The World Series of poker
World Series of Poker
origins
World Series of Poker originated in the United States of America, and the first event was organised by Tom Moore of San Antonio, Texas, in 1969 at the Holiday Hotel and Casino in Reno. The WSOP was an invitational event, and was won by Crandall Addington (who went on to place in the top 10 of the WSOP Main Event 8 times, a record that still stands as of 2006.
The Main Event
The main event of the World Series of Poker has been the $10,000 buy-in no-limit Texas Hold ‘Em tournament since 1972. Winners of the event get a gold bracelet, as well as the largest prize of the tournament, additionally their picture is placed into the Gallery of Champions at Binion’s.
Unofficially, the winner of the Main Event is given the title of World Champion, however top poker professionals - who consider the Main Event a crapshoot (due to its sheer size) - have stated that the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E event is the one which ultimately decides the world’s best poker player. (H.O.R.S.E is an event in which Holdem, Omaha, Razz, Seven Card Stud and Eight-or-better are all played.)
Player of the Year
Since 2004 a Player of the Year Award has been given to the player with the most points accumulated throughout the World Series of Poker. Beginning with the 2006 World Series of Poker, the Main Event had no effect on the outcome of the winner of the Player of the Year award.
1st Prize at the WSOP Main Event
Each year the number of runners in the main event increases massively, rendering the WSOP main event the highest paying poker multi-table tournament. In 2006 the winner Jamie Gold defeated a record field of 8,773 players, and won a record-breaking $12,000,000!.
WSOP Main event 2006, Final Table and Final hand
Here is the final table finishing order and payouts:
- Jamie Gold Malibu, CA $12,000,000
- Paul Wasicka Westminster, CO $6,102,499
- Michael Binger Atherton, CA $4,123,310
- Allen Cunningham Las Vegas, NV $3,628,513
- Rhett Butler Rockville, MD $3,216,182
- Richard Lee San Antonio, TX $2,803,851
- Douglas Kim Martsdale, NY $2,391,520
- Erik Friberg Stockholm, Sweden $1,979,189
- Dan Nassif St. Louis, MO $1,566,858
The final two hands in the 2006 World series went down like this:
Friday, 11th of August 2006 03:46 AM
On the flop of 6 4 3, Jamie Gold checked, Paul Wasicka bet 1.5 million, which Jamie called. Both checked the 7 on the turn. River was an Ace and Jamie bet 2 million. Paul went into think-mode, studying Jamie, and finally folded.
On the flop of Q 8 5, Paul bet 1.5 million and Jamie moved all in immediately. After some table chat, Paul called, showing pocket Tens. Jamie held Q9 and the lead with the bigger pair. The turn was an Ace and the river was a 4 GAME OVER!!
Jamie Gold finished in 1st place,earning $12 million and the gold WSOP bracelet.
Paul Wasicka finished in 2nd place, earning $6,102,499.
Other Information
In 2007, Harrah’s announced the creation of the World Series of Poker Academy.
The Poker Academy is a poker school aimed at providing poker players with the skills needed to win a World Series Of Poker Bracelet. Instructors for the Academy include Phil “the brat” Hellmuth, Greg Raymer, Scott Fischman, Mark Seif, Alex “The Insider” Outhred and Joe Navarro FBI ret.
Update March 2007- WSOP comes to London
For the first time ever, World series of poker bracelets can be won outside the United States. In September 2007, a selection of WSOP events will take place, as the WSOP comes to Europe.