Increased Buy-In Could Hurt Partypoker Millions Online

May 8th, 2019 | by Jason Reynolds

The record-breaking Partypoker Millions Online will return in December but this time changes could impact its success.

Partypoker has released details of the 2019 Millions Online main event and its $20 million guarantee. (Image: Partypoker)

As it was in 2018, the guaranteed prizepool will be $20 million. However, to bring some added value to the mix, Millions Online 2019 will feature a selection of side events.

Although details of the supporting schedule haven’t been released, Partypoker’s Tom Waters says it will reflect the brand’s Live Millions events.

Increased Buy-In Could Cause Entries to Fall

While the addition of more big money events will please tournament players, one change might not. According to the May 7 press release, the Millions Online buy-in will be $10,300.

For its part, Partypoker has said this will make it the largest ever $10,000+ online MTT. However, by increasing the entry fee by $5,000, there is a risk it could reduce the number of entrants.

In 2018, a sizeable overlay became a real possibility after the opening two flights. With just over 2,000 players entering on days 1A and 1B, Partypoker had just two flights to make up a $10 million deficit.

Fortunately for the organizers, a late surge saw the total number of entries hit 4,367. That figure not only cancelled out an overlay but took the prizepool to a record-breaking $21,835,000.

Partypoker Mixing Things Up

That feat became the catalyst for an ongoing battle with PokerStars. After proving it can compete with the market leader, Partypoker has been eager to roll out more innovations.

Millions Online will once again be an annual highlight for the online operator. However, the $10,300 could impact its success.

Discussing this year’s event, managing director Waters said the dynamics are designed to maintain the reputation of the Millions brand.

“Following the success of last year’s Millions Online we’ve decided to keep the $20M guarantee, however we wanted to bring the full Millions live experience online and offer a host of side events alongside the main event,” Waters wrote on May 7.

He also assured players there will be a full range of satellites and promotions.

With six months until the December 1 start, there’s plenty of time for Party Poker to meet its lofty guarantee.

What will be interesting to see, however, is whether the increased buy-in has a significant impact on the number of players entering the 2019 Millions Online.