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1990 marked the end of an era for the World Series of Poker. It was the first series to take place after the passing of its creator, Benny Binion. It was the last WSOP to have fewer than 200 entrants (barely, at 194) and the last one where the first prize would be less than one million dollars ($895,000).

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H.O.R.S.E.: The Player's Championship

The First Non-American WSOP Winner

The 1990 World Series of Poker also looked to be the first where a non-American might win the main event. Omaha specialist Mansour Matloubi from Wales by way of Iran found himself sitting across from popular Nevada player Hans "Tuna" Lund to contend for the title.

Over-pair vs. Top-pair

The key hand came with Matloubi a slight underdog in chips to Lund, more than enough to compete, but if all the chips went in the middle and Matloubi lost, Lund would be the 1990 champion. Matloubi was dealt pocket tens, a very strong hand in heads up play. Matloubi bet 75,000 and Lund, with a powerful Ac 9d, called.

The flop was a disaster for Lund. 9s 2c 4s, giving him top pair top kicker, a strong hand, but also one that can spell doom for an inexperienced player. Matloubi, anticipating that Lund might have such a hand, chose to try to represent weakness and underbet the pot, betting only 100,000. Not surprisingly, Lund, with a strong but vulnerable hand, raised another 250,000. Matloubi went into the tank, pondering the possibilities.

Could Lund have flat called before the flop with a higher pair? Was he semi-bluffing with a flush draw? Or could he have somehow made three of a kind or two pair? Ultimately, Matloubi decided his hand was good, and moved all-in. At this point, Lund must have realized he was in trouble. However, it was just as possible that Matloubi had a flush draw, or even a hand like K9. If he did and Lund called, he would most likely be the 1990 World Series of Poker champion. Lund liked the idea. He called, leaving himself only 250,000 to make a comeback if he was wrong. To Lund's dismay Matloubi proudly turned over his pocket tens, showing Lund he was far behind.

Dramatic Turn and River

The turn changed everything. A horrified Matloubi kicked his chair when the ace of spades, which must have looked like the most beautiful card in the world to Lund, appeared on the board. Now only two cards in the deck, the remaining two tens, stood between Lund and the WSOP championship.

The poker gods were either particularly cruel or particularly just that day, depending on who you ask, as one of those two cards, the ten of spades, found its way to the top, appearing on the river, giving Matloubi three tens and a commanding lead.

As Lund had calculated, his remaining 250,000 was enough to keep fighting, but eventually, the blinds and antes became too great, and he found himself forced to take a stand with pocket fours. Matloubi called with pocket sixes, and when no help came on the board, the WSOP truly became the World Series of Poker, as an Iranian Welshman, Mansour Matloubi, was the 1990 World Series of Poker champion.

1990 WSOP Tournaments and Winners

Event	Winner	Prize	Entrants
$,10,000 Championship Event	Mansour Matloubi	$835,000	194
$500 Women's 7-Card Stud	Marie Gabert	$22,000	N/A
$2,500 No-Limit Hold'em	Allen Baker	$280,000	N/A
$2,500 Limit Hold'em	Berry Johnston	$254,000	N/A
$5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha	Amarillo Slim Preston	$142,000	N/A
$5,000 7-Card Stud	Hugh Todd	$168,000	N/A
$5,000 2-7 Draw	John Bonetti	$83,250	N/A
$1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha	Shawqui Shunnarah	$113,400	N/A
$1,500 7-Card Stud	Vasilis Lazarou	$158,400	N/A
$1,500 A-5 Draw	Phil Reher	$124,200	N/A
$1,500 Limit Omaha	Tony Stormzand	$106,800	N/A
$1,500 Omaha 8 or Better	Monte Kouz	$113,400	N/A
$1,500 7-Card Stud Hi-Lo	Norm Boulus	$108,600	N/A
$1,500 Razz	Ray Rumler	$111,600	N/A
$1,500 Limit Hold'em	Mike Hart	$252,000	N/A

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