WSOP Main Event Winners of the '80s
Across the world, millions of people consider the World Series of Poker as the most important set of poker events. It has been running for 39 years and a number of professional poker players have participated and emerged victorious in it. Annually, the World Series of Poker transpires in Las Vegas, Nevada. When it started, the main event was still the $5,000 No Limit Hold 'Em World Championship. In 1972, it was changed to the $10,000 Buy-In No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em tournament, and up until now, it is considered as the main event.
Why don't we take a look at the winners of the main event during the 1980s.
First and foremost, we have the late Stuart Errol Ungar as the winner of the World Series of Poker main event in 1980 and 1981. During his victory, he was recognized as the youngest World Series of Poker winner. In 1980, he defeated poker player Doyle Brunson, and in 1981, he defeated poker player Perry Green. He died at the age of 45 in a room at the Oasis Motel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In 1982, the late Jack Straus won the World Series of Poker main event. This American professional poker player earned $520,000 in that event, defeating Dewey Tomko. Straus was also known as "Treetop," which originated from his 6'6" height. He was born on June 16, 1930 and died in August 1988.
Author and professional poker player Tom McEvoy won at the main event of the World Series of Poker in 1983. A former accountant, McEvoy decided to concentrate on poker in 1978. His passion for playing such casino game started when he was only 5 years old. He has written and co-written several books about poker and has also written articles for "CardPlayer Magazine."
The late professional poker player Jack Keller won at the 1984 main event of the World Series of Poker, taking home $660,000. One of his children, Kathy Kolberg, has also become a professional poker player. In 1994, he became one of the inductees into the Poker Hall of Fame, and on December 5, 2003, he died in Mississippi.
The winner of the 1985 World Series of Poker main event was the late professional poker player Bill Smith. Aside from the World Series of Poker bracelet, he took home $700,000. He also participated in the World Series of Poker in 1981 and 1986.
In 1982 and 1990, American poker player Berry Johnston placed 3rd and 5th, respectively, at the World Series of Poker. In 1986, however, he won at the main event, earning $570,000. His reported winnings from live poker tournaments as of 2007 are more than $2,900,000.
In 1987 and 1988, the World Series of Poker main event champion was professional poker player Johnny Chan. He was only 21 when he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada to try his luck in gambling. Besides being a poker player, he is also a businessman who owns a fast-food franchise and a consultant game makers and casinos.
Lastly, in 1989, it was professional poker player Phillip J. Helmuth Jr. who won in the World Series of Poker main event, with total winnings of $755,000. Aside from such achievement, he is also a member of the Poker Hall of Fame and a holder of 11 World Series of Poker bracelets.
The abovementioned people became well-known for being triumphant at the World Series of Poker main events. They have also helped promote poker worldwide.