World Series of Poker

World Series of Poker
source
Name	World Series of Poker
Location	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Venue	Binion's Horseshoe (1970–2004), Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino (2005–2021), Bally's Las Vegas/Horseshoe Las Vegas (2022–present)
Date	Annually, May–July
Founder	Benny Binion
Organizer	Caesars Entertainment
Related	World Series of Poker Circuit, World Series of Poker Europe, World Series of Poker Asia Pacific

World Series of Poker. The World Series of Poker is the most prestigious and longest-running poker tournament series in the world, serving as the definitive championship event for the game. Founded in 1970 by Benny Binion, the series has grown from a single Texas hold 'em championship to a sprawling festival featuring dozens of bracelet events across multiple poker variants. Its marquee event, the $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event, awards the winner a multi-million dollar prize and the title of World Champion, cementing their place in the game's history.

History

The inaugural event was conceived by Benny Binion as a challenge between several of America's top poker players, including Johnny Moss, who was voted the first champion by his peers. For its first two decades, the series was held exclusively at Binion's Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas, fostering an intimate, high-stakes atmosphere. A pivotal moment occurred in 1982 when Jack Straus won the Main Event after famously coming back from being down to a single chip, popularizing the "a chip and a chair" adage. The modern era began in 2003 when an unknown amateur, Chris Moneymaker, won his entry through an online satellite tournament on PokerStars and triumphed in the Main Event, igniting the poker boom and transforming the game into a global, televised phenomenon.

Format and events

The modern schedule spans over two months and features more than 90 official gold bracelet events, encompassing a vast array of poker disciplines such as Seven-card stud, Razz, Pot-limit Omaha, and Dealer's Choice. Buy-ins range from a few hundred dollars to the prestigious $250,000 Super High Roller Bowl, attracting a diverse field from recreational players to seasoned professionals. The centerpiece remains the $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event, a multi-day tournament that typically draws thousands of entrants, with its final table played in a standalone event known as the "November Nine" from 2008 to 2016. Other significant competitions include the Tournament of Champions, the Senior's Event, and the international World Series of Poker Circuit and World Series of Poker Europe series.

Notable champions and players

The roster of Main Event champions includes iconic figures such as Johnny Moss, Doyle Brunson, Stu Ungar, and Phil Hellmuth, the latter holding the record for most career bracelets. Modern champions like Greg Raymer, Joe Hachem, and Jamie Gold became household names following their televised victories. Players renowned for their success across multiple events, known as "mixed-game" specialists, include Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, and Erik Seidel. The series has also crowned international champions from Germany, Denmark, and Vietnam, including Huck Seed, Peter Eastgate, and Qui Nguyen, reflecting the game's worldwide expansion.

Economic and cultural impact

The series generates hundreds of millions of dollars in prize money annually, significantly boosting the tourism and hospitality economy of Las Vegas. Its partnership with ESPN for television coverage, pioneered by producers like Steve Lipscomb, was instrumental in creating poker celebrities and driving viewership. The "Moneymaker effect" led to exponential growth in online poker traffic on sites like Full Tilt Poker and PartyPoker, while also inspiring major film and television productions such as Rounders. The World Poker Tour and European Poker Tour were founded in direct response to its popularity, further professionalizing the sport and creating a global tournament circuit.

Controversies and notable incidents

The series has faced several high-profile controversies, including the United States Department of Justice's shutdown of major online poker sites like Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet on Black Friday in 2011, which disrupted the player pool. Security scandals have occurred, such as the World Series of Poker robbery in 2010 and cheating allegations involving marked cards. Notable competitive incidents include the disqualification of Kenny Tran for tournament chip theft and the publicized feud between Mike Matusow and other professionals. Furthermore, the use of "bumhunting" by professionals in small buy-in events and debates over the tax implications of winnings for players like Scotty Nguyen have sparked ongoing discussions about tournament integrity and regulation.

Category:Poker tournaments Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1970 Category:Events in Las Vegas