World Series of Poker: History and Poker Rules

This lesson tells the tale of the history of the World Series of Poker and details the rules of 5 poker games played.
Although the World Series of Poker made its official debut in 1970, the idea of the Horseshoe's annual tournament was idealized more than 20 years earlier.

In the summer of 1949, as the tale is told, gambler Nicholas "Nick the Greek" Dandolos approached Benny Binion with an unusual request. He wanted to challenge the best in a high-stakes poker marathon. Binion agreed to set up a match between Dandolos and the legendary Johnny Moss, with the condition that the game would be played in public view.
During the course of the marathon, lasting five months, the two gamblers played every form of poker imaginable. Moss ultimately won the biggest game in town and an estimated $2 million. When the Greek lost his last pot, he rose, bowed slightly, and uttered the now-famous words, “Mr. Moss, I have to let you go.”

The five-month marathon took on added importance to Benny Binion. It wasn't until 1970 that Binion decided to re-create the excitement and stage a battle of poker giants, titled The World Series Of Poker, to determine who would be worthy of the title World Champion. Johnny Moss came out on top. The decision to determine the champion of the World Series of Poker was decided by popular vote.
The following year, Moss again was declared the Champion.
In 1972, when Thomas ‘Amarillo Slim’ Preston won the title and went on the talk-show circuit, the World Series of Poker began to gain a wider following.
It was only a year later that Binion was interviewed and discussed the Championship series. “This poker game here gets us a lot of attention,” he said. "We had seven players last year, and this year we had 13. I look to have better than 20 next year. It's even liable to get up to be 50, might get up to be more than that." Binion then paused, and prophesied, "It will eventually."
In the early 1980s, Binion's look into the future became a fact and the popularity of the World Series soared.
Today, the World Series of Poker ranks as the oldest, most prestigious, and most media-hyped gaming in the world. The series has touched thousands of lives over the years.

The five poker games played at the World Series of Poker are Texas Holdem, Omaha, 7-card Stud, Razz and Lowball. The rules for these games follow.

1) Texas Holdem
Each player is dealt two cards down. A round of betting occurs as players decide if they stay in or out of the game.Five community cards follow with betting after the flop, the turn, and the river. In the end, the best 5-card combo wins the hand and takes the pot.

2)  Omaha
Each player receives four down cards. Round of betting occurs as players decide to stay or get out. Five community cards follow with betting after the flop, the turn, and the river. Players in the game reveal their cards. However, unlike Holdem, each player must use two of their down cards along with three of the community cards. Best 5-card hand wins the pot.

3) Seven Card Stud
Each player is dealt three cards. The first two cards are down and the third is up for everyone to see. Players decide to stay or go. Next three cards are all dealt face up with betting rounds after each card. The seventh and final card is dealt face down.
After one last round of betting, players remaining reveal their cards and the best five card hand wins the hand and takes the pot.

4) Razz
Similar to 7-card stud, this game’s exception is that the low hand wins at the World Series of Poker. Three cards are dealt to each player. The first two are down cards and the third is up for everyone to see.
A round of betting follows, as it does after each of the next three up cards are dealt. The seventh and last card is dealt face down.
One last round of betting and the players in the game reveal what they have.
To determine the low hand winner, flushes and straights do not count as high hands.

5) Lowball
Easily explained as 5-card draw and the low hand wins.
Thus, the goal of the game is to have the lowest hand possible.
Unlike razz, straights and flushes count as high hands.
The best possible hand a player could have is 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7.
Each player receives five cards face down.
After betting, a player is allowed to draw up to five new cards.
Once a player receives their new cards, a final round of betting follows.
Remaining players then reveal their cards and the low hand winner takes the pot.

Poker History and Tournaments follows World Series of Poker

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How to Play Poker Program 1
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