The first million-dollar backgammon tournament in history, organized by Player International Ltd of the UK, is being heralded as a complete success by the global backgammon community!

Andreas Märtens of Germany, a former billiards player who switched to backgammon, won $600,400 last Friday afternoon at the Atlantis Resort in The Bahamas by defeating Lasse Hjorth Madsen of Denmark 23-22 in the final match of the 128-player tournament.

Both finalists secured seats in the event with qualifier packages won in online tournaments offered for as low as $2.50 - a package included the entry fees plus hotel and travel expenses.

The event drew most of the world's top experts including the legendary Paul Magriel "X-22", a famous author and former World Champion, Nack Ballard, the #1 ranked player in the world, 25 of the top "32 Giants of Backgammon" and some 10 former World Champions.

Märtens received half of the $1,200,800 prize pool along with a backgammon-themed timepiece worth over $20,000 custom-made by sponsor Marc Rouah of Time-Wise SA, a bespoke watchmaker from Geneva, Switzerland.