World Series of Poker: History

When you hear the term, the World Series of Poker,put up that much money (5 of the 6 eventually won
most people today think about ESPN coverage anda World Series title). And again, Johnny Moss was
thousands of people all laying down $10,000 tovictorious.
become the next poker millionaire. The top playersThrough the years men became relatively famous by
are cult icons and have turned their fame into smallwinning the title. Amarillo Slim Preston won in 1972.
fortunes, hocking chip sets, instructional videos,Doyle Brunson won in 1976 and 1977. Stu Ungar won
books, video games, and websites. But it hasn'tin 1980, 1981, and later in 1997. And Johnny Chan
always been that way.won back to back in 1987 and 1988. Chan was later
The idea for the World Series began in the summerimmortalized in the movie Rounders.
of 1949 when Nicholas "Nick the Greek" DandolosThe size of the tournament changed dramatically a
approached Binion's Horseshoe owner Benny Binion tocouple of times. One addition that Binion created was
set up a match between Dandolos and the legendarya satellite tournament. These were tournaments set
Texas road gambler, Johnny Moss. Binion did so withup so that players who didn't want to put down the
the stipulation that the game would be played infull $10,000 buy in, could put up $1000 and play with
public view.a smaller tournament with 9 other players with the
Crowds gathered at Binion's Horseshoe to watch thiswinner gaining an entry into the Main Event. This
marathon contest that lasted five months withsatellite concept quickly spawned many more
breaks only for sleep. Moss ultimately won anentrants and other similar ideas (such as larger
estimated $2 million. When "The Greek" lost his lastsatellites with an even smaller buy in) grew around
pot, he arose from his chair, bowed slightly, andthem.
uttered the now-famous words, "Mr. Moss, I have toIn 2003, the World Series of Poker took a turn. The
let you go." Binion, always a promoter at heart, notedWorld Poker Tour had exploded and ESPN decided to
that the public had gathered outside the casino eachtelevise the entire main event with hole card cams to
day to watch the game with the fervor of dedicatedgive the viewers a look into the mind of the great
sports fans, and he was amazed at the attention theplayers. And an unknown with a perfect name came
event had attracted.out on top. Chris Moneymaker turned the poker
However, it wasn't until 1970 that Binion decided toworld upside down with his victory over the greats
re-create this excitement and stage a battle ofof the game. And the poker phenomenon was born.
poker giants - dubbed the "World Series of Poker" -In the last few years, many of these satellites have
to determine who would be worthy of the titlebegun to take place online. The boom of this online
"World Champion." He sent word out to find the bestsatellite system has been a key driver in the
poker players in the country and 38 top pros showedexpansion of the WSOP and other poker events.
up. They played for several days mixing differentCombined with the Moneymaker win, the size of the
games. In the end, the decision was democratic inmain event has gone from 613 in 2002 to 5619 in
that the champion was decided by popular vote.2005.
After the first vote when each gambler voted forToday, the legacy Benny Binion left the poker
himself, Binion changed the rules so that no mancommunity ranks as the oldest, largest, and most
could vote for himself. Naturally Johnny Moss cameprestigious gambling competition in the world. In 2005,
out on top. Thus the WSOP was born.with 5619 entrants, $7.5 million for first, and players
It wasn't until 1971 that the tournament structurefrom around the world, the WSOP has grown from a
was born. Binion created the freeze out structuresmall gambling convention to an international sporting
where everyone would play until one man had all theevent.
chips after each put up $10,000. Only 6 men would