WSOP HISTORY
The history of the World Series of Poker had humble beginnings back in 1969 when a gentleman named Tom Moore bought the Holiday Hotel in Reno, Nevada and held what he dubbed "The Texas Gamblers Reunion". This tournament was started to host the who's who of the gambling fraternity that included the likes of Benny and Jack Binion and several other no-name Texas Poker rounders. Included in this illustrious list were Amarillo Slim, Doyle Brunson, Treetop Straus, Johnny Moss and several others even the legendary Minnesota Fats who just happened to be in town for a pool exhibition.
With its humbled beginnings it became a tradition among the texas poker elite of the 60,s and early 70's. When Tom Moore sold out his hotel and casino Jack Binion decided to continue the tournament against the best wishes of his family and continued to add to it every year. The faithful answered his call every year and not before long all the top poker players were there just so they could all play against each other at least once a year.
Jack Binion eventually went on to rename the tournament the World Series of Poker and although it didn't catch on with the general public it did draw all the greats every year. Realizing something was missing it became consensus among the players that they had to do something a little more competitive to keep the now growing public interest. In 1971 a new format was created, six players shelled out $5000.00 each for a shot at taking the whole $30,000.00 prize. Johnny Moss backed up his "voted title" by taking the very first World Series of Poker Prize Pool. As the years continued on the tournament began to draw more and more players interested in the large pots. By 1980 the prize pool had grown to a whopping $385,000.00 which was won by Stu Ungar by defeating Doyle Brunson and denying him his 3rd WSOP.
Since those meager beginnings Jack Binions World Series of Poker tournament has grown into the largest payout of any sporting event in the world. The Binion family sold out both the Horseshoe Casino and the rights to the WSOP to the Harrah's Entertainment Inc. and have turned the WSOP into the crown jewel on all Harrah's Casinos moving it from the Horseshoe to the Rio in 2005.
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