Mikita Badziakouski Wins The Big One for One Drop for $7.1 million

The final day of action has concluded in Las Vegas and after outlasting 16 others, Belarussian professional Mikita Badziakouski beat Michael Mosboeck heads-up to win the top prize of $7.1 million. Taking the title after two huge hands decided his fate, Badziakouski went past $50 million in lifetime earnings and moved into 7^th place on the All-Time Money List in the process.

Heroes Among Men Make Final Six

With an all-male cast of 17 superstars playing the $1 million-entry Big One for One Drop at the World Poker Tour festival, 14 made the second day, with Phil Ivey and David Einhorn on the outside looking in. By the time the final day arrived, only six stars remained, with others such as Chris Brewer and Jason Koon also on the sidelines having failed to make a profit.

Back in May, we wrote about how Badziakouski has quietly become one of the all-time greats in the poker world. A $15,810,000 prizepool was up for grabs but only four players would make money for their intense three days of work, with two more needing to bust for nothing as the final day began. After some small movements among the players, Mosboeck became the chip leader as he eliminated Santosh Suvarna in sixth place.

The Indian player, who has cashed for over $6.6 million in his relatively short time in the game in terms of playing ranking poker tournaments, moved all-in with 3♦3♣. Mario Mosboeck called with A♣K♠ and a board of 10♦7♥2♥8♠A♥ had cruel news on 5^th street as an ace sent Suvarna to the rail. The event, which as well as paying out millions to four of the world’s best poker players has also raised money for the One Drop Foundation’s mission of ensuring sustainable access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene for communities facing extreme barriers, was about to reach a million-dollar money bubble.

All Change as Americans Depart

“THE TOURNAMENT IS THE BIGGEST TITLE I’VE EVER HAD.”

Five remained, but with only four paid a profit, any all-in and a call meant time for everyone to breathe in as hope gave way to nerves. The eventual winner, Mikita Badziakouski, was all-in and at risk of elimination but his A♦7♠ got the better of Nick Petrangelo’s J♣8♥ after the American shoved from the small blind and Badziakouski called from the big.

Two Americans clashed in the bubble hand as Isaac Haxton three-bet shoved with A♥K♠ and Nick Petrangleo called with A♣Q♦. It was a nightmare spot for the latter and after a board of A♠7♣5♦9♣10♦ played out, Petrangelo was on the rail with nothing but memories of a fun tournament to take with him.

Haxton may have won that hand, but in a year dominated by the American and several major tournament victories, he lost out in fourth place for a min-cash. Austrian former soccer pro Mario Mosboeck took a massive pot from the American, and Haxton was then short when he called off his stack with A♥Q♥. Badziakouski was the aggressor in the hand, having shoved with 8♥8♣ and those snowmen held when a board of 5♠4♦2♥10♥J♦ fell to give the Belarussian the pot and send Haxton to the rail with $1,224,800.

The Cowboy Loses His Spurs as Badziakouski Binks

Also running short, overnight chip leader Dan Smith called all-in with A♥4♦ when Mosboeck shoved with K♣7♣ pre-flop. The flop of Q♣10♥7♦ saw the at-risk player Smith fall behind as the Austrian hit his second pair, and after the  turn and K♦ river, Smith was heading to his post-match interview with Drea Renee before collecting $2,806,750.

Heads-up, Mosboeck was the chip leader, with 10,325,000 chips, the equivalent of 83 big blinds. Badziakouski had 6,675,000 – only 53 big blinds – but that soon changed when Badziakouski held 8♣6♣ on a board of A♥7♦5♥K♠. Mosboeck held A♦5♠ for two pair and his lead was gone, as he slipped down to 4 million chips, with Badziakouski now up to a 3:1 lead with 13 million.

Mosboeck dropped to 2 million chips, then doubled up. Still just shy of 4 million, he needed to do the same again to get level, calling off his stack with K♣J♦. He was wrong to do so, however, as Badziakouski held A♦9♠. Five cards from victory, the board of 10♦10♣8♣8♥4♥ gave the Belarussian the biggest victory of his poker career.

“I feel great – the tournament itself is the biggest title I’ve ever had,” said Badziakouski after winning the final hand. “I just got lucky in a couple big coolers. That’s how it goes; one of the sides has to get lucky and that was me today.”

Here are all the results from a superb tournament with a thrilling win at the last.

After the conclusion of the event, Alexandre Meunier, One Drop Foundation’s Chief Marketing and Events Officer said, “A big thank you to all the players that participated in the WPT Big One for One Drop. The charitable contribution of each buy-in is a tremendous help to progressing our worldwide efforts.

This year’s returning Big One for One Drop may not have been as popular as in other years of its history but a dramatic conclusion and high-profile winner means the event is sure to return in the future.