The Origin Of World Series Of Poker - 5 Rules In The Gambling Extravaganza

Then how did it become so famous and prestigious? It all started in 1949 when Nicholas "Nick the Greek" Dandalos approached Benny Binion with an offer he couldn't refuse: he wanted to organize a high-stakes poker marathon. The marathon would be available to the public for viewing, and the duration would last for days, or months if necessary.
Binion set up the game between Johnny Moss and Dandalos - a marathon that would last for five months and only break for sleep and meals. The two men played their hearts out - and they played every form of poker they knew how. However, Moss eventually won the game and brought home approximately $2 million.
It was then, that the famous Greek quote was uttered: "Mr. Moss, I have to let you go."

Binion saw that each day the poker marathon went on, crowds grew - people were actually interested in watching "The Greek" and Moss compete in the game. It was this poker marathon that was the inspiration behind the World Series Of Poker. The first World Series Of Poker was held in 1970. The aim of the 1970 tournament was to decide who the best poker player in the world was - Binion gathered together as many highly skilled poker players that he could find, and held the tournament at Binion's Horseshoe in Nevada. That year, the winner was decided by vote, however, the following year, the winner was determined by the same means as today's World Series Of Poker: everyone will play until one player has won all the chips. Interestingly enough, Moss won again in 1971.

In 1972, Thomas "Amarillo Slim" Preston took home the winning spot. This was also the year that interest in the World Series Of Poker began to increase. Amarillo Slim is credited by developing awareness of the tournament by making appearances on popular talk shows like Johnny Carson.
Another item that has led to an increase in the World Series Of Poker entries is the increase in the popularity of online poker and televised poker. Online satellites have made it easier for amateur players to win spots in the World Series Of Poker, while televised poker has inspired millions to learn the game of poker.

Five World Series Of Poker rules

Hold 'em

The flop is 3 cards laid face up in the center of the table. These cards serve as common cards. Another round of betting ensues, with the first remaining player to the left of the button starting the action.
A single card is laid face up, next to the flop, for a total of 4 cards face up. Another betting round occurs, starting with the first player remaining to the left of the button.
A final card is turned face up, bringing the total number of common cards faces up on the board to 5. A final round of betting occurs, starting with the first player remaining to the left of the button.
After betting is complete and if more than two players remain, a showdown occurs in which the winner is determined by the best five card hand possible using the 5 common cards and each players' pocket cards.


Razz

In Razz, the highest up card on third street has to make the forced bring in bet. This starts the action. On all subsequent rounds, the lowest hand showing acts first. If there is a tie for low hand showing, the first active player clockwise from the dealer begins the round's action. Another difference is the fact that if a player pairs his door card, there is no double bet option like there would be in standard 7 card stud.



Seven card stud

Most 7 card stud tables require an ante of every player before being dealt any cards. After everyone has "ante'd up", each player is dealt 3 cards, 2 face down and one face up. This is called third street. The face up card is called your doorcard. Unlike Hold 'em, there is no button, rather, the player with the lowest doorcard posts what is referred to as the bring in. If two or more players have the same value card, the bring in is determined by suit value. Suit values from lowest to highest are: clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades. Players to the left of the bring in then have the option of folding, calling or raising the bring in bet.

Omaha

In Omaha hi/lo, the pot can be a split pot if there is a qualifying low hand. To qualify as a low hand, the player must have five unpaired cards that are 8 or lower. An ace counts as the lowest card in a qualifying low hand, and flushes and straights do not affect the low value. The best "low" hand would be an ace through five straight (A2345). This hand is commonly called the "Bicycle." It is entirely possible for a player to have the best low and best high hand.

Lowball

- Ace-to-five low: The lowest possible hand is 5-4-3-2-A, called a wheel. Aces are low and straights and flushes are ignored. This is the most common method.
- Ace-to-six low: Also called 6-4 low, since the lowest possible hand is 6-4-3-2-A. Aces are low and straights and flushes count as high hands.
- Deuce-to-seven low: Also called 7-5 low, since the lowest possible hand is 7-5-4-3-2. Almost the direct inverse of traditional "high hand" poker. Aces are high and straights and flushes count as high hands. Since aces are high, A-5-4-3-2 is not a straight, but just ace-high no pair.
- Deuce-to-six low: The other, mostly unused, possibility would be 6-5 low. Aces are high, straights and flushes are ignored.