The clock is ticking towards another high roller event, requiring $1 million as the buy in. Welcome the Big One for One Drop tournament. An event that excites poker enthusiats and strikes fear in the hearts of players. There’s a lot to be effusive about when it comes to such events. They are challenging, there’s plenty of cash flying around, and you can witness how the world’s elite players are handling their losses, and on occasion – good fortunes.
Hosted by the WSOP, the event will take place at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on July 15. This leaves plenty of time for the world’s elite to decided whether they want in on the action. Overall, any entrant will be able to pay for one of the 48 spots. The total prize pool will soar up to over $44 million.
The Tally as It Is
Presently, 30 players have stated their desire to be part of the tournament. It’s understandable that there will be spots lingering well ahead of the race. There are some big decisions to be made. What makes the competition outstanding in its own right is the appearance of new faces. Yes, first-timers are taking the spotlight, and you will be able to enjoy the company of players, such as Jason Koon, Adrian Mateos, Rainer Kempe, Bryn Kenney, Dominik Nitsche, Nick Pietrangelo and Steffen Sontheimer.
Although being first timers at the WSOP massive event, they are not new to poker, naturally. Even though little is known about the official list of names, Erik Seidel and John Morgan are both very likely to participate. Brain Rast and Dan Cates are also expected to return to the felt and deliver some stellar plays on their own as well.
Rast has been particularly upbeat about the event, saying that the previous edition had been a success and everyone felt good about it, even the newcomers.
The tournament is held under the aegis of One Drop Foundation, which is an NGO focusing on providing drinking water across the globe because of shortages. The organization will claim 8{c118e36310c7bc75bef8f724f80ee0a52cfaf44be22f7e80906142f4c81518da} of each $1-million buy-in, rounding up the total number of possible contributions to $920,000, should all available spots be filled up. One Drop have been appreciative of poker support.
The event has seen much endorsement both from the NGO and players. But WSOP has been particularly pleased with what they have been able to achieve. WSOP Tournament Director Jack Effel has commented on the competitive pow-wow, describing it as one of the most successful meet-ups.
Mr Effel has also expressed his satisfaction with the fact that beyond the pure entertainment value of the competition, the event also serves a good purpose by helping provide drinking water. The humanitarian aspects of the game were equally important, Mr Effel estimated.
Mr Effel is, of course, right. Bringing poker closer to causes that matter can actually give the industry teeth to push for stronger regulation, which will create more opportunities for everyone to be playing out of secrecy, and without having to travel vast swathes of lands. Although, in the case of the Big One, you may want to take a few days off.
