When many people see the World Series of Poker today, they notice the glitz and the glamour that surrounds it.  Recognizable stars play for huge amounts of cash while television crews and photographers are running around to the different events to snap pictures and uncover developing stories.  But very few of the current spectators of the WSOP know the humble origins behind the extravaganza that began decades earlier.

The WSOP got its bearings when a San Antonio man by the name of Tom Moore decided to sponsor the event along with others at the Holiday Hotel and Casino in Reno, Nevada.  This first event was captured by millionaire Crandall Addington and Addington, like Moore, is recognized as one of the founding fathers of the WSOP.

In 1970, the WSOP show would stay in the same state but move on to a flashier stage in Las Vegas.  Held at Binion’s Horseshoe, it now featured games like 5 Card Stud, Razz, 2-7 Lowball Draw in addition to Texas Hold’em.  Poker legend Johnny Moss was voted by the other players as the first ever World Champion of Poker here.

Amazingly, Binion’s would hold onto the World Series of Poker for the next 35 years as it saw many memorable moments over this time.  There was the time Johnny Chan won back to back WSOP Main Event titles in 87’ and 88’, there was Phil Hellmuth preventing a Chan three-peat in 89’ as he became the youngest player ever to win the WSOP, then Barbara Enright almost made Amarillo Slim eat his words that no woman would ever win the Main Event when she finished fifth…. and the list goes on.

Then in 2004, the WSOP underwent a dramatic change as Harrah’s Entertainment purchased the WSOP from Binion’s Horseshoe and moved it to the Rio on the Vegas Strip.  It was also during this time that the Main Event was amidst a dramatic change since online poker satellite qualifier Chris Moneymaker won it in 2003 which started a huge rush towards the game by other hopefuls. 

Now virtual unknowns were winning the Main Event such as Greg Raymer in 04’, Joe Hachem in 05’, Jamie Gold in 06’, and Jerry Yang in 07’.  Gold’s 12 million dollar win in 06’ marked the biggest first place prize ever as things went down in 2007 when the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act hit in 2006. 

However, things bounced back in 2008 when the WSOP experienced its largest prize pool ever with over $180 million and the most participants ever with over 58,000.  The way things are going right now, it looks as if the WSOP will keep going strong for years to come.