World Series of Poker to Offer $1 Million Buy-In: Prize Will be $12.3 Mil

Just days after it was revealed that the Manila Millions Super High Roller will become the biggest cash tournament in history, the World Series of Poker has announced its own $1 million buy-in.  The Manila event takes place next week and already has a number of top pros confirmed including Phil Ivey and Tom Dwan. 

WSOP officials announced Thursday that 30 players are committed to participating in this huge tournament meaning that the winner will receive a prize of $12.3million, which is nearly $300,000 more than the record Main Event prize of $12million won by Jamie Gold in 2006.

Of the 30 individuals registered, only 10 are professional poker players while the rest are rich businessmen.  Dwan is already slated for the WSOP event while Daniel Negreanu has also signed on.

Cirque du Soleil owner Guy Laliberté organized the tournament with the WSOP as a means of raising money for One Drop, a non-governmental organization he founded that pushes for access to water in poor countries.  11 percent of the buy-ins will go towards One Drop. 

The final table will be broadcast live on ESPN.

- Ace King, Gambling911.com