The BIG ONE for ONE DROP Returns for a Second Time With 23 Players Already Confirmed Participation

The BIG ONE for ONE DROP returns to WSOP in June this year with 23 players already confirmed participation.

The BIG ONE for ONE DROP charity poker event is gearing up for its second running this year. The unique $1 million buy-in No-Limit Hold ’Em tournament will take place under American gambling laws as part of the upcoming 45th World Series of Poker event in Las Vegas.

The inaugural event in 2012 was a huge success raising $3.5 million for the ONE DROP charity, which is a non-profit organization focusing on projects around the world providing access to fresh water to those in need. The charity was founded by Guy Laliberte, creator of Cirque du Soleil.

American gambling news have already confirmed this year’s event will have at least half of the players who participated in the first tourney. Currently 23 players have agreed to chip in $1 million each to play in the charity event. The tournament is three months away, meaning that many other sign-ups are also expected.

The BIG ONE for ONE DROP event

23 participants already confirmed for the BIG ONE for ONE DROP

• $1,000,000 buy in tourney will be held at this year’s WSOP under American gambling laws

• The tournament will have at least three satellites

• $111,111 from each buy-in will be donated to charity

The first grand tournament was won by Antonio Esfandiari, who took home the honors and a hefty $18,346,673 check for first prize.

The event is the largest poker tournament in the world with $1,000,000 buy-in. There will be no house fees or rake to operate the event, but $111,111 of each buy-in will be transferred as a donation to ONE DROP foundation. The first prize this year could reach as high as $20 million depending on the number of participants.

This year’s mega-tournament will be hosted over three days from June 29th until July 1st. Since the 2012 event was sold out, organizers decided to include one more table and can now accommodate up to 56 entrants. The seats at the tournament will be given on a first-come-first-served basis.

Comments from poker professionals

Here’s what the defending champion, Antonio Esfandiari, had to say about the tourney: ”I can’t wait to defend my title. The event was life-changing, but so was my trip to El Salvador after it with the ONE DROP organization to see first-hand what a difference the money raised from this event can do for those in dire need of help.”

Investor Bill Perkins, shared: “Amazingly I lost a million dollars in this event in 2012 but still had a great time. Little do the others know, but that was all part of a plan to set them up for this year. I’m calling my shot now. I will win the 2014 BIG ONE for ONE DROP.”

Players who confirmed participation for this year’s event

1. Antonio Esfandiari
2. Guy Laliberte
3. Bobby Baldwin
4. David Einhorn
5. Phil Galfond
6. Philipp Gruissem
7. Phil Ivey
8. Jason Mercier
9. Paul Newey
10. Bill Perkins
11. Vivek Rajkumar
12. Brian Rast
13. Andrew Robl
14. Erik Seidel
15. Brandon Steven
16. Sam Trickett
17. Noah Schwartz
18-20. Anonymous Businessmen
21. Winner of Aria Resort Satellite
22. Winner of Bellagio Resort Satellite
23. Winner of World Series of Poker Satellite

There will be a wealth of qualifiers held at land based and online poker sites in the United States and worldwide allowing poker enthusiasts to qualify for the satellites at the WSOP, Aria, and Bellagio. Players can qualify for the tournament starting with as little as $65.

Guy Laliberte, ONE DROP Founder and participant in the inaugural tourney, has also confirmed his participation this year. He commented: “The inaugural event made history and I look forward to another historic moment again this June. The support from the poker community continues to be just incredible.”