“I’m really excited,” said Duhamel. “It’s amazing, it’s going to be something really special that we’ve never seen before in the poker world.”
On July 1, Duhamel and up to 47 other players will put down $1 million to play in the WSOP Big One for One Drop, an international charity dedicated to bringing fresh water to communities in need.
Not Daunted By Big Buy-In
Duhamel is not unfamiliar with huge tournaments. He made one of the biggest scores in poker history when he won the 2010 WSOP Main Event for $8.9 million.
Since then Duhamel has gone to become one of the most successful world champions in recent memory with nearly $2 million in tournaments winnings after he took down the Main Event.
Duhamel has shown a particular talent for high buy-in tournaments such as the Caribbean Adventure $100k Super High Roller where he finished fourth for $313,600 this winter.
Amazingly Duhamel also finished second in the $25k high roller later in that festival to take down an even bigger $634k prize.
“I think I’ve done pretty well in those,” he said. “It’s good practice to play against the top players in the world.”
Of course a $1 million buy-in is another level of insanity. Duhamel admitted the sheer size of the buy-in will change how some players approach the game.
“People play scared when it’s a $1,000 buy-in tournament let alone $1 million,” he said. “It’s important to just not think about it and do what you need to do.”
Money Bubble Biggest in Poker History
With the WSOP Big One for One Drop rumored to be approaching the cap of 48 players, the first-place prize could potential reach $15 million - even more than Duhamel’s huge score in 2010.
The money bubble will easily be the biggest in poker history.
“It’s going to be so interesting,” he said. “The dynamic will be really fun because the rich businessmen won't care about the bubble while all the pros, it’s their job, so they will care a little more.”
When asked whom he would take in the tournament, other than himself, Duhamel actually avoided the pros and went with One Drop founder Guy Laliberte.
“I wish we could go heads-up,” said Duhamel with a smile. “That would be pretty cool.”
For all the action from the WSOP in Las Vegas click through to our 2012 World Series of Poker Live Coverage section, brought to you by 888poker.com.
Visit www.pokerlistings.com