The 1971 World Series of Poker (WSOP)
The 1971 World Series of Poker (WSOP) was a pivotal moment in poker history. It introduced the first freezeout tournament format, a key difference from the inaugural 1970 event. The freezeout structure, where players could not re-enter after losing, was introduced at the advice of poker journalist Ted Thackrey Jr. and player Amarillo Slim Preston. This new format brought greater excitement and structure to the event, transforming it from a series of cash games into a true competition. Held at Binion's Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas from May 1-15, the tournament series featured five events, with the $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event as the highlight.
The series began with four preliminary events, each with a $1,000 buy-in. Walter "Puggy" Pearson won the first event, Limit 7-Card Stud, taking home $10,000. Fiore "Jimmy" Casella followed with a win in the Limit Razz event, also taking home $10,000. Bill Boyd took down the Limit Five-Card Stud event, while Johnny Moss secured a win in the Limit A-to-5 Draw event, adding another title to his 1970 success.
The Main Event, a winner-take-all competition, drew just six players, each paying a $5,000 buy-in. Johnny Moss, who had been crowned champion by player vote in 1970, now had a chance to prove his dominance in a competitive setting. Notable participants included poker legends Doyle Brunson, Puggy Pearson, and Jack Straus. Brunson finished third, with Straus as the runner-up in a thrilling heads-up match against Moss. Ultimately, Moss claimed the title and the $30,000 prize, becoming the first back-to-back WSOP champion.
The final hand of the 1971 Main Event is unrecorded, and some confusion in later years incorrectly listed Puggy Pearson as Moss's heads-up opponent, although historical sources confirm that it was Jack Straus.
In addition, there were several days of cash games, culminating in a Poker Awards Banquet, where several players were recognized for their achievements in various poker disciplines. Moss was recognized for his prowess in Hold'em and Low Ball, solidifying his legacy and setting the stage for future WSOP tournaments as the premier poker championship.
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