London Exec takes record pot
1st Poker Million 2000 16-19 November 2000
 | | The big winner, John Duthie |
Briton John Duthie won what was billed as the world's highest-paying poker tournament, pocketing 1 million pounds sterling in prize money at the Ladbrokes Casino on the Isle of Man.
John Duthie, 42, a TV director from London, outlasted five other finalists at the marathon event that enjoyed massive PR, confirming the game's status as a growing specatator sport. Organizers estimated an audience of 300 million TV viewers worldwide tuned in to the tournament.
The winner had a choice quote after his victory: "All I can say is I hope my wife is watching. She absolutely hates poker."
Participants played for up to 12 hours a day for four days from the starting deal on 16 November, with 20-minute breaks every two hours.
Once Sunday's final began, the last six players were kept in a closed room, forbidden to leave or speak to anyone until each lost his place. Each player had a TV camera trained on him, and smoking and drinking were forbidden at the table.
 Some skeptics had branded the event a massive publicity stunt, with the fat first prize designed to draw the attention of eager amateurs while a top professional won the tournament.
Duthie punched a hole in that theory, and was enough of a surprise that he went unmentioned and unphotographed in most of the event press publicity.
For blow-by-blow coverage of the event, visit the excellent Pokerpages site. Photos thanks to www.pokerpages.com as well.
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1st Poker Million, 16-19 November 2000, Isle of Man
|
| 1. |
John Duthie (England) |
£1,000,000 |
| 2. |
Teddy Tuil (Israel) |
£100,000 |
| 3. |
Ian Dobson (England) |
£50,000 |
| 4. |
Tony Bloom (England) |
£25,000 |
| 5. |
Gary Lent (USA) |
£15,000 |
| 6. |
Barny Boatman (England) |
£14,000 |
| 7. |
Mohammed Barkatul (England) |
£10,000 |
| 8. |
Ali Sarkeshik (England) £8,000 |
£8,000 |
| 9. |
Simon "Aces" Trumper (England) |
£6,000 |
| 10. |
David Welch (England) |
£2,000 |
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