The World Series of Poker
Tournament made its debut in 1970, but
the idea actually came from an incident which happened
in 1949!
During the summer of 1949, Nicholas 'Nick the Greek'
Dandolos asked Benny Binion if he could stage a
high-stake poker marathon. This marathon should also
take place in public view. Although unusual, Benny
Binion agreed and the challenger was the legendary
Johnny Moss.
During the next five months, Johhny Moss and Nick the
Greek, played every poker game imaginable only stopping
to sleep. Ultimately, 'the biggest game in town' was won
by Johnny Moss and cashed in an estimated $2 Million.
After the final hand, the Greek stood up, bowed and
uttered the now-famous words; "Mr. Moss, I have to let
you go." Then went upstairs to bed.
Binion realised something from this event, more
significant than the prize money and the game, that the
public gathered at the casino every single day to watch
the marathon. This stuck in his mind until 1970, when he
decided to re-create this excitement and stage the
battle of the poker kings, calling it the 'World series
of poker'. The winner could then officially call himself
'World Champion"! The decision of who the champion would
be was made by democratic vote and the title went to
Johnny Moss.
 The
following year, the winner was determined by knock-out.
(Not - no punching battles). This is where players were
systematically eliminated until one player had all the
chips. Johnny Moss won this again!
In 1972, a new champion arose - Thomas 'Amarillo
Slim' Preston. After the tournament, he went on the
talk-show circuit, which gave the WSOP more exposure and
wider following.
In this year, there were 7 participants. When Binion
was asked "is it possible to get up to 50 participants,
or more?" he gazed up into the sky and answered "It will
eventually".
When the first satellite competition took place in
the early 1980's (Offering lower buy ins), Binion's
prophesy came true and the popularity of the WSOP
exploded. But even Binion (passed away in 1989) would
not have been able to foreseethe enormous growth the was
about to take place.
In 1982, the tournament had 52 entries. Five years
later, there were 2,141 entires and the 2002 event had
7595 participants. The prize money increased from
$7,769,000 a decade ago to a staggering $19,599,230 in
2002! |
