2009 World Series of Poker

LAS VEGAS - AUGUST 10: World Series of Poker tournament director Bob Daly (L) and Rio Hotel & Casino security officer Jeffrey Fiti (2nd L) help Harrah's officials stack USD 12 million near players competing at the final table of the WSOP no-limit Texas Hold 'em main event August 10, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The winner of the main event, which began with more than 8,700 players on July 28, will take home the 12 million. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)The World Series of Poker or WSOP is the most anticipated group of tournaments on the poker players' calendar, and the 2009 WSOP event promises to be grander than ever.  As the largest group of poker tournaments in the world, the WSOP has a unsurprisingly wide coverage and an even larger audience base than some sporting events. The WSOP is held in Las Vegas every year.

WSOP Main Event

The World Series of Poker is comprised of 55 events which encompass all of the major types of poker. The winner of each event is awarded a gold bracelet - one of the most prestigious prizes in professional poker. However, all eyes are usually turned towards the exhilarating $10 000 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event, which boasts multi-million dollar prize money and attracts thousands of eager competitors every year.

WSOP History

Well-known casino owner and poker enthusiast Benny Binion started the World Series of Poker in 1970, getting various quality poker players from around the US with a view to crowning the best poker player in the world.

The original World Series of Poker tournament was a $10 000 buy-in No Limit Texas Hold'em tournament held at Binion's Horseshoe casino.

The champion of the inaugural WSOP was decided by votes from the players taking part. Poker legend Johnny Moss was voted the first ever Poker World Champion.

In 1971, the tournament format was changed to a freezeout structure, and Moss defended his title when all other players were eliminated.

In 2004, Binion's Horseshoe was bought by Harrah's Entertainment, and the event was moved to Harrah's Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

World Series of Poker Explosion

The phenomenal growth of the WSOP is continuing at an incredible rate.

1972 saw Tom "Amarillo Slim" Preston winning $80 000 and beating 7 other players to the title.

In 2000, Chris Ferguson claimed a $1.5 million prize, beating 518 poker tournament participants. By 2005, the pot claimed by champion Joseph Hachem was worth $7.5 million and he had to beat 5 618 other players to claim it!

WSOP Online Poker Influence

A major factor in this growth was Chris Moneymaker's victory at the 2003 WSOP. He qualified via online tournaments, for which he paid a total of $39, and his victory at the main event gave him $2.5 million, creating hope of reaching the World Series of Poker for online players across the globe.

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