WSOP* History

Since 1970, the World Series of Poker* has become the most important poker festival on the planet.

The first Series consisted of various cash games played in different poker variants. The winner was decided by vote, with Johnny Moss emerging as the first Champion. In 1971, the format changed to the familiar freezeout tournament structure, a decision that helped bring the series to the masses.

In the years that followed, field sizes began to increase, as did the prizes on offer. More events were also added, covering a wider range of variants. The biggest attraction however has always been the $10,000 buy-in Main Event. The winner is crowned World Champion and gets to walk away with a huge cash prize. It’s here that legends like Doyle Brunson, Stu Ungar and Johnny Chan made their name.

By 2003, online poker had gained in popularity and PokerStars was about to change the WSOP* forever. After winning his seat via a $39 satellite, amateur Chris Moneymaker took down the Main Event, winning prize money of $2,500,000. This created the ‘Moneymaker Effect’, his victory inspiring thousands of others to try and win their fortune at the World Series. A year later, Greg Raymer qualified with PokerStars and also went on to win the championship, earning prize money of $5,000,000. The result was massive growth, peaking in 2006 when 8,773 players entered the Main Event, generating first place prize money of $12,000,000. With huge fields again in 2007, the World Series shows no sign of slowing down.

PokerStars sends more players to the World Series than any other site. In fact, since 2002 over 3,600 qualifiers have won a seat via our satellites. For your chance to be part of Main Event history in 2008, go to our qualifying page. Read about how members of Team PokerStars Pro and many of our qualifiers have performed at the World Series.

* WORLD SERIES OF POKER and WSOP are trademarks of Harrah's License Company, LLC ("Harrah's"). Harrah's does not sponsor or endorse, and is not associated or affiliated with PokerStars.com or its products, services, promotions or tournaments.