(Correction: No US dollars but Hong Kong dollars)

MACAU - Registration has begun for the world’s largest mahjong tournament, the “World Series of Mahjong” (“WSOM”), which will take place in The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel in Macao this summer for the third time. 

The event was especially known for its prize money of one million US dollar. But for this year, the organizers have changed the currency from US dollars to Hong Kong dollars (1 US$=7.8 HK$)

The third World Series will be held from August 19-22, 2010. It includes two separate tournaments:

• the 3-day single-elimination Main Event World Championship, and

• the US$1,000 buy-in Riichi Rules Tournament.

The buy-in fee for the main event is HK$5,000 (US$650), plus HK$500 registration fee. The second World Series paid out the highest US$1 million prize money in the mahjong history, while the prize pool for this year will be based on the number of participants in each tournament. The top 32 places in the main event will be awarded prize money according to the rankings.

Venetian Mask

The main event champion will receive the top cash prize, a World Champion necklace, an unique Venetian Mask sponsored by The Venetian Macao, and a free invitation to the fourth WSOM Main Event in 2011. All tournaments are open to any mahjong player who is at least 21 years of age and ready for the money and fame. The WSOM will employ a simplified World Series of Mahjong Rules for the 13-tile game, and a scoring system that is fair to all different players in the world. For more details, please visit the official website at www.wsom168.com.

Interested players can register for the tournament through The Venetian Macao. Special travel packages will be offered to all participants. For registration enquires, please contact CotaiTicketing in Macau (853) 2882-8818, Hong Kong (852) 6333-6660, or visit the CotaiTicketing website at www.cotaiticketing.com.