During this break between the traditional World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas and October’s WSOP Europe, many people are still reflecting on the action of this summer. Bracelets are celebrated, winnings are counted, Player of the Year points are accumulated. Also to be cheered: the $1.3 million raised for the One Drop organization.
One Drop is a non-profit organization founded six years ago by Cirque du Soleil founder and avid poker player Guy Laliberté. Its goal is to help develop projects that will make clean drinking water available in areas of the world where it is scarce.
Last year, Laliberté teamed up with the World Series of Poker for a unique event designed to both bring out the highest of rollers and provide a sizable chunk of change to the charity in the Big One for One Drop Event. The buy-in was a staggering $1 million, a sum which 48 players paid. The house took no fee; rather, $111,111 of each buy-in was donated directly to One Drop. As such, over $5.3 million immediately went to the cause, a figure which rose to $5.6 million once additional donations were added. Antonio Esfandiari won the event and largest prize in poker history, $18,346,673.
This summer, there were two One Drop events, though neither required the $1 million buy-in (even rich people can’t be expected to throw down a million bucks every year – the Big One will return in 2014). The first was Event #47: $111,111 One Drop High Rollers Event. The usual 3 percent house fee was forgone for the tournament, instead going to One Drop. Thus, with 166 players participating (making it the largest tournament with a buy-in of at least $100,000), One Drop received over $553,000. Esfandiari actually almost won this one, as well, placing fourth. Tony Gregg took the title, winning $4.8 million.
Then there was the massive Little One for One Drop, the 58th event on the WSOP schedule. There were 4,756 entries for this $1,111 tournament, resulting in almost $528,000 being raised for One Drop.
Thus the two tournaments produced a combined $1,081,194 for the charity. After another $246,012 was donated by players from their WSOP winnings, One Drop benefited $1,327,206 from the World Series of Poker. And it’s not over; World Series of Poker Europe is yet to come.
“Again, we have created history!” said Guy Laliberté in a press release. “I am thankful to WSOP for their dedication and to the poker community for their generosity. The real winners are the people for which ONE DROP will provide access to safe water. These families can break the cycle of poverty and have hope for a better future. Together we have shown the world once again how giving the poker community is and that the ripple effect continues on.”
