Albert Hoekendijk Wins 2017 WSOPE Little One For One Drop for €170,764

Only a handful of Dutchmen can claim fame as WSOP gold bracelet winners and Albert Hoekendijk joined the club after winning the €1,111 Little One for One Drop at the WSOPE at King's Casino in Rozvadov.

First place prize money of €170,764 ($198,787) went to Hoekendijk after he emerged on top of a field of 868 entries who created a prize pool of €866,654 ($1,008,875), blowing past the announced guarantee of €500,000. Of course, €50 of each entry was earmarked for One Drop charities, benefiting impoverished countries that have difficulties providing clean water for their people.

Hoekendijk was grateful to be a part of that effort, as well as thankful to King's Casino and the WSOPE for a well-run festival.

"It's a very well organized tournament and I really like it here," the new champ told WSOP reporters.

Swiss Just Miss

Almost three hours of heads-up action versus Thomas Hofmann was required before Hoekendijk could claim victory. Hofmann began the heads-up with the chip lead and was trying to become only the second Swiss player to win a WSOP title.

The runner-up claims to have been card dead for the majority of his battle against Hoekendijk, forced to fold more often than he would have liked.

"I had no hands, for two hours!" Hofmann lamented.

Second place prize money of €105,532 ($122,850) was Hofmann's reward, his biggest score to date and his second cash at the WSOPE. A 17th place finish in the €550 Colossus a few days ago added €11,414 ($13,411) to his bankroll.

Hoekendijk began final day action 7th in chips with 11 players remaining. One of the players he had to overcome was fellow countryman Hakim Zoufri, who finished 4th, sent to the rail prior to Germany's Johannes Toebbe.

The final hand of the tournament saw the Dutchman's A-10 connect for trips when aces hit the board on the flop and river.

"When I wake up tomorrow, and I see that bracelet, I know they'll never take it from me," Hoekendijk said happily. "A great feeling!"

Final Table Results - WSOPE - €1,111 Little One for One Drop - Event #8