Lee Watkinson Playing for More Than $8.25 Million

The first prize at the 2007 World Series of Poker final table is $8,250,000.  For Lee Watkinson, however, the pot at the end of the rainbow is more than twice that.   

Watkinson qualified for the Main Event at FullTiltPoker.com, the online poker room for which he is also a resident pro (along with many of the top players in the world).  As part of a promotion held by Full Tilt, if he wins the Main Event, he would be rewarded with an additional $10 million prize package. 

Now, this is not simply $10 million straight-up.  It is actually a sponsorship promotion.  For ten years, Watkinson would receive $1 million per year in exchange for allowing Full Tilt to use his name, voice, and likeness for future Full Tilt promotions, both live and online.  He must also play ten hours per week at Full Tilt, which considering he already plays there, should not be a problem, especially for a million dollars a year.  Watkinson would also be required to participate in various events and tournaments at Full Tilt’s request (one would assume the tournament buy-ins are paid for by Full Tilt, but this was not specified in the terms). 

In order to be eligible for the prize, Watkinson was obligated to wear Full Tilt branded clothing at the Main Event and not advertise for anybody else.  Interestingly, he is wearing other logos at the final table, including one for the World Poker Association and at least one other.  Perhaps these are allowed because they are not competing online poker rooms. 

Lee Watkinson is the only “big name” professional poker player at the final table.