The World Series of poker (WSOP) during its creation in 1969 was only a kind of marathon of poker dominated by two big players, Nicholas “Nick the Greek" Dandolos and Johnny Moss. It was organized by Benny Binion with two millions of dollars of stake during this launch. Moss was the winner after five months during which 39 tournaments succeeded one after the other. After this first successful attempt, Binion decided to structure better the organization of the WSOP and transforms the event in a more and more popular tournament with the help of media. Then the participation in the WSOP became the obliged passage to enter the closed circle of biggest players of poker in the world. Legendaries players such as Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan or Phil Helmuth, with 10 titles each, are some of those who succeeded their examination in the WSOP.
The WSOP didn’t stop winning fame during the 70s. In 1971, they were tournaments “freeze out” won by Jhonny Moss, then, by Thomas “Amarillo Slim Preston” in 1972. It reached the summit of its popularity in 1980 when qualifications by satellite tournaments started. The WSOP allowed average players to have an access in qualifications at a lower cost. It is the case of Chris Moneymaker, simple amateur player who became famous when he won 2,500,000 US dollars in 2003. After Chris Moneymaker, the WSOP became definitively a wonderful industry.
The 40th WSOP in 2009 marks a particular event in the history of poker. 57 tournaments were in the program allowing the best players of poker of the world to conquer the championship and a bracelet, the tournament Champions Invitational, the charitable tournament Ante up for Africa. The WSOP definitively became an annual meeting for all the community of poker in the world.
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