Poker is a card game that has evolved over the years and has become one of the most popular games in the world. There are several reasons for this, but one of the biggest is that it is a relatively easy game to learn, at least for simple variants like Texas Holdem. Another reason for its popularity is that poker offers great excitement and suspense thanks to a small element of luck, but it is primarily a game of skill. Players must be strategic to outwit their opponents and win instead of relying on a good hand. In addition, there are countless ways to enjoy poker, from different variants like Holdem and Omaha to game formats like cash games and tournaments. For many people, this is the biggest draw of the game. With so many different ways to play, poker is a game that people of all levels of ability can enjoy.
Poker has been in the United States for nearly two centuries and has significantly matured over time. Because of its strategic depth, competitive poker has been an integral part of the game since 1970, when the World Series of Poker (WSOP) began. This annual competition is the world’s longest-running and most prestigious poker tournament series. All the best poker players leave their mark on the game. For many, this is done through winning at the WSOP. This article will cover some of the most influential poker pros that every player should know throughout history.
Johnny Moss – The Grand Old Man of Poker
Johnny Moss was among the world’s oldest and most well-known poker players. He was born in Marshall, Texas, in 1907 and began playing poker as a teenager. He quickly developed a reputation for being a skilled player, and by the 1930s, he traveled around the country to play in high-stakes games. Moss continued to play throughout his life, and in 1970 he became the first person to win the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. He won the tournament again in 1971 and 1974, becoming one of two people in history with three WSOP main event titles. With nearly $1 million in tournament winnings and a spot in the poker hall of fame, Moss is undoubtedly one of the greatest players of all time. Moss died in 1995, but his legacy continues to live on.
Doyle Brunson – Texas Dolly
Doyle Brunson is a retired professional poker player who played the game for over 50 years. He is one of the most successful and respected players in the game’s history. Brunson has won 10 World Series of Poker bracelets and was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1988. He is also the author of two bestselling books on poker strategy, Super System and Super/System 2. Brunson is most well-known for his back-to-back WSOP wins in 1976 and 1977. Only four people have won the WSOP main event back-to-back, but Brunson’s wins stand out as the most extraordinary. Both times, Brunson had a 10-2 and was at a considerable disadvantage compared to his opponent. Yet, both times, he got a miraculous backdoor full house draw, winning him the tournament. This led to the 10-2 becoming one of the few poker hands with a name: The Doyle Brunson.
Stu Ungar – The Comeback Kid
While there are many great players of Texas Holdem and Gin Rummy, Stu Ungar is considered the best of all time for both. Born in 1953, Ungar started playing cards at a young age and quickly developed a reputation as a prodigy. With an eidetic memory, he was banned from playing blackjack in every casino in the country because of how good he was. He won three WSOP main events, becoming one of two to do so. Nicknamed “The Kid” for his youthful appearance, he was later known as “The Comeback Kid” for winning his third WSOP main event in 1997, 16 years after his second one. Despite his skill, Ungar lived a troubled life marred by his battle with addiction. His third WSOP win was his final triumph, as he passed away only a year later.
Chris Moneymaker – The Moneymaker Effect
Chris Moneymaker is a professional poker player who rose to prominence after winning the 2003 World Series of Poker. Moneymaker’s victory was significant because he was an amateur player who had qualified for the tournament through an online satellite, proving that anyone could win the World Series of Poker if they had courage and skill. Before Moneymaker’s triumph, the popular belief was that only professional players with years of experience had a chance of winning the tournament. Moneymaker’s victory changed all that and ushered in a new era of poker where far more new players started getting into competitive poker. This phenomenon came to be known as the “Moneymaker Effect.” In the years since, the Moneymaker Effect has continued to shape the poker world, making his win one of the most impactful events in the game’s history.
Phill Hellmuth – The Poker Brat
Phil Hellmuth is a professional poker player who earned the nickname “The Poker Brat” for his controversial and short-tempered behavior at the table. Hellmuth was born in Wisconsin in 1964 and began playing poker as a teenager. He quickly developed a reputation for being a skilled player, and he went on to win the World Series of Poker main event in 1989. Since then, Hellmuth has won a total of sixteen WSOP bracelets, more than any other player in history. While Hellmuth is undoubtedly one of the greatest poker players of all time, his volatile personality has often been criticized by the poker community.
The WSOP pros you should know
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is the world’s most prestigious and well-known poker tournament, home to many stories, interesting players, and noteworthy winning poker hands. If you’re interested in competitive poker, you must know the top WSOP pros. In this article, we’ve highlighted some of the most famous WSOP players we believe every poker player should know.