World Series of Poker: Legacy and Impact Since 1970

In the world of poker, one particular brand is known all over the world and victory at the biggest of stages remains the dream of the vast majority of all card sharks – the World Series of Poker. More than fifty years ago in 1970, casino mogul Benny Binion invited seven of the best-known poker players to the Horseshoe Casino for a single tournament. No cards were dealt back then, as the winner was decided upon via secret ballot.

Since then, the WSOP brand has become a global operation and was purchased in 2024 by leading online poker operator GGPoker from Caesars Entertainment to mark the end of an era. The annual trip for the summer series in Las Vegas in pursuit of the gold bracelet remains the pivotal moment for poker enthusiasts from all over the world, but the WSOP itself has expanded its operations significantly throughout the decades.

Hundreds of gold bracelets can be won every year through live competitions. Sin City awards the majority of them, but players are also able to compete in other locations thanks to the WSOP Asia-Pacific, WSOP Europe and WSOP Paradise. The top eight largest prize pools in a live poker tournament were achieved in the annual WSOP $10,000 Main Event in Las Vegas with the largest tally emerging in 2024 (10,112 entries – $94,041,600 prize money).

 Players also have the opportunity to compete for WSOP bracelets in ring-fenced US markets as well as on the global GGPoker network. Furthermore, the brand also hosts WSOP Circuit festivals during which WSOP circuit rings can be won. Until the end of 2024 and throughout 54 annual editions, Phil Hellmuth holds the most WSOP gold bracelets with 17 while Ari Engel has earned as many circuit rings. 

 

Festivals

World Series of Poker (WSOP) related news

2025 WSOP Main Event: Asia-Pacific Players To Watch; Jun Obara Stunned At Wynn
This year's crown jewel $10,000 WSOP Main Event drew 9,735 to the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas for a prize pool of over $90 Million. At the end of Day 2, Japanese contenders were among the top stacks.
today at 11:12 AM
2025 WSOP Main Event: Falls Short of All-Time High
The 2025 WSOP Main Event has captivated the poker world, attracting a large field of players from across the globe to compete for millions in prize money.
yesterday at 10:03 PM
“I Defended” – Back To Back Victories For Shiina Okamoto At WSOP Ladies Championship
GGPoker
Japan's Shiina Okamoto set poker social media ablaze after doing the unthinkable - winning the WSOP Event #70: Ladies Championship for the second year in a row!
07/01/2025
CoinPoker Ambassadors Shine at the WSOP
CoinPoker continues to solidify its reputation as a leading crypto poker platform, thanks in part to its ambassadors who are not slowing down during the WSOP.
06/30/2025
Deep Runs By APAC Players At 2025 WSOP & Other Las Vegas Events
Ongoing results of Asia-Pacific players at the 2025 WSOP and at other venues in Las Vegas include Najeem Ajez, Biao Ding, Kunal Patni, Marc Rivera, Josh McCully.
06/30/2025
2025 WSOP Millionaire Maker Heads-Up Duel Sparks Controversy
The 2025 WSOP Event #53 Millionaire Maker sparked controversy after possible collusion at heads up between Jesse Yaginuma and James Carroll for the WPT 1M promo.
06/27/2025
Tracking Asia-Pacific Achievements At The 2025 WSOP
As the 2025 WSOP chugs along at the Horseshoe and Paris Hotels in Las Vegas, players from Asia and the Asia-Pacific region are making their presence felt across the board.
06/21/2025
2025 WSOP: More Deep Runs For Asia As Chang Lee Secures Second Asian Gold
Just over two weeks of games at the 2025 WSOP - World Series of Poker in Las Vegas and more Asians have gone deep with Korea's Chang Lee locking up a gold.
06/14/2025
Xixiang Luo Wins First Asian WSOP Gold Bracelet of the 2025 Summer Series
Two time WSOP gold bracelet champion Xixiang Luo clasps a career third bracelet at the PLO Bomb Pot Double Board, becoming the first Asian to win at the 2025 WSOP.
06/09/2025
James Mendoza, Quan Zhou, Punnat Punsri, Yu Hsiang Huang Among Close Calls for Bracelet Early in the 2025 WSOP
The 2025 WSOP is now underway and more than a dozen of the highly sought-after WSOP gold bracelets have already found new owners. Many Asian players came close.
06/08/2025
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