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August 18, 2023 · 60 minutes to read
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The World Series of Poker ( WSOP ) was born in 1970. That year, to generate publicity, Benny Binion invited some Vegas a-listers to his Horseshoe Casino for a cash game series. The ultimate “champion” was to be decided by a secret vote. Now, 52 editions later, the WSOP is a multi-national celebration of poker's best professional and amateur players. With multi-millions in prize pools up for grabs.

Year after year, tens of thousands of hungry players pour into the Rio for 7-8 weeks. Although last year, we were forced to play most of our big poker events online, this year WSOP 2021 live events are back, after a two-year absence. There will be a total of 88 bracelet events and usual media coverage and streaming by Poker Central. Here on our official World Series of Poker page you’ll find everything you need to know about poker's iconic tournament series:

  • Summaries, results and features of every WSOP held (1970-now)
  • Live Hands from WSOP Main Events 2006-2016
  • Results for WSOPE & WSOP APAC
  • WSOP Player Interviews, Videos & Specials

World Series of Poker - Year by Year

World Series of Poker Las Vegas WSOP History
WSOP Main Event

The greatest poker series of all, the World Series of Poker, began with just a handful of players. Just 7, in fact. And it ended with a vote to declare the “world champion.” Now 52 years on, the WSOP has become the true “world” series it originally proclaimed itself to be. The history of the World Series of Poker is most easily covered by breaking it into two very distinct time periods:

  • WSOP Before 2003
  • WSOP After 2003

What happened in 2003? Well, if you’re a poker fan you know that’s the year humble, amateur poker-playing accountant from Tennessee, Chris Moneymaker, beat Vegas pro Sammy Farha to win the $10,000 WSOP Main Event. Attributing the entirety of the global poker boom to follow to that one moment is slightly exaggerated. But it isn’t far from the truth. It was a moment that changed the World Series of Poker – and the game of poker itself – irrevocably. And it's still resonating around the world today.

  • Pick any WSOP Main Event year above from 1970-Present for the Champions and more.
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WSOP 2021

After over a two-year absence, WSOP 2021 live tournaments are coming back with a total of 88 bracelet events over the span of almost 8 weeks. All the buy-ins will range from $400-$250,000 and we're expecting record turnouts after all this anticipation, and a new preferred Autumn series for this year.

We're expecting to see all-stars like Phil Ivey, and Daniel Negreanu at the tables. Even Doyle Brunson has teased coming out of retirement to play a couple of tourneys.  

It all kicks off on September 30, 2021 with a $500 entry event with $5M GTD, aptly named “The Reunion” on Opening Weekend, along with a $1,000 charity event for frontliners' relief, high rollers, dealer's choice, and more. The Series then includes the $10K WSOP Main Event freezeout (Nov 4-7, 17-18), a $250,000 Super High Roller, Mixed Games, Bounties, Turbos, and many formats we know and love with a boost or upgrade: 

  • $25K Heads-Up Championship (up from $10K - capped at 64 players)
  • $1,000 Senior's Event - NLHE with 2 starting days + 1 re-entry
  • More than five freezeouts (besides the Main Event)
  • Daily Deepstacks tournaments - x4 a day
  • H.O.R.S.E
  • Omaha Hi Lo
  • Limit Hold'em
  • 7-Card Stud
  • Millionaire Maker ($1M GTD for 1st)
  • Mixed Triple Draw Lowball (Limit)
  • Ladies Championship
  • 8-Game 6-Max
  • Shortdeck
  • Razz
  • Shootout
  • The Colossus
  • Poker Player's Championship
  • Little One for One Drop
  • Crazy Eights

Plus, a few new additions and specials: 

  • Flip & Go - GGPoker's own online exclusive is brought to the live scene. You flip into the money and play from there.
  • Hall of Fame Bounty Tournament (bounty amount is the year inducted and the entry is $1,979 - the year the HoF began)
  • 2-7 Single Draw NL - returns to expand the Poker Players’ Championship to nine games with a $2,500 version included.
  • Tag Team NLHE
  • $50K PLO event (boosted prizepools)

Players can satellite their way into WSOP events on WSOP.com (if playing from New Jersey or Nevada) or through GGPoker (for international players). In July, there will be 33 WSOP online gold bracelets awarded on each platform - but none scheduled for the Fall series. Stay tuned for more updates, winner stories and more on this page.

» More information and full schedule of the WSOP 2021

Winter WSOP 2020

Due to the global Corona pandemic live poker was a scarcity in 2020 and the WSOP had to played almost exclusively online. WSOP.com and GGPoker held two separate Online World Series’ in the summer for US players on wsop.com and for international players on GGPoker. While the GGPoker main event shattered all online poker records and became the biggest online event with a prize pool of over 27.5 Million Dollars it still left some things to be desired. It was only a $5k buy-in (instead of $10k), it was a re-entry event (instead of a freezeout), US players could not participate, and the entire event was online only.

That’s why WSOP.com and GGPoker decided to run a second WSOP right at the end of 2020 and run a more proper main event including at least some live poker.

US Main Event

WSOP.com held a $10k WSOP Main Event over 3 days. The first two days where played online and the final was held at the Rio Casino in Las Vegas. 705 players competed for over 6.7 Million Dollars and eventually 38-year-old Joseph Herbert defeated Ron Jenkins and took home 1.55 Million Dollars.

1 Joseph Hebert$1,553,256
2 Ron Jenkins$1,002,340
3 Michael Cannon$529,258
4 Ryan Hagerty$387,130
5 Ye “Tony” Yuan$286,963
6 Harrison Dobin$215,222
7 Shawn Stroke$163,786
8 Gershon Distenfeld$125,885
9 Upeshka De Silva$98,813

International Main Event

Meanwhile GGPoker also hosted a $10k Main Event, also over 3 days with the first 2 days online and the final at the King’s Casino in Europe. This event could muster 674 players and they competed for almost 6.5 Million Dollars. The Argentinian Damian Salas, who finished 7th in the WSOP Main Event 2017 won this event against Brunno Botteon from Brazil.

1 Damian Salas$1,550,969
2 Brunno Botteon$1,062,723
3 Manuel Ruivo$728,177
4 Ramon Miquel Munoz$498,947
5 Marco Streda$341,879
6 Dominykas Mikolaitis$234,255
7 Stoyan Obreshkov$160,512
8 Hannes Speiser$109,982

Main Event Heads-Up Final

Damian Salas wins WSOP 2020 Main Event
Damian Salas wins WSOP 2020 Main Event

To find the overall WSOP champion the two winners – Damian Salas and Joseph Herbert – played a final heads-up battle in Las Vegas. The winner was to be crowned WSOP champion, receive a gold bracelet and an additional prize money of $1,000,000.

The two fought a truly epic battle over 173 hands. At one point Herbert had an 8 to 1 lead, but Salas mounted a solid comeback and eventually prevailed with a little bit of luck when he won the final confrontation with K-J against A-Q.

Thus Damian Salas became the first Argentinian WSOP champion and took home the additional $1,000,000 prize money.

Summer WSOP 2020

The WSOP, like almost all major sporting events in 2020, could not be held in the usual way in Las Vegas. The restrictions imposed by the Corona pandemic made poker tournaments of the size of a World Series impossible at live tables.

Instead, the WSOP was held online for the first time. On WSOP.com, American players could play for 31 bracelets and GGPoker hosted the major international version of the WSOP with 54 tournaments.

Several well-known players could win bracelets in 2020: Canadian Tony Dunst won the '777-6-Max on WSOP.com and former Main Event winner Joe McKeehen won the '3,200 NLH Highroller. On GGPoker Juha Helppi, Roberto Romanello, Kristen Bricknell, David Peters, and Fedor Holz each won a tournament and the Canadian Alek Stasiak secured two bracelets.

WSOP Main Event 2020

Stoyan Madanzhiev wins World Series of Poker WSOP 2020 Main Event
Stoyan Madanzhiev wins WSOP 2020 Main Event

The buy-in for the Main Event of the Word Series was $5,000 for the first time in history and for the first time up to two re-entries were possible. GGPoker guaranteed 25 million dollars in prize money and with 5,802 entries, this guarantee was even surpassed. The players competed for a total of 27,559,500 dollars, making this the largest poker tournament ever held online.

There was another WSOP novelty at the final table. Wenling Gao was the first woman to reach the final table of a WSOP Main Event.

After a total of 23 starting flights and two more full online days the victory went to Europe. The Bulgarian Stoyan Madanzhiev prevailed over well-known players such as Stefan Schillhabel and Tyler Cornell and collected almost 4 million dollars in prize money. Gao finished second for more than 2.7 million dollars.

1 Stoyan Madanzhiev$3,904,686
2 Wenling Gao$2,748,605
3 Tyler Rueger$1,928,887
4 Thomas Ward$1,353,634
5 Satoshi Isomae$949,937
6 Joao Santos$666,637
7 Stefan Schillhabel$467,825
8 Tyler Cornell$328,305
9 Samuel Taylor$230,395

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WSOP 2019

The signature event of the World Series of Poker - the $10,000 Main Event - played out from July 3-16.

It drew a total of 8,569 entries to make it the 2nd-biggest WSOP Main Event of all time (only 2006, with 8,773, has topped it).

Germany's Hossein Ensan won the 50th edition of the Main Event for a $10 million first-prize prize - tied for the second-largest of all-time.

The final three players were all from outside of the US for the first time since 2014.

Also of note: Day 1c of the Main Event was delayed slightly by the Riverside earthquake, a 7.1 quake that occurred 150 miles away in California.

Full final-table results and payouts from the 2019 WSOP Main Event final table:

1.Hossein Ensan$10,000,000
2.Dario Sammartino$6,000,000
3.Alex Livingston$4,000,000
4.Garry Gates$3,000,000
5.Kevin Maahs$2,200,000
6.Zhen Cai$1,850,000
7.Nick Marchington$1,525,000
8.Timothy Su$1,250,000
9.Milos Skrbic$1,000,000

Previous WSOP Player of the Year Winners

YearNameBraceletesFinal TablesCashesTournament Earnings
2019Robert Campbell259$601,776
2018Shaun Deeb2520$2,534,511
2017Chris 'Jesus' Ferguson1423$428.,423
2016Jason Mercier2411$960,424
2015Mike Gorodinsky138$1,766,796
2014George Danzer3510$878,993
2013Daniel Negreanu2410$2,214,304
2012Greg Merson224$9,755,180
2011Ben Lamb145$5,352,970
2010Frank Kassela236$1,255,314
2009Jeffrey Lisandro346$807,521
2008Erick Lindgren135$1,348,528
2007Tom Schneider233$416,829
2006Jeff Madsen244$1,467,852
2005Allen Cunningham145$1,006,935
2004Daniel Negreanu156$346,280

How does a player earn points? By cashing (and particularly going deep) in as many WSOP events as possible. The 2019 WSOP Player of the Year Race will include opportunities to score points in 83 events in Vegas and 10 at the WSOP Europe.

The points model is based on what was used on the WSOP Circuit for years and will have modifiers for the size of the event buy-in and number of entries. Winners of events will obviously receive the most points followed by the runner-up, 3rd place and so on.

Lower buy-ins are rated slightly higher points-wise as big buy-ins to make the system accessible to any player who might not have the bankroll of a poker superstar. You can find the full breakdown of the WSOP POY formula here.

Related Articles

  • Official WSOP 2019 Schedule
  • Results 2019 WSOP

WSOP 2018

With 7,874 entrants the 2018 WSOP Main Event was the second-largest ever behind only the epic 2006 Main Event won by Jamie Gold for $12m. The Top 6 Main Event finishers were all from the United States and each earned over $1.8m.

2009 WSOP Main Event champ Joe Cada returned to the final table and finished fifth.

  • $10,000 Main Event Winner:  John Cynn $8.8m (Runner-Up: Tony Miles $5m)

The $1m Big One for One Drop returned to the WSOP schedule and drew just 27 entries.

  • $1m Big One for One Drop Winner: Justin Bonomo $10m (Runner-Up: Fedor Holz $6m)

Other Notable Moments:

  • WSOP icon and 10-time bracelet winner Doyle Brunson announced his WSOP retirement; finished sixth at 2-7 final table
  • Phil Hellmuth won his 15th career WSOP bracelet

Final Table Payouts WSOP Main Event 2018

1. John Cynn$8,800,000
2. Tony Miles$5,000,000
3. Michael Dyer$3,750,000
4. Nicolas Manion$2,825,000
5. Joe Cada$2,150,000
6. Aram Zobian$1,800,000
7. Alexander Lynskey$1,500,000
8. Artem Metalidi$1,250,000
9. Antoine Labat$1,000,000

WSOP Europe 2018

The WSOP Europe was again held at the Kings Casino in Rozvadov, Czech Republic. Ten bracelet events in total were held. Brit Jack Sinclair won the Main Event over 534 runners for 1.1m Euros.

Related Articles

  • John Cynn wins WSOP 2018

WSOP 2017

Attendance in the Main Event surged again in 2017 with an extra 500 players juicing the total entrants to 7,221. All told the series hit 74 total bracelet events including 4 official online bracelet events played entirely online.

To the rejoicing of many, the four-month November Nine break to play out the final table was discontinued and the champion was crowned in July.

  • 2017 WSOP Main Event Champion: Scott Blumstein ($8.15m) Runner-Up: Dan Ott

Other Notables:

  • Former WSOP Main Event final-tablists Antoine Saout finished fifth and Ben Lamb finished ninth
  • Michael Ruane, fourth in 2016, finished in tenth
  • The 2017 $111,111 High Roller for One Drop was won by Doug Polk over runner-up Bertrand ‘ElkY’ Grospellier

Final Table Payouts WSOP Main Event 2017

1. Scott Blumstein$8,150,000
2. Daniel Ott$4,700,000
3. Benjamin Pollak$3,500,000
4. John Hesp$2,600,000
5. Antoine Saout$2,000,000
6. Bryan Piccioli$1,675,000
7. Damian Salas$1,425,000
8. Jack Sinclair$1,200,000
9. Ben Lamb$1,000,000

WSOPE 2017

The World Series of Poker Europe moved to the King’s Casino in Rozvadov, Czech Republic for the first time as part of a new multi-year agreement.

A total of 11 bracelet events were played including a €111,111 Big One for One Drop event (won by 888poker pro Dominik Nitsche) and the €10,000 Main Event. Marti Roca de Torres, a former Economics teacher from Spain, defeated Gianluca Speranza heads-up to win the 2017 WSOPE Main Event crown and €1,115,207.

Related Articles

  • WSOP Europe Returns for 2017/19
  • Great Scott Blumstein caps WSOP 2017
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WSOP 2016

Qui Nguyen wins World Series of Poker WSOP 2016 Main Event
Qui Nguyen wins WSOP 2016 Main Event

The 2016 World Series of Poker delivered 69 events capped, as always, by the $10,000 Main Event. A total of 6,737 players entered the Main Event making it the biggest in five years.

A final table of nine players was again established in July before waiting until November to play down to to a winner.

It was the final year of the “November Nine” format; in 2017 the WSOP reverted back to playing out the final table entirely in July.

Las Vegas local Qui Nguyen ultimately triumphed over Gordon Vayo heads-up. Nguyen won just over $8 million.

Former Counter-Strike champion Griffin Benger of Canada also made the final table and finished seventh.

  • 2016 WSOP Main Event Winner: Qui Nguyen ($8,005,310) Runner-Up: Gordon Vayo($4,661,228)

The 2016 High Roller for One Drop was again priced at $111,111 to buy-in. This time around German wunderkind Fedor Holz claimed the top prize for $4.9 million.

Final Table Payouts WSOP Main Event 2016

1. Qui Nguyen$8,005,310
2. Gordon Vayo$4,661,228
3. Cliff Josephy$3,453,035
4. Michael Ruane$2,567,003
5. Vojtech Ruzicka$1,935,288
6. Kenny Hallaert$1,464,258
7. Griffin Benger$1,250,190
8. Jerry Wong$1,100,076
9. Fernando Pons$1,000,000

Related Articles

  • Qui Nguyen Outduels Vayo to win $8,000,000
  • 2016 WSOP Numbers and Results

WSOP 2015

Joe McKeehen wins WSOP 2015 Main Event
Joe McKeehen wins WSOP 2015 Main Event

The 2015 WSOP stuck with the November Nine concept but abandoned the $10m Main Event winner guarantee in favor of guaranteeing 1,000 payouts in the ME.

The response was lukewarm and the Main Event only drew 6,420 entrants.

Another lackluster November Nine in terms of star power was reached and ultimately Pennsylvanian and former Risk World Champion Joe McKeehen beat Josh Beckley heads-up.

McKeehen led the final table from wire-to-wire and collected $7.68 million.

  • 2015 WSOP Main Event Winner: Joe McKeehen ($7,683,346) Runner-Up: Josh Beckley ($4,470,896)

The newly established $565 WSOP Colossus did set a record for largest WSOP field ever and largest live poker tournament ever with 22,374 entrants.

$111,111 One Drop High Roller

The buy-in for the Big One for One Drop was dropped from $1 million to $111,111 and re-named the High Roller for One Drop. A smaller portion of the buy-in ($11,111) still went to charity.

The tournament drew 135 players to build a $14,249,925 prize pool. Over $750,000 was donated to the One Drop Foundation. The event was won by former Main Event champ Jonathan Duhamel for $3.9 million. Businessman Bill Klein finished second for $2.4m.

Final Table Payouts WSOP Main Event 2015

1. Joseph McKeehen$7,683,346
2. Joshua Beckley$4,470,896
3. Neil Blumenfield$3,398,298
4. Max Steinberg$2,615,361
5. Zvi Stern$1,911,423
6. Thomas Cannuli$1,426,283
7. Pierre Neuville$1,203,293
8. Federico Butteroni$1,097,056
9. Patrick Chan$1,001,020

2015 WSOP Europe

The WSOP Europe resumed after a one-year break with 10 bracelet events, this time held at the Spielbank Casino in Berlin, Germany. American Kevin MacPhee won the Main Event over 313 players for €883,000.

Related Articles

  • 2015 WSOP Schedule and Results
  • MacPhee Reigns again in Berlin

WSOP 2014

Martin Jaconbson wins World Series of Poker WSOP 2014 Main Event
Martin Jacobson wins WSOP 2014 Main Event

In 2014 the WSOP offered a $10m guarantee for the Main Event winner for the first time. There were 65 total events and the $1m Big One for One Drop was again played.

The 2nd-ever One Drop event played out just before the start of the Main Event and drew 42 entries – 6 less than the inaugural event. Far fewer business leaders and amateurs entered this time making it a very pro heavy field.

Young upstart Dan Colman won the title and $15m as he defeated Daniel Negreanu heads-up. Colman drew criticism after his win by being reticent with the media and suggesting idolizing poker stars was not a particularly good idea.

2014 WSOP Main Event

The Main Event drew 6,683 entrants and again played to a final nine before breaking until November. Poker pro Mark Newhouse, who finished ninth in 2012, made the final table again in 2013.

After swearing he “wouldn’t finish f’ing ninth again,” he finished ninth again.

It was an all-Scandinavian final two as Swede Martin Jacobson won the $10m title over Norway’s Felix Stephensen.

  • 2014 WSOP Main Event Winner: Martin Jacobson ($10,000,000) Runner-Up: Felix Stephensen ($5,147,911)

Final Table Payouts WSOP Main Event 2014

1. Martin Jacobson$10,000,000
2. Felix Stephensen$5,147,911
3. Jorryt van Hoof$3,807,753
4. William Tonking$2,849,763
5. William Pappaconstantinou$2,143,794
6. Andoni Larrabe$1,622,471
7. Daniel Sindelar$1,236,084
8. Bruno Politano$947,172
9. Mark Newhouse$730,725

2014 WSOP Asia-Pacific

The World Series of Poker Asia Pacific returned for a second year although the WSOPE was put on hiatus until the following year. Again the series was held at the Crown Casino in Melbourne and 10 bracelet events were played.

Scott Davies won the Main Event over 329 entries for AUD $850,000. The WSOP APAC has not been held since.

Related Articles

  • $10,000 WSOP Main Event
  • $1,000,000 Big One for One Drop
  • Colman Upstages Negreanu to win Big One for One Drop
  • Martin Jacobson wins the 2014 WSOP Main Event
  • Main Event Heads Up Flashback

WSOP 2013

Ryan Reiss wins World Series of Poker WSOP 2013 Main Event
Ryan Riess wins WSOP 2013 Main Event

2013 was the first and only year 3 separate World Series of Poker series – WSOP, World Series of Poker Europe and World Series of Poker Asia-Pacific - were held.

It was the first year for the WSOP APAC (which only lasted 2 years) and the final year the WSOPE was held every year alongside with the regular WSOP.

The 2013 WSOP November Nine again lacked notable names although veteran live and online poker pros JC Tran, Mark Newhouse and David Benefield made the cut.

Ultimately Michigan’s Ryan Riess won the title and $8.3m defeating Jay Farber heads-up. The Main Event had a comparatively low 6,352 entries.

  • 2013 WSOP Main Event Winner: Ryan Riess ($8,361,570) Runner-Up: Jay Farber ($5,174,357)

Final Table Payouts WSOP Main Event 2013

1. Ryan Riess$8,361,570
2. Jay Farber$5,174,357
3. Amir Lehavot$3,727,823
4. Sylvain Loosli$2,792,533
5. Justin Cuong Van Tran$2,106,893
6. Marc Etienne McLaughlin$1,601,024
7. Michiel Brummelhuis$1,225,356
8. David Benefield$944,650
9. Mark Newhouse$733,224

2013 WSOP Europe

The 2013 World Series of Poker Europe moved to Enghien-les-Bains, France and held 8 total events. Spanish teenager Adrian Mateos won his first WSOP Main Event title and €1,000,000. The field had 375 players.

2013 WSOP Asia-Pacific

The first-ever WSOP Asia-Pacific was held at the Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia. Five bracelet events in total were held. Poker superstar Daniel Negreanu won the Main Event and just over $1m AUD. Phil Ivey also won a WSOP APAC bracelet in Event #3, the $2,200 Mixed Event.

Related Articles

  • Negreanu Crowned King of WSOP Asia
  • Ryan Reiss wins 2013 Main Event

WSOP 2012

Antonio Esfandiari Wins Big one for One Drop
Antonio Esfandiari Wins Big one for One Drop

The 2012 WSOP was notable for the introduction of the first-ever $1 million Big One for One Drop.

Developed by Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte to raise money for his charity, the One Drop Foundation, which provides clean drinking water for developing communities, players paid a $1m buy-in with $111,111 of it going to the charity.

The field was capped at 48 players and all seats were sold out. The winner was Antonio Esfandiari, who beat England’s Sam Trickett heads-up.

Esfandiari won $18.3m, the biggest poker tournament payout ever. Trickett was paid $10m.

2012 WSOP Main Event

The 2012 WSOP Main Event was notable for being the longest WSOP Main Event final table in history (excluding the WSOPE). All told the final table lasted for 399 hands including 11 hours of play 3-handed.

Gregory Merson wins 2012 WSOP Main Event
Gregory Merson wins 2012 WSOP Main Event

The field drew 6,598 players and the November Nine was again devoid of any big-name poker stars. The Nov. 9 chip lead was held by American Jesse Sylvia but it was perhaps most notable for who didn’t make the cut.

Female players Gaelle Baumann and Elisabeth Hille busted in 10th and 11th, respectively. In the end Sylvia finished runner-up to online poker pro Greg Merson. Merson won $8.5m.

Merson also was named the WSOP Player of the Year as he had won the last tournament prior to the start of the Main Event as well.

Due to the 2012 US election the final table also ran in October instead of the usual November

  • 2013 WSOP Main Event Winner: Greg Merson ($8,531,853) Runner-Up: Jesse Sylvia ($5,295,149)

Final Table Payouts WSOP Main Event 2012

1. Gregory Merson$8,531,853
2. Jesse Sylvia$5,295,149
3. Jacob Balsiger$3,799,073
4. Russell Thomas$2,851,537
5. Jeremy Ausmus$2,155,313
6. Andras Koroknai$1,640,902
7. Michael Esposito$1,258,040
8. Robert Salaburu$971,360
9. Steve Gee$754,798

2012 WSOP Europe: Hellmuth Wins ME #2!

The 2012 WSOP Europe was again held in Cannes and again had 7 official bracelet events. In a signature performance Phil Hellmuth won the WSOPE Main Event to become the first-ever winner of both the WSOP Main Event and the WSOPE Main Event.

Hellmuth defeated 420 entrants and won over 1m GBP. It was his 13th career WSOP bracelet.

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  • Greg Merson Wins Record-Breaking Main Event
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WSOP 2011

Pius Heinz wins 2011 WSOP Main Event
Pius Heinz wins 2011 WSOP Main Event

Continuing the decade long theme of two steps forward, one step back the 2011 WSOP Main Event dipped back under 7,000 runners with 6,865 total. The preliminary events had even begun to overshadow the Main Event slightly with the first 57 events having representation from 98 countries and paying out over $127m in prize money.

Another “star-free" Main Event final table was the order of the day with an international mix of relative unknowns save for maybe Ben Lamb.

German Pius Heinz went on the claim the Main Event title over Czech Martin Staszko. Heinz won $8.7m.

Heinz became the first-ever German winner of the Main Event and while he went on to fade out of the poker scene quickly it did give rise to a wave of new, young German players who took interest in poker and since have come to dominate the high-stakes poker scene.

  • 2011 WSOP Main Event Winner: Pius Heinz ($8,715,638) Runner-Up: Martin Staszko ($5,433,086)

Final Table Payouts WSOP Main Event 2011

1. Pius Heinz$8,715,368
2. Martin Staszko$5,433,086
3. Ben Lamb$4,021,138
4. Matt Giannetti$3,012,700
5. Phil Collins$2,269,599
6. Eoghan O'Dea$1,720,831
7. Badih Bounahra$1,314,097
8. Anton Makiievskyi$1,010,015
9. Sam Holden$782,115

2011 WSOP Europe – Elio Fox Takes It All

The 2011 WSOP Europe expanded to 7 total events and was moved to Cannes, France for the first time. Held at the Majestic Barriere Cannes and Le Croisette Casino the Main Event drew 594 entrants and was won by American Elio Fox for €1,400,000.

Brit Chris Moorman, who would go one to be the winningest online poker player of all time, finished second. Fox famously was never backed by anyone in his tournaments and thereafter collected all of the prize winnings.

Related Articles

  • Event 58 – $10,000 Main Event World Championship
  • Pius Heinz Becomes First German WSOP Main Event Champ
  • Elio Fox Wins 2011 WSOP Europe Main Event

WSOP 2010

Jonathan Duhamel wins 2010 WSOP Main Event
Jonathan Duhamel wins 2010 WSOP Main Event

As the WSOP again turned the page to a new decade, a new surge of players pushed the Main Event field back up over 7,000 again. A total of 7,319 players took to the field in the Amazon Room at the Rio and again played to a final nine that would wait until November to play things out.

Leading the field going in was French-Canadian Jonathan Duhamel and that’s how things ended as well.

Duhamel beat Floridian John Racener heads-up to claim just under $9 million.

The most notable member of the November Nine that year was Michael “ The Grinder” Mizrachi, who has gone on the win the WSOP Player’s Championship three times but never the Main Event.

Mizrachi finished fifth.

  • 2010 WSOP Main Event Winner: Jonathan Duhamel ($8,944,310) Runner-Up John Racener ($5,545,955)

Final Table Payouts WSOP Main Event 2010

1. Jonathan Duhamel$8,944,310
2. John Racener$5,545,955
3. Joseph Cheong$4,130,049
4. Filippo Candio$3,092,545
5. Michael Mizrachi$2,332,992
6. John Dolan$1,772,959
7. Jason Senti$1,356,720
8. Matthew Jarvis$1,045,743
9. Soi Nguyen$811,823

2010 WSOP Europe – On Bord

The World Series of Poker Europe again played out in London in September. Brit James Bord won the Main Event for £830,401.

Also of note: The legendary Gus Hansen won his only career WSOP bracelet in the £10,350 Heads-Up Event for £288,409.

WSOP 2009

Joe Cada wins 2009 World Series of Poker WSOP Main Event
Joe Cada wins 2009 WSOP Main Event

WSOP Main Event attendance dipped again in 2009 back to 6,494 entrants but the full slate of 57 events saw a strong turnout overall. The November Nine as a concept returned as well with one substantial difference working in its favor – this time a certifiable poker superstar was included.

Widely considered one of, if not the greatest poker players of all-time, Phil Ivey made significant waves when he advanced to the final table of nine in seventh place. He was fairly short-stacked but that didn’t seem to diminish the poker-playing public’s enthusiasm for seeing him there. Much of the talk during the 4 months leading up to the final table centered on Ivey and his chances for a run to the title.

Unfortunately the enthusiasm didn’t survive long as Ivey went out in 7th.

Cada > Moon

The heads-up turned into a battle between Maryland logger Darvin Moon and young Internet pro Joe Cada from Michigan.

Despite a strong fan base who cheered on the unorthodox Moon, Cada prevailed to become the youngest Main Event winner ever at just 21 years of age. Cada took home $8.5m million.

  • 2009 WSOP Main Event Winner: Joe Cada ($8,546,435) Runner-Up: Darvin Moon ($5,182,601)

Final Table Payouts WSOP Main Event 2009

1. Joe Cada$8,546,435
2. Darvin Moon$5,182,601
3. Antoine Saout$3,479,670
4. Eric Buchman$2,502,890
5. Jeff Shulman$1,953,452
6. Steven Begleiter$1,587,160
7. Phil Ivey$1,404,014
8. Kevin Schaffel$1,300,231
9. James Akenhead$1,263,602

2009 WSOP Europe – Barry vs. Negreanu

The 2009 WSOP Europe again took place in London and had four events. Barry Shulman won the title over Daniel Negreanu heads-up, disappointing Negreanu fans the world over.

Related Articles

  • Shulman ships 2009 WSOPE title
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  • Michigan’s Joe Cada Wins the 2009 WSOP Main Event
  • WSOP 2009 Main Event Heads-Up Flashback

WSOP 2008

Peter Eastgate wins World Series of Poker 2008 WSOP Main Event
Peter Eastgate wins 2008 WSOP Main Event

The November Nine is Born

Still hurting from the UIGEA the 2008 WSOP rebounded to see a slight increase in Main Event entrants (6,844) but was still adjusting to not having access to online qualifiers.

In the hopes of drawing in even more TV viewers and creating new hype, the decision was made by WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack to delay the playing out of the Main Event final table for four months.

Once play hit the final table of 9 play was stopped for the summer to allow the episodes to play out weekly on ESPN until October. The players then reconvened in Vegas for what was dubbed “the November Nine.” and the event was played out live.

Again the final table was plagued with a lack of “star” power as no popular pros at the time made the final table. On the first night play went from nine to two and then the following evening the heads-up opponents, Denmark’s Peter Eastgate and Russian Ivan Demidov, returned to play to a winner.

Eastgate became the youngest WSOP Main Event winner ever at age 22 and claim $9.1m. He would retire from professional poker just a few years later.

  • 2008 WSOP Main Event Winner: Peter Eastgate ($9,119,517) Runner-Up Ivan Demidov ($5,809,595)

Final Table Payouts WSOP Main Event 2008

1. Peter Eastgate$9,152,416
2. Ivan Demidov$5,809,595
3. Dennis Phillips$4,517,773
4. Ylon Schwartz$3,794,974
5. Scott Montgomery$3,096,768
6. Darus Suharto$2,418,562
7. David Rheem$1,772,650
8. Kelly Kim$1,288,217
9. Craig Marquis$900,670

2008 WSOP Europe – Juanda Goes the Distance

The WSOP Europe returned in 2008, again in London, with four events. Poker veteran John Juanda won the £10,000 GBP main event over Stanislav Alekhin in the longest final table in WSOP history at 19 hours, 10 minutes. Juanda earned £868,800

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  • Juanda Triumphs in Brutal WSOPE Battle
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WSOP 2007

Jerry Yang wins 2007 World Series of Poker WSOP Main Event
Jerry Yang wins 2007 WSOP Main Event

After the bombastic and record-setting 2006 WSOP, the 2007 WSOP was set up for a letdown. And it was a pretty big one.

While the total tournament schedule had now expanded to 55 events, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act shoehorned onto a port security bill and passed in late 2006 took the steam right out of the US online poker market.

Given the uncertainty surrounding its core principles and implementation, several major online poker providers pulled out of the market entirely. Those that did stay, incluidng PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, had a decidedly reduced impact.

Just 6,358 players ultimately registered for the Main Event to make 2007 the first-year since 1992 that the Main Event field decreased the following year.

“Just” $8.25m was awarded to the eventual winner, Jerry Yang, who outlasted a comparatively lacklustre final table that included no poker “stars” of the time.

Of particular note in 2007 was the chip leader heading into the final table, Denmark's Phillip Hilm, came in overly aggressive and busted in 9th in just 15 hands. It's considered the biggest "meltdown" in final-table history.

Hilm later told PokerListings that turn of events took his drive to play poker from him and he stopped playing altogether. After years selling real estate he returned to the felt only recently.

Hevad Khan, meanwhile, who created a bit of stir with his emphatic "bulldozer" celebrations at the table, finished 5th. Khan went on to become a sponsored PokerStars pro.

  • 2007 WSOP Main Event Winner: Jerry Yang ($8,250,000) Runner-Up: Tuan Lam ($4,840,981)

Final Table Payouts WSOP Main Event 2007

1. Jerry Yang$8,250,000
2. Tuan Lam$4,840,981
3. Raymond Rahme$3,048,025
4. Alexander Kravchenko$1,852,721
5. Jonathon Kalmar$1,255,069
6. Hevad Khan$956,243
7. William Childs Jr$705,229
8. Lee Watkinson$585,699
9. Phillip Hilm$525,934

2007 WSOP Europe – Annette_15 Comes of Age

2007 did, however, see the introduction of the first-ever World Series of Poker Europe, which was held in London in the Fall. It was the first time official WSOP gold bracelets were awarded outside of the United States.

Just three tournaments were held and the Main Event was won for 1m GBP by Norwegian teenager Annette Obrestad.

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  • Annette Obrestad on Top of the World (Series of Poker Europe)!
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WSOP 2006

Jamie Gold wins 2006 World Series of Poker WSOP Main Event
Jamie Gold wins 2006 WSOP Main Event

What can be said about the 2006 World Series of Poker? Well, a helluva lot.

  • Biggest Main Event in history (still to this day)
  • Biggest main Event prize in history ($12m, still to this day)
  • Total Main Event prize pool of $82 million
  • Over $100m in prize money across all 45 events, making it richest in sports
  • Most reviled Main Event champ in history (Jamie Gold)
  • A deal gone sour between the champ and a backer
  • A possible $10m bonus on the Main Event title
  • $730,000 in poker room swag alone
  • First-ever $50,000 Poker Players Championshop (won by Chip Reese)
  • Pamela Anderson, Charles Barkley, Shannon Elizabeth, Tobey Maguire, Ron Jeremy, Brad Garrett, Mekhi Phifer and Wil Wheaton.
  • Pillow fights

It was a wild one, to say the least. And PokerListings was there to watch it all first hand. The first year we provided wall-to-wall live coverage was a phenomenal one as Hollywood agent Jamie Gold sweet talked (some say angle shot) his way to $12m in prize money.

It was astounding. And with 8,773 entrants in the Main Event it may never be topped. All events were also held at the Rio Hotel & Casino, the first time the WSOP had been held outside of Binion’s.

  • 2006 WSOP Main Event Winner: Jamie Gold ($12,000,000) Runner-Up: Paul Wasicka ($6,102,499)

2006 WSOP Main Event stats:

  • Total Buy-ins: 8,773
  • Total Prize Pool: $82,512,162
  • Total payouts: 873

Final Table Payouts WSOP Main Event 2006

1. Jamie Gold$12,000,000
2. Paul Wasicka$6,102,499
3. Mike Binger$4,123,310
4. Allen Cunningham$3,628,513
5. Rhett Butler$3,216,182
6. Richard Lee$2,803,851
7. Douglas Kim$2,391,520
8.Erik Friberg$1,979,189
9. Dan Nassif$1,566,858

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WSOP 2005

Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi

Speaking of amateur poker players the world over, Australian chiropractor Joe Hachem was a complete unknown when he, like Chris Moneymaker and Greg Raymer, stepped up to the WSOP Main Event for the first time.

Online qualifiers again nearly doubled the Main Event field from the year before with 5,629 total Main Event entrants. Preliminary bracelet events also expanded to 45 in total.

By the time the dust settled at the Main Event final table Hachem was $7.5 million richer and had introduced the American audience to the joys of the “Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi” celebration.

Hachem would join Raymer and Moneymaker as a PokerStars ambassador and continue to grow the game in Australia and the Asia-Pacific market – a place where it would eventually expand to with a WSOP tournament series of its own.

  • 2005 WSOP Main Event Winner: Joe Hachem ($7,500,000) Runner-Up: Steve Dannenman ($4,250,000)

Final Table Payouts WSOP Main Event 2005

1. Joe Hachem$7,500,000
2. Steven Dannenmann$4,250,000
3. John Barch$2,500,000
4. Aaron Kanter$2,000,000
5. Andy Black$1,750,000
6. Scott Lazar$1,500,000
7. Daniel Bergsdorf$1,300,000
8. Brad Kondracki$1,150,000
9. Mike Matusow$1,000,000

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WSOP 2004

Greg "Fossilman" Raymer wins 2004 World Series of Poker WSOP Main Event
Greg "Fossilman" Raymer wins 2004 WSOP Main Event

Fossilman Unearthed

While everyone knew Chris Moneymaker’s amazing victory in 2003 had kicked upon a door into the poker world people were now streaming through, no one had quite an understanding of just how much things had changed.

A stunning 2,576 entrants showed up for the WSOP Main Event in 2004, pushing the entire undertaking to an entirely different stratosphere. 2004 was also the last WSOP held within the confines of Binion’s casino, which had sold the brand to Harrah’s Entertainment that year.

There were 32 preliminary events alongside the marquee Main Event and the names and faces found among the field were a who’s who of the pros who would become the face of poker for years to come. Among the 2004 WSOP bracelet winners were Daniel Negreanu, Barry Greenstein, Annie Duke and Antonio Esfandiari, not to mention 2004 Main Event winner Greg “Fossilman” Raymer.

Another amateur poker player, Raymer made for great TV with his fossil card protector and holographic dinosaur sunglasses. The affable attorney shortly after joined PokerStars has an ambassador and yet again spread the joy of the game to corners far and wide. His $5 million win also didn’t hurt drawing the eyes of amateurs players the world over.

  • 2004 WSOP Main Event Winner: Greg Raymer ($5,000,000) Runner-Up: David Williams ($3,500,000)

Final Table Payouts WSOP Main Event 2004

1. Greg Raymer$5,000,000
2. David Williams$3,500,000
3. Josh Arieh$2,500,000
4. Dan Harrington$1,500,000
5. Glenn Hughes$1,100,000
6. Al Krux$800,000
7. Matt Dean$675,000
8. Mattias Andersson$575,000
9. Michael McClain$470,400

2004 WSOP Main Event runner-up David Williams would later go on to appear on the US version of reality show Masterchef in 2017.

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  • 2004 WSOP Main Event Heads-Up Flashback

WSOP 2003

Chris Moneymaker wins 2003 World Series of Poker WSOP Main Event
Chris Moneymaker wins 2003 WSOP Main Event and changes poker forever

Moneymaker Changes Everything

When the 2003 WSOP began not many within the industry had the inkling it would turn out to be such a phenomenal, industry-altering moment in time. But what happened certainly changed the course of the game’s history in hundreds of ways still being realized.

The first, most notable occurrence was the surge of players who won their seats for the Main Event online. PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, among others, were riding a new wave of poker interest and ran hundreds of lower buy-in satellites to open the door to the once out-of-reach $10,000 buy-in.

Of the record 839 Main Event entrants a large portion had now qualified online and among their number was an unknown amateur poker player and accountant from Tennessee with the perfect name for poker.

Chris Moneymaker earned his seat in the Main Event via a $45 satellite and, despite almost selling it off and never playing the event, somehow navigated his way through the minefield of poker professionals (even busting Phil Ivey along the way) to make the final table.

Once there he played with surprising confidence and ultimately ran a bluff on swashbuckling pro Sammy Farha that changed the course of poker history.

His $2.5m win certainly reverberated around amateur poker circles but also sent a ripple out into the non-poker playing world that has yet to be matched. Thousands and thousands of new enthusiasts flooded the online poker market and set the stage for the expansion of the World Series of Poker into the global powerhouse it is today.

Final Table Payouts WSOP Main Event 2003

1. Chris Moneymaker$2,500,000
2. Sam Farha$1,300,000
3. Dan Harrington$650,000
4. Jason Lester$440,000
5. Tomer Benvenisti$320,000
6. Amir Vahedi$250,000
7. Young Pak$200,000
8. David Grey$160,000
9. David Singer$120,000

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WSOP 2000-2003

Chris Ferguson wins WSOP World Series of Poker 2000
Chris "Jesus" Ferguson

The WSOP Hits Y2K

As the calendar turned to a new century, so too did the WSOP turn to new records. The 2000 WSOP saw the preliminary events expanded to 24 and the Main Event crossed the 500-entrant mark for the first time.

Another very notable name in poker took the crown this time as Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, who would later become a pariah himself due to the Full Tilt scandal, methodically plodded to victory.

Ferguson’s $1.5m first-place prize was the largest in WSOP history.

The 2001 WSOP saw the Main Event field grow yet again to over 600 players (613) and see the first time two players received more than $1m in payouts.

Winner Carlos Mortenson matched Ferguson’s $1.5m from 2000 and runner-up Dewey Tomko earned $1,098,925. Phil Hellmuth also made the final table looking for his second World Championship but fell short in fifth.

The 2002 WSOP was more of the same with 631 Main Event entrants (it was largest-ever live poker tournament at the time) but was notable more for being the first-time ESPN provided hole card cameras for its Main Event coverage.

Robert Varkonyi’s $2 million win was also the largest in WSOP history but more importantly set the stage for what would happen the following year.

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WSOP 1990-1999

The WSOP in the 1990s

As the WSOP turned the page to the 90s the opening event of the decade foretold what would become an up-and-down decade to come.

Stu Ungar wsop 1990
Stu Ungar

With 194 entrants to the Main Event it was the biggest yet but on the third day Stu Ungar was found unconscious in his hotel due to a drug overdose. He’d ultimately survive but it certainly cast a somber tone over the remainder of the proceedings.

Amazingly, as Ungar was such an overwhelming chip leader at the time of his overdose, by the time his chips had blinded out he had still made the final table and finished 9th for $25,050. Brit Mansour Matloubi won the title and $835,000.

The 1991 WSOP had a record 18 bracelet events on the schedule and the 215 Main Event entrants pushed the first-place prize money to $1m for the first time. Poker pro Brad Daugherty was the winner.

In 1992 the WSOP Main Event dipped to 201 entrants, the only year prior to 2007 where the number of entrants declined from the previous year. The first-place prize maintained at $1m, though, and was won by Iranian-American Hamid Dastmalchi.

1993 was a watershed year for a couple of reasons. First, both Phil Hellmuth and Ted Forrest won three consecutive bracelet events each – the first time that had even happened. The WSOP Main Event, won by Jim Bechtel, also saw the first two women to cash in the event – Marsha Waggoner (19th) and Wendeen Eolis (20th)

The 25th Anniversary WSOP, in 1994, was again notable for a couple of reasons. First, of course, as the 25th anniversary not only did the winner of the Main Event receive $1 million they also received their weight in silver.

The winner in 1994 also notably was Russ Hamilton, who later became a pariah in the poker world for his role in the UltimateBet/Absolute Poker superuser scandal.

With 23 preliminary events and another 273 entrants to the Main Event the 1995 WSOP really saw the ushering in of a new character on the poker scene - the tournament professional.

While most poker player up until that point were dedicated cash-game players, and there were rarely any tournaments outside of the WSOP that would qualify as professional opportunities, the idea of being a tournament specialist to target the growing prize pools at the WSOP seemed to take root.

The prime example: “Action” Dan Harrington, who won his first-ever Main Event plus an additional bracelet in a preliminary event and go on to write one of the most influential poker strategy books ever on Hold’em tournament strategy.

1996 saw the WSOP Main Event prize hold steady at $1m but a much younger poker pro – Huck Seed – took the crown. Famed for his offbeat prop bets, at 37 Seed was one of the youngest players to win the Main Event in its history (Ungar was also 37).

Speaking of Ungar, in 1997 “The Kid” made perhaps one of the most stunning WSOP performances ever when he returned to top 312 entrants in the Main Event for $1m. The final table was played outside on Fremont Street in Las Vegas which made for a unique viewing experience.

It was Ungar’s third WSOP Main Event championship. He’s still the only player to do so. Sadly, Ungar died the following year after a long struggle with addiction.

Scotty Nguyen wins WSOP World Series of Poker 1998
Scotty Nguyen

By 1998 the Main Event field had grown to 350 entrants and one of the most memorable moments in history occurred with two players left. Speaking to his opponent Kevin McBride, eventual champ Scotty Nguyen warned “You call it’s gonna be all over, baby.” to which McBride took the bait and called.

The final table was also notable for having only 5 players.

In 1999 the $10,000 Main Event field almost hit 400 players (393) and featured Huck Seed back at the final table trying to repeat his 1996 championship. He fell short in sixth, however, as Irishman Noel Furlong snuck in for the upset alongside fellow Irishman Padraig Parkinson, who finished third.

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WSOP 1980-1989

The WSOP in the 1980s

Simply put, the World Series of Poker in the early 1980s belonged to Stu Ungar.

Widely considered the greatest card player to ever live Ungar stormed over the WSOP Main Event field in 1980 to win his first of 3 career WSOP crowns and $365,000.

Ungar won again in 1981, along with another victory in a $10k 2-7 Draw event and it looked as though he was set up to win every WSOP Main Event for the next decade.

Unfortunately for “The Kid,” a downward spiral of drug addiction prevented that from happening and it wasn’t until 1997 that he finally won his 3rd title.

Meanwhile the WSOP grew to 13 preliminary events and 104 entrants in the 1982 Main Event.

Jack “Treetop” Strauss, who coined the expression “a chip and a chair” won his first title and became the first WSOP Main Event winner to collect over a half a million dollars.

In 1983, in another foreshadowing moment for the eventual poker boom, Tom McEvoy became the first satellite winner to ever go on to WSOP Main Event.

Despite playing his way into the tournament and being a decided underdog McEvoy even outlast the legendary Brunson, who finished in third.

Irishman Donnacha O’Dea became the first international player to cash in a WSOP while Ungar won another preliminary event.

1984-1986 saw a consistent 140 or so players in the Main Event with Jack Keller, Bill Smith and Berry Johnston each winning their lone WSOP ME title.

Phil Hellmuth and Johnny Chan in World Series of Poker
Phil Hellmuth and Johnny Chan

In 1987 we reached the Johnny Chan years.

The Orient Express, as he was known back then, stormed onto the poker scene and won back-to-back WSOP Main Event championships, the second of which, over Erik Seidel heads-up, became immortalized in the movie Rounders.

The WSOP closed out the decade with yet another notable winner in 1989 – this time the now infamous Phil Hellmuth, Jr. who outlasted 178 entrants and, amazingly, Johnny Chan heads-up, to win $755,000.

While Hellmuth would go on to become a poker icon in the TV era, and is still the all-time WSOP bracelet leader with 15, Chan’s stunning back-to-back-to-back final table performances might still be the greatest poker accomplishment in history.

Hellmuth did become the youngest Main Event champ at that time at age 24.

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WSOP 1970-1979

While 2003 is a neat and tidy dividing point for explaining WSOP history it’s not as though every event between its beginning in 1970 and the Moneymaker watershed were exactly the same, either. As we alluded to above, in fact the first couple of WSOPs were barely even attended. And a vote was held to determine the winner in Year 1.

But, prior to 2003, the World Series of Poker at least followed a fairly linear and relatable story.

It began, in fact, with a few of the old school Texas Road Gamblers getting together in Reno in 1969 for a Texas Gamblers Reunion before it even materialized in Las Vegas.

Johnny Moss wins 1970 WSOP World Series of Poker Main Event
Johnny Moss in WSOP

In 1970 at Binion’s Horseshoe casino, which would house the WSOP for the next 34 years, a small group of players voted Johnny Moss as the best player; in 1971 Moss defeated 7 players in a $5,000 Freezeout.

In 1972 Amarilo Slim outlasted 12 players to win it all. By 1973, CBS Sports had picked up on the spectacle of it all and televised its first-ever WSOP.

That year the WSOP also expanded to include 4 preliminary events – 7-Card Stud, Razz, 207 Draw and a smaller buy-in No-Limit Hold’em event alongside the Main Event.

Puggy Pearson won three of those events, including the World Championship, and claimed the title of best all-around player – even if it was an informal crown.

In 1974 Johnny Moss won his 3rd WSOP title and Brian “Sailor” Roberts won his first in 1975.

Eric Drache and Doyle Brunson in World Series of Poker WSOP
Eric Drache behind Doyle Brunson

In 1976/1977 the legendary Doyle Brunson won back-to-back WSOP championships to begin his legacy as one of the great WSOP performers of all-time as the WSOP tournament lineup expanded even more.

By 1978 an extra 10 events were played prior to the $10,000 Main Event which was won by Bobby Baldwin. Also notable in 1978 was the first WSOP win for one David “Chip” Reese who would go on to win the first-ever $50,000 Poker Player’s Championship in 2006.

The 1978 WSOP was also the first that introduced a shared prize pool as the winner no longer took home the entirely share and the top 5 of the 42 entrants all took home a payout.

In 1979 amateur Hal Fowler shocked the local professional poker establishment by winning the $10,000 Main Event over 53 other entrants that included all of the game’s elite.

While Fowler never went on the play another WSOP, his $270,000 prize certainly inspired more amateur poker enthusiasts and pros from all corners of the globe to put the WSOP on the radar.

It set the stage for the next couple of decades of WSOP expansion.

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All Past WSOP Main Event Winners

Below find all of the Main Event Champions since 1970.

Listed are the number of players in the Main Event, the total prize pool, the winner, the second-place finisher, the final hands and final table payouts:

Result WSOP Main Event 2020 (online)

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
5,802$27,559,500 Stoyan Madanzhiev Wenling Gao7 6 vs A A
PlacePlayerPrize
1 Stoyan Madanzhiev$3,904,686
2 Wenling Gao$2,748,605
3 Tyler Rueger$1,928,887
4 Thomas Ward$1,353,634
5 Satoshi Isomae$949,937
6 Joao Santos$666,637
7 Stefan Schillhabel$467,825
8 Tyler Cornell$328,305
9 Samuel Taylor$230,395

Result WSOP Main Event 2019

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
8,569$80,548,600 Hossein Ensan Dario SammartinoK K vs 8 4
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Hossein Ensan$10,000,000
2. Dario Sammartino$6,000,000
3. Alex Livingston$4,000,000
4. Garry Gates$3,000,000
5. Kevin Maahs$2,200,000
6. Zhen Cai$1,850,000
7. Nick Marchington$1,525,000
8. Timothy Su$1,250,000
9. Milos Skrbic$1,000,000

Result WSOP Main Event 2018

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
7,874$74,015,600 John Cynn Tony MilesK J vs Q 8
PlacePlayerPrize
1. John Cynn$8,800,000
2. Tony Miles$5,000,000
3. Michael Dyer$3,750,000
4. Nicolas Manion$2,825,000
5. Joe Cada$2,150,000
6. Aram Zobian$1,800,000
7. Alexander Lynskey$1,500,000
8. Artem Metalidi$1,250,000
9. Antoine Labat$1,000,000

Result WSOP Main Event 2017

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
7,221$67,877,400 Scott Blumstein Daniel OttA 2 vs A 8
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Scott Blumstein$8,150,000
2. Daniel Ott$4,700,000
3. Benjamin Pollak$3,500,000
4. John Hesp$2,600,000
5. Antoine Saout$2,000,000
6. Bryan Piccioli$1,675,000
7. Damian Salas$1,425,000
8. Jack Sinclair$1,200,000
9. Ben Lamb$1,000,000

Result WSOP Main Event 2016

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
6,737$63,327,800 Qui Nguyen Gordon VayoK 10 vs J 10
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Qui Nguyen$8,005,310
2. Gordon Vayo$4,661,228
3. Cliff Josephy$3,453,035
4. Michael Ruane$2,567,003
5. Vojtech Ruzicka$1,935,288
6. Kenny Hallaert$1,464,258
7. Griffin Benger$1,250,190
8. Jerry Wong$1,100,076
9. Fernando Nandit Pons$1,000,000

Result WSOP Main Event 2015

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
6,420$60,348,000 Joseph McKeehen Joshua BeckleyA 10 vs 4 4
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Joseph McKeehen$7,683,346
2. Joshua Beckley$4,470,896
3. Neil Blumenfield$3,398,298
4. Max Steinberg$2,615,361
5. Zvi Stern$1,911,423
6. Thomas Cannuli$1,426,283
7. Pierre Neuville$1,203,293
8. Federico Butteroni$1,097,056
9. Patrick Chan$1,001,020

Result WSOP Main Event 2014

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
6,683$62,820,200 Martin Jacobson Felix Stephensen10 10 vs A 9
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Martin Jacobson$10,000,000
2. Felix Vincent Stephensen$5,147,911
3. Jorryt van Hoof$3,807,753
4. William Tonking$2,849,763
5. William Pappaconstantinou$2,143,794
6. Andoni Larrabe$1,622,471
7. Daniel Sindelar$1,236,084
8. Bruno Politano$947,172
9. Mark Newhouse$730,725

Result WSOP Main Event 2013

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
6,352$59,708,800 Ryan Riess Jay FarberA K vs Q 5
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Ryan Riess$8,361,570
2. Jay Farber$5,174,357
3. Amir Lehavot$3,727,823
4. Sylvain Loosli$2,792,533
5. Justin Cuong Van Tran$2,106,893
6. Marc Etienne McLaughlin$1,601,024
7. Michiel Brummelhuis$1,225,356
8. David Benefield$944,650
9. Mark Newhouse$733,224

Result WSOP Main Event 2012

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
6,598$62,021,200 Gregory Merson Jesse SylviaK 5 vs Q J
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Gregory Merson$8,531,853
2. Jesse Sylvia$5,295,149
3. Jacob Balsiger$3,799,073
4. Russell Thomas$2,851,537
5. Jeremy Ausmus$2,155,313
6. Andras Koroknai$1,640,902
7. Michael Esposito$1,258,040
8. Robert Salaburu$971,360
9. Steve Gee$754,798

Result WSOP Main Event 2011

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
6,865$64,531,000 Pius Heinz Martin StaszkoA K vs 10 7
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Pius Heinz$8,715,368
2. Martin Staszko$5,433,086
3. Ben Lamb$4,021,138
4. Matt Giannetti$3,012,700
5. Phil Collins$2,269,599
6. Eoghan O'Dea$1,720,831
7. Badih Bounahra$1,314,097
8. Anton Makiievskyi$1,010,015
9. Sam Holden$782,115

Result WSOP Main Event 2010

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
7,319$68,798,600 Jonathan Duhamel John RacenerA J vs K 8
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Jonathan Duhamel$8,944,310
2. John Racener$5,545,955
3. Joseph Cheong$4,130,049
4. Filippo Candio$3,092,545
5. Michael Mizrachi$2,332,992
6. John Dolan$1,772,959
7. Jason Senti$1,356,720
8. Matthew Jarvis$1,045,743
9. Soi Nguyen$811,823

Result WSOP Main Event 2009

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
6,494$61,043,600 Joe Cada Darvin Moon9 9 vs Q J
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Joe Cada$8,546,435
2. Darvin Moon$5,182,601
3. Antoine Saout$3,479,670
4. Eric Buchman$2,502,890
5. Jeff Shulman$1,953,452
6. Steven Begleiter$1,587,160
7. Phil Ivey$1,404,014
8. Kevin Schaffel$1,300,231
9. James Akenhead$1,263,602

Result WSOP Main Event 2008

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
6,844$64,333,600 Peter Eastgate Ivan DemidovA 5 vs 4 2
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Peter Eastgate$9,152,416
2. Ivan Demidov$5,809,595
3. Dennis Phillips$4,517,773
4. Ylon Schwartz$3,794,974
5. Scott Montgomery$3,096,768
6. Darus Suharto$2,418,562
7. David Rheem$1,772,650
8. Kelly Kim$1,288,217
9. Craig Marquis$900,670

Result WSOP Main Event 2007

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
6,358$59,765,200 Jerry Yang Tuan Lam8 8 vs A Q
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Jerry Yang$8,250,000
2. Tuan Lam$4,840,981
3. Raymond Rahme$3,048,025
4. Alexander Kravchenko$1,852,721
5. Jonathon Kalmar$1,255,069
6. Hevad Khan$956,243
7. William Childs Jr$705,229
8. Lee Watkinson$585,699
9. Phillip Hilm$525,934

Result WSOP Main Event 2006

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
8,773$82,466,200 Jamie Gold Paul WasickaQ 9 vs 10 10
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Jamie Gold$12,000,000
2. Paul Wasicka$6,102,499
3. Mike Binger$4,123,310
4. Allen Cunningham$3,628,513
5. Rhett Butler$3,216,182
6. Richard Lee$2,803,851
7. Douglas Kim$2,391,520
8. Erik Friberg$1,979,189
9. Dan Nassif$1,566,858

Result WSOP Main Event 2005

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
5,619$52,818,600 Joe Hachem Steven Dannenmann7 3 vs A 3
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Joe Hachem$7,500,000
2. Steven Dannenmann$4,250,000
3. John Barch$2,500,000
4. Aaron Kanter$2,000,000
5. Andy Black$1,750,000
6. Scott Lazar$1,500,000
7. Daniel Bergsdorf$1,300,000
8. Brad Kondracki$1,150,000
9. Mike Matusow$1,000,000

Result WSOP Main Event 2004

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
2,576$24,214,400 Greg Raymer David Williams8 8 vs A 4
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Greg Raymer$5,000,000
2. David Williams$3,500,000
3. Josh Arieh$2,500,000
4. Dan Harrington$1,500,000
5. Glenn Hughes$1,100,000
6. Al Krux$800,000
7. Matt Dean$675,000
8. Mattias Andersson$575,000
9. Michael McClain$470,400

Result WSOP Main Event 2003

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
839$7,886,600 Chris Moneymaker Sam Farha5 4 vs J 10
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Chris Moneymaker$2,500,000
2. Sam Farha$1,300,000
3. Dan Harrington$650,000
4. Jason Lester$440,000
5. Tomer Benvenisti$320,000
6. Amir Vahedi$250,000
7. Young Pak$200,000
8. David Grey$160,000
9. David Singer$120,000

Result WSOP Main Event 2002

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
631$5,931,400 Robert Varkonyi Julian GardnerQ 10 vs J 8
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Robert Varkonyi$2,000,000
2. Julian Gardner$1,100,000
3. Ralph Perry$550,000
4. Scott Gray$281,480
5. Harley Hall$195,000
6. Russell Rosenblum$150,000
7. John Shipley$125,000
8. Tam Minh Duong$100,000
9. Minh Ly$85,000

Result WSOP Main Event 2001

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
613$5,762,200 Carlos Mortensen Duane TomkoK Q vs A A
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Carlos Mortensen$1,500,000
2. Duane Tomko$1,098,925
3. Stan Schrier$699,315
4. Phil Gordon$399,610
5. Phil Hellmuth Jr$303,705
6. Mike Matusow$239,765
7. Henry Nowakowski$179,825
8. Steve Riehle$119,885
9. John Inashima$91,910

Result WSOP Main Event 2000

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
512$4,812,800 Chris Ferguson Thomas John CloutierA 9 vs A Q
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Chris Ferguson$1,500,000
2. Thomas John Cloutier$896,500
3. Steve Kaufman$570,500
4. Hasan Habib$326,000
5. James McManus$247,760
6. Roman Abinsay$195,600
7. Jeff Shulman$146,700
8. Tom Franklin$97,800
9. Mickey Appleman$74,980

Result WSOP Main Event 1999

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
393$3,694,200 Noel Furlong Alan Goehring5 5 vs 6 6
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Noel Furlong$1,000,000
2. Alan Goehring$768,625
3. Padraig Parkinson$489,125
4. Erik Seidel$279,500
5. Chris Bigler$212,420
6. Huck Seed$167,700
7. George McKeever$125,775
8. Paul Rowe$83,850
9. Stanley Bayne$64,285

Result WSOP Main Event 1998

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
350$3,500,000 Scotty Nguyen Kevin McBrideJ 9 vs Q 10
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Scotty Nguyen$1,000,000
2. Kevin McBride$687,500
3. Thomas John Cloutier$437,500
4. Dewey Weum$250,000
5. Lee Salem$190,000
6. Ben Roberts$150,000
7. Jan Lundberg$112,500
8. Marc Brochard$75,000
9. Paul McKinney$57,500

Result WSOP Main Event 1997

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
312$3,120,000 Stu Ungar John Strzemp IIA 4 vs A 8
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Stu Ungar$1,000,000
2. John Strzemp II$583,000
3. Mel Judah$371,000
4. Ron Stanley$212,000
5. Bob Walker$161,120
6. Peter Bao$127,200
7. Tormod Roren$95,400
8. David Roepke$63,600
9. Chris Bjorin$48,760

Result WSOP Main Event 1996

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
295$2,950,000 Huck Seed Bruce Van Horn9 8 vs K 8
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Huck Seed$1,000,000
2. Bruce Van Horn$585,000
3. John Bonetti$341,250
4. Men Nguyen$195,000
5. An Tran$128,700
6. Andre Boyer$97,500
7. J.P. Schmalz$78,000
8. Fernando Fisdel$58,500
9. Steven Beam$44,850

Result WSOP Main Event 1995

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
273$2,730,000 Dan Harrington Howard Goldfarb9 8 vs A 7
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Dan Harrington$1,000,000
2. Howard Goldfarb$519,000
3. Brent Carter$302,750
4. Hamid Dastmalchi$173,000
5. Barbara Enright$114,180
6. Chuck Thompson$86,500
7. Tom Franklin$69,200
8. Henry Orenstein$51,900
9. Dolph Arnold$39,790

Result WSOP Main Event 1994

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
268$2,680,000 Russ Hamilton Hugh VincentK 8 vs 8 5
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Russ Hamilton$1,000,000
2. Hugh Vincent$588,000
3. John Spadavecchia$294,000
4. Vince Burgio$168,000
5. Al Krux$100,800
6. Robert Turner$50,400
7. John Aglialoro$43,680
8. Don Pittman$38,640
9. Steve Lott$33,600

Result WSOP Main Event 1993

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
220$2,200,000 Jim Bechtel Glenn CozenJ 6 vs 7 4
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Jim Bechtel$1,000,000
2. Glenn Cozen$420,000
3. John Bonetti$210,000
4. Mansour Matloubi$120,000
5. Thomas Chung$72,000
6. Mike Cowley$36,000
7. Thomas Kreilein$31,200
8. Al Korson$27,600
9. Brad Daugherty$24,000

Result WSOP Main Event 1992

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
201$2,010,000 Hamid Dastmalchi Tom Jacobs8 4 vs J 7
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Hamid Dastmalchi$1,000,000
2. Tom Jacobs$353,500
3. Hans Lund$176,750
4. Mike Alsaadi$101,000
5. Dave Crunkleton$60,600
6. Clyde Coleman$30,300
7. Johnny Chan$25,250
8. Jack Keller$20,200
9. Christopher Goulding$15,150

Result WSOP Main Event 1991

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
215$2,150,000 Brad Daugherty Don HoltK J vs 7 3
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Brad Daugherty$1,000,000
2. Don Holt$402,500
3. Bob Veltri$201,250
4. Don Williams$115,000
5. Perry Green$69,000
6. Ali Farsai$34,500
7. Hilbert Shirey$28,750
8. Danny Hunsucker$23,000
9. Donnacha O'Dea$17,250

Result WSOP Main Event 1990

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
194$1,940,000 Mansour Matloubi Hans Lund6 6 vs 4 4
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Mansour Matloubi$835,000
2. Hans Lund$334,000
3. Dave Crunkleton$167,000
4. Jim Ward$91,850
5. Berry Johnston$75,150
6. Al Krux$58,450
7. Rod Peate$50,100
8. John Bonetti$33,400
9. Stu Ungar$25,050

Result WSOP Main Event 1989

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
178$1,780,000 Phil Hellmuth Jr Johnny Chan9 9 vs A 7
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Phil Hellmuth Jr$755,000
2. Johnny Chan$302,000
3. Don Zewin$151,000
4. Steve Lott$83,050
5. Lyle Berman$67,950
6. Noel Furlong$52,850
7. Fernando Fisdel$45,300
8. Mike Picow$30,200
9. George Hardie$22,650

Result WSOP Main Event 1988

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
167$1,670,000 Johnny Chan Erik SeidelJ 9 vs Q 7
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Johnny Chan$700,000
2. Erik Seidel$280,000
3. Ron Graham$140,000
4. Humberto Brenes$77,000
5. Thomas John Cloutier$63,000
6. Jim Bechtel$49,000
7. Quinton Nixon$42,000
8. Mike Cox$28,000
9. Jesse Alto$21,000

Result WSOP Main Event 1987

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
152$1,520,000 Johnny Chan Frank HendersonA 9 vs 4 4
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Johnny Chan$625,000
2. Frank Henderson$250,000
3. Bob Ciaffone$125,000
4. James Spain$68,750
5. Howard Lederer$56,250
6. Dan Harrington$43,750
7. Eldon Elias$37,500
8. Mickey Appleman$25,000
9. Jack Keller$18,750

Result WSOP Main Event 1986

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
141$1,410,000 Berry Johnston Mike HartA 10 vs A 8
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Berry Johnston$570,000
2. Mike Hart$228,000
3. Gary Berland$114,000
4. Jesse Alto$62,700
5. Bill Smith$51,300
6. Roger Moore$39,900
7. Steve Lott$34,200
8. Jim Doman$22,800
9. Tom Jacobs$17,100

Result WSOP Main Event 1985

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
140$1,400,000 Bill Smith Thomas John Cloutier3 3 vs A 3
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Bill Smith$700,000
2. Thomas John Cloutier$280,000
3. Berry Johnston$140,000
4. Scott Mayfield$70,000
5. Hamid Dastmalchi$70,000
6. Jesse Alto$42,000
7. Johnny Moss$42,000
8. Mark Rose$28,000
9. John Fallon$28,000

Result WSOP Main Event 1984

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
132$1,320,000 Jack Keller Byron Wolford10 10 vs 6 4
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Jack Keller$660,000
2. Byron Wolford$264,000
3. Jesse Alto$132,000
4. David Chew$66,000
5. Rick Hamil$66,000
6. Curtis Skinner$52,800
7. Michael Allen$26,400
8. Howard Andrew$26,400
9. Rusty Lepage$26,400

Result WSOP Main Event 1983

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
108$1,080,000 Tom McEvoy Rod PeateQ Q vs K J
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Tom McEvoy$540,000
2. Rod Peate$216,000
3. Doyle Brunson$108,000
4. Carl McKelvey$54,000
5. Robert Geers$54,000
6. Donnacha O'Dea$43,200
7. John Jenkins III$21,600
8. R.R. Pennington$21,600
9. George Huber$21,600

Result WSOP Main Event 1982

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
104$1,040,000 Jack Straus Duane TomkoA 10 vs A 4
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Jack Straus$520,000
2. Duane Tomko$208,000
3. Berry Johnston$104,000
4. Doyle Brunson$52,000
5. A.J. Myers$52,000
6. Dody Roach$41,060
7. Buster Jackson$20,800
8. Sailor Roberts$20,800
9.Carl Cannon$20,800

Result WSOP Main Event 1981

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
75$750,000 Stu Ungar Perry GreenA Q vs 10 9
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Stu Ungar$375,000
2. Perry Green$150,000
3. Gene Fisher$75,000
4. Ken Smith$37,500
5. Bill Smith$37,500
6. Jay Heimowitz$30,000
7. Robert Baldwin$15,000
8. Andy Moore$15,000
9. Sam Petrillo$15,000

Result WSOP Main Event 1980

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
73$730,000 Stu Ungar Doyle Brunson5 4 vs A 7
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Stu Ungar$365,000
2. Doyle Brunson$146,000
3. Jay Heimowitz$109,500
4. Johnny Moss$73,000
5. Charles Dunwoody$36,500

Result WSOP Main Event 1979

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
54$540,000 Hal Fowler Bobby Hoff7 6 vs A A
PlacePlayersPrize
1. Hal Fowler$270,000
2. Bobby Hoff$108,000
3. George Huber$81,000
4. Sam Moon$54,000
5. Johnny Moss$27,000
6. Robert Baldwin$0
7. Crandell Addington$0
8. Sam Petrillo$0

Result WSOP Main Event 1978

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
42$420,000 Robert Baldwin Crandell AddingtonQ Q vs 9 9
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Robert Baldwin$210,000
2. Crandell Addington$84,000
3. Louis Hunsucker$63,000
4. Buck Buchanan$42,000
5. Jesse Alto$21,000
6. Ken Smith$0

Result WSOP Main Event 1977

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
34$340,000 Doyle Brunson Gary Berland10 2 vs 8 5
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Doyle Brunson$340,000
2. Gary Berland$0
3. Milo Jacobson$0
4. Andy Moore$0

Result WSOP Main Event 1976

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
22$220,000 Doyle Brunson Jesse Alto10 2 vs A J
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Doyle Brunson$220,000
2. Jesse Alto$0
3. Tommy Hufnagle$0
4. Crandell Addington$0

Result WSOP Main Event 1975

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
21$210,000 Sailor Roberts Bob Hooks9 9 vs A K
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Sailor Roberts$210,000
2. Bob Hooks$0

Result WSOP Main Event 1974

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
16$160,000 Johnny Moss Crandall Addington3 3 vs A 2
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Johnny Moss$160,000
2. Crandall Addington$0

Result WSOP Main Event 1973

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
13$130,000 Puggy Pearson Johnny MossA 7 vs K J
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Puggy Pearson$130,000
2. Johnny Moss$0

Result WSOP Main Event 1972

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
8$80,000 Amarillo Slim Preston Puggy PearsonK J vs 6 6
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Amarillo Slim Preston$15,000
2. Puggy Pearson$32,500
3. Doyle Brunson$32,500

Result WSOP Main Event 1971

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
6$30,000 Johnny Moss Jack StrausUnknown
PlacePlayerPrize
1. Johnny Moss$30,000
2. Jack Straus$0

Result WSOP Main Event 1970 - (Vote)

EntrantsPrize PoolWinnerRunner-UpWinning Hand
7$0 Johnny MossVoted as best player in the world

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How to Play Pineapple Poker
How to Play Pineapple Poker

Pineapple Poker Despite how much fun it is to play, somehow Pineapple poker (and its brethren Crazy and Lazy Pineapple) have always been more of a private poker game than a casino…

July 25, 2019 | Mauritz Altikardes
How to Play Chinese Poker
How to Play Chinese Poker

In Chinese Poker, after shuffling, the dealer deals out the entire deck into four hands (13 cards per hand). If you're playing with four players each player gets one hand.…

July 25, 2019 | Mauritz Altikardes
How to Play 8 Game Mix Poker
How to Play 8 Game Poker

Stack 'em. As the name suggests, in 8-Game you play 8 different poker variations. If you can understand the basic poker rules and basic strategy for all of them, you're already…

July 25, 2019 | Mauritz Altikardes
How to Play Badugi
How to Play Badugi Poker

Badugi is a draw game gaining popularity in the poker world these days and for good reason - it's a very fun, action-packed poker game. Although it shares many aspects…

July 25, 2019 | Mauritz Altikardes
How to Play HORSE Poker
How to Play HORSE Poker

What does HORSE mean in poker? It can mean one of two things: "HORSE poker" the mixed game, which is a game played with a specific rotation of different poker variants"Horse" meaning a…

July 25, 2019 | Mauritz Altikardes
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Poker Phychology

Max Greenwood - observing - thinking when not in a poker hand
What to Do When You’re Not in a Poker Hand

Ask anyone what you should do when you play live and they’ll often say that tight is right. Because players are looser in the live arena than they are when…

August 26, 2021 | Debbie Zammit
Poker Psychology

Psychology is the study of the human mind, relating to mental states and behaviors. All the decisions we make are not purely random but are deeply rooted in our psyche…

July 26, 2019 | Bjorne Lindberg
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Rant: You Have to Work Really Hard to Be a Great Poker Player

Poker is constantly evolving and conventional wisdom says it’s getting harder. Why then do so many pros get complacent, stop working hard and let the game pass them by? After…

April 26, 2019 | PokerListings Team
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Rant: Why Should I Talk at the Poker Table?

Poker is boring as fuck. There I said it. As a live spectator sport it’s about as interesting as watching a Razz final table from the rail of the Thunderdome…

April 26, 2019 | PokerListings Team
Phil_Ivey_2
The Dunning-Kruger Effect: You’re Not as Good as You Think

If you look at the general poker community, where would you rate yourself? Pretty high, right? Or did you just say in the lower third? Come on. Even if you’re…

January 8, 2019 | Kresten Hougaard
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Can Brain Training Software Improve Your Poker Game?

Brain training software has never been more popular.  Every day you see people using the programs on smart phones, tablets, laptops and video game consoles. In some ways they aren’t…

August 5, 2017 | PokerListings Team
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How to Turn the Power of Sleep into Better Poker Results

Jason Bourne called it a weapon. The Dalai Lama called it the best form of meditation. Daniel Negreanu and Fedor Holz believe it’s the key to becoming the very best…

July 5, 2017 | PokerListings Team
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The Only Way to Win: How to Manage False Poker Expectations

I am in the Rio in Las Vegas playing and working at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). I’ve just been eliminated from a $1,500 buy-in event and decided to…

May 23, 2017 | PokerListings Team
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