The Roots Of WSOP
Poker Anorak
/
Editor /
04 June 2008 /
The World Series Of Poker is almost upon us and Cardplayer magazine looks at the roots of the tournament.
It was a heads-up match between Nick "The Greek" Dandalos and Johnny Moss.
The magazine goes back in time to January 1951, and Benny Binion has just opened his Horseshoe Casino.
Dandalos arrives and invites Binion to stage the highest stakes in poker history. Game on. Moss v Dandalos.
A table is placed at the front of the casino and the two players take their seats. They play five-card stud, deuce-to-seven lowball and high draw poker.
They play for five months.
May arrives and Dandalos ends it with the words: "Mr. Moss, I have to let you go." Moss had won $2 million-$3 million during the game. Don't weep just yet for Binion, who, ever the showman profited well out of the PR extravaganza.
And how much does PR and marketing play in the WSOP?
Well, the winner is always Vegas...