$5 million prize fund for PartyPoker cruise

Over 500 poker players cast off on Sunday evening aboard Holland America’s ms Westerdam all bidding to become the next winner of the PartyPoker.com Million V, the world’s largest “limit” Texas Hold’em Tournament.

The cruise ship has left Ft. Lauderdale and will be cruising the Caribbean all week, taking in Ocho Rios in Jamaica and George Town in the Caymans, but the real action will be below decks at the card tables.

Drawing over 500 online players and top professionals, the $10,200-buy-in event is known as the place where online players go toe-to-toe with pros, and everyone goes home having had a great time. The PartyPoker.com Million V will award in the region of $1 million to the first place finisher.

Among the players who have boarded in Ft. Lauderdale will be defending champion Michael Gracz, who claimed the first prize in 2005, and capped his rookie year by winning a World Series of Poker bracelet. He will be joined by Aaron Kanter, who finished fourth in the WSOP.main event after entering the tournament through a PartyPoker.com satellite. Kanter, a former bank loan officer from Elk Grove, CA. converted a $50 investment into $2 million.

The majority of players earned their spot in the The PartyPoker.com Million V by going to PartyPoker.com and competing in $33 buy-in preliminary tournaments. There were also sub-qualifying tournaments with buy-ins of $5+1 and $10+1. Winners who qualified in those preliminary satellite tournaments received a $13,500 package—that includes the $10,200 buy-in to the finals, a cruise for two and spending cash.

This year the cruise also includes the $250,000 World Blackjack Championships and a $50,000 slots tournament.

The ms Westerdam is one of the premium cruise ships in Holland America’s elegant fleet. Guests experience a dazzling array of restaurants, nightclubs and entertainment options. The ship features a sun deck, a spa and salon, a fully-equipped fitness center, internet connectivity and spacious staterooms. Condé Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure magazines have awarded it five stars.

Our man Mark ‘Shafty78’ Stuart is on board and will be reporting back with tales of derring-do on the high seas, so stay tuned for regular updates.