Doyle Brunson, who passed away just this year (2023), won the WSOP twice when the tournament was in its infancy. Famously the winning hand to capture each of his titles was 10 and 2 off-suit. This hand is now known as the Doyle Brunson.
The World Series of Poker is an annual competitive event where amateur and professional players play a structured Texas hold’em poker tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada. The entry fee is an expensive $10,000 and in 2023 there was 10,000 entries into the tournament. The winner wins a bracelet and millions of dollars, while players who make it deep in the tournament can also win hundreds of thousands of dollars. The WSOP (Main Event) is largely seen as the premiere poker tournament in the world.
Since its inception in 1970, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) has grown to become the most prestigious and highly anticipated poker tournament series in the world. With a rich history filled with iconic moments, famous players, and mind-boggling payouts, the WSOP has solidified its place in the annals of gambling and has forever changed the landscape of competitive poker. In this article, we will embark on a captivating journey through the evolution of the World Series of Poker, exploring its notable winners, multiple-time champions, and the incredible growth of the tournament over the years.
The World Series of Poker was born from the mind of Benny Binion, a legendary figure in the Las Vegas casino industry. In 1970, Binion invited seven of the most skilled poker players to compete in a single no-limit Texas hold’em tournament, which would later become known as the Main Event. Johnny Moss emerged victorious, being crowned the first-ever WSOP Main Event champion.
In the early years, the WSOP experienced steady growth in both participation and prize pools. In 1971, Moss became the first back-to-back winner, successfully defending his title. However, it was Amarillo Slim Preston who took the poker world by storm, winning the Main Event in 1972, solidifying his place as a true poker icon.
In the early years, the WSOP experienced steady growth in both participation and prize pools. In 1971, Moss became the first back-to-back winner, successfully defending his title. However, it was Amarillo Slim Preston who took the poker world by storm, winning the Main Event in 1972, solidifying his place as a true poker icon.
In 1976, the WSOP saw the emergence of a new superstar as Doyle Brunson clinched his first Main Event victory. Brunson would go on to win the prestigious tournament once again in 1977, cementing his status as one of the greatest players in poker history.
During the 1980s, the popularity of the WSOP soared, attracting both professional players and amateurs from around the globe. Stu Ungar became a household name with his exceptional skill and astonishing comeback victories in 1980, 1981, and 1997. Ungar’s three Main Event victories remain an unmatched record to this day.
The Modern Era and Record-Breaking Payouts:
As the WSOP entered the 21st century, the tournament exploded in popularity, thanks in large part to the advent of televised poker. Chris Moneymaker’s extraordinary victory in 2003 added fuel to the poker boom, as he qualified for the Main Event through an online satellite tournament and turned his $40 investment into a staggering $2.5 million first-place prize. This win ushered in the modern era which resulted in an online poker industry and poker software tools which allowed even more access to the game for millions of players world-wide.
In 2004, Greg “Fossilman” Raymer electrified the poker world by donning his iconic holographic sunglasses and winning the Main Event. The following year, Joe Hachem became the first Australian to win the WSOP, claiming a jaw-dropping $7.5 million in prize money.
Throughout the years, several players have demonstrated remarkable consistency and skill by winning multiple WSOP Main Events. Johnny Chan captured the championship bracelets in consecutive years (1987 and 1988), while Johnny Moss, Doyle Brunson, and Stu Ungar have also won back-to-back.
However, these winners won when the number of entries was from just a few players to a few hundred. The chance of a back-to-back champion in modern times is pretty much impossible. The tournament has also witnessed impressive performances by renowned professional players such as Phil Hellmuth, who holds the record for the most WSOP bracelets won (as of 2021) with 15 victories in various events.
Expanding Fields and Prize Pools:
The WSOP has experienced remarkable growth in terms of the number of entries and the prize pools offered. In the early years, participation was limited, with just a handful of players vying for the coveted title. However, in recent times, the Main Event has attracted thousands of players from all corners of the globe, culminating in a colossal prize pool.
In 2019, Hossein Ensan triumphed over a field of 8,569 players to claim the Main Event crown and a staggering $10 million first-place prize. In spite of a serious drop-off during COVID, the tournament’s popularity and prize money continued to soar, and in 2021, Koray Aldemir emerged victorious, outlasting a field of 6,650 players and securing a $8 million payday.
The World Series of Poker has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the world of poker, transforming the game into a global phenomenon. From its humble beginnings in 1970 to the modern era of record-breaking payouts and enormous fields, the WSOP has showcased the incredible skill, determination, and tenacity of countless players.
This year the record number of entries of 10,000 will mean a new record for first-place prize money. As the final table is determined, each of those players will win a minimum of $750,000 USD
