WSOP highlights throughout the years: 1980’s the era of the back to back champs

[Steve Ruddock]

1980 – Stuey “The Kid” Ungar becomes poker’s first prodigy when he knocks off Doyle Brunson to win the Main Event; the youngest player ever to win. Stuey ushered in a new brand of poker: the hyper aggressive style. Since his motivation was to win, Stu saw money as nothing more than a tool, and this allowed him to play absolutely fearlessly. In 1997 interview, Stuey told Gabe Kaplan that the 1980 Main Event was the first time he had ever played Texas Hold’ Em! Stuey would go on to win again in 81’ and 97’.



1982 – The WSOP field tops 100 players! While that seems incredibly small by today’s standards, keep in mind that the first couple of years they were basically playing a short-handed game of poker. Jack ‘Treetop” Strauss, all 6’6” of him, was able to beat the triple digit field to capture the title. The win was remarkable when you consider that early on day 2 of the tournament he pushed his chips into the pot, was called and lost the hand. Getting up, he discovered he had one chip left under a napkin on the table. Because he didn't declare himself all-in, the tournament directors allowed him to continue playing. This is where the expression “A chip and a chair” comes from.



1987 – The era of Johnny Chan is ushered in. Chan has been the consummate pro since he burst onto the poker scene. And is known for his cameo in the Movie Rounders, as much as his impressive poker career. One interesting quirk is Chan’s ‘lucky’ orange – which he later says he kept with him because of the pleasant scent: In those days smoking was allowed at the tables, and as a former smoker Chan said the smoke bothered him.



1988 – Chan wins his second WSOP title, and the winning hand vs. Erik Seidel has been immortalized thanks to the movie Rounders. Chan now has 10 WSOP poker bracelets -2 main event titles- and is considered one of the greatest players of all time.



1989 – Phil Hellmuth becomes the youngest WSOP champion when he beats Johnny Chan to win the Main Event. Playing against the ‘hands down’ best player in the world, Johnny Chan, Hellmuth pulled off the upset to capture the title. What amazes me is that heads-up battle now has 21 bracelets between them!

[Steve Ruddock]

Quite amazing how Chan won, won, and then finished runner up. For my money this is the most impressive feat ever at the WSOP.

[Steve Ruddock]

I probably missed one when I didn't mention Tom McEvoy being the first person to win from a satellite event

[youngplayer9]

I probably missed one when I didn't mention Tom McEvoy being the first person to win from a satellite event

which probably is one of the most important things in poker history. iyam 99% of us wouldn't be here.

[Steve Ruddock]

I wouldn't consider it that important, satellites were still a $1,000 tournament at that time... I was thinking more in terms of the history of being the first person to win who didn't pay $10,000... the advent of online satellites is a different matter altogether and will be discussed in the 2000's of this series

[ColdHardMetal]

Quite amazing how Chan won, won, and then finished runner up. For my money this is the most impressive feat ever at the WSOP.

I knew he won back to back but didn't know about the runner-up bit. That really does add something more. It might explain why Helmuth is such an ass as well since he beat Chan in his prime while still young enough for something like that to turn a kid into a dick.