World Series of Poker

The World Series of Poker is one of the most prestigious poker tournaments in the world.  First played in 1970, the World Series of Poker has grown in popularity ever since.

The World Series of Poker draws many of the top poker pros, but it is not their exclusive domain.  Players come from all walks of life and most of the poker players are amateurs.  The World Series of Poker often sees many of those amateurs beating the pros.

The World Series of Poker actually consists of a number of poker tournaments of various poker games including Texas Holdem, Omaha, Razz, and Stud Poker.  There are also Lowball and Hi-Low split poker games.  The World Series of Poker typically has about 45 individual poker tournaments which begin the first week of June and end with the final day of the World Championship Event about mid-July.

The winner of each World Series of Poker tournament event is awarded a gold bracelet (which many players value more than the cash prize).  The cash prizes are substantial typically ranging in the low to mid six figures with the first place prize for last year's Championship event setting a new record at $5 million.  Poker tournament buy-ins generally range from $1,000 to $5,000 with the Championship tournament having a buy-in of $10,000.  Players can also get into the Championship tournament by winning World Series of Poker satellite tournaments.

Harrahs Casino also sponsors the World Series of Poker Tournament Circuit.  The circuit is comprised of various poker tournaments held at different Harrahs casino properties nationwide.  Poker tournament players earn points toward an invitation to the World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions which is held shortly after the conclusion of the regular World Series of Poker tournaments.

Many of the World Series of Poker tournament final tables are taped and televised by ESPN.

As legend has it, the idea for the World Series of Poker has its genesis in a 1949 high-stakes poker tournament between Nicholas 'Nick the Greek' Dandolos and Johnny Moss which was arranged by Benny Binion. The tournament was held before a public audience and lasted five months. Dandolos and Moss went back and forth playing a variety of poker games. Ultimately Moss won all the money (an estimated $2 million).

In 1970, Benny Binion took this idea a step further and held another poker tournament, called it the World Series of Poker, and invited many of the top poker players of the day. The poker tournament champion was decided by a popular vote and Johnny Moss prevailed again.

The next year, 1971, the World Series of Poker was changed to an elimination format. The player left standing at the end with all of the chips was Johnny Moss, again World Champion. In 1972, Thomas 'Amarillo Slim' Preston won the tournament.

Since then, the World Series of Poker has had its share of drama and excitement.  In a story that should give every poker player hope, Jack Strauss came back to win one year after having lost all but one chip of his stake early in the poker tournament.  Proving that it is never too late to be great again, Stu Ungar picked up his third win after spending 17 years mostly out of competition.

One of the leading money winners in the World Series of Poker has been T. J. Cloutier.  Over the years, he has finished in the money in over 30 WSOP poker game events.  He has also won five first place WSOP gold bracelets in various events.  In the main Championship event of Texas Holdem, he has finished twice in second-place, and once each in third place and fifth place.

Billy Baxter, one of the other big names in poker, dominated the deuce-to-seven draw poker WSOP tournament for many years, with five first place finishes and two second place finishes.

Many other household poker names have graced the World Series of Poker over the years.  Names such as Mickey Appleman, Bobby Baldwin, Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, Johnny Moss, and "Amarillo Slim" Preston.

These are the World Series of Poker Champions, winners of the main tournament event, no limit Texas Holdem.

2008 Peter Eastgate
2007 Jerry Yang
2006 Jamie Gold
2005 Joe Hachem
2004 Greg Raymer
2003 Chris Moneymaker
2002 Robert Varkonyi
2001 Carlos Mortenson
2000 Chris "Jesus" Ferguson (the first time the first prize was $1.5 million)
1999 Noel Furlong
1998 Scotty Nguyen
1997 Stu Ungar
1996 Huck Seed
1995 Dan Harrington
1994 Russ Hamilton (also won his weight in silver as a "WSOP Silver Anniversary" bonus)
1993 Jim Bechtel
1992 Hamid Dastmalchi
1991 Brad Daugherty (the first time the first prize was $1 million)
1990 Mansour Matloubi
1989 Phil Hellmuth, Jr. (youngest ever winner)
1988 Johnny Chan
1987 Johnny Chan
1986 Berry Johnston
1985 Bill Smith
1984 Jack Kellar
1983 Tom McEvoy
1982 Jack "Treetop" Strauss
1981 Stu Ungar
1980 Stu Ungar
1979 Hal Fowler
1978 Bobby Baldwin
1977 Doyle Brunson
1976 Doyle Brunson
1975 Sailor Roberts
1974 Johnny Moss
1973 Puggy Pearson
1972 "Amarillo Slim" Preston
1971 Johnny Moss (won in competition, as are all subsequent)
1970 Johnny Moss (awarded by peer vote) All about the World Series of Poker.

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