World Series of Poker

The World Series of Poker is the most prestigious set of poker tournaments in the world.

The main event

The main event of the WSOP is the $10,000 buy-in no-limit Texas Hold 'Em tournament. Winners of the event not only get the largest prize of the tournament and golden bracelet, but additionally their picture is placed into the Gallery of Champions at Binion's.

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There have been many memorable events during the WSOP, including Jack Straus's 1982 comeback win after discovering he had one $500 chip left when he thought he was out of the tournament.

Related Topics:
Jack Straus - 1982

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A few players have won the WSOP multiple times, including Stu Ungar who won in 1980, 1981 and 1997. Ungar had a drug problem that spanned decades, which makes his 1997 win all the more amazing. Since Ungar had no money to enter the tournament in 1997, his friend and six-time WSOP bracelet winner Billy Baxter gave him the entrance fee. Ungar split the $1,000,000 prize evenly with Baxter.

Related Topics:
Stu Ungar - 1980 - 1981 - 1997 - Billy Baxter

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Johnny Chan won back to back in 1987 and 1988. Chan finished 2nd in 1989 to the youngest WSOP main event winner of all time Phil Hellmuth. The final hand of the 1988 event between Chan and Erik Seidel would later be featured in the movie Rounders.

Related Topics:
1987 - 1988 - 1989 - Erik Seidel - Rounders

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Chris Moneymaker won the main event in 2003 after qualifying through a $39 satellite tournament at the PokerStars online cardroom. Four players at the final table of the 2004 main event qualified through PokerStars as well, including the winner, Greg Raymer and second place finisher David Williams. In 2005, eventual champion Joseph Hachem entered the old fashioned way: with the $10,000 buy-in.

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It may be that winning the WSOP makes legends out of people, but some living poker legends have tried unsuccessfully for years to win the main event, including: T. J. Cloutier (2000 and 1985 runner-up), Erik Seidel (1988 runner-up), Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott, Barry Greenstein, Men "The Master" Nguyen, and Howard Lederer.

Related Topics:
T. J. Cloutier - Erik Seidel - Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott - Barry Greenstein - Men "The Master" Nguyen - Howard Lederer

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