$1million Buy-in And no Pros!

(Photo: WSOP.com)

It’s a massive change – and one that organizer Guy Laliberte of Cirque du Soleil fame and fortune hasn’t taken lightly – but the $1million buy-in Monte Carlo Big One which kicks off in a fortnight will be without the high-stakes pros for the first time!

The charity event, which benefits One Drop bringing clean water to people in need across the world, has still attracted 35 entrants so far, proving that the wealthy businessmen and philanthropists are attracted to the idea of playing without their hard-earned millions and billions going directly to the ‘sharks’.

Laliberte stated in a WSOP press release:

"The Monte Carlo One Drop Extravaganza is fast approaching and with 35 recreational players already confirmed to play and many re-entries predicted, the Big One is in real good shape."

Fears that the missing pros would affect numbers seem unfounded, with Laliberte adding:

"I want to remind players that there are still seven other tournaments and cash games, including a euro cash game, to be played during the week at what promises to be the biggest charitable poker event ever held with proceeds going to One Drop."

Recent years have seen the biggest buy-in events feature a mix of the world’s best players and the world’s wealthiest individuals, but donating their millions to the pros has steadily become less appealing to the amateurs – often facing pros who stake each other and pool resources to take down the recreational rich. Previous events have been won by big-name pros such as Antonio Esfandiari and Daniel Colman.

Laliberte’s decision was fuelled by the recent drop ‘big drop’ in numbers, saying:

"The message I got was these recreational players, businessmen and philanthropists felt like they physically did not stand a chance. They wanted to play for the money and the fun of it, but they would rather stake a pro than risk playing themselves against a field of professionals."

He did add however that pros would be allowed to participate as coaches, and also in side-events and cash games, so long as nobody objected.

Speaking back in July he said:

"Our priority is of course to raise as much money as we can for One Drop. That's the number one goal, but we also want to create a fun and comfortable poker environment for recreational players where they are not under the threat of being bled out by the pros. The truth is that when we reflected back on the first two million dollar One Drop events and talked to potential players for this one, we realized we had to do something different."

Laliberte added, explaining that:

"The first One Drop was about a 50-50 ratio of pros to recreational players. The second one had even more professionals, with some of the business people and recreational players staking pros because they thought it would give them a better chance.”

With over $10million raised from his Big Drop events so far, Laliberte’s creation is a hugely exciting and impressive one, with €111,111 from each buy-in going directly to One Drop. The rest of the massive $1million buy-in will go straight to the prize-fund.

The 4-day-long high-stakes shindig begins on October 13th with a Step1, $10k super-satellite and ends on October 17th with a $1million cash game –all taking place in the sumptuous Casino de Monte Carlo.

Laliberte said:
"We believe the events in Monte Carlo will attract high net-worth individuals from across the globe to enjoy the game, the networking opportunities and the incredible VIP experiences only available in one of the world's most iconic settings.”