01-21-07, LearnTexasHoldem:

1994 WSOP

The 1994 World Series of Poker was a special affair. It was the twenty-fifth anniversary of the event, an event whose growth showed no signs of slowing. To commemorate the silver anniversary of the WSOP, Jack Binion offered to add the winner's weight in silver to the million dollar first prize. Given the girth of many amateur and professional poker players, this was a bold and generous offer.

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

Winner's Weight in Silver

When the final table was announced, it looked like Binion would be okay, as there were a few relatively slim finalists. The only real threat as far as Binion was concerned was local pro Russ Hamilton, who tipped the scales at 330 pounds.

Russ wasn't going to make things easy on his opponents or the Binions. Russ had food delivered to the table, and proceeded to dismantle his opponents, eating all the way. He enjoyed steak while grabbing the chip lead against John Bonetti, and later a pancake and egg breakfast when doubling up against Vince Burgio, with an amazing straight flush to beat Burgio's ace high flush.

After polishing off his eggs, Russ polished off Al Krux with an AQ against Krux's 77 by making two pair. After Burgio fell, Russ was left with only Hugh Vincent and John Spadavecchia standing between him and his hundreds of pounds of silver.

Vincent eliminated Spadavecchia when Spadavecchia tried a semi-bluff with KQ on a J 7 T flop. Hugh Vincent held only 7 6 for middle pair, but decided it was good enough, and he was right. The sevens held, and it was down to Vincent and Russ Hamilton.

Hamburger and Fries

Russ had enjoyed a hamburger and fries shortly before raising pre-flop with a monster, pocket queens. Vincent, the chip leader, called with T9. When the flop came Q 5 6, Russ decided to slow play, and both players checked to see the turn. It proved to be a fortuitous move for Russ Hamilton, as the turn was an 8, giving Vincent a double gut shot straight draw and an opportunity to semi-bluff. Vincent moved in, and Russ of course called.

$30,000 in Silver Bars

When Vincent did not hit his straight on the river, he was crippled. The end came shortly thereafter, when Vincent saw a flop with 8 5, not knowing he was dominated by Russ' K 8. An 8 on the flop sealed his fate. The chips went in, no 5 appeared to save Vincent, and Russ Hamilton was the 1994 WSOP champion. His eating efforts were as well rewarded as his poker play. In addition to the million dollars, Russ Hamilton collected nearly $30,000 in silver bars, a fitting end for the World Series of Poker's silver year.

1994 WSOP Tournaments and Winners

EventWinnerPrizeEntrants
$,10,000 Championship Event Russ Hamilton $1,000,000 268
$1,000 Women's 7-Card Stud Barbara Enright $38,400 96
Press Invitational No-Limit Hold'em Bill Sykes $1,000 85
$5,000 Limit Hold'em Erik Seidel $210,000 105
$2,500 No-Limit Hold'em John Heaney $220,000 220
$5,000 Seven-Card Stud Roger Moore $144,000 72
$2,500 Pot-Limit Hold'em T.J. Cloutier $163,000 163
$2,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Huck Seed $167,000 78
$2,500 Seven-Card Stud Rodney Pardey $132,000 132
$2,500 Limit Hold'em Mike Lang $212,000 212
$1,500 A-5 Draw J.J. Chun $93,000 155
$5,000 No-Limit 2-7 Draw Lyle Berman $128,250 29
$2,500 Omaha 8 or Better J.C. Pearson $103,000 103
$1,500 Pot-Limit Hold'em Jay Heimowitz $148,200 N/A
$1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha O'Neil Longson $100,800 168
$1,500 No-Limit George Rodis $135,000 328
$1,500 Omaha 8 or Better T.J. Cloutier $135,000 225
$1,500 Razz Mike Hart $88,800 148
$1,500 Seven-Card Stud Split Vince Burgio $127,200 212
$1,500 Limit Omaha Brent Carter $83,400 139
$1,500 Seven-Card Stud Johnny Chan $135,600 226
$1,500 Limit Hold'em Steven Sim $289,200 506

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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