Duhamel to compete in $1 million buy-in event next year

Last year’s World Series of Poker Main Event champion Jonathan Duhamel plans to participate in a $1 million buy-in tournament next year that benefits One Drop, a foundation which focuses on supporting access to clean water worldwide.

Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté, who started One Drop, came to the Rio Sunday to make the announcement.

Players scheduled to participate include Laliberte, CityCenter CEO Bobby Baldwin, and Phil Ruffin, owner of Treasure Island. Professional poker players committed to playing the Big One for One Drop include Doyle Brunson, Andy Beal, Patrik Antonius, Gus Hansen, and Tony Guoga.

Players will begin with three million in starting chips, playing 60-minute levels, with a registration cap of 48 players. If the cap is reached, the prize pool would be over $40 million, and first place would take home a whopping $17 million. The tournament is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN.