World Series of Poker
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is the largest and most renowned poker series in the world. It takes place in the USA in the world’s gambling capital - Las Vegas. There are more than 50 poker tournaments and a prestigious gold and diamond-encrusted bracelet along with hundreds of thousands of dollars (sometimes even millions of dollars) are given to the winner of each event.
The most anticipated poker event in the WSOP is the $10,000 no-limit Texas Hold’em Main Event, which usually draws over 6,000 players. The winner of the Main Event is crowned poker world champion.
The World Series of Poker was started in 1968, over 40 years ago, and initially took place in Reno. The very first WSOP winner was Crandell Addington, who continued to win the Main Event 8 times (a record that is still unbeaten). Eventually the WSOP moved to Las Vegas and earned world fame by the hands of casino owner and poker player Benny Binion.
The WSOP is a televised event and draws many corporate sponsors and even has licensed products, just like any major event or sports league. The poker events in the WSOP include many poker variants; the famous and most attended is Texas Holdem. Other WSOP poker variants include Omaha hold’em (pot limit, hi-lo, Eight or Better, etc.), Seven-card stud, Razz, H.O.R.S.E (which stands for Hold’em.Omaha Eight or Better.Razz.Seven Card Stud.Seven Card Stud Eight or Better), S.H.O.E or H.O.S.E (Holdem.Omaha Eight or Better.Seven Card Stud.Seven Card Stud Eight or Better).
