The first high-cash World Series of Mahjong took place from June 15-17 in Macau with close to 300 participants, mainly from Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China, with a few competitors from Japan and western countries as well.

The media coverage was greater than any Mahjong event thus far and was covered in a number of Chinese and English publications throughout Asia, including CNN International. For fear of cheating, WSOM only allowed press members into the playing area escorted by a tournament official for short periods of time and no spectators were allowed to view matches live.

There was one featured table with automatic shuffling/wall-building features at which 4 chosen players would play each round. Spectators were allowed to view these matches on a large screen placed outside of the competition hall.

A new set of rules, Alan Kwan¡¦s self-developed Zung Jung scoring system. After long-term promotion of these rules, this was the first major event that has ever actually implemented them in competition. The goal seemed to be to put players of all backgrounds on equal playing ground.

There were a number of qualifying matches leading up to the tournament in Hong Kong and Taiwan which guaranteed winning players seats in this $5,000 buy-in event, explaining the high turnout from these two regions. Japan-based professionals, Sayaka Yokoyama and Jenn Barr also participated in the inaugural event.

The first day, only the most unlucky players were dropped from the scene, bringing the total participants to 256. From the 2nd day, the numbers were cut in half each session, with only 1/4 of their score being carried to the next session, forcing players to win fast or lose it all. Winners in the early rounds would start on virtually level ground with their counterparts in succeeding rounds.

The top 32 places were paid out and when the playing field was whittled down to 8, there were only two players, Niels Torben of Denmark and Ji En of mainland China, that weren¡¦t a national of Taiwan or Hong Kong.

Making it to the final four were Lai Fun Lau of Hong Kong and Chung Lai Hui of Hong Kong, Chi Chung Tse, a Reach Mahjong player from Hong kong, Chie Ling Yu, an actress/talent of Taiwan.

Retiree, Chung Lai Hui took first place and the prize, $500,000, along with a gold necklace, presented by spokesperson for the event, Philip Chan.