Daniel Cates Archives

The World Poker Tour (WPT) World Championship's Big One for One Drop event, set for December at Wynn Las Vegas, is shaping up to be a major highlight in the poker world. With a steep $1 million buy-in, this tournament is not just a display of skill but also a significant fundraiser for the One Drop Foundation, dedicated to ensuring sustainable water access worldwide. Five additional names were added to the roster, bringing the total number of players to 13. Among them is poker heavyweight Jason Koon, who, despite his $52.6 million in live earnings, seeks redemption after missing the cash in the 2018 event. Joining him are newcomers Aleksejs Ponakovs, Artur Martirosian, Orpen Kisacikoglu, and Santhosh Suvarna. Each has earned over a million in live tournaments, marking them as formidable opponents. With the addition of the latest players, the participant count for the event has reached 13, including poker icons Phil Ivey, Chris Brewer, Dan “Jungleman” Cates, Rick Salomon, Mikita Badziakouski, Nick Petrangelo, David Einhorn, and Talal Shakerchi. Adam Pliska, WPT CEO, expressed his enthusiasm: “Jason is a well-respected member of the high-stakes community. We were honored to hear of his commitment.” Indeed, the inclusion of such a high-caliber player highlights the event's prestige. Alexandre Meunier, the One Drop Foundation's Chief Marketing and Events Officer, also shared his excitement about the new entrants. “It is amazing to welcome Aleksejs Ponakovs, Artur Martirosian, Orpen Kisacikoglu, and Santhosh Suvarna as first-time participants in the Big One playing a crucial role in supporting One Drop Foundation’s water mission. The best of luck to all.” Past winners of the Big One for One Drop include some of the best-known names in poker. Antonio Esfandiari set the bar high in 2012 with a record-breaking win in the inaugural tournament, followed by Dan Colman in 2014, Elton Tsang in 2016, and Justin Bonomo in 2018, each securing multi-million dollar prizes and solidifying their places in poker history.

Daniel Cates

Poker Elites and New Challengers Join Big One for One Drop

Winning the Game of Life: Daniel Cates’ Podcast on Success, Growth, Health, Poker and More

Daniel ‘Jungleman’ Cates Makes a 1,500 Mile Traveling Mistake