September 18, 2008 (San Diego, CALIFORNIA) – Mahjong Time, an innovative provider of online mahjong gaming announced today the participation of 20 of its players in the annual World Series of Mahjong (WSOM). The WSOM is the leading live mahjong tournament in the world with a total prize pool of $1,000,000. The winner of the tournament,
Alex Ho, received
$500,000 USD and a champion’s necklace, custom-made for the World Series of Mahjong by famous Hong Kong jewelry designers Steela+Steelo.
Mahjong Time is the exclusive online partner of the WSOM and the only current site where mahjong players from around the world can qualify online for the WSOM. The 20 invited Mahjong Time players received their $5,000 entry fee to the WSOM event through their placement in several Mahjong Time tournaments. The qualifiers come from many countries from all parts of the world including Asia, North America, and Europe.
Following the remarkable success of the first World Series event with nearly 300 mahjong players from around the world, the intense three-day tournament will return this year at the Wynn Macau from September 19th to 21st, featuring the same minimum total prize pool of US$1.0 million. Previous event sponsors Wynn Macau, Blue Girl Beer, Air Macau, PacificNet and Cityline, with the addition of Mahjong Time and the leading Cognac Brandy Remy Martin, will team up again to deliver the thrill of playing to the mahjong crowd.
Mahjong Time qualifying players enjoyed several impressive finishes at the WSOM; An Tao finished in 19th place and received $5,000 in prize money, Ken Lui finished in 24th place and earned $5,000, Lee Suk Yee at 45th place, Ma Yong Liang at 98th place, and Yau Tak Pun in 123rd place.
“Our WSOM partnership provides a great added value to our players. We offer our players the chance to turn a small entry fee into possibly a $500,000 top prize.” said William Sutjiadi, CEO of Mahjong Time. “The multicultural mix of our qualifiers reflects the fact that Mahjong Time truly is a global community that brings together players from around the world.,” added Mr. Sutjiadi.
“Through our partnership with Mahjong Time, we have been able to substantially grow the number of attendees to the WSOM from last year, said said John Hardyment, CEO of World Mahjong Limited (WML). “A live event such as the WSOM needs to have an online generator of players, and Mahjong Time has provided us with a good channel to bring in players and also spread the unique WSOM rules set.”
About Mahjong Time (www.mahjongtime.com)
Founded in 2004, Mahjong Time is a San Diego-based company that is the premier provider of mahjong software and complete turnkey solutions. The Mahjong Time in-browser platform is available in seven languages and provides multiple mahjong rules sets that appeal to the needs of discerning players worldwide. Offered features include advanced subscription and tournament play, and Web 2.0 capabilities that allow players greater connectivity including the ability to establish multiple “friend” networks and to create private game rooms.
Mahjong Time is the exclusive online tournament partner of the annual World Series of Mahjong. The company is also involved in a strategic partnership with Cryptologic (NASDAQ:CRYP), the leading public developer and supplier of Internet gaming software. For more information, visit
www.mahjongtime.com
Thank you.
