One of the most anticipated and prestigious events of the 2023 WPT World Championship has kicked off, the $1,000,000 WPT Big One for One Drop. Seventeen of poker’s elite high rollers, including renowned names, gathered for this charitable event.
The tournament’s noble cause is to support One Drop, aiding communities in need with sustainable access to clean water and sanitation. With each of the 17 players contributing to the seven-figure buy-in, a portion is allocated to this charitable effort.
The first day of play saw intense competition, with a staggering $7.1 million first-place prize up for grabs. Of the 17 starters, 14 survived the rigors of Day 1 and are set to return at 2pm local time tomorrow.
Among the participants was poker legend Phil Ivey, the first to confirm his participation. Despite the high expectations, Ivey faced elimination at the end of Day 1, leaving the field open for others to claim the spotlight.
Leading the pack into Day 2 is Dan Smith, a seasoned pro who finished third in the 2018 edition of the Big One for One Drop, pocketing $4 million. Still in contention is Fedor Holz, another familiar face in One Drop. Holz, who earned the runner-up position in 2018 with a $6,000,000 cash, is eyeing another significant finish, especially with 2018’s champion Justin Bonomo not participating this year.
Several new faces are taking their chances in this edition. Chris Brewer, facing a buy-in of this magnitude for the first time, admitted to feeling some nerves. Mario Mosboeck, a former professional footballer turned high-stakes poker player, and Santhosh Survarna, known for his presence in nosebleed cash games, are also in the mix, with Survarna sitting comfortably in second in chips.
Day 2 Table Draw
| Seat | Player | Chip Count |
| 1 | Isaac Haxton | 1,160,000 (58 bb) |
| 2 | Dan Smith | 3,680,000 (184 bb) |
| 3 | Fedor Holz | 630,000 (32 bb) |
| 4 | Mario Mosboeck | 850,000 (43 bb) |
| 5 | Adrian Mateos | 2,035,000 (102 bb) |
| 6 | Chris Brewer | 275,000 (14 bb) |
| 7 | Matthias Eibinger | 1,360,000 (68 bb) |
| Seat | Player | Chip Count |
| 1 | Mikita Badziakouski | 1,605,000 (80 bb) |
| 2 | Nick Petrangelo | 700,000 (35 bb) |
| 3 | Martin Kabrhel | 320,000 (16 bb) |
| 4 | Santhosh Suvarna | 2,160,000 (108 bb) |
| 5 | Stephen Chidwick | 355,000 (18 bb) |
| 6 | Rick Salomon | 840,000 (42 bb) |
| 7 | Jason Koon | 1,020,000 (51 bb) |
As the tournament progresses to Day 2, the excitement continues to build. The final table, set for a livestream on December 20, promises to be a thrilling climax to this high-stakes event. With a mix of seasoned veterans, business people and ambitious newcomers, the race for the $7.1 million first prize remains wide open in the 2023 WPT Big One for One Drop.
