The Other World Series: Poker
Growing up, the American dream for many boys was playing major league baseball and hitting the game winning home run in the final game of the World Series. This dream is usually
shattered for most when in their teen years the reality hits, that they’re not an athlete and have no chance at a
career in professional baseball.
There is however another World Series that anyone can participate in. The only requirement is that you’re over 21. I’m talking about the World Series Of Poker, which takes place this year from June 2 – July 15. “Wait,” I hear you say. “That’s over a month long. I thought the World Series of Poker was just a few days.”
Actually the WSOP is a series of 45 different poker events culminating with the final 7 day main event starting July 7. The events take
place at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas with the final table of the main event being played at Binion’s Horseshoe Casino in Downtown Las Vegas where the World Series of Poker all started.
The official start of the WSOP was in 1970, though the beginnings can be traced back to an event which took place in 1949. Benny Binion, owner of Binion’s Horseshoe Casino and a true marketing genius, was approached by well-known gambler “Nick the Greek” Nick asked him to set up a match
against the best poker player in a high-stakes poker marathon. Benny agreed as long as the match would open to the public. The stage was set for a showdown between “Nick the Greek” and legendary poker player Johnny Moss.
The marathon lasted five months and the two played every form of poker there was. They took breaks only to sleep.
Binion’s marketing genius paid off as each day the marathon ran hundreds of spectators gathered in his casino to watch the “biggest game in town.” At the end of the five months “The Greek” had lost an estimated $2 million.
It took Binion 20 years to realize the full potential of what happened those five months in 1949.
In 1970 Binion invited some of the best poker players in the world to a contest to determine the “World Champion” poker player. The games began and Johnny Moss (the man who beat “Nick The Greek”) was voted, yes, you read it right, voted the best poker player. There was no prize
money for this event, just the honor of being called the best.
In 1971 the event changed. It became a freezeout tournament in which players bought in with a set sum and play continued until all but one player lost their money. Again Johnny Moss
won the event and with it the top prize of $30,000.
“Amarillo Slim” won the event and $80,000 in 1972 and helped popularize the tournament by going on the talk-show circuit. The WSOP was starting to come into its own.
The 2005 WSOP promises to be the biggest poker event in history. It has been estimated this year’s top prize could hit $10,000,000. Unlike the other World Series this dream of
being a world champion is accessible to anyone over the age of 21. You don’t have to be a professional poker player to play or win.
Two years ago Chris Moneymaker (real name), an accountant, won the tournament and $2,500,000. He didn’t
even pay the $10,000 buy-in. He won it playing an on-line poker satellite with an investment of $40. Last year patent attorney Greg Raymer (also not a professional poker player at the time) walked away with the $5,000,000 first prize. Greg too, didn't pay the $10,000 buy-in as he won his entry
to the tournament through an on-line satellite.
So the dream of being the best poker player in the world can come true for anyone. You don’t have to be a professional poker player and you don’t have to pay the $10,000 buy-in
to the tournament.
Believe it or not you can win your way to the WSOP on-line for as little as $1.10. That’s right, for less than a Starbuck’s coffee you could be on your way to fame and fortune.
It’s fun to play and the dream can be a reality. Check out the on-line poker sites for ways to enter and maybe I'll be writing about you next year.
About the Author
Peter Berlin is a TV Game Show Producer/Writer and an avid online poker player. He has a poker newsletter reviewing the best sites, sign-up bonuses, tournaments, satellites, and events going on in the world of online poker. Sign up for the newsletter and receive a Free Guide to online World Series Of Poker Satellites.
To access the e-book and sign up for the newsletter please visit http://www.funprofitpoker.com
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