Resorts World Las Vegas and the World Poker Tour will host the 2024 Big Deal for One Drop celebrity charity poker tournament on Friday, November 22. The $10,000 buy-in No Limit Texas Hold’em event will be capped at 54 individual players, with rebuys and add-ons available. Notably, the event is purely charitable so it won’t be paying out any prize money. Rather, as the tournament coincides with Race Week in Sin City, the One Drop® Foundation will put up prizes that money just can’t buy, both F1 and non-F1 related.
Celebrities Galore at 2024 Big Deal for One Drop
Cirque du Soleil and One Drop founder Guy Laliberté will be in attendance to promote the One Drop initiative, and the event itself will be kicked off by Master of Ceremonies and 17-time WSOP bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth.
The live poker action on November 22 will take place in the beautiful Allé Lounge on 66 inside the Resorts World Las Vegas complex. Race Week personalities, celebrities, and a number of select poker professionals will be on hand to compete in the charity event.
Specific participants and prizes will be announced at a later date, as the event approaches.
2024 Formula 1 Race Week in Las Vegas
The Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix will be the culminating event during Race Week, and will run from Thursday, November 21 through Saturday, November 23.
Belgium-Dutch professional racing driver Max Verstappen won the event last year by posting the winning time on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit — a 3.85 mile course that spans the world famous Las Vegas Strip.
Let’s gooo guys!!! Another amazing result @redbullracing
Had a lot of fun out there today, great racing! See you next year Vegas pic.twitter.com/MGxLOoOhrq
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) November 19, 2023
Big Deal for One Drop Charity Aims
Both the WPT and One Drop Foundation have become leaders in charity poker events, and have raised millions upon millions of dollars together since 2012. The two have partnered in the past to raise awareness and have a significant positive impact on issues such as climate and sustainability, while focusing on safe and sustainable water in regions worldwide that have been affected by climate change.
As of 2024, approximately 2.2 billion individuals worldwide lack safe water in their home region, according to UNICEF and the World Health Organization.
The aim of Resorts World Las Vegas, the WPT Foundation, and the One Drop Foundation is to reach their goal of assisting the living conditions of 3 million individuals globally through charity outreach that empowers fellow human beings to devise their own solutions through life-changing water projects.
“Coming off our successful Neon Future Science event for the Aoki Foundation in 2022, we are very happy to be partnering again with Resorts World for The Big Deal,” said Hermance Blum, WPT Vice President of Marketing.
Allé 66 will offer stunning views of the F1 tracks while Leon Wheeler and his team will provide a fantastic poker experience filled with unique prizes that only the One Drop Foundation and Guy Laliberté have the privilege to offer.
The WPT Foundation is honoured to support the One Drop Foundation in its endeavours to bring safe water in under privileged territories. Over the last 12 years, generous poker players and fans from around the world have contributed to raising near $50 million and we are delighted to do it again in one of the most prestigious and exciting times of year of Formula 1 in Las Vegas!” she continued.
“It gives us great pride to host an event with such a notable cause that resonates deeply in Las Vegas,” stated Resorts World Las Vegas President Peter LaVoie in a recent press release. “Our commitment to sustainability is unwavering, and we look forward to partnering with the One Drop Foundation to further this effort while having some fun during Race Week.”
“The Resorts World Poker Room is absolutely thrilled to host the Big Deal for One Drop! This isn’t just a great cause—it’s the beginning of an amazing partnership with One Drop! We can’t wait for many more incredible events in the future,” added Leon Wheeler, Director of Poker Operations at Resorts World Las Vegas.
2024 Big Deal for One Drop Start Time
The 2024 Big Deal for One Drop tournament will start at 12:00pm on Friday, November 22. The official “Shuffle up and deal” is expected to be announced on-site by Hellmuth himself.
The Allé Lounge on 66 venue inside Resorts World Las Vegas will give players an unforgettable view of Sin City’s skyline as they compete in the $10,000 buy-in NLHE charity poker event.
Players will be able to rebuy and add-on throughout the event, and while prizes have yet to be announced, the eventual winner will take home the Big Deal for One Drop championship trophy. Participants will be able to mingle with celebrities and Race Week personalities before and after the tournament, with lots of anticipated fun occurring while the poker event is taking place.
Poker fans who wish to obtain tickets to the 2024 Big Deal for One Drop charity poker event, or who wish to donate via a sponsorship, can contact Laurent.Madore@OneDrop.org.