pool of $10 million, with $1 million being guaranteed for the eventual winner.

The buy-in for the event will be increased to $215 temporarily, up from the current level of $109.

Satellites for the tournaments have started on Pokerstars, with daily $15 satellites (with 100 guaranteed seats) being added to the mix on March 25th.

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Source: Pokerstars.com - Announcing the $10M Sunday Million 13th Anniversary edition

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Filed Under: Online Poker Rooms