Tag Archives: live poker

The History of WSOP (World Series of Poker) 1970 – 1989.

February 23, 2019   Game type   No comments

WSOP 2011 is just 10 days away and while looking forward and getting ready to the new series we would like to remember the history of this magnificent event to and see how it grew to become the most desirable and iconic live poker tournament.

This year over 70,000 players from every corner of the world will compete for $280,000,000 of the prize money in 58 different events. It is hard to believe that 1970, when the first World Series of Poker began, the entire state of Nevada had only 70 poker tables and on 50 of them in the whole city of Las Vegas. Although Benny Binion is universally thought of as the founder of the Series the story began a year earlier in 1969, when Vic Vickrey and Tom Moore set up a “Texas Gamblers Reunion” in Reno. A few high profiled Texan players joined the series of high rolling gaming including Benny Binion himself, Jimmy Snyder, Doyle Brunson, “Amarilo Slim” Preston, Johny Moss and Puggy Pearson. Although the original plan was to have this gathering an annual event 1969 reunion became the first and the last in history. However is gave Binion an idea to set up World Series of Poker in his Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas the following year.

1970 WSOP attracted only 6 players. The first champion Johny Moss was not even the tournament winner, as he was selected as the best player by mutual agreement of the other players. There was no attention or interest in the event from either press or public. What’s more Horseshoe Casino did not even have a poker room and the event to place in a little alcove about the size of a small hotel room.

1971 WSOP was set up as a freeze-out. The tournament fee was $5,000 and again only seven attendants. Johny Moss defended his title and won the top prize. In those days the tournament was run on “winner-takes-it-all” basis. Once again nobody outside and in fact most people in Las Vegas new anything of what was going on.

1972 WSOP became the turning point, although still with only twelve participants joining the table. When “Amarillo Slim” Preston won the event, he took this opportunity to turn his victory into a huge publicity whirlpool and became live poker’s greatest ambassador, telling the nation about this amazing new opportunity.

Preston’s promotional efforts paid off and 1973 was the first time in history when live poker tournament made an appearance on CBS Sports. It was also the first year when other poker variations such as Razz, Seven Card Stud and lower limits of Texas Hold’em events were introduced. Puggy Pearson was the main even winner that year.

Johny Moss made a history and won his third title in 1974 and Doyle Brunson got the bracelet in three consecutive years 1975,1976, 1977.

It was 1978 when the tournament format was changed again to spilt the prize money and award top five players with progressive amounts. Also the same year the first woman, Barbara Freer, joined the tables to compete against all male clubs.

Hal Fowler became the first unknown amateur player to win the bracelet in 1979 to shock the famous professional hard core. His victory became a real aspiration for many new players, who had never thought of it before, to go Las Vegas and test their skills.

Young New Yorker Stu “The Kid” Ungar was another surprise for old school Texan dominated fraternity when he won in 1980 and then again the following year. His achievements where so exciting for the nation, that NBC Sports did the coverage of the whole event.

1982 WSOP offered eleven events, including Ladies World Championship. The main event buy-in became $10,000 and 260 players joined in.

In order to make WSOP participation more popular and achievable for all poker players from all backgrounds Eric Drache, WSOP tournament director at the time, introduced an idea of satellite qualifications in 1983. This idea was exactly what was needed attract universal interest and to move WSOP into a different league. From that point on the Series’ popularity shot through the roof. The old Horseshoe Casino could no longer host the event alone and Binion even had to buy next door Mint Casino to accommodate some of the tournaments. Sadly Binion died in 1989 on Christmas Day.

If you have not secured your place in Las Vegas this year yet don’t worry there is still time to qualify to live poker events WSOP 2011 online with Unleashed Poker as well as many other online poker promotions running now.

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How to Look Like a Poker Pro When Playing in a Casino. Guide to Live Poker Etiquette.

February 15, 2019   Game type   No comments

Playing poker live in a casino is very different to playing poker online. Even if you are a seasoned online poker pro your first entry into casino maybe overwhelming so it is good to know basic live poker ground rules, otherwise known as poker etiquette. Knowledge of those rules will make you feel more relaxed, give you a chance to concentrate on your play and assure players around you that you know what you are doing and should be taken seriously. If you won your seat in live poker tournaments through some of the online poker promotions and you are new to real casino atmosphere it is especially worth taking time to get familiar with Dos and Don’ts of the casino play so you always look and feel like a regular.

First and foremost Be Polite at all times. Yes poker can be very frustrating whether you play live or online. Those words that you say to air your feelings at home have no place in a casino. However angry or upset you are stay polite to players around you and the dealers. Do not express your opinions about other people’s play. Expressing your emotions this way will also make you more of a target for other players. Throwing your cards at a dealer is big No-No and makes you look amateur and rude. The dealer is not giving you bad cards on purpose while saving all the good cards for your opponents.

Do Not Splash the Pot. Don’t push your chips into the middle of the table where they can get mixed up with other players’ chips. Stack them in a neat pile about a foot away from you. The dealer will take care of them when the action is completed for this round.

Do not String Raise. The famous phrase “I will call your $500…. AND raise $1000” does not have place at a casino poker table. If you put out enough chips for a call and then decide to change your mind and raise by adding more chips, it will be called a String Raise, and is not allowed. The dealer will ask you to take the raise back. This rule is in place to stop players getting an advantage from reading the possible tells of the call and then take advantage of it through raising. So if you want to raise just say “Raise” or simply count the number of chips you want to bet and move them all at the same time.

Play at a Reasonable Speed. When you play poker online, poker room software allows you a certain amount of time to react, if you take more time than allowed the “sitting out” feature will take you out of that hand. Although it is OK to spend some time to think about your actions live playing live if you take too much time on every hand you play you will only irritate players around you and make yourself look indecisive and unprofessional.

Act in Turn. This is another difference playing live compared to playing poker online. In an online poker room you can click your action button at any time and your action will be shown to other players when your turn comes. When playing live you have to wait for your turn before you make any action. Acting before your turn is impolite and gives unfair advantage to other players. If a player before you sees you folding he might decide on a different bet to the one he would have made without this knowledge.

Keep Your Cards on the Table. When you receive your hole cards have a look at them, while protecting them with your hand and place a chip on top as an indication to the dealer that you are still in play. Under no circumstances remove the cards off the table. If you are folding move your cards towards the dealer, making sure that they are always face down, as one quick glance at your cards will give an advantage to other players. Nobody should ever see your cards until the showdown.

Do not Discuss Hands. Even if you have folded keep quiet about your hand or offer other players advice with their hand. Your comments to your neighbour about your hand will put him in unfair advantage compared to other players at the table. This is not limited to verbal comments; remember actions speak louder than words. If you muck T, 3 unsuited and the flop comes with T,T,T control yourself. Rolling your eyes and groaning will tell everyone around the table that the forth ten is out of action. If you have a question, please, ask the dealer not a player sitting next to you.

If your idea of fun is to irritate as many people around you as possible just disregard the rules above, however don’t be surprised if players at the table turn against you and the casino in turn may impose a fine or ask you to leave. Following this poker etiquette will not only make your live poker experience more enjoyable but will make you look like a real poker pro at live poker events.

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