Top 10 Stories of 2016, #10: Big One For One Drop Open to Recs Only

This year’s Top Stories are brought to you by the VerStandig Law Firm, LLC. Combining a keen understanding of the gaming world and an equally keen understanding of the law, Mac VerStandig and his colleagues are devoted to fighting on behalf of the poker community and its members.

The One Drop, an initiative started by Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque Du Soleil, focuses on supporting access to clean water worldwide. Origins of the Big One for One Drop

Announced during the 2011 World Series of Poker

, The Big One for One Drop was introduced to the poker world, became the largest buy-in at $1 million and the most significant charity initiative in poker history.

The first platinum bracelet was awarded on July 3, 2012, at the 2012 World Series of Poker to Antonio “The Magician” Esfandiari.

After three days of play, Magic Antonio topped a star-studded field of 48 players to win the top prize of $18,346,673, the biggest award in poker tournament history. Sam Trickett also walked away with an eight-digit payday of $10,112,001 for finishing in second place in the tournament.

Two years later, Daniel Colman bested a field of 40 players in the 2014 WSOP Big One for One Drop to take home the top prize of $15,306,668 with Daniel Negreanu snagging the runner-up prize of $8,288,001.

It was one of many big wins for Colman who also managed three other seven-digit paydays throughout the year. Colman, however, might be better known for the backlash he received from many (and praise from some) when he declined interviews requested by the media stating he didn’t wish to promote the game of poker.

One Drop tournaments have been a mainstay at the WSOP since 2012, with the “Big One” being dropped from the name with many smaller buy in tournaments being offered through poker’s biggest tournament festival. Feder “CrownUpGuy” Holz was the most recent winner of tournaments branded in this fashion when he navigated his way to the top of the 183-player field in the $111,111 High Roller for One Drop on July 11 to collect the $4,981,775 top prize.

Shortly after his win, Holz announced his “retirement” from poker. This didn’t mean he left the game entirely, he just cut back on his long and arduous schedule to focus on fewer events.

Players continue to be encouraged to donate to the One Drop Foundation after cashing in other tournaments in the series as well.

2016 Big One for One Drop Open to Recs Only, Elton Tsang Wins €11 Million Top Prize

In July, it was announced that The Big One for One Drop was coming back as a part of a five-day high-stakes cash game and tournament festival for affluent recreational poker players.

The Monte-Carlo One Drop Extravaganza was held at the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco from Oct. 13-17, 2016, headlined by The Big One for One Drop Invitational, a €1,000,000 buy in, three-day, invitation-only tournament for businessmen, philanthropic and celebrity recreational players.

While professional poker players were more than welcome to attend (and just not play) the latest Big One for One Drop, Laliberté explained to PokerNews the reasons why entry to the latest event was invitation-only.

“The truth is that when we reflected back on the first $2 million One Drop events and talked to potential players for this one, we realized we had …

continue reading in source www.pokernews.com