PokerStars Player a No Show with $1 Million Prize Up for Grabs

The PokerStars Makes Millionaires promotion was set to make two new millionaires yesterday among 12 hopeful players who were competing at two separate 6-max SitNGo tables.

The winners of each SNG were promised $1 million, which drew a rail of thousands at PokerStars and at Team Pro Randy "nanonoko" Lew's Twitch channel. Second through sixth place would also walk away as winners, but nowhere near as wealthy as the two new millionaires. Fifty grand was the prize for second place, and $10,000 less for every finisher thereafter to $10K for sixth.

With the prospect of becoming a millionaire at stake, one would think that most online poker players in that situation would be chomping at the bit to play. But one player, 'agafon666' from Russia, failed to ever take his seat for the contest and blinded out.

Eh, It's Only a Million Dollars

Are you kidding me? What on earth would prompt a player who took the trouble of completing numerous hand challenges in the promo's first step to advance to step no. 2 to go AWOL in the final step? The second step was winning an All-In Shootout - which requires no appearance - before moving onto the third step and the SNG match.

Did 'agafon666' think that the third step was also an All-In Shootout? Did he or she somehow not realize the success achieved in advancing to the final stage and the shot at becoming a millionaire?

I'm sure that PokerStars sent emails to the Russian player - as well as the other 11 who had made the grade - advising of the event and million dollar prize. Did his computer crash? Did Russia experience a blackout? Is he already fabulously wealthy and the possibility of a $1 million prize failed to increase his heart rate?

Don't Blame Mom

The imagination can run wild with possible reasons why 'agafon666' was a no show. Was it because many regions of the world celebrated Mother's Day yesterday? Spending time with one's Mother is perhaps more important than money, but I'm sure Mom wouldn't mind meeting up a few hours later - after the million-dollar SNG. But Russia doesn't celebrate Mother's Day until the last Sunday in November!

The Russian player's screen name, 'agafon666,' indicates a bent toward religion, albeit in a rather devilish fashion. Are Sundays reserved for other endeavors, be they anti-Christ or whatever? One can only speculate.

Two New Millionaires are Made

In any event, 'agafon666' blinded out - $10,000 richer - and allowed five other players a shot at becoming a millionaire. The glory and prize went to 'citoject' of Bulgaria, who outlasted Germany's 'waterman3888' when his a7 caught an Ace on the river to make top pair.

The second SNG match saw all the players seated and ready for action. Fittingly enough, a young lady from Taiwan took home the $1 million prize. Juanyi Lin happens to be a Mother, and Taiwan did celebrate Mother's Day yesterday. Playing under the moniker of 'JUANYI828,' it was a Mother's Day that Lin will never forget, as PokerStars (and her awesome play) made her a millionaire.