The World Series of Poker
by Jerry "Jet" Whittaker
February
4, 2006
The World Series of
Poker; just the name alone gives a poker player a
flutter in the midriff. The thought of pitting your
card playing abilities against the greats of the game is
intimidating, while at the same time, exhilarating. The
World Series of Poker provides the gambler the
opportunity to win millions of dollars in this contest
of wills.
Many consider poker as
simply a game of chance. Nothing could be further from
the truth. Every turn of the cards is a test in the
psychology of human nature. Is he or she bluffing?
Should you raise or fold against a pair of kings? Do
you stay in the game, hoping to fill an inside
straight? All gamblers ask themselves these questions
in a game of poker. However, for those men and women
playing in the World Series of Poker, answering
questions such as these may make the difference in
losing their $10,000 buy-in or going home a
multi-millionaire. If nothing else, the World Series of
Poker tests the ultimate stress levels and fortitude of
the players.
The World Series of
Poker has been around for over fifty years. Officially,
it made its first appearance in 1970. Unofficially, it
had its beginnings twenty years earlier when Nicholas
“Nick the Greek” Dandolos played the poker legend Johnny
Moss. Casino host Benny Binion invited the public to
watch the game which lasted over five months. The only
breaks allowed were for sleeping. Johnny Moss won the
day and walked away with an estimated $2 million.
Johnny Moss held the
title of World Champion in the World Poker Series until
1972, when “Amarillo Slim” Preston won the title.
Preston’s tour on the talk show circuit created a wider
interest in the game. From seven participants in the
World Series of Poker in 1972, a whopping 5,619 players
put up $10,000 buy-in money for the privilege of playing
in the main event, “No-Limit Texas Hold-Em.”
The World Series of
Poker is here to stay and has become one of Las Vegas’
main attractions. The
World Series of
Poker offers huge rewards for exceptional players
but ever more importantly, it offers an opportunity for
the great players of the game to come together and
compete against each other while making gaming history.
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