Poker is usually simple. You sit down, you play your cards, and you try to win. But every now and then, the game becomes something more.
That’s what’s happening at this year’s European Poker Tour (EPT) Monte Carlo. One of the most prestigious stops in the poker world is adding a different kind of meaning to the action. It’s still high stakes, still elite players, still Monte Carlo. But this time, there’s a bigger reason behind it all.
PokerStars has partnered with the One Drop Foundation to raise funds for global water access. The focus is the €100,000 High Roller for One Drop, running from May 1 to May 3 as part of the festival that takes place from April 30 to May 10.
Playing for More Than the Prize Pool
The structure of the event reflects a simple but powerful concept.
From every €100,000 buy-in, 3% will be donated directly to One Drop’s global safe water projects, while 1% will cover operational costs. In a field filled with the world’s top players, every decision at the table will also contribute to life-changing initiatives far beyond Monte Carlo.
The One Drop Foundation was created by Guy Laliberté, a name that carries weight in both entertainment and poker. Over the years, the foundation has built a strong connection with the poker community. Since 2012, more than $26 million has been raised through these events.
That money goes toward improving access to safe water and sanitation. Around 2.2 billion people still don’t have safe water at home. One Drop focuses on long-term solutions, helping communities build systems that actually last.
Laliberté summed it up clearly: “One Drop Foundation is thrilled to partner with EPT and PokerStars to bring the cause of safe water to the poker table at the iconic Sporting Monte Carlo. Witnessing the poker community compete at the highest level for such a vital cause, access to clean water for all, is truly inspiring. We hope to see you there.”
A Natural Fit for PokerStars
For PokerStars, the partnership feels natural. Poker has always been built around people. Around competition, but also around community.
Cédric Billot, Associate Director of PokerStars Live Events, explained it clearly: “Poker has always had a strong culture of community, and partnering with One Drop allows us to channel that spirit into supporting an incredibly important cause. The €100,000 High Roller at EPT Monte Carlo attracts some of the best players in the world, and we’re excited that this year it will also contribute to supporting global water access and help drive a meaningful impact.”
The project also fits into Flutter’s broader Do More campaign. The idea behind it is simple. Use the scale of the company to create real change, not just through money, but through visibility and action.
Monte Carlo: Where Prestige Meets Purpose
Set inside the iconic Sporting Monte-Carlo, EPT Monte Carlo has long been considered the crown jewel of European poker.
For over two decades, the festival has attracted the world’s best players, offering a blend of high-stakes competition and luxury atmosphere on the French Riviera. This year’s schedule includes the €5,300 Main Event, €25,000 High Roller, and now the €100K High Roller for One Drop — adding a new layer of meaning to an already prestigious stop.
Players like Jason Koon, one of the most accomplished high-stakes professionals in the game, are expected to headline the field, with the tournament broadcast live via PokerStars’ global livestream. The event will offer fans around the world the opportunity to follow both the action and the story behind it.
Warren Lush and the Media Angle
There’s also something happening away from the tables.
Warren Lush is once again part of the picture. He’s been around poker for years, working closely with Tony G and previously shaping the media side for Rob Yong. He understands how poker stories work. Not just what happens, but how it’s told. And that’s exactly what stands out around this event.
Speaking to poker.pro, Lush shared an exclusive insight from One Drop Foundation CEO Ernenek Duran, giving a sense of the atmosphere around the event: “We are thrilled to partner with PokerStars for the €100,000 High Roller for One Drop at EPT Monte Carlo and look forward to raising funds together for the vital cause of safe water. We have packed our famous One Drop blue clown noses and hope players will catch the spirit and join the fun.”
It’s a small detail, but it says a lot. This isn’t just another high roller. There’s energy behind it, a mix of serious competition and genuine purpose that you don’t always see at this level.
Moments like this show where poker is heading. Not just results, but stories that connect.
A Game That Gives Back
EPT Monte Carlo has always been about prestige, competition, and unforgettable moments. But this year, it’s also about impact.
The €100,000 High Roller for One Drop offers players a rare opportunity to compete at the highest level while contributing to a cause that affects billions of people worldwide. Because sometimes, the most meaningful wins in poker aren’t the ones captured in chip stacks or prize money. They’re the ones that happen far beyond the table.
One Drop Winners
| Year | Event | Winner | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | $1,000,000 Big One for One Drop |  Antonio Esfandiari | United States | $18,346,673 |
| 2013 | $100,000 High Roller for One Drop | Anthony Gregg | United States | $4,830,619 |
| 2014 | $1,000,000 Big One for One Drop | Dan Colman | United States | $15,306,668 |
| 2015 | $100,000 High Roller for One Drop |  Jonathan Duhamel | Canada | $3,989,985 |
| 2016 | $100,000 High Roller for One Drop |  Fedor Holz | Germany | $4,981,775 |
| 2016 | €1,000,000 Monte-Carlo One Drop Extravaganza | Elton Tsang | Canada | $12,248,912 |
| 2017 | $100,000 High Roller for One Drop | Doug Polk | United States | $3,686,865 |
| 2018 | $1,000,000 Big One for One Drop | Justin Bonomo | United States | $10,000,000 |
| 2023 | $111,000 Alpha8 for One Drop (Las Vegas) | Jonathan Jaffe | United States | $1,537,600 |
| 2023 | $111,000 Alpha8 for One Drop (South Korea) | Steve O’Dwyer | United States | $1,009,520 |
| 2023 | $1,000,000 Big One for One Drop |  Mikita Badziakouski | Belarus | $7,114,500 |
