01-21-07, LearnTexasHoldem:

1970 WSOP

In 2007, there are few poker players who are not aware of the World Series of Poker. Thousands of players, including hundreds of actors, athletes and poker celebrities, converge upon the main event every year, happy to put down their $10,000 for a shot at poker immortality. What you may not realize is that the WSOP had very humble beginnings, and the very first World Series of Poker in 1970 did not even have a main event.

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More on the WSOP:

WSOP Satellites
New 2008 WSOP Events
2008 WSOP Schedule
WSOP Player Profiles
WSOP History
WSOP Winners
H.O.R.S.E.: The Player's Championship

Benny Binion

While the first World Series of Poker officially occurred in 1970, it is tough to say when the idea for the World Series of Poker truly began. It may be said that the history of the WSOP really begins in 1904, with the birth of Benny Binion. Benny, a Texas gambler and consummate businessman, moved to Las Vegas and opened Binion's Horseshoe Casino in downtown Las Vegas in 1951. As a promotional stunt for his casino, he hosted a heads-up match between high stakes gambler Nick "The Greek" Dandalos and Johnny Moss, considered the greatest poker player of his time. The two played nearly non-stop, nearly every type of poker imaginable, and Moss won millions over the months that the game went on, until the famous moment when The Greek finally stood up and said "Mr. Moss, I have to let you go." Binion took careful note of the interest that was taken in the match, and the possibilities of hosting games between greats of the game.

Texas Gambler's Reunion

The next step took place in 1969, when casino man Vic Vickrey hosted a "Texas Gambler's Reunion" to generate publicity for Tom Moore's new Holiday Hotel in Reno. The reunion brought together all the great poker players of the day, and they fiercely competed over all types of poker games. When Binion saw this his germ of an idea sprouted, and he invited the greats to come to Binion's the following year to compete in the inaugural World Series of Poker.

Johnny Moss

Thirty-eight of the game's greats came to participate that year, in five different poker games. There was no doubt who deserved the title of champion, whether it was Texas hold'em, seven card stud, or five card draw, Johnny Moss always emerged triumphant. Just to make sure though, all the players voted (on who they thought the second best player was, since of course they would all vote themselves as the best) and it was official. Johnny Moss was the first World Series of Poker champion.

While Johnny Moss' time was so far behind the current poker explosion that his name is almost lost to history, it is universally agreed by players in his time that "The old man" was the guy to beat. 1970 was the first and only year that the championship was decided by a vote rather than a freezeout no limit Texas hold'em tournament, but the WSOP history books can be proud of their choice. The following year, the first year of the main event, the championship was won convincingly by none other than Johnny Moss.

1970 WSOP Tournaments and Winners

EventWinnerPrizeEntrants
Championship Event Johnny Moss Unknown 38

WSOP Year By Year

2000's

1990's

1980's

1970's

2007 WSOP 1999 WSOP 1989 WSOP 1979 WSOP
2006 WSOP 1998 WSOP 1988 WSOP 1978 WSOP
2005 WSOP 1997 WSOP 1987 WSOP 1977 WSOP
2004 WSOP 1996 WSOP 1986 WSOP 1976 WSOP
2003 WSOP 1995 WSOP 1985 WSOP 1975 WSOP
2002 WSOP 1994 WSOP 1984 WSOP 1974 WSOP
2001 WSOP 1993 WSOP 1983 WSOP 1973 WSOP
2000 WSOP 1992 WSOP 1982 WSOP 1972 WSOP
  1991 WSOP 1981 WSOP 1971 WSOP
  1990 WSOP 1980 WSOP 1970 WSOP

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