Derek Adamian Wins Star-Studded Big Deal For One Drop Charity Poker Tournament Amidst F1 Frenzy in Las Vegas

The roar of Formula 1 engines wasn`t the only sound roaring in Las Vegas this weekend. On Friday, as the world’s fastest drivers prepared for the qualifying race of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, a different kind of competition was revving up at the Allē Lounge on 66 at Resorts World. Forget the checkered flag; this was a poker battle, all in the name of charity.

The first-ever $10,000 Big Deal for One Drop Charity Poker Tournament, hosted by Cirque du Soleil and One Drop founder Guy Laliberté, brought together a mix of celebrities, F1 legends, poker pros, and philanthropists for a night of intense action and big-hearted giving.

And who better to lead the festivities than the one and only “Poker Brat,” 17-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth? Decked out in a custom One Drop and WPT Foundation jersey (with his trademark No. 17 front and centre), Hellmuth brought his signature energy and showmanship to the event.

What a night at the Big Deal for @OneDrop during Race Week at @ResortsWorldLV!

Derek Adamian claimed the top prize: a Singapore Grand Prix VIP Experience for 2 and the WPT Arsham Poker Set!

Big thanks to @allinforonedrop for their work bringing clean water to those in need.💧 pic.twitter.com/vzRMIdUtSX

— World Poker Tour (@WPT) November 23, 2024

The tournament roster read like a who’s who of the racing and poker worlds, with names like David Coulthard, Martin Brundle, Mika Häkkinen, and Alex Wurz, former Alpine Renault Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer, and poker royalty like Antonio Esfandiari, Jeff Gross, Dan “Jungleman” Cates, Matthias Eibinger, Tony Dunst, two-time Celebrity Poker Tour champion Maria Ho, WPT tournament director Matt Savage, and the one and only Jennifer Tilly.

Hellmuth and Tilly, never ones to miss a chance to shine, were the life of the party, posing for photos with fans and keeping the atmosphere buzzing. But Tilly wasn’t there just for the photo ops; she proved her poker chops with a deep run that landed her an impressive fourth-place finish.

“We are very happy with how this inaugural event came together,” said Adam Pliska, President and CEO of the World Poker Tour. “The Big Deal for One Drop showcased the perfect blend of fun, competition, and meaningful impact, creating an afternoon to remember.”

The tournament, which began with four tables, followed a semi-shootout format, with the final two players from each table advancing to the final table. That’s where the real excitement began, with a lineup of incredible prizes up for grabs.

And it was Derek Adamian who came out on top of this epic battle! Not only did he outlast a field packed with seasoned pros and A-list celebrities, but he also navigated his way through a stacked final table that included Guy Laliberté himself, Jennifer Tilly, Dan “Jungleman” Cates, Jeff Gross, and former F1 driver Alex Wurz! For his incredible victory, Adamian walked away with the ulta-exclusive Monaco Grand Prix Experience, complete with VIP tickets to the race, invitations to the Prince’s Palace Reception, and a one-of-a-kind limited-edition World Poker Tour chip set.

Runner-up Raphael Schreiner also snagged a fantastic reward, as did Laliberté, Tilly, Cates, Gross, and Wurz (who, incredibly, was playing poker for the very first time!).

The prizes for this tournament were incredible, and the winner got to pick first, followed by the other finalists:

• Singapore Grand Prix VIP Experience: Private suite tickets for two with luxury accommodations at the October 2025 race.
• Montreal Grand Prix VIP Experience: Platinum tickets and VIP hospitality in June 2025, including access to the legendary Ritz-Carlton Grand Prix VIP Party.
• Steve Aoki DJ Booth Experience: An exclusive opportunity for four to party with the electrifying Steve Aoki from the DJ booth, complete with a meet-and-greet and premium hospitality.
• Mahindra Formula E Team Hospitality Package: VIP access to the 2025 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
• Dos Caras Gran Embajador Tequila: An ultra-limited-edition bottle valued at over $10,000. A true collector’s item for tequila connoisseurs.

But beyond the glitz and glamour, the tournament had a powerful purpose: supporting the One Drop Foundation’s mission to provide safe water, sanitation, and hygiene to communities in need worldwide. Since 2012, One Drop has changed the lives of nearly 3 Million people, and events like this one are crucial to continuing their life-changing work.

“The Big Deal for One Drop is a testament to the power of community and collaboration,” said Laliberté. “It’s incredible to see so many people come together, not just for the love of the game but also to bring hope and opportunity to communities in need of access to safe water around the world.”

Want to get involved with One Drop’s mission to provide safe water for all? Visit OneDrop.org to learn more about their incredible work.

About One Drop Foundation

One Drop is all about bringing people together to solve the water and climate crisis. With the same creative spirit that drives Cirque du Soleil, it rallies behind local and international changemakers to raise funds and create solutions that lead to life-changing projects around the world. Since 2007, the foundation has transformed the lives of millions of people in Latin America, India, Africa, and indigenous communities in Canada.

About WPT Foundation

The World Poker Tour Foundation is a non-profit organization that uses the World Poker Tour’s global reach to make a positive impact. Through “WPT Playing for a Better World” events like this, they’ve helped raise nearly $50 Million for charities focused on human rights, education, hunger, and the environment.

Content and Images Courtesy: WPT