Guy Laliberté – A Philanthropic Poker Player with Astronaut Credentials!

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By 888poker Team

Guy Laliberté is a high-stakes poker With an estimated net worth of about $1.2 billion, he is renowned for founding Cirque du Soleil and for his charitable work through the One Drop Foundation.

Only a handful of players share a journey like Guy's; notably, he was the first prominent poker player to travel to space!

Now, let's delve deeper into his remarkable high-profile pursuits.

Guy Laliberté - Online Poker for High Stakes

Between the mid-2000s and early 2010s, Guy established himself as a leading player in high-stakes cash games. poker games on Full Tilt Poker (FTP).

He operated under various aliases, such as Lady Marmelade , elmariachimacho , patatino , and noatima . Known for competing at nosebleed stakes (starting from $200/$400 and up), he played against poker legends including Phil Ivey, Tom Dwan, Viktor 'Isildur1' Blom, and Patrik Antonius.

High-Stakes Online Poker - Featuring Patrik Antonius

Rumor has it that Guy lost several million dollars online, with estimates between $17 million and over $30 million. Many professional players viewed him as a 'whale' due to his relatively weaker skills compared to other high-stakes competitors.

Televised High-Stakes Poker – The Biggest Pot Ever

Guy Laliberté made guest appearances on popular televised cash games such as Poker After Dark and High Stakes Poker.

In 2007, he was part of a record-breaking pot in High Stakes Poker, where the total amount reached $1,227,900. The showdown was between him and David Benyamine, with Guy going all-in with two pairs against Benyamine's flush draw.

Instead of betting the full amount in contention, Guy chose to take only what was already in the pot, which was a significant advantage for Benyamine, showcasing his compassionate nature over the desire to win. poker hand His gameplay reflects a desire for thrill rather than profit; after all, financial concerns are negligible for him given his vast wealth.

Following the notorious Black Friday incident in the poker world, Laliberté reduced his online play. At the time, he reported losses of about $4.6 million playing high-stakes Pot-Limit Omaha under the screen name Zypherin .

Though Guy acknowledged that online poker wasn't lucrative for him, in an interview with Le Journal de Montreal, he expressed feelings of being deceived by the Full Tilt Poker cash games.

Full Tilt was known for providing its professionals generous 100% rakeback deals and substantial poker loans, many of which were never repaid.

Billionaire Guy Laliberté Alleges Being a Victim of Collusion by Anonymous Full Tilt Poker Players:

It's widely suggested that playing with practically limitless funds supplied by the poker room makes bluffing easier and improves the chances of making successful bluff catches.

In 1985, seeking a performance act, the Quebec government listened to Guy's pitch for the innovative concept of Cirque du Soleil (Circus of the Sun). Following a government grant, Cirque du Soleil flourished over the subsequent decade and eventually secured permanent shows in Las Vegas. poker variance .

Guy Laliberte – The Origins

Guy Laliberte was born September 2ndIn 2015, Laliberté sold 90% of Cirque du Soleil for $1.5 billion, shifting his focus toward philanthropic initiatives and personal projects.

Having transformed Cirque du Soleil into a global phenomenon, Guy sought to give back in a meaningful way. His global travels opened his eyes to the pressing issue of clean water scarcity, motivating him to take action.

In 2007, he founded the One Drop Foundation aimed at enhancing water accessibility and collaborating with various governments and NGOs to foster sustainable change.

The One Drop Foundation

Laliberté made a remarkable initial donation of $100 million to launch the foundation.

In a creative blend of poker passion and philanthropy, Guy organized The Big One for One Drop, a poker tournament with a staggering $1,000,000 buy-in, aimed at raising funds for his charity. At the time, this was the largest buy-in tournament ever held.

The inaugural event took place in 2012, where Antonio Esfandiari emerged victorious, pocketing $18.3 million, which was then the record for the largest payout in WSOP history. As of February 2025, five One Drop tournaments have been conducted.

The Big One for One Drop

Antonio Esfandiari triumphed in this tournament with a spectacular first-place payout of $18,346,673, making it one of the most prestigious poker tournaments to date.

In addition to these major events, the One Drop Foundation has organized various tournaments with different buy-ins, such as the 'High Roller for One Drop' and the 'Little One for One Drop,' further supporting charitable causes.

Staying true to his Cirque du Soleil background, Laliberté took a red clown nose along, wearing it while enjoying weightlessness and even taking photographs. His primary goal during this journey was to raise awareness about the importance of water conservation. world poker tournaments With a family of five children, Guy Laliberté is known for his passions that encompass art, adventure, and charity. Here are some intriguing aspects about him -

Guy Laliberté  Visits Space

Guy enjoys extreme sports, including activities like skydiving and diving into the depths of the ocean.

In 1997, he was honored as a Knight of the National Order of Quebec for his contributions and achievements in the realms of arts and culture within Quebec.

Guy Laliberte – Personal Life

In 2004, he received the Order of Canada for his groundbreaking work in establishing Cirque du Soleil.

  • Guy authored a book named 'Gaia,' which narrates his experience in space and articulates his vision for conserving Earth's natural resources.
  • This book, titled Gaia, is an extraordinary production and includes photographs captured from the Space Station by Guy Laliberté himself.
  • Additionally, Guy is a skilled DJ who has performed at numerous events and festivals globally.
  • As a passionate art collector, he possesses an extensive range of contemporary artworks, some of which he showcases in various exhibitions and galleries.
  • One thing is abundantly clear: Guy Laliberté is an exceptionally gifted individual who has excelled across multiple fields, whether it's in
  • His charitable efforts through the One Drop Foundation highlight his commitment to helping humanity and promoting sustainable environmental practices.

Guy also exhibits a tendency for thrill-seeking and taking risks, reflected in his interests in extreme sports, high-stakes gambling, and space exploration.

With a registration of over 10 million members worldwide, 888poker stands as the fastest-growing online poker platform, with a new player registering every 12 seconds. Since its inception in 1997, 888 has led the online gaming sector and pioneered safe, responsible gaming practices. It ranks among the largest and most reliable brands globally, delivering an extensive array of games, valuable tournaments, and thrilling live poker events for players across the globe. poker combos or saving the planet.

High-Stakes Poker on TV – Featuring the Biggest Pot

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