The most eagerly anticipated poker games of the year are from the tables at the World Series of Poker. Poker professionals and amateur stars alike compete in a variety of poker games on a mission to win the World Series of Poker Gold Bracelet, generally considered poker’s most prestigious prize. Whilst the Texas Holdem tables generally attract the most attention, a number of other games such as Omaha Pot Limit, 7-Card-Stud Hi/Lo, No Limit, Lowball and Razz are played, demanding a different strategy from each table. The Gold Bracelet is given to the winner of each event and the star of the main event receives the title of World Champion. Plenty of information about the professionals, stars, winning strategies, the different tables and the tournament schedule can be found on the World Series of Poker official website.

The following gives brief info about the history of the World Series of Poker. The official birth of the tournament was in 1970, although some sources trace its origins to as early as 1949. These sources claim a professional gambler named Nick Dandolos challenged Johnny Moss to a high-stakes poker marathon to be played in the public eye. The tournament ran continuously for 5 months, in which virtually all types of poker games were played. Moss won the tournament taking away an estimated $2m. The poker tournament attracted huge interest from the public but it wasn’t until 1970 that the original organizer Ben Binion decided to recreate it as a yearly event called the World Series of Poker.

At first, the crowning of the champion was democratic as it was determined by popular vote. The next year, the poker star was decided by a freezout game whereby the professionals would be eliminated until the ‘star’ had all the chips.

The introduction of preliminary poker competitions with low buy-ins in the early 1980’s caused the tournaments popularity to soar. In 1983, the tournament registered 52 entrants but only 5 years later this rose to 2,141 and to 7,595 in 2002. Not only have the entrants grown in number, but also the number of poker game varieties and the size of the prize funds the professionals and amateur stars can win.

Ben Binion has left the largest and most popular poker tournament as his legacy to the poker/gambling community.

The 2005 World Series of Poker was the first time the tournament had been held outside its long-time home in Las Vegas. The official World Series of Poker website provides detailed information on the current schedule and venues.