World Series of Poker History

The series has come a long way since the first game in 1970, when just a few seasoned pros gathered in Vegas to see who was the best of the best.
How did the World Series of Poker Come to Pass?

It all begins with three men, years before the first World Series of Poker, in 1949, when Nick “the Greek” Dandalos asked Lester “Benny” Binion, owner of the Horsehoe Casino in Downtown Las Vegas, to arrange the biggest poker game of all time. Binion knew just the guy to take on the Greek – Johnny Moss, who at the time was regarded as the best poker player in the world. With Binion’s promise to bankroll him, Johnny Moss agreed to the match, and sat down to play at a game that would go on for five long months. They played every type of poker for huge pots of hundreds of thousands of dollars until at last, the Greek decided he was beat and got up from the table saying, “Mr. Moss, I have to let you go.”

The epic battle between Moss and the Greek sparked an idea in Benny Binion’s head, and in 1970 he invited the best poker players he knew, including Johnny Moss, Doyle Brunson, Amarillo Slim Preston, Brian “Sailor” Roberts, Puggy Pearson, Crandall Addington, and Carl Cannon to play No-Limit Texas Hold’em against each other in front of a crowd. Instead of playing until one player had all the chips, the players voted on who was the best, and Johnny Moss was unanimously chosen.

In 1971 the World Series was a freeze-out, winner-take-all tournament, which Johnny Moss once again won. Over the following years, it evolved into a “shared purse” tournament, in which not only the first place winner, but several other top finishers won a share of the prize money. Registration was open to anyone who had the $10,000 bucks to put up, and enrollment grew, but it wasn’t until satellite tournaments for the event were started that the numbers really started growing. Now, instead of plopping down the whole 10K, players could win a 10K seat by winning their way through a field of players at a lower buy-in tournament.

Still, the number of players at the Main Event remained under a thousand until 2003. Then, Chris Moneymaker won the top prize.

In 2003, Chris Moneymaker won a seat to the World Series of Poker through a $40 satellite tournament at the online poker site, PokerStars. This (until then) unknown player had only played online before the day of the tournament, and battled his way through the 838 other players to win an incredible $2.5 million.

America’s imagination latched on to this Cinderella story of a man who turned $40 into millions. If he could do it, we thought, anyone could. The TV coverage of the WSOP and other poker shows grew as well, and more and more people could watch and fantasize about sitting down at the table and beating a poker pro and winning huge prizes. In 2004, registration for the $10,000 main event tripled, and 2,576 players battled for the $5 million first prize. Greg “Fossilman" Raymer, who also won his seat through an online satellite at PokerStars, captured the 2004 WSOP bracelet.

2004 was a landmark year for another reason, as it also marked the final year of the World Series of Poker as part of the Binion’s Horsehoe empire, when they sold ownership of the tournament to Harrah’s, which is hosted the 2005 event at their own casino, The Rio All-Suite, though the final of the main event took place at the Horseshoe.

The main event in 2005 had over 5,600 participants and boasted a $7.5 million first prize, which was captured by Australian Joseph Hachem.

The 2006 World Series of Poker $10,000 buy-in No-Limit Texas Hold’em Championship Event broke all sorts of records -- the most impressive being the 8,773 players competing for the largest prize of all time: 12 million dollars in prize money, which was captured by Jamie Gold, a Los Angeles producer, took the chip lead on Day 4 of the event and never gave it back, dominating the field all the way to the WSOP bracelet.

In 2007, there were fewer online qualifiers due to the passing of the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act, and so there were "only" 6,358 entries in the big main event. Californian Jerry Yang outlasted them all and won $8.25 million.

2008 brought a different kind of record-breaking event: A new youngest-ever champion, Peter Eastgate, who at 22, took away that distinction from Phil Hellmuth, who had held the title for almost 20 years. Eastgate won just over $9 million.

Eastgate didn't stay the youngest-ever WSOP main event champion for long, though, for in 2009, Joe Cada took home the bracelet and $8.55 million in prize money at the tender age of 21.

Top 30 WSOP Money Winners

Players who've earned the most cash at the World Series of Poker

Many of the players who have won the most money at the World Series of Poker have done so by joining the list of WSOP Main Event Winners, but some have never won a bracelet at all, while others have racked up their cash by winning many events over the years.

No matter how they've done it, everyone in the top 30 has won millions of dollars playing poker at the World Series of Poker. See who made the list here:

Player - Number of Bracelets Won - Amount of Money Won

* Jamie Gold - 1 - $12,057,518
* Peter Eastgate - 1 - $9,221,395
* Joseph Cada - 1 - $8,575,256
* Jerry Yang - 1 - $8,250,000
* Joe Hachem - 1 - $8,070,283
* Allen Cunningham - 5 - $7,355,929
* Greg Raymer - 1 - $6,487,512
* Paul Wasicka - 0 - $6,217,738
* Phil Hellmuth - 11 - $6,105,254
* Ivan Demidov - 0 - $5,832,686
* Chris Ferguson - 5 - $5,386,220
* Darvin Moon - 0 - $5,182,928
* Michael Binger - 0 - $4,882,868
* Tuan Lam - 0 - $4,851,424
* Phil Ivey - 7 - $5,243,500
* Scotty Nguyen - 5 - $4,828,485
* David Williams - 1 - $4,420,814
* Dennis Phillips - 0 - $4,699,375
* T.J. Cloutier - 6 - $4,349,316
* Erik Seidel - 8 - $4,248,081
* Steven Dannenmann - 0 - $4,271,489
* Johnny Chan - 10 - $4,241,448
* Daniel Negreanu - 4 - $4,064,874
* Ylon Schwartz - 0 -$4,011,975
* Josh Arieh - 2 - $3,553,879
* Dan Harrington - 2 - $3,524,476
* Antoine Saout - 0 - $3,479,670
* Freddy Deeb - 2 - $3,453,659
* John Juanda - 4 - $3,396,981
* Vitaly Lunkin - 2 - $3,378,286

What is the World Poker Tour?

Started by Steve Lipscomb, The World Poker Tour (or WPT for short) is a series of poker tournaments that takes place all over the world, but the majority of the tournaments are held in the U.S. At each location, there are a series of smaller tournaments that culminate in a big no-limit Hold'em main event. The final tables of these main events are what you see on TV.
World Poker Tour on Television:

The World Poker Tour TV shows debuted in 2002 on the Travel Channel. Each 2-hour show showed the final 6 players competing for first prize. What made this show unique when it debuted was the use of "hole cams" that allowed viewers to see what each player had -- and that one feature changed the way people viewed poker and led to the poker boom. In 2008, new episodes aired on Game Show Network instead of the Travel Channel, but the next season in 2009 will be on Fox Sports.
World Poker Tour Hosts:

The hosts of the WPT show have always been poker player Mike Sexton and Vince van Patten. The female co-host was originally Shana Hiatt, who hosted the first three seasons. Later hosts included Courtney Friel, Sabina Gadecki, and Layla Kayleigh.
World Poker Tour Championship:

At the end of each season, the WPT holds a $25,000 buy-in no-limit hold'em event that include all the winners of previous WPT main events and many more poker pros and hopefuls.

It is held at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
World Poker Tour Champions:

The winners of the big WPT championship are:

* 2003: Alan Goehring
* 2004: Martin De Knijff
* 2005: Tuan Le
* 2006: Joe Bartholdi
* 2007: Carlos Mortensen
* 2008: David Chiu

Top 20 WSOP bracelet winners－ Chris "Jesus" Ferguson

Chris 'Jesus' Ferguson has an unmatched record in tournament poker over the past decade.

He can remember playing in the 4th grade, losing his last 35c when his trip Queens lost to a heart flush. He promised himself at that time that he would never go broke again and he hasn't looked back since.

After attending UCLA for 18 years, he earned a PhD in computer science focusing on artificial intelligence. He had spent five years as an undergraduate and 13 years as a graduate student. While in college he honed his skill on IRC playing poker for play money in chat rooms.

In 1994 Chris made the decision to really apply himself and his knowledge of game theory to poker, concentrating only on tournament play. He started off playing in the small tournaments in and around LA. Not wanting to play over his bankroll, he didn't enter the WSOP till 1995.

In 1996 he won a satellite into the main event and has played every year since. In the next three years, Chris would have 12 money finishes, making the final table 7 of those times, but never finishing higher than 4th place.

At the 2000 WSOP, Ferguson broke through for the biggest win of his career and claimed the $1,500,000 main event prize, defeating poker legend TJ Cloutier heads up at the final table.

Since he started playing the world series he has won more bracelets (5), made more final tables (25) and had more money finishes (42) than any other player. He has earned more than $4,000,000 playing in WSOP events alone.

In 2005 & 2006 he was runner up at the National Heads Up Championship, winning $250,000 each time and cemeting his reputation as one of toughest players on the circuit.

Christened “Jesus” because of his trademark long brown hair and beard, Ferguson approaches poker from a purely intellectual viewpoint. With his PhD from UCLA and parents who are both academic heavyweights, Chris is far from the shoot from the hip, instinctive "cowboy" poker player that his get-up tries to convey. And that’s the way he likes it, claiming that his whole poker image is a distraction, a ruse to throw other players off their game in the hope that they mis-read him and his play at the tables.

Unlike a lot of poker professionals, poker is only one of four main pursuits in Chris Ferguson’s life. In addition to poker, Chris also continues to foster his academic interest in artificial intelligence, as well as a passion for west coast swing dancing.

It's reported that Jesus can throw a playing card quickly enough to slice through a carrot from 10 feet. We need to see some video evidence of this before we agree that he can. Is the carrot cooked or raw? Is the playing card plastic or paper? So many questions....

If I was going to back anyone to be able to do the carrot trick - it's be this guy, as he's already proven he can do just about everyting else.

Chris Ferguson's winning WSOP hand


Chris Ferguson was holding A9, TJ Cloutier was holding AQ and when he saw that Chris didnt look confident he moved all in. The flop came 2K4 with a King on the turn. If the board paired, the pot would have been split and Ferguson would have been saved, but if the 9 came the tournament would be all over. The 9 came and Ferguson was World Champion.

Chris Ferguson's Poker Career Highlights

* 2000 WSOP $10,000 Main Event winner - $1,500,000
* 2000 WSOP $2,500 7 Card Stud winner - $151,000
* 2001 WSOP $1,500 Omaha Hi/Lo winner - $164,735
* 2001 California State Championship Pot Limit Holdem winner - $22,570
* 2002 WSOP $1,500 Pot Limit Holdem - 2nd - $98,700
* 2003 WSOP $2,000 Omaha Hi/Lo winner - $123,680
* 2003 WSOP $2,000 Limit Holdem/7 Stud winner - $66,220
* 2003 WSOP $3,000 Pot Limit Holdem - 2nd - $115,560
* 2004 Winnin' O' the Green winner - $144,000
* 2004 WSOP $5,000 No Limit 2-7 Lowball - 2nd - $170,315
* 2004 WSOP $10,000 Main Event - 26th - $120,000
* 2005 National Heads Up Championship - 2nd - $250,000
* 2005 Harrahs Rincon WSOP Circuit Event - winner - $655,220
* 2005 WPT Five Star World Poker Classic - 8th - $132,095
* 2005 WSOP $2,000 Pot Limit Omaha - 2nd - $210,460
* 2005 Harrahs Las Vegas WSOP Circuit Event winner - $362,088
* 2006 National Heads Up Championship - 2nd - $250,000
* 2006 WSOP Tournament of Champions - 7th - $50,000

Chris Ferguson Quotes

"Some people might think that there is one basic way to play poker, but there isn't. There are many different styles of play. Two people may be dealt the same hand, play it quite differently, and yet both will be successful. In tournament poker, you have to have a long attention span, be very concentrated, be aware of what's going on - and remain very focused."

"If I could change anything in the world I'd teach people to be more tolerant & accepting, and less hypocritical."

"You have to be two things that don't often co-exist. You have to be tenacious; you can never give up and you have to fight over every chip. But at the same time, you have to be incredibly patient."

Texas Hold 'Em Poker Strategy Tips

To be a truly great Texas Hold 'Em Poker player, you need to be able to read your opponents, ascertaining when they are bluffing and then they really have a solid hand. But learning some basic strategies and general rules will go a long way toward making sure you can at least hold your own in a friendly game.

Two Things to Always Remember

It may seem silly to be reminded of the following fundamental facts, but it's surprising how often players get swept up in the excitement of the game and forget the basics.

So, always remember these two things:

1. The two cards you hold are the only cards that set you apart from the other players and give you the chance to win.

2. All of the face-up cards are community cards, shared by you and every other player. It's vital that you focus on what those cards could mean to someone else at least as much as you focus on what they mean to you. In particular, keep your eyes open for your opponents' straight and flush possibilities.

Evaluating Your Cards

Usually, the first decision you make in a hand of Texas Hold 'Em Poker happens with your only knowledge being what your two cards are.

When you look at your cards, be careful not to reveal anything with your reaction -- facial or otherwise. Taking a sharp breath, no matter how quietly you do it, can tell a wily opponent all he needs to know to have an advantage over you. Keyword: emotionless.

How do you know if your cards are good?

It depends in part on how many players are in the game, but a general rule is that you should seriously consider folding before the flop if you have two non-pair cards, both less than 10. A more conservative player might fold if just one of the cards is less than 10; a more aggressive player might stay in with, for example, an 8 and 9 of the same suit (because those cards give you decent possibilities for a straight or a flush).

If the big blind (a forced bet designed to ensure that every hand has a pot) is low enough, it may be worthwhile to pay in so that you can see the flop even if you don't have particularly strong cards in your hand. But don't abuse this exception to the rule -- it can get you into trouble more quickly than you imagine.

A lot of Texas Hold 'Em strategy is based on the cards in your hand. You must be willing to suffer through a series of poor hands (e.g. 5-8, 2-6, 4-9) without getting impatient. The good hands will come, eventually, and you'll be in better position to take advantage of them if you don't waste your chips trying to get something out of nothing.

The Flop

After seeing the flop, don't be afraid to cut your losses. A common mistake made by novices is to decide, "I'm already in this hand, so I might as well play it out." Wrong.

With seven players at a table, two pair or better will generally be the winning hand. If you don't have the high pair after the flop (e.g. if the flop is K-9-5, the high pair would be two Ks), and you're not in good position for a straight or a flush, you should probably get out of the hand.

However, remember that as the number of players goes down, so does the potential of a strong hand -- so if you're at a table with just two other players, it could pay off to be more aggressive.

If you're first to bet after the flop, don't be afraid to check. This can work to your advantage in two ways. First, if your hand is on the weak side, you might be able to see one more card without having to put more into the pot. Second, if your hand is strong, you could convince an opponent or two that it's weaker than it really is.

Fourth Street and Fifth Street

Also know as The Turn and The River, respectively, the fourth and fifth community cards give you two more chances to either get out of the pot before you lose even more money -- or increase your winnings.

At this point, it's likely there will only be one or two other players still in the pot with you. The best advice here is to be cautious. After fourth street, don't stay in the pot hoping for a straight or flush, unless you can do so on a check (that is, without putting more chips into the pot). Although there will be times when you would have drawn the straight or flush, they will be outweighed by the times you wouldn't.

The bottom line is this: Don't allow yourself to get sucked in too far with a weak hand.

That said, there is a point where the investment you've already made virtually dictates that you hang in there. It's useful to measure this in terms of percentage of your chips. For example, if you've already committed 40% of your chips to the pot, another 5% isn't that much. This is a gray area, so once again the best advice is to be cautious.

Good luck, and have fun!