Big One for One Drop $1M Buy-In Poker Tournament Returning to Wynn Las Vegas

Article ByDavid Weir

May 29, 2023

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Posted in: US Poker News, Nevada Gambling News, US Gambling News

One of the most legendary poker tournaments of all-time, the Big One for One Drop, will be coming to Las Vegas at the end of the year. The tournament has not been held since 2018.

Formerly a collaboration with the World Series of Poker, this iteration of the Big One will be part of the World Poker Tour, or WPT’s World Championship Festival. It will be held at Wynn Las Vegas casino and resort from December 18 to 20.

Not only is the Big One for One Drop poker’s biggest buy-in tournament, but it also benefits a good cause. Some 6% of each buy-in will go to the One Drop Foundation, a global charity that works on providing clean water to disadvantaged communities.

Related: Our expert and comprehensive review of WynnBet online casino

Continuous Evolution

The Big One for One Drop was first established in 2012. It was founded by Cirque de Soleil creator and owner Laliberté at the same time as his One Drop Foundation.

“The Big One for One Drop is such an iconic tournament in the world of poker. We are honored to put on this incredible event in conjunction with the One Drop Foundation and Wynn Las Vegas,” said Adam Pliska, World Poker Tour CEO.

As well as the main $1 million buy-in tournament, One Drop and WTP will also host two other charity events at Wynn in July.

The WPT EveryOne for One Drop will be held at Wynn on July 9, and then the WPT Alpha8 for One Drop a week later on July 14.

The former has a $10 million guaranteed prize pool on a $10,000 buy-in. Meanwhile, Alpha8 for One Drop has a $111,000 buy for its prize pool.

“Wynn is proud to host one of the largest events in poker history, included as part of the second annual WPT Championship festival,” said Ryan Beauregard, executive director of poker operations at Wynn.

The One Drop Foundation has raised $25 million from poker events alone since it started in 2012.

Previous Winners

The highest prize in the Big One for One Drop tournament’s history was actually in its first year. Antonio Esfandiari walked away with $18.35 million for the first place prize, which more than tripled his previous career earnings in one go.

The second-highest was in 2014, when Dan Colman scooped $15.3 million.

The most recent edition in 2018 saw Justin Bonomo walk away with an exact $10 million pot.

In 2015, the tournament moved away from the professional circuit and took on an invitation-only field of wealthier amateurs in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Previously unknown Canadian Elton Tsang took the top prize ahead of 28 players to scoop $12 million.

This year’s event brings the heady mix of well-heeled amateurs and professional poker masters back to Las Vegas for the first time since 2018.

“The magnitude of the buy-in, of the prize pool, but also of the funds that are directed to the crucial cause of access to safe water makes the Big One the event of all superlatives,” said One Drop Foundation’s Chief Marketing and Events Officer, Alexandre Meunier.