$1,000,000 One Drop Tournament to return in 2013 ($1k buyin) and 2014 ($1M buyin)
Here is the press release from today:
Quote:
After a successful debut with a sold-out inaugural BIG ONE for ONE DROP™ this past summer that raised $10 million for charity including $5.3 million for ONE DROP, an official WSOP charity partner, and awarded the largest first place prize in poker history ($18.346 million), the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and ONE DROP (ONEDROP.org) are pleased to announce two new future poker events with charitable components.
In tonight’s live broadcast, Guy Laliberté announced that during the 45th Annual World Series of Poker in 2014, the second BIG ONE for ONE DROP will take place, with the established $1 million buy-in, a charitable contribution and a limited number of seats. With nearly two years to plan, organizers are optimistic they will be able to receive additional corporate participation and activate a comprehensive satellite program around the event.
“It was an honor to be a part of such a special event that raised a total of $10 million for charity, including $5.3 million for ONE DROP and shone a positive light on the poker community,” said Caesars Interactive Entertainment CEO Mitch Garber. “By working with the showman - Guy Laliberté, we have learned there was only one choice. An encore. We look forward to collaborating with Guy and ONE DROP to continue to find fun and exciting ways to make a positive and lasting contribution through the vehicle that is the great game of poker.”
But poker players won’t have to wait until 2014 to continue making a difference with regards to the global water crisis.
For the upcoming 44th Annual World Series of Poker, taking place at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas in the Summer, 2013, the WSOP plans to offer an official gold bracelet event with a $1,111 buy-in benefitting ONE DROP. Dubbed by Laliberté as the “Little One for ONE DROP” this special event plans to offer unlimited re-entry over two starting days, giving it potential to be the biggest event in terms of entrants at the 2013 WSOP.
Poker players, with a long, consistent and successful track record of supporting charitable causes via poker tournaments, will be encouraged to donate 1% or more of their winnings to ONE DROP during every WSOP event, as well as making changes like bringing their own reuseable water bottle to the tables.
“It’s amazing what you can achieve when you dream,” said ONE DROP chairperson Guy Laliberté. “We took the concept of a $1 million poker tournament and turned it into the most successful poker initiative ever held. As a result, over 100,000 people will be positively impacted. Projects in Honduras, El Salvador and West Africa have already put to use the money we raised in the initial event. With the “Little One” and the “BIG ONE” on the horizon, we can continue to greatly impact the lives of those in need, while at the same time raising awareness of the impact water has on our planet.”
The schedule for the 44th annual World Series of Poker is currently being developed, with an expectation for a “Save the Dates” announcement in November.
ONE DROP is celebrating its fifth year anniversary today. Since 2007, ONE DROP has worked hard to create projects that are improving the lives of more than 300,000 people in Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Haiti, India and West Africa. In the next five years, with great fundraising activities like BIG ONE and Little One, ONE DROP hopes to positivily impact another 700,000 people. Laliberté personally funds the operational expenses of ONE DROP, with 100% of money raised going directly to a project.
