The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is a series of poker tournaments Starting in 1970, this tournament has taken place in Las Vegas every year. The event originated when Benny Binion invited seven top poker players of the time to compete in a special tournament.
This tournament had a unique structure; it was time-bound, with a distinct start and finish. To choose a winner, each of the seven players cast secret votes for one participant. The contender with the highest votes was declared the champion.
The title of the inaugural WSOP champion went to Johnny Moss, who garnered the most votes.
The following year, Benny Binion innovated the tournament format by introducing a freezeout structure with a $10,000 entry fee, laying the groundwork for the current WSOP format.
As we look to 2023, the series continues to thrive in the United States and has expanded its reach to venues across Europe and Asia.
Continue reading as we explore every detail about the largest poker spectacle. poker event in the world.
Who Was Benny Binion?
Lester Ben Binion, affectionately known as Benny Binion in gambling circles, was born on November 20, 1904, in Pilot Grove, Texas.
Benny Binion faced health challenges that kept him from attending school, leading him to travel the country with his father, a horse trader. During these journeys, he picked up various games of chance that were popular among horse traders and farmers.
At the age of eighteen, he moved to El Paso, where he quickly made a name for himself in the gambling scene. Over time, he developed a network of clandestine dice games that operated across various hotels, all safeguarded by a local politician.
In 1946, when Dallas County saw a new sheriff elected, Binion lost this political protection and decided to relocate to Las Vegas.
After a few unsuccessful business attempts, he took over the Eldorado Club and the Apache Hotel, transforming them into Binion's Horseshoe, which soared in popularity due to its generous betting limits.
Benny Binion was a pioneer in casino innovations in Las Vegas, introducing several concepts that we now take for granted in the gaming industry.
- Limousines to transport players
- Complimentary drinks for everyone
- Carpeted floors
Benny passed away in 1989 from heart complications, never viewing himself as an exceptionally skilled poker player.
However, in 1990, he was honored posthumously by being inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame to acknowledge his profound impact on the game of poker.
World Series Of Poker Format
Every summer, thousands of poker enthusiasts from all over the world flock to Las Vegas. They participate in what is regarded as the most prestigious poker tournament on Earth.
Winning one of the many WSOP events and receiving the coveted gold bracelet is a dream held by every poker player.
Like any tournament, each event awards cash prizes determined by the number of entrants, but the gold bracelet is the ultimate aspiration for many players.
Introduced as a prize in 1976, the bracelet has become synonymous with victory in poker.
The series kicks off between late May and early June, featuring a variety of poker tournaments over several weeks, culminating in the Main Event that has a $19,000 entry fee.
The game is, of course, No-Limit Texas Hold'em The Main Event spans several days, and once the final nine players remain, the action pauses. The final table typically takes place in November and attracts significant media attention.
The player who emerges victorious at this final table earns the title of Poker World Champion.
Note: In 2023, there will be no extended break, just a day off before the final table begins.
Since 1971, cash prizes have been a staple of all WSOP tournaments, starting with the No-Limit Texas Hold'em format. Today, various poker variants are included in the offerings.
- Omaha
- 2-7 Triple Draw
- H.O.R.S.E.
- Seven-Card Stud
- Razz
- Omaha Hi-Lo etc.
In 2023, the series featured a record 95 events, marking the highest number in the history of the WSOP.
This year also saw multiple records being established.
The 2023 Main Event attracted a historic high of 10,043 participants, surpassing the previous record of 8,773 from 2006.
WSOP's impact on the poker landscape has been immense.
We have all heard of the term \" Poker Boom It signals a pivotal moment when poker surged in popularity among millions worldwide over just a few years.
But what sparked the Poker Boom?
The release of the movie Rounders The film released in 1998, featuring Matt Damon and John Malkovich, played a significant role in triggering this phenomenon. It narrates the tale of a former poker player who returns to the game to help a friend settle gambling debts.
That same year, the first online poker room came into existence, paving the way for a soaring popularity in the following years.
However, a key moment arrived in 2003!
At the time, Chris Moneymaker Chris Moneymaker, then an amateur poker player, entered the 2003 WSOP Main Event with a $10,000 buy-in he had secured from an $86 satellite tournament.
Moneymaker never envisioned the extraordinary outcome that awaited him. a total of 839 players competed for the coveted bracelet that year.
Ultimately, Moneymaker triumphed against all odds, claiming the title of World Champion.
This amateur's victory in such a prestigious tournament, earning a staggering $2.5 million after investing only $86, reverberated throughout the poker community.
In a flash, poker enjoyed unparalleled fame!
- By 2004, the field of the WSOP Main Event In 2004, the number of participants surged to 2,576, tripling the amount from 2003.
- By 2005, the numbers surged even higher,
- culminating in 2006 with an unprecedented attendance of 8,773 players!
In 2023, that record shattered with 10,043 players joining the fray.
This represents a fourteen-fold increase compared to the 2002 figures, just prior to the Poker Boom.
The WSOP is a Multinational Event
While an exact count of how many countries have been represented in the WSOP is elusive, it's known that among the 191 recognized nations, 69 have champions who hold various WSOP titles.
Unsurprisingly, the United States leads the pack with 1,465 bracelets, followed by Canada with 79, and England with 61 (all stats as of July 2023).
| Country / # Bracelets | Country / # Bracelets |
| USA – 1465 | Belarus - 5 |
| Canada - 79 | Mexico – 4 |
| England - 61 | Lithuania - 4 |
| Germany – 57 | Malaysia – 4 |
| France - 38 | Taiwan – 4 |
| Australia - 33 | Latvia – 3 |
| Russia - 30 | Romania - 3 |
| Israel – 23 | South Africa – 3 |
| Brazil – 23 | Poland – 3 |
| Italy – 17 | New Zealand – 2 |
| Spain – 15 | Colombia – 2 |
| Ukraine - 15 | Wales - 2 |
| Sweden – 15 | Iran – 2 |
| China – 11 | Slovakia – 2 |
| Netherlands – 11 | Egypt – 2 |
| Bulgaria - 11 | Turkey - 2 |
| Denmark – 10 | Afghanistan - 2 |
| Finland – 10 | Lebanon - 2 |
| Greece -10 | Bangladesh – 1 |
| Norway - 9 | Singapore - 1 |
| Czech Republic - 9 | Philippines – 1 |
| Belgium – 9 | Estonia - 1 |
| Portugal – 9 | North Macedonia – 1 |
| Ireland – 8 | Moldova – 1 |
| Japan - 8 | Kosovo – 1 |
| Hungary – 8 | Cyprus – 1 |
| Argentina – 6 | Morocco - 1 |
| India - 6 | Venezuela – 1 |
| Costa Rica - 6 | Peru - 1 |
| Austria – 6 | Tunisia - 1 |
| Hong Kong – 6 | Scotland - 1 |
| South Korea - 5 | Uruguay - 1 |
| Indonesia – 5 | Thailand – 1 |
| Switzerland - 5 | Croatia – 1 |
*Note: These figures may fluctuate since this information was compiled during the 2023 WSOP.
List of Main Event Winners
Below is a succinct list of WSOP Main Event victors since its inception:
| Year | Winner | Winning Hand | 1st Place Prize (USD) | Entrants |
| 1970 | Johnny Moss | N/A | N/A | 7 |
| 1971 | Johnny Moss | N/A | $30,000 | 6 |
| 1972 | Thomas \"Amarillo Slim\" Preston, Jr. | K♥ J♦ | $80,000 | 8 |
| 1973 | Walter \"Puggy\" Pearson | A♠ 7♠ | $130,000 | 13 |
| 1974 | Johnny Moss | 3♥ 3♠ | $160,000 | 16 |
| 1975 | Brian \"Sailor\" Roberts | J♠ J♥ | $210,000 | 21 |
| 1976 | Doyle Brunson | 10♠ 2♠ | $220,000 | 22 |
| 1977 | Doyle Brunson | 10♠ 2♥ | $340,000 | 34 |
| 1978 | Bobby Baldwin | Q♦ Q♣ | $210,000 | 42 |
| 1979 | Hal Fowler | 7♠ 6♦ | $270,000 | 54 |
| 1980 | Stu Ungar | 5♠ 4♠ | $385,000 | 73 |
| 1981 | Stu Ungar | A♥ Q♥ | $375,000 | 75 |
| 1982 | Jack Straus | A♥ 10♠ | $520,000 | 104 |
| 1983 | Tom McEvoy | Q♦ Q♠ | $540,000 | 108 |
| 1984 | Jack Keller | 10♥ 10♠ | $660,000 | 132 |
| 1985 | Bill Smith | 3♠ 3♥ | $700,000 | 140 |
| 1986 | Berry Johnston | A♠ 10♥ | $570,000 | 141 |
| 1987 | Johnny Chan | A♠ 9♣ | $625,000 | 152 |
| 1988 | Johnny Chan | J♣ 9♣ | $700,000 | 167 |
| 1989 | Phil Hellmuth | 9♠ 9♣ | $755,000 | 178 |
| 1990 | Mansour Matloubi | 6♥ 6♠ | $895,000 | 194 |
| 1991 | Brad Daugherty | K♠ J♠ | $1,000,000 | 215 |
| 1992 | Hamid Dastmalchi | 8♥ 4♣ | $1,000,000 | 201 |
| 1993 | Jim Bechtel | J♠ 6♠ | $1,000,000 | 220 |
| 1994 | Russ Hamilton | K♠ 8♥ | $1,000,000 | 268 |
| 1995 | Dan Harrington | 9♦ 8♦ | $1,000,000 | 273 |
| 1996 | Huck Seed | 9♦ 8♦ | $1,000,000 | 295 |
| 1997 | Stu Ungar | A♥ 4♣ | $1,000,000 | 312 |
| 1998 | Scotty Nguyen | J♦ 9♣ | $1,000,000 | 350 |
| 1999 | Noel Furlong | 5♣ 5♦ | $1,000,000 | 393 |
| 2000 | Chris Ferguson | A♠ 9♣ | $1,500,000 | 512 |
| 2001 | Juan Carlos Mortensen | K♣ Q♣ | $1,500,000 | 613 |
| 2002 | Robert Varkonyi | Q♦ 10♠ | $2,000,000 | 631 |
| 2003 | Chris Moneymaker | 5♦ 4♠ | $2,500,000 | 839 |
| 2004 | Greg Raymer | 8♠ 8♦ | $5,000,000 | 2,576 |
| 2005 | Joe Hachem | 7♣ 3♠ | $7,500,000 | 5,619 |
| 2006 | Jamie Gold | Q♠ 9♣ | $12,000,000 | 8,773 |
| 2007 | Jerry Yang | 8♦ 8♣ | $8,250,000 | 6,358 |
| 2008 | Peter Eastgate | A♦ 5♠ | $9,152,416 | 6,844 |
| 2009 | Joe Cada | 9♦ 9♣ | $8,547,042 | 6,494 |
| 2010 | Jonathan Duhamel | A♠ J♥ | $8,944,310 | 7,319 |
| 2011 | Pius Heinz | A♠ K♣ | $8,715,638 | 6,865 |
| 2012 | Greg Merson | K♦ 5♦ | $8,531,853 | 6,598 |
| 2013 | Ryan Riess | A♥ K♥ | $8,361,570 | 6,352 |
| 2014 | Martin Jacobson | 10♥ 10♦ | $10,000,000 | 6,683 |
| 2015 | Joe McKeehen | A♥ 10♦ | $7,683,346 | 6,420 |
| 2016 | Qui Nguyen | K♣ 10♣ | $8,005,310 | 6,737 |
| 2017 | Scott Blumstein | A♥ 2♦ | $8,150,000 | 7,221 |
| 2018 | John Cynn | K♣ J♣ | $8,800,000 | 7,874 |
| 2019 | Hossein Ensan | K♥ K♣ | $10,000,000 | 8,569 |
| 2020 | Damian Salas | K♦ J♠ | $2,550,969 | 1,379 |
| 2021 | Koray Aldemir | 10♦7♦ | $8,000,000 | 6,650 |
| 2022 | Espen Jørstad | Q♦2♠ | $10,000,000 | 8,663 |
*Source: Wikipedia
WSOP Player of the Year Award
In 2004, the WSOP added a new accolade to recognize the year’s best player through a points-based system.
As of 2022, seventeen players have received this distinction. Only Daniel Negreanu has won the title more than once.
only those events open to everyone contribute to the points tally. Casino Employees, Seniors, Super Seniors, Ladies, and Tag Team events do not count towards Player of the Year (POY) standings.
From 2006 to 2008, points were not awarded for the Main Event or the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event; however, this change was reversed in 2009, allowing all participants to earn points across all events.
Events in WSOP Europe were considered for point accumulation from 2011 onwards, followed by WSOP Asia Pacific events starting in 2013.
Here's the list of all POYs since 2004:
| Year | Winner | Bracelets | Final Tables | WSOP Earnings (USD) |
| 2004 | Daniel Negreanu | 1 | 5 | $346,280 |
| 2005 | Allen Cunningham | 1 | 4 | $1,007,115 |
| 2006 | Jeff Madsen | 2 | 4 | $1,467,852 |
| 2007 | Tom Schneider | 2 | 3 | $416,829 |
| 2008 | Erick Lindgren | 1 | 3 | $1,348,528 |
| 2009 | Jeff Lisandro | 3 | 4 | $807,521 |
| 2010 | Frank Kassela | 2 | 3 | $1,255,314 |
| 2011 | Ben Lamb | 1 | 4 | $5,352,970 |
| 2012 | Greg Merson | 2 | 2 | $9,785,354 |
| 2013 | Daniel Negreanu | 2 | 4 | $1,954,054 |
| 2014 | George Danzer | 3 | 5 | $878,933 |
| 2015 | Mike Gorodinsky | 1 | 3 | $1,766,487 |
| 2016 | Jason Mercier | 2 | 4 | $960,424 |
| 2017 | Chris Ferguson | 1 | 3 | $428,423 |
| 2018 | Shaun Deeb | 2 | 4 | $2,545,623 |
| 2019 | Robert Campbell | 2 | 5 | $750,844 |
| 2020 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2021 | Josh Arieh | 2 | 7 | $1,198,416 |
| 2022 | Daniel Zack | 2 | 4 | $1,460,427 |
*Source: Wikipedia
World Series Of Poker Records
Stu Ungar and Johnny Moss are the only two players to have secured the WSOP Main Event title three times. Moss’s first victory occurs in the initial tournament organized by Binion, which relied on a voting system for winner selection.
Moss, Ungar, Doyle Brunson, and Johnny Chan are the only individuals to have won the Main Event in consecutive years.
Nevertheless, Phil Hellmuth is likely the player with the most frequent appearances on WSOP records.
His extensive list of achievements includes the following:
- Player with the most bracelets
- Most cashes in WSOP events.
- Most final tables
He is also unique in having won both the Vegas WSOP and WSOP Europe Main Event.
No single player has won more than three bracelets in a single year:
- Puggy Pearson (1973)
- Phil Hellmuth (1993)
- Ted Forrest (1993)
- Phil Ivey (2002)
- Jeff Lisandro (2009)
- George Danzer (2014)
The record for the youngest WSOP bracelet holder is a woman who won at just 18 years old. In 2007, Annette Obrestad clinched victory in the WSOP Europe Main Event, and her record remains unchallenged.
The youngest individual to ever win a WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas is Joe Cada , who achieved this feat at the age of 21 in 2008.
Top Poker Players with the Most WSOP Bracelets
Phil Hellmuth holds a substantial lead in the World Series Of Poker bracelet count, with a total of seven bracelets more than Doyle, Johnny, and the other Phil!
| Bracelets | Player | Main Event Wins |
| 17 | Phil Hellmuth | 1 |
| 10 | Doyle Brunson | 2 |
| 10 | Johnny Chan | 2 |
| 10 | Phil Ivey | 0 |
| 9 | Johnny Moss | 3 |
| 9 | Erik Seidel | 0 |
| 7 | Billy Baxter | 0 |
| 7 | Men Nguyen | 0 |
Women in the WSOP
Women have a relatively low representation in WSOP tournaments, making up only about 5% of total participants across all events.
However, four women can proudly claim three WSOP bracelets each:
- Vanessa Selbst
- Barbara Enright
- Nani Dollison
- Kristen Bicknell
In 1995, Barbara Enright was celebrated as the 'Last Woman Standing' by finishing fifth in the Main Event. Before her, the record was held by Barbara Samuelson, who took 10th place in the WSOP Main Event in 1994.
Maria Ho She also reached the final table of a WSOP Europe Main Event, finishing sixth in 2017.
She holds the unique title of 'Last Woman Standing' in five WSOP Main Events, a feat unmatched by any other female player.
Since 1977, there has been an annual event exclusively for women. The first event in that year had an entry fee of $100, and Jackie McDaniels emerged victorious.
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) has been an annual event hosted in Las Vegas since its inception in 1970. Dive into the details of this renowned poker competition that stands as the largest in the entire world.
How the WSOP Works
WSOP: Discover Everything About the World's Premier Poker Tournament!
Delve into the details of the WSOP - the most prestigious poker tournament globally.
Remember to Bring Your ID
Since 1970, the event has taken place each year in Las Vegas, beginning with Benny Binion's invitation to seven of the era's top poker players for a unique competition. casino The first tournament featured a peculiar method for determining the winner; players cast secret votes for one of their competitors, and the player with the highest number of votes was declared the champion.
Johnny Moss emerged as the champion after receiving the most votes, making him the inaugural WSOP titleholder.
Obtain a Player's Card
In the subsequent year, Binion revamped the tournament structure by implementing a freezeout format with a $10,000 entry fee, shaping the foundation of today's WSOP.
As of 2023, the series remains vibrant in the United States and has expanded its reach to Europe and Asia.
Continue reading to learn everything about this significant poker event.
Lester Ben Binion, widely recognized as Benny Binion in the gambling community, was born on November 20, 1904, in Pilot Grove, Texas.
Find the Registration Line
Due to persistent health problems, Binion was never able to attend school. Instead, he traveled alongside his father, who was a horse trader, from a young age. These journeys exposed him to various games of chance, a popular hobby among horse traders and farmers.
At the age of 18, Binion relocated to El Paso, where he quickly started ascending the ranks within the gambling scene. Over the years, he successfully established a network of private dice games operating out of several hotels, often with the protection of local officials.
In 1946, following the election of a new sheriff in Dallas County, Binion lost his protective support and made a strategic move to Las Vegas.
After a series of unsuccessful business ventures, he bought the Eldorado Club and the Apache Hotel, subsequently transforming them into Binion's Horseshoe casino, which quickly gained popularity thanks to its high betting limits.
Find and Head to Your Seat
Binion was a pioneer in casino innovation in Las Vegas, introducing practices and features that are now commonplace in casinos.
Binion passed away in 1989 due to heart issues, and he did not consider himself particularly skilled at poker,
However, in 1990, he received a posthumous induction into the Table 88, Seat 8 to honor his impressive contributions to the game.
- Every summer, thousands of poker enthusiasts from all around the globe converge on Las Vegas, vying for the honor of competing in what remains the most revered poker tournament worldwide.
- Winning a title in any of the various WSOP events and securing the sought-after gold bracelet is a dream for every poker player.
Each event rewards its winner with a cash prize dependent on the number of participants, similar to other tournaments; however, it is the gold bracelet that many players long to claim.
The gold bracelet was first introduced as a reward for champions in 1976.
Plan Ahead
The WSOP season typically begins between late May and early June, spanning multiple poker tournaments over several weeks. The Main Event, which requires a buy-in of $19,000, represents the high point of the series.
, and culminates in a multi-day showdown. Once the final nine players are determined, the tournament takes a break until November when the final table resumes, receiving significant media attention.
The ultimate champion is awarded the prestigious title of Poker World Champion.
Note: In 2023, there will be no extended break – just a single day off before the final table begins.
Since the inaugural event in 1971, every WSOP tournament offers cash prizes, starting with No-Limit Texas Hold'em. Presently, tournaments encompass nearly every form of poker:
Winning the Coveted Bracelet
In 2023, there were 95 events, marking a record number of tournaments in WSOP history.
Additionally, the 2023 series set a number of other new records.
The Main Event of the 2023 World Series of Poker achieved a record attendance with 10,043 participants, surpassing the previous record of 8,773 set in 2006.
The WSOP's influence on the modern poker environment is profound.
This phenomenon refers to the surge in poker's popularity, which captivated millions worldwide within a span of a few years.
The 1998 film featuring Matt Damon and John Malkovich was pivotal in igniting this boom, showcasing the story of a former poker pro who returns to competition to assist a friend in settling gambling debts.
That year also saw the establishment of the first online poker room, which subsequently gained traction in the years that followed.
However, it wasn't until 2003 that a defining moment occurred!
This was the year an amateur player, who enjoyed playing poker during his free time, entered the WSOP Main Event after qualifying through an $86 satellite tournament for the $10,000 buy-in.
The WSOP in Conclusion
Chris Moneymaker never suspected the outcome that would unfold. A total of 839 competitors were vying for the bracelet that year.
Ultimately, Moneymaker outperformed everyone, emerging victorious as the World Champion.
An amateur player managed to win the prestigious tournament and walked away with a reward of $2.5 million, having only invested $86 to gain entry, altering the landscape of poker forever.
