| | |  | Last Updated: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 |  | | | Gambling History of WSOP
- Saturday, 19 Nov 2005
The origins of the World Series of Poker can be traced back to 1949 high-stakes poker tournament, which was held before a public audience and lasted five months. The person who came up with the idea of holding the tournament was an entrepreneur by the name of Benny Binion, who also arranged the event that featured high profile names as Johnny Moss and Nicholas 'Nick the Greek' Dandolos. Moss ended up winning the tournament, awarding him with $2 million prize.
Binion was able to take his vision one step further in 1970, when he held another poker tournament, called it the World Series of Poker, and invited many of the top poker players of the day. The poker tournament champion was decided by a popular vote and Johnny Moss prevailed again. The next year, 1971, the World Series of Poker was changed to an elimination format. The player left standing at the end with all of the chips was Johnny Moss, again World Champion. In 1972, Thomas 'Amarillo Slim' Preston won the tournament.
Over the years, the WSOP has had its share of drama and excitement. Many household poker names have graced the World Series of Poker over the years. Names such as Mickey Appleman, Bobby Baldwin, Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, and "Amarillo Slim" Preston are just a few of them. These days, when you thing of the WSOP you immediately think of Chris Moneymaker that came out of nowhere to win first prize.
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