The One Drop Foundation has a deep connection to the world of poker and is once again taking the card-playing spotlight in November with the debut of the Big Deal for One Drop charity poker tournament at Resorts World Las Vegas.
“It gives us great pride to host an event with such a notable cause that resonates deeply in Las Vegas,” Resorts World President Peter LaVoie said. “Our commitment to sustainability is unwavering, and we look forward to partnering with the One Drop Foundation to further this effort while having some fun during race week.”
This exclusive event is held in partnership with the World Poker Tour Foundation and timed with race week when the second running of Las Vegas Grand Prix Formula 1 takes the green flag. The tournament will be held in the Allē Lounge on 66 on Nov. 22 and will feature up to 54 players buying in for $10,000 each.
Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté will serve as host with his new project Frooogs as the sponsor. 17-time WSOP bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth will be there as master of ceremonies. Celebrities, race week personalities, and select poker pros are also expected to take part.
“I haven’t played poker much lately, but I really look forward to playing this one. I think the intensity of poker and adrenaline of race week in Las Vegas are a perfect match, especially since the funds raised will support the vital cause of safe water.”
Full Throttle Poker
Along with prizes, the tournament will award “money-can’t-buy experiences” and bragging rights, according to organizers. Hellmuth, who hosts the WPT’s Raw Deal segment, is excited to participate.
“It gives me great pleasure to be the MC for the Big Deal for One Drop,” he said. “So far, I have MC’d poker events raising over $75 million for many great charities. I look forward to raising more funds for worthy causes in November.”
Cards will be in the air for the tournament after a special reception featuring live entertainment at noon, allowing the tournament time to finish ahead of the race that night. Players are allowed rebuys and add-ons throughout the tournament.
For A Good Cause
Since 2012, the WPT Foundation and One Drop have raised more than $75 million combined, becoming world leaders in charity poker. According to UNICEF and the World Health Organization, 2.2 billion people globally lack safe water at home.
Since the organization’s inception, One Drop has raised funds to support life-changing water projects worldwide and has collaborated with several southern Nevada nonprofits since 2013.
“In the past 12 years, One Drop has created iconic poker tournaments that are going to be in the big history book of poker for a long time,” Laliberté said. “The Big Deal for One Drop is going to be one of those, for the fun aspect and for the people it will draw.
The $1 million buy-in Big One For One Drop charity event debuted in 2012 at the WSOP, and has been run five times overall, most recently at the Wynn Las Vegas as part of the WPT World Championship. Winners have included Antonio Esfandiari ($18.4 million), Dan Colman ($15.3 million), Elton Tsang ($12.2 million), Justin Bonomo ($10 million), and Mikita Badziakouski ($7.1 million).
There was also the $100,000 High Roller For One Drop that ran in alternating years, and was won by Anthony Gregg ($4.8 million), Jonathan Duhamel ($4 million), Fedor Holz ($5 million), and Doug Polk ($3.7 million). The WPT Alpha8 took over in 2023, raising the buy-in to $111,000. The two winners so far have been Jonathan Jaffe ($1.5 million), and Steve O’Dwyer ($1 million).