World Series Of Poker
Built upon the one time "Texas Gamblers Reunion" event in 1969, Horseshoe Casino's Benny Binion put together the first World Series of Poker Tournament in 1970. That his Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas didn't even have a poker room did not deter this visionary entrepreneur. Despite no press coverage and little public awareness, Binion invited a few players into a room at his hotel and let the games commence. The first World Series of Poker Tournament didn't even declare a winner. His fellow contestants elected Johnny Moss “best all-around player”.
The next year Johnny Moss retained his title in a $5,000 entry fee contest against six other players. However, 1972 saw an upset winner of the World Series of Poker. Out of twelve players, "Amarillo Slim" Preston took top honors and then lavished his victory around, launching a publicity campaign that brought the World Series of Poker into national attention. His charismatic personality carried enough weight that the 1973 World Series of Poker was broadcast on CBS Sports television.
The professional Texas gamblers got an upset in 1980 when New Yorker, Stu "The Kid" Unger joined the mostly Southwestern born Poker Champions. 1981 brought NBC Sports television in to broadcast the tournament to millions as "The Kid" once more took top honors. 1982 expanded the World Series of Poker to a total of thirteen events, not only a $10,000 buy-in game but the first Ladies World Championship Tournament.
By 1987 the tiny Horseshoe Casino could barely contain what had become a worldwide interest so they purchased the Mint Casino next door and expanded the Horseshoe with a poker room worthy of the Tournament they began. 1990 was a benchmark year when the first ever non-American won the Game. The Iranian born Mansour Matloubi took the Championship back to England where he resided. The 1991 tournament ran for four weeks and saw the first one million dollar Championship prize awarded.
The World Series of Poker took a slump in the late 1990's as the new World Poker Tour caught the public's attention. But that setback was only temporary as 2004 saw Harrah's Entertainment acquire the rights to the World Series of Poker. By now the Tournament was a regular feature on ESPN Cable Television and Harrah's moved the game to the giant RIO Casino. In 2006 this larger venue had increased to forty five tournaments and over $100 million won. Jamie Gold made history with a personal $12 million win over a field of nearly nine thousand contestants.
The World Series of Poker has escaped the constraints of Las Vegas and is now run through a dozen locations across the United States. 2007 will see the World Series of Poker go truly international as parts of it will be hosted in Europe and with fifty five events scheduled will be the biggest poker event ever seen in the world.