Here is a nice article from About.com concerning the history of WSOP. I knew Binion held the first tournament, but I was surprised to learn the first game lasted five months....between two guys. My brother-in-law actually played a game with The Greek one time....lost of course. Also didn't say but a few words to him. He said he was so intimidated by the big-wig players he couldn't concentrate on the game or talk to anyone. He said everyone was nice to him, he just let nerves get the best of him. Now he lives in Vegas full time and plays the slots only...he's not much of a people person. haha.

Anyways, very interesting article that summarizes poker history well.

World Series of Poker History -- WSOP Primer -- Background, Timeline and Facts about the World Series of Poker

Cool article thanks for the post. Yeah I could imagine it must nerve wrecking to play with some pros. I must be fun win or lose. Slots??? That is a crap shoot, what a change in games.

Thanks
HDYCT

Yeah, slots are a crap shoot, but he wins enough to earn a living at it. Huge big house and everything. In fact, they called last night and told us they bought a second home in Naples FL this week. He's been doing slots for about 8 years. Gets 1099s from the casinos, files taxes etc. I asked him if he plays anything but slots yet, and he says no, just slots. He goes and plays from about 4 AM to 8 AM every morning - after everyone has 'loaded' the machines up all night.

Interesting method. Well whatever works. Do you know what kinds of stakes he plays?

Thanks
HDYCT

It is very interesting to see the history while also looking at the current trend that poker is taking. It is becoming more and more popular (especially hold 'em) and the tv coverage is really upping the ante (pardon the pun). I like the way it's going, and now poker stars are getting the celeb status that they deserve for being so mentally skilled. Thanks for the great article to make us appreciate all the much more the way that the game is approached nowadays.

I get soooo bored playing slots. I have just never understood how people play those for hours on end!

Agreed! I can sit at slots for about 15 minutes and then I go completely crazy !! My husband can sit for hours. Ugh.

My brother-in-law started on quarter slots, but now plays the high roller slots - $5 to $25, which he usually maxes out. Meaning each "pull" costs about $25 to $125. He's even played $500 a pull. But when he wins, he wins thousands of dollars at a time. He conditioned himself over time to not stress about the prospect of losing that much money with the hit of a button, but to think positive the whole time. When we go to Vegas to visit, I still stick with the quarters slots, if I play at all. Usually I just play the sports book, which I absolutely kick butt at every football season. Drives my husband and his brothers crazy...I've out won all of them seven years in a row now.

And I just jinxed myself....everyone knock on wood...NOW !