57 tournaments in 51 days, culminating with the biggest prize pool awarded in sports. With over $100 million in total prize money up for grabs, it’s not a stretch to assume the WSOP produces more millionaires each year than the graduating class at Harvard.
What started as an invitation only poker game for the top seven players in the country has ballooned into a worldwide phenomenon bringing thousands of hopefuls from around the globe to Las Vegas for their shot at fame and fortune.
And this year’s tournaments have added significance; this year marks the 40th anniversary of the invitation only game between Johnny Moss, Doyle Brunson, Amarillo Slim Preston, Crandall Addington, Sailor Roberts, Puggy Pearson, and Carl Canon that started it all.
To honor 40 years of WSOP tournaments, Harrah’s has added two special events: The first is a $40,000 buy-in NLHE event, and the second is a Tournament of Champions where past WSOP Champions will compete in an exclusive tournament. The latter tournament really encompasses what the WSOP was meant to be; the top players competing against one another.
In addition to the commemorative tournaments, I’m very hopeful that one particular member of the original seven will be honored for his achievements, and for being one of the games most important ambassadors: Of course I’m speaking about Doyle Brunson, who is still recognized as one of the top players in the world some 40 years later. How many people do you know that are at the top of their profession for over half a century?
So, If you’re listening Harrah’s, honor Doyle by renaming the player of the year award The Doyle Brunson Player of the Year award; no poker player deserves it more. With 10 bracelets to his credit and countless other accomplishments Doyle is the first face on Poker’s Mount Rushmore.
You see, in the poker world a WSOP bracelet is the equivalent of a business making the Forbes 500, and if winning a bracelet proves your skill, than winning multiple bracelets turns you into a legend. When you have 10 –like Doyle- you become an icon, your name and image become synonymous with poker. This is why most players would rather win the $1,500 NLHE event at the WSOP than take down a WPT title; the spectacle and mystique of the WSOP is what drives poker players by the thousands to descend on Vegas in late May each year. Players are seeking their shot at not only money, but fame.
Of course, the real jewel will always be the Main Event. If you asked any poker player to pick one event they want to win the answer would inevitably be the WSOP Main Event. How popular is the Main Event? Consider that making the final table of the Main Event brings more fame to a player than winning almost any other poker tournament! And Doyle has two Main Event bracelets.
Doyle deserves the highest honor you could present him, and there would be no better time than at this year’s 40th reunion of 7 poker players competing against one another, that has evolved into the World Series of Poker. Let's get this done Harrah's!
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Comments
Steve,
Great idea, great post.
Thanks, love your site by the way
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