Poker players including Phil Hellmuth and Jennifer Tilly, alongside stars from the world of F1, will be in action when the Big Deal for One Drop returns to Las Vegas this November.
The One Drop Foundation has been behind some of the most iconic poker tournaments in history, most notably the $1 million buy-in ‘Big One for One Drop’ events which began in 2012.
These awarded first-place prizes of up to $18 million, creating memorable moments and instant, life-changing wins for players like Antonio Esfandiari (below), Daniel Colman and more. And thanks to the tournaments’ charity connections, these aren’t the only lives that have been changed.
Antonio Esfandiari won the inaugural Big One for One Drop.Each event is held as a fundraiser for the One Drop Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on sustainable clean water initiatives around the world. Since the first Big One for One Drop in 2012, the foundation has raised over $26 million in its bid to make safe water available for all.
Now Guy Laliberté, poker aficionado and founder of One Drop, has announced the return of the Big Deal for One Drop to Resorts World in Las Vegas, November 21.
Phil Hellmuth returns as MC
Once again, the event has been scheduled to take place during Race Week, when Formula 1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix takes over the city.
The poker event will take the form of a $5,300 tournament, with $4,000 heading to the prizepool and $1,000 going towards One Drop’s safe water mission. If last year’s event (which had an even bigger $10K buy-in) is anything to go by, rebuys and add-ons of $1K are likely to swell the money raised significantly.
The 2024 event may have been the most relaxed $10K buy-in of the year.Prizes at the 2024 final table took the form of exclusive experiences rather than millions of dollars, including a private suite at the Singapore Grand Prix, VIP access to the Montreal Grand Prix, and the opportunity to party with DJ Steve Aoki — from within his DJ booth.
Unlike last year, the 2025 event will feature a cash prizepool — though a charity auction will still offer the chance to win some ultra-exclusive experiences.
Derek Adamian won the 2024 event, beating the likes of well-known poker players Jeff Gross, Dan ‘Jungleman’ Cates, Maria Ho, Jennifer Tilly and Antonio Esfandiari, as well as major names from motorsport such as former drivers David Coulthard, Mika Häkkinen and Alex Wurz, who reached the final table.
David Coulthard and Tilly are among the names confirmed to return for the 2025 event, which will once again be compered by Phil Hellmuth.
Jennifer Tilly made the final table at the 2024 Big Deal for One Drop.
Drivers, start your engines
The Big Deal for One Drop will take place at Allē Lounge on 66 at Resorts World, with a welcome reception at 11am, followed by the tournament at noon. The action should be complete in time to watch the Formula 1 drivers taking to the track for practice laps.
The motoring connection continues, as this year Big Deal for One Drop will be partnering with Fan Prix, a new outdoor interactive festival taking place at Resort World’s The Complex, an entertainment district on the Las Vegas Strip. Fan Prix will feature the opportunity to meet racing drivers, including Romain Grosjean.
“We’ve added a prizepool this year,” said Laliberté, announcing the returning poker tournament, “so it’s next-level win-win with Phil Hellmuth, Jennifer Tilly, some poker and racing community friends – all for a great cause.”
The $5,300 tournament is open to all but will have a limited number of seats; if you’re planning to play, get the pedal to the metal and register early. You can get more information and register on the One Drop website.
Check out some of the highlights from last year’s event below.
Images courtesy of Joe Giron/One Drop Foundation.
