World Series of Poker - Official Tournament Coverage and Results


The 2012 Big One for One Drop was a tournament unlike any other. Thanks to a history-making $1 million buy-in, a player pool of 48 poker pros and business executives, a prize pool in excess of $42 million, fast-paced action captured nearly-live on ESPN, and the biggest poker payday in history worth $18,346,673, the tournament was an unforgettable one.

The final table covered the gamut of personalities from the poker and business world and included two WSOP Main Event winners, two Poker Hall of Famers, and four WSOP gold bracelet winners. The poker amateurs held their own as well, with hedge fund manager David Einhorn and Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte at the eight-handed final table. In the end, the one-of-a-kind platinum bracelet and the record-setting eight figure payday went to Antonio "The Magician" Esfandiari (click here for full story), who dedicated the win to his always supportive father.

The spectacle of the Big One for One Drop is certainly something to marvel at, but this tournament was about more than just big names and record paydays. At its core, the Big One for One Drop was a grand philanthropic endeavor. Each of the 48 participants donated $111,111 from their buy-in to One Drop, a non-profit organization dedicated to worldwide access to clean water. Thanks to those generous donations and additional charitable efforts at the 2012 WSOP, One Drop received the largest single donation in its history worth more than $6 million.

That money is going to be put to use for an array of causes, including projects in El Salvador, Burkina Faso, and Honduras. While The Big One for One Drop may be over, the lasting impact it made will continue on for many months. To learn more about the charitable efforts of One Drop, check out the group's official website at: OneDrop.org

FACT SHEET – THE BIG ONE FOR ONE DROP

  • WHEN:
  • JULY 1, 2012 AT 12:00 NOON
  • WHERE:
  • RIO ALL-SUITE HOTEL & CASINO IN LAS VEGAS
  • EVENT:
  • NO LIMIT HOLD'EM HIGH ROLLER CHAMPIONSHIP
    AS PART OF 43RD ANNUAL WORLD SERIES OF POKER
  • BUY IN AMOUNT:
  • $1,000,000
    ($111,111 will be a charitable donation to One Drop)
  • # OF ENTRANTS:
  • CAPPED at 48 PLAYERS
  • STRUCTURE:
  • DEEP STACK WITH 3,000,000 IN STARTING CHIPS
    START WITH 500 BIG BLINDS
    3-DAY STRUCTURE
    PLAY 9 ONE-HOUR LEVELS DAY 1; DAY 2 PLAYS TO 8 PLAYERS
    1st LEVEL IS 1,000 ANTE & BLINDS AT 3,000-6,000
  • PAYOUTS:
  • 20% OF FIELD WILL BE PAID (Double Avg. Tournament)
  • RAKE-FREE:
  • THERE WILL BE NO FEES TAKEN OUT OF THE PRIZE POOL
  • BRACELET:
  • THE WINNER WILL RECEIVE A GENUINE WSOP PLATINUM BRACELET
  • RULES:
  • ALL WSOP TOURNAMENT RULES WILL BE IN EFFECT
  • CONFIRMED PLAYERS:
  • 30 (as of 4/12/2012)
  • TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR:
  • JACK EFFEL
  • U.S. TELECAST PARTNER:
  • ESPN
  • WSOP FIRST YEAR:
  • 1970
  • OFFICIAL CHARITY:
  • ONE DROP
  • OFFICIAL WEBSITES:
  • www.WSOP.com & www.ONEDROP.org