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.  In 2004, the final Championship WSOP event, no limit Texas Hold'em, had 2,576 entries and a record setting first place prize of $5 million.

The 2005 World Series of Poker will be the 36th annual World Series of Poker tournament.  Over 6,000 poker players are expected to participate in the WSOP Championship tournament (for a complete WSOP schedule, see World Series Poker Schedule).  The total prize pool for the WSOP Championship will likely exceed $60 million, with an estimated first place prize over $8 million.

The venue for the World Series of Poker is changing.  The WSOP tournaments have always taken place at Binion's Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Harrah's has taken over the World Series of Poker and will be holding the WSOP tournaments at the Rio Las Vegas (although the final two days of the Championship tournament will be held at Binion's for 2005).

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 2004 World Series of Poker saw many of those amateurs beating the pros.  The winner of the WSOP championship event was a patent attorney by the name of Greg “Fossilman” Raymer.  The players are also getting younger.  More than a few 2004 WSOP tournaments were won by players in their twenties.  You can see all of the 2004 World Series of Poker stories and results at 2004 World Series of Poker.

The World Series of Poker actually consists of a number of poker tournaments of various poker games including Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Razz, and Stud Poker.  There are also Lowball and Hi-Low split poker games.  The 2005 World Series of Poker has 45 individual poker tournaments which begin on June 2 and end with the final day of the World Championship Event on July 15. 

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

Many of the World Series of Poker tournament final tables are taped and televised by ESPN.  At the 2004 WSOP, ESPN taped thirteen tournaments to create 22 one hour shows.  For more about the ESPN World Series of Poker television shows see WSOP ESPN Poker.

History of the World Series of Poker

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 Hold'em, 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.

World Series of Poker Champions

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

All about the World Series of Poker.

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