The WSOP history goes way back. Although the first WSOP event was held in 1970, the concept of organizing a series of annual poker tournaments was actually introduced more than twenty years earlier. In 1949, Benny Binion was approached by legendary poker player Nicholas Dandolos with the an unprecedented request to organize a high-stakes poker marathon. Apparently, Binion liked the innovative idea and agreed to set up a match between "Nick the Greek" and another legend Johny Moss. His only condition was that the event be open for public viewing.

The First Event

During the course of the event, which eventually lasted five months, the two players played every single form of poker. Moss ultimately turned out as the big winner. Following his incredible win, Moss received a very attractive cash prize. Amazed by the wide public attention that the poker marathon attracted, in May 1970, Binion opened a poker room in his casino, the Horseshoe. Shortly after, he decided to recreate past excitement and stage another poker battle. To give the event some additional flare he called it- the World Series of Poker. At the time, Binion gathered the country's most experienced poker sharks to participate in the event. It was Johny Moss who came out top once again. And, after a popular vote was conducted, Moss received the coveted “Champion of the World” title.

Nevertheless, Binion wanted his WSOP to enjoy even greater popularity. Sharing this interest with Binion, Ted Thackrey Jr., a feature writer for the Los Angeles Times, suggested that the Horseshoe owner give the tournaments a more competitive nature in order to attract further attention. Thackrey was reported as saying that, to get the press involved and turn the WSOP into a real sporting event, the tournament needed to become nothing short of a contest.

1971's WSOP winner was already determined by today's format. Six players invested $5,000 each for a shot at collecting the grand jackpot of $30,000. The players were systematically eliminated until one lucky participant was left with all the chips. It was Moss once more. In the following year, when Thomas "Amarillo Slim" Preston won the 'WSOP champion' title and went on the talk-show circuit, the event began to gain prestige.

Satellite Tournaments Changed It All

In the early 1980's, with the introduction of preliminary satellite qualifiers offering relatively low buy-ins, WSOP's popularity skyrocketed. In 1982, the tournament saw 52 participants. Five years later, there were as many as 2,141 entries, and the 2002 event attracted 7,595 individuals. The final jackpot has increased as well, from $7,769,000 ten years ago to an astonishing amount of $19,599,230 in 2002. While the earlier tournaments mainly featured Texas hold'em and 7-card stud, today's WSOP offers a wide variety of different poker games.

And, How It Is Today

The WSOP has become immortal. Years after Benny Binion passed away, his family sold the rights to the WSOP and the Horseshoe casino to Harrah Entertainment, a major gaming company. In 2005, Harrah's management moved the main event from the Horshoe to the Rio. Today, Harrah's WSOP is the most prestigious poker event in the world. Over the years, the World Series of Poker saw many talented poker players win the championship. Among such poker stars are the likes of Joe Hachem, Greg Raymer, Chris Moneymaker, Chris Ferguson and ten time bracelet winner Doyle Brunson. Many of these poker pros nabbed their seat at WSOP tournaments by winning staellites organized by different online poker rooms. With the extensive media coverage that the WSOP has been enjoying over the recent years, there is no doubt that this prestigious gaming competition holds the promise of an even more glamorous future.