The 1972 World Series of Poker (WSOP)
The 1972 World Series of Poker (WSOP), held at Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas, marked a turning point in poker history, combining strategy, drama, and the rise of key figures who would go on to become legends of the game. That year, the WSOP featured just two events: a $10,000 Limit 5-Card Stud preliminary tournament and the $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event. Benny Binion, hoping to increase the prestige of the event, sweetened the Main Event prize pool by paying half of each player's buy-in. Despite the incentive, only eight of the expected twelve players showed up, many lured away by lucrative cash games.
Amarillo Slim Preston
The Preliminary Event: Boyd's reign
The 5-Card Stud preliminary event drew an unusually small field and was dominated by defending champion Bill Boyd. In a largely uneventful showdown, Boyd successfully defended his title against a single opponent, continuing his streak in the format until it was eventually dropped from the WSOP due to declining popularity.
The Main Event and Early Drama
In the Main Event, the small but legendary field included poker icons such as Johnny Moss, Doyle Brunson, Walter "Puggy" Pearson and Amarillo Slim Preston. Johnny Moss, seeking his third consecutive title, took an early lead but faced a pivotal hand against Brunson, who hit a third ace on the river to beat Moss' three deuces. The hand crippled Moss' stack and led to his early elimination, dashing his hopes of a historic three-peat.
As the tournament progressed, the final four players - Amarillo Slim, Brunson, Pearson and Jack "Treetop" Straus - emerged as contenders for the title. Slim, who was short-stacked at one point, staged a remarkable comeback when he hit trip fives against Brunson's pocket tens to get back into the running. Straus was eliminated in fourth place, leaving Slim, Brunson and Pearson to battle it out for the championship.
The Deal and Brunson's Exit
The remaining three players then met privately to discuss a controversial deal. Both Brunson and Pearson were reportedly uncomfortable with the growing media presence and feared potential attention from the IRS or its effect on their cash game action. As part of the deal, Brunson opted to leave early, citing health reasons, though speculation remains that he took home anywhere from $20,000 to half of the total prize pool. This unusual arrangement, largely due to Brunson's reluctance to win the title, allowed Slim to play Pearson heads-up for the championship.
Despite the deal, Pearson did not go down without a fight. He tried to win the tournament, but Slim's aggressive play chipped away at Pearson's lead. In the final hand, Pearson went all-in with pocket sixes against Slim's K-J on a K-8-8 flop. The turn and river gave Slim a full house, K-8-8-2-8, to secure the title and the $80,000 first prize.
Slim’s Victory and Legacy
Although Slim won the tournament, rumor has it that he only took home $15,000 after paying off the other players as part of the deal. Despite the controversy, Slim capitalized on his victory by becoming the first poker player to embrace the mainstream media. His appearances on shows like "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" helped popularize poker in America, making him the first true poker celebrity.
The Impact of the 1972 WSOP
The 1972 WSOP marked the event's transition from a relatively obscure competition to a more structured and publicized tournament. Slim's victory, though tainted by backroom deals, played a pivotal role in shaping the early history of the WSOP. His charm and media presence helped propel poker into the mainstream, while the deal-making at the final table, unthinkable by today's WSOP standards, added to the intrigue surrounding that pivotal year.
While the 1972 Main Event remains one of the most controversial in WSOP history, it ultimately helped legitimize poker in the eyes of the public and the mainstream media. Despite later personal controversies that tarnished Slim's reputation, his impact on the poker world endures, as he became the figure who bridged poker's underground origins with its rise to mainstream popularity.
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