The 1973 World Series of Poker (WSOP)
The 1973 World Series of Poker (WSOP) marked a significant year in the evolution of the prestigious poker series, which was once again held at Binion's Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas. The series saw substantial changes, particularly in the structure and publicity surrounding the events, cementing the tournament's place in poker history.
Walter "Puggy" Pearson
Expanding the Tournament
The 1973 WSOP introduced more preliminary events, growing from two events in the previous year to eight. These preliminary tournaments helped build momentum for Main Event, drawing more attention and increasing participation. A total of 13 players entered the Main Event, the largest field to date. Notably, CBS Sports aired highlights of the Main Event, marking the first time poker was televised on national TV, which helped increase the game's popularity.
Preliminary Events
The preliminary events were full of intense competition, with several prominent figures making their mark. Puggy Pearson, a dominant force in the series, won multiple events, including the $4,000 Seven-Card Stud and the $1,000 No Limit Hold’em, making him the first player in WSOP history to win multiple preliminary events in the same year.
One of the most unusual events was the $10,000 Limit Five-Card Stud tournament. Only one player, Bill Boyd, registered for this event due to his reputation as an unbeatable Five-Card Stud player. This resulted in Boyd essentially being "awarded" his third WSOP bracelet, a situation that highlighted the need for format changes in future series.
Joe Bernstein won the Limit Ace-to-Five Draw event, becoming the oldest bracelet winner at age 73, a record that would stand until 1981.
The $3,000 No-Limit Deuce-to-Seven Draw tournament produced another unique situation. After a grueling 20-hour heads-up battle, Aubrey Day and Jack Straus agreed to split the prize, marking the only official chop in WSOP history. The decision was influenced by Straus' desire to rest before the upcoming Main Event.
The Main Event
The 1973 WSOP Main Event was a $10,000 buy-in, winner-takes-all No Limit Hold’em tournament. It was broadcast on CBS Sports, bringing poker to a national television audience for the first time. Under the bright lights of the CBS cameras, 13 players battled for the $130,000 prize. Jack Straus, who had barely slept after his marathon Deuce-to-Seven Draw battle, entered the Main Event as the favorite, but ultimately finished in third place.
Reigning champion Amarillo Slim was eliminated early, finishing in 12th place. Doyle Brunson, another poker legend and a key figure in previous WSOPs, was knocked out in 11th. As the field was whittled down to a final table of six, Puggy Pearson, Johnny Moss, and Jack Straus emerged as the main contenders.
In the end, the tournament came down to a heads-up between Pearson and Moss, the two-time WSOP Main Event champion.The final hand saw Pearson's A-high hold up against Moss's KJ, earning Pearson the entire $130,000 prize pool. Pearson’s victory was especially significant as it came one year after he had made a deal to let Amarillo Slim win the 1972 Main Event. This time, he won outright and secured his place in poker history.
Impact and Legacy
The 1973 WSOP was a milestone event, not only because of its expanded schedule and increased participation, but also due to its national television exposure. This media coverage helped propel poker into mainstream culture.
Pearson's Main Event victory capped off an extraordinary performance throughout the series. He became the first player to win three WSOP events in a single year, taking home two bracelets from preliminary events in addition to the Main Event title. His total winnings of $175,000 represented more than two-thirds of the entire festival's prize money.
The 1973 WSOP set the stage for the series' future growth, with more players, higher stakes, and greater visibility, establishing the tournament as the worlds' premier poker competition.
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